At Helias Catholic High School's graduation Mass on Sunday, the Rev. Nicholas Reid told the school's 160 graduates that the point of their lives is to live for others.
"With all due respect to my dear graduates, I say gently, you are not the point. Your ability to build others up is the point," he said.
Living for others, he said, will teach you more about yourself than other things. "It will transform you," he said, just like the apostles were strengthened by the gift of the Holy Spirit and "poured out their lives" to do God's work.
The first piece of advice he offered to the graduates: go to Mass.
"Going to Mass is tried and true. It is the best way to keep close to the sacraments that will strengthen for spiritual life," he said.
No one, he said, is living the dream every day, despite what social media might lead you to believe. So he advised the graduates to take a few minutes each day to listen to God and ask for help.
Finally, he advised them: Call your parents. "Seriously, call your parents. Don't make them call you," Reid said.
"My dear graduates, the beauty of life is when it's lived for others. That is where memories are made. So go make some memories," he said.
Helias Principal Sister Jean Dietrich announced standouts in the class who had various honors, including five entering the military, the 16 who graduated in the top 10 percent of their class and those receiving academic scholarships to college. When she asked the latter group to stand, most of the class stood.
Entering the military are Chase Bexten, Missouri Army National Guard; Camden Riley, Navy; Anthony Gladbach, Air Force; Kyle Berhorst, Marines; Alyssa Hartman, Army Reserve.
The 11 co-valedictorians are: Kyle Braun, Matthew Brenneke, Morgan Johns, Eric Ludwig, Trent Ludwig, Lydia Page, Kendra Ruether, Morgan Rundle, Allison Strope, Victoria Veit and Synclaire Truesdale.
Father Stephen Jones, president of Helias, told the graduates he didn't have anything new to tell them.
"All I would say to you to you today is what I said to you the last several years that we've been together ... and that is, remember who you are," Jones said. "Remember to whom you belong. And remember what you were created to be. You are, of course, children of God, belonging to your Creator, our heavenly Father, and this community."
He told them that as they leave to remember that they are always part of the Helias family.
Jones advised them to live up to their calling and potential. "Pursue your dreams and goals ... and make a difference for good in the world. Make a difference in the lives of others.
"Remember what we are called to do, and that is to serve," he said.