Column by Jonathan Nagy
As has been my tradition the last few years, I want to take the opportunity for my May article to share with you my commencement address that I gave at Bishop Carroll Catholic High School’s graduation. While I have spoke at graduation for the last several years as Dean of Students, this was my first year as Principal. It is truly an honor, privilege, and blessing to lead this outstanding school.
While many of the items included in this speech are particular to the Class of 2026, I believe there are lessons included that can apply to everyone. I pray that you read the words with an open heart to the message that God wants you to hear and understand. To all of our graduates at all levels throughout the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown, I wish to congratulate you on your accomplishments and wish you well in all of your future endeavors!
Class of 2026, congratulations on reaching the apex of your high school journey at Bishop Carroll Catholic High School. Your hard work, perseverance, and devotion to your faith have brought you to this moment. While your accomplishments are certainly the result of your own dedication, the support of your families, friends, teachers, and above all, God, has been essential along the way. Take time to thank those who have helped you and offer a prayer of thanksgiving to God for His guidance.
Saint Carlo Acutis, the new namesake of our beloved school chapel, once said, “All people are born as originals but many die as photocopies.” While this quote definitely demonstrates the youthful relatability of the first millennial saint, there is remarkable depth to this statement. Everyone was known to God before they were even born. In Psalm 139:13-14, we read, “For You formed me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” All humans were born with the same potential. Many do not strive for it, and just like Saint Carlo said, die as photocopies.
The world has many doctors, nurses, pharmacists, teachers, electricians and chefs. We have politicians, business executives, mechanics, and engineers. These are just a few of the chosen courses of study and professions among the graduates sitting in front of me tonight. Undoubtedly, each will be valuable assets in their fields. Work is good, righteous, and honorable, but it does not define who we are as people. Individuals let their work consume them, and then they go through the motions day after day, finding no joy in what they do. They become, as Saint Carlo said, “photocopies.” Graduates, hear me clearly – do not become photocopies!
In getting to know each of you, I have seen the potential that you hold. You have the ability, right here and right now, to totally change the world for the good. I have had the pleasure to witness your growth as Christian servants, and your devotion to your classmates, your friends, and Jesus Christ. You are all phenomenal examples to others and show kindness, support, dedication, compassion, care, and encouragement to each other. Your internal drives to accomplish the tasks laid before you have been phenomenal. I asked you all on the first day of school to stretch your hand as far in the air as you could, and then a few seconds later I asked you to stretch it further. Guess what? You were all able to do so. That is what I have come to witness in you this year. You see the bar set for you, and you not only meet the bar, but you far exceed it. As Abraham Lincoln was once credited with saying, “Whatever you are, be a good one.” I have no doubt whatever you set out to be you will be not only good at it, but great.
There is an icebreaker game called the “I am” statements. People create “I am” poems to describe themselves to others they are meeting. They may say “I am a welder,” “I am a father,” “I am an American,” and so on and so forth. Jesus Christ did this in the Gospels. He spoke the truth about Himself as our Lord and Savior by answering the “I am” statements in many ways, such as “I am the Bread of Life,” “I am the Good Shepherd,” “I am the Light of the World,” and several more. I ask you to truthfully think about and answer the question, “what might your “I am” statements be?”
On profound statement that you can make as of tonight is, “I am a Bishop Carroll graduate.” That is true, and a statement that you should be proud to say. You have been challenged in your studies and have excelled at extremely difficult classes and assignments. One of my favorite activities is to pop into classrooms and just see what you were accomplishing every day. You have represented the school well on the court, field, stage, debate room, and in many other arenas. You have performed thousands of hours of community service. You have created great artwork, performed wonderful music, and used your creative energies to make the school, the community, and the world a better place. You have inspired many, including your peers, the underclassmen, and the adults in the building. The world could learn a lot from each of you. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for what you have done for the school, everyone in it, and me personally.
I would like to give you another way to finish the “I am” statement. “I am a Child of God.” Each of you, made in His image and likeness, and profoundly devoted to Him, are blessings to all that you encounter. You have not only reached the bar that has been set for you in terms of faith development, but you have yourselves raised the bar. You have asked for more Eucharistic Adoration time, more opportunities for the Sacrament of Penance, asked for and have attended well First Friday Masses long before the school day is set to begin. You spend time before and after school in the chapel praying quietly. You use the Hallow app more than most high school students across the country. You are real. Your faith is real. The love Jesus has for each of you is real. The glow that you each give off after receiving the Sacraments is real. You are truly an inspiration to many. You exhibit Christian virtues in your faith, words, and deeds. Never let the thirst you have for Jesus Christ fade from your life. Hold strong to it and let it be your guide. In doing so, you will never become a photocopy.
The world can be an intimidating place and no one ever said it would be easy, but you do not have to walk the path alone. Jesus will be with you every step of the way, as He has since He knew you in the womb. In the great commission at the end of Saint Matthew’s Gospel, the last words Jesus spoke to his disciples were, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” God has given you all this mission to evangelize the world and change it in a positive way. Never feel you are alone, because He is with you, every step of the way.
On behalf of the entire Bishop Carroll community, I want to again congratulate you on reaching this milestone. I know I can speak on behalf of your teachers and the staff in saying that we are all better people because we have known you. You have made a profound impact on our school. Continue to be the originals that God created you to be. I look forward to seeing all the good that you will bring to the world. May God continue to bless you all!
Jonathan Nagy, M.Ed., is the Principal of Bishop Carroll Catholic High School in Ebensburg and the Music Director at the Basilica of Saint Michael the Archangel in Loretto.
