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Speaking to 750 graduating eighth-graders from the Central Westchester Catholic School Region, Cardinal Dolan said one of the best life lessons they’d learned in their elementary education was the difference between joy and pleasure.
“There is a big difference between joy and pleasure,” the cardinal said. “The world doesn’t think there is, but you know there is.”
“Joy comes from when we do God’s will. Pleasure comes when we ignore God’s will and just want our own way,” he said.
“Joy comes from being selfless in our service to others. Pleasure comes from being selfish.”
The cardinal added, “The world, our culture, will whisper to you that pleasure is what it’s all about…You’ve learned in your Catholic education that joy is more important than pleasure.”
Telling the students that he loved them “very much,” Cardinal Dolan said he and many others, including their teachers, principal, pastors and parents, all join forces to bring them the benefits of a Catholic school education.
“You’re the reason we do it…We’re willing to sacrifice for you. We want to give you the best—the best we have is a good Catholic education.”
The cardinal made the remarks during his homily at a May 14 Mass he celebrated for this year’s graduates of the two dozen Catholic elementary schools in the Central Westchester Catholic School Region.
Concelebrating the morning liturgy at Sacred Heart Church in Yonkers were 16 priests, including Msgr. Donald Dwyer, pastor of Resurrection parish in Rye, who is the chairman of the board of trustees of the Central Westchester region, and Father Maurice Moreau, O.F.M. Cap., the pastor of Sacred Heart.
Also participating in the region’s first joint graduation Mass were principals, teachers, board members, parents and grandparents, as well as archdiocesan education officials, including Dr. Timothy McNiff, superintendent of schools.
Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano, a graduate of Sacred Heart School, also was in attendance, as were a number of other political leaders from the Westchester city.
The benefits of a Catholic school education were well displayed, from the music provided by the choirs of Sacred Heart elementary school and high school under the direction of Andrew Bauer to the post-Communion words of gratitude to Cardinal Dolan offered by Lucas Geremia, an eighth-grader at Annunciation School in the Crestwood section of Yonkers.
“Thank you, Cardinal Dolan, not just for today but for supporting schools that enrich our minds, bodies and souls,” he said.
Following Lucas’ remarks, the cardinal noted that when he is asked to furnish biographical data for an upcoming talk or gathering, he doesn’t begin by listing his academic degrees or ecclesiastical titles. Rather, he stresses that he is “the oldest of five children of Robert and Shirley Dolan who was educated at Holy Infant grade school in Ballwin, Mo.”
“For me that’s the most important thing,” the cardinal said. “All the other stuff came from that.”
The cardinal’s remarks resonated with many in the Yonkers church, including Noelle Beale, the superintendent of schools for Central Westchester. “He introduces himself through what elementary school he attended,” she said. “I believe as they grow up, our students will do the same.”
Two eighth-graders from Sacred Heart School, the “home school” for the liturgy, said they each found a welcoming environment when they enrolled there late in their elementary school life.
“It’s a family-friendly environment,” said Emma Bronzek, who came to Sacred Heart in sixth grade after her previous elementary school, Christ the King, also in Yonkers, closed.
“Every day I come, I look forward to it. I’ve made many friends here,” said Emma, who plans to attend Sacred Heart High School next year.
One of her eighth-grade classmates, Andres Benitez, who is in his first year at Sacred Heart, said he feels at home with his new peers. “They all welcomed me,” said Andres, who also will go on to Sacred Heart High. “I already feel like family.”
He said he was “proud” that his new school could host such a celebration with Cardinal Dolan.
