Column by Jonathan Nagy
Graduation season is upon us in the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. We have much to be proud of with our Catholic elementary, junior high, and high schools, as well as our local Catholic colleges. The robust development and expansion of the Catholic school system here was a goal of our 4th Bishop, Howard J. Carroll, whose namesake school, Bishop Carroll Catholic High School, held its graduation on Wednesday, May 21. Below is the address that I gave at the commencement ceremony. While this message is directed at the Bishop Carroll senior class, many of the points can easily apply to all graduates in our Diocese. Bishop Howard J. Carroll would be so proud to see the schools he cared so deeply about thrive and grow!
Graduates of the Class of 2025,
First and foremost, congratulations on reaching this important milestone in your lives. You have worked extremely hard to get to this point. While your achievements are very much personally driven, your families, friends, teachers, and above all, God, have been there to help you attain this landmark event, setting you up for a bright future. Make sure to take time to thank those who have helped you along the way.
On January 23, 1958, the namesake of our school, Bishop Howard J. Carroll, was installed as the 4th bishop of the Altoona-Johnstown Diocese. Bishop Carroll was a man of deep faith and ambition, which led to amazing academic and ministerial achievements. He attended Catholic school from first grade all the way through seminary and was always a proponent of Catholic education. In fact, during the brief five years he was Bishop of our diocese, more schools were opened and/or expanded than under any other Bishop.
At his installation Mass, Bishop Carroll expressed his hope for the future. He said, “I am consoled, heartened and strengthened greatly by the knowledge that here in the Altoona-Johnstown area the seeds of faith, planted deep by heroic missioners of the early days, notably your well-beloved Prince Gallitzin, and watered and tended so well by zealous bishops and priests who came after, now flourish and flower so vigorously and impressively.”
You are the hope that Bishop Carroll spoke about nearly 70 years ago. Howard Carroll believed in what Catholic education would do for every student. Obviously, I have never met the man, but I know that he would be so very proud of each and every one of you. Here are just a few examples of why I believe this.
Bishop Carroll was known as a positive, well-mannered, and honorable person. He had a way with people that left them feeling better for knowing him. That sentiment is one that I and your other teachers and administrators share about you. You are kind and encouraging individuals. You smile and greet everyone you encounter. Above all, you live out Christian ideals in your encounters with others.
Howard J. Carroll was a well-educated and extremely intellectual man. He attended Holy Rosary elementary and high school in Pittsburgh, Duquesne University, Saint Vincent College, and the University of Fribourg in Switzerland. He also worked at the Vatican in a number of positions and was elected General Secretary of the National Catholic Welfare Conference, which was the precursor to the current USCCB. He also held a great many other positions in various Catholic organizations. His resume was impressive, but each of you are on your way to achieving equally lofty goals. Most of you have spent your educational careers solely in Catholic education. Additionally, half of you are continuing your Catholic education at various Catholic colleges, including Saint Francis, Mount Aloysius, and Bishop Howard Carroll’s alma maters of Duquesne and Saint Vincent. Each of you have plotted life paths and careers that are not only personal goals, but ways to help the world grow in spirit, heart, mind, and body. The number of dual enrollment courses taken at Bishop Carroll by the class of 2025 is truly astounding. Additionally, students who attended Admiral Peary Vo-Tech have attained great certifications in their fields. You have begun a career of life-long learning, one which we hope continues to grow.
Bishop Carroll was extremely dedicated to his tasks. He set an ambitious agenda when he became Bishop, setting out to truly enhance every aspect of his new diocese. Until his dying day, he was committed to what he believed in and inspired others to follow his lead. You all wear your hearts on your sleeves and give it your all – in the classroom, on the stage, court, field, and any other avenue where you showcase your talents and abilities. You are dedicated to this school. Many of you completed your required service hours a long time ago, but yet, time and time again, you volunteered to help with every event, often staying much longer than needed to ensure that things go smoothly. You have done everything from helping to gather donations, setting up, assisting in running events, clean up, and yes, even making award-worthy commercials. Many of you always ask me after each event not how you did with your part, but how we as a school did with the event. You give your all, and that would make Bishop Carroll smile.
Most importantly, Bishop Carroll had deep faith in Jesus Christ. Not only did he inspire others to deepen their relationships with our Savior, but he was inspired by the faith of the people he shepherded in the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. He said, “Unless I am badly mistaken, we are poised for great tasks and great accomplishments. With the help of God and your prayer cooperation, let us in the Name of God face the future resolutely, courageously, and diligently. And in deep felt appreciation of your kindness to me, the memory of which will linger with me always, I have the pleasure of imparting to you, and to all your loved ones, a cordial blessing in God: May the blessing of Almighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, descend upon you and remain for always. Amen.” Your faith is admirable. You have been deeply involved in your faith through retreats, liturgies, faith-sharing opportunities, and more. The fact that your class requested more time of Eucharistic Adoration and sought to find deeper answers to the questions you have about your faith is remarkable. You are inspired by the example of Blessed Carlo Acutis, and honor him with your prayers in the chapel which bears an image of his likeness and a first-class relic. You are involved in your parishes and are not afraid to find ways to demonstrate your faith, constantly evangelizing to God’s people. You may not always do it with your words, but you always do with your actions. You lead by example and come as a great inspiration to us all.
I conclude imparting to you the same words that Bishop Howard J. Carroll used in addressing his new diocese in 1958. He said, “Let us in the name of God face the future courageously, sincerely, and joyously. A most sincere, cordial blessing to all.” Congratulations to you all. Your future potential is limitless, and you will impact the world in positive ways that you could not at this point imagine. Continue working hard and being the faithful, joyous, wonderful people that you are. Bishop Howard Carroll himself would be extremely delighted to see you as graduates of the school that bears his name. Every member of the Bishop Carroll community is so very proud of you. It has been a pleasure getting to know each of you, and I will truly miss you, but on behalf of the faculty and staff, I wish you the best of luck and God’s blessings on your future!
Congratulations again to all graduates in the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown! Remember to keep Jesus Christ close to you, for we were never meant to walk this journey alone!
Jonathan Nagy, M.Ed., is the Dean of Students, Director of Alumni Relations, and Social Studies teacher at Bishop Carroll Catholic High School in Ebensburg. He is also the Music Director at the Basilica of Saint Michael the Archangel in Loretto.
