Baccalaureate Liturgy
Friday, May 31, 2024
5:00 pm
Acknowledgements
Special thanks to Fr. Bob Murray, Dr. Laura M. Hotchkiss, Mrs. Erin Pratt, Mrs. Bridget Bonner, Mr. Ryan Lowrie, Ms. Julia Tully ’08, Ms. Isabelle Molinari ’19, Mr. Nicholas Burbo, the Upper School Women’s Chorale, all Liturgical ministers, the faculty and staff of the Academy, and our loving parents who have journeyed with us toward this day.
Celebrant
Fr. Bob Murray, OSA
Entrance Procession
Cross Bearer: Kathryn Jane Vandergeest
Lectionary: Patricia Mary Greek
Candles: Grace Marie Farrell & Talia Donata Scarpa
Medals: Peyton Margaret Cella, Alessandra Peters Cherian, Addison Grey Gress, & Chidera Crystal Madu
Gathering Song
Here I Am, Lord Maria Tufaro ’26 I, the Lord of sea and sky. I have heard my people cry. All who dwell in dark and sin, my hand will save. I have made the stars of night, I will make their darkness bright. Who will bear my light to them? Whom shall I send?
Refrain: Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord? I have heard You calling in the night. I will go, Lord, If You lead me. I will hold Your people in my heart.
I, the Lord of wind and flame. I will tend the poor and lame. I will set a feast for them, my hand will save. Finest bread I will provide, ‘til their hearts be satisfied. I will give my life to them. Whom shall I send? (R)
Introductory Rites & Greeting
Liturgy of the Word
Please be seated.
1st Reading
Zephaniah 3:14-18a Toni Micaela Frank Response: “Thanks be to God.”
Psalm
In Every Age
In every age, O God, you have been our refuge. In every age, O God, you have been our hope.
2nd Reading
Romans 12:9-16
Response: “Thanks be to God.”
Gospel Acclamation
Celtic Alleluia
Please stand if you are able.
Gospel
Luke 1:39-56
Response: “Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.”
Homily
Please be seated.
Hilary Diane Whitaker
Hannah Truman Downing
Prayers of the Faithful Tessa Grace Crossed
Response: “Lord, hear our prayer.”
Giuliana Grace Clement
Elizabeth Patricia Halligan
Carolyn Elizabeth Meehan
Catherine Elizabeth Molina
Kylie Anne O’Brien
Alexa Jordan Stowe
Liturgy of the Eucharist
Presentation of Gifts Grace Madeleine Curran
Caroline Catherine Cullen
Jordan Elisabeth Elsasser
Celia Hanley Giampietro
Alexa Josephine Pyfer
Offertory Song
Like a Sunflower
Refrain: Like a sunflower that follows every movement of the sun
So I turn towards You, to follow You my God.
In simplicity, charity I follow (2) (R)
In simplicity, honesty I follow (2) (R)
In simplicity, fidelity I follow (2) (R)
Sanctus
Holy, holy, holy Lord God of hosts, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest! Hosanna in the highest!
Mystery of Faith
When we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim your death, oh Lord, until you come again.
Eucharistic Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer
Sign of Peace
Lamb of God
Communion Hymns
Table of Plenty/Lord I Need You Hannah Truman Downing
Table of Plenty
Refrain: Come to the feast of heaven and earth, come to the table of plenty God will provide for all that we need, here at the table of plenty
O come and sit at my table, where saints and sinners are friends I wait to welcome the lost and lonely, To share the cup of my love (R)
O come and eat without money, come to drink without price
My feast of gladness will feed your spirit, with faith and fullness of life (R)
My bread will ever sustain you, through days of sorrow and war
My wine will flow like a sea of gladness, to flood the depths of your soul (R)
Lord, I Need You
Lord, I come, I confess. Bowing here, I find my rest. And without you, I fall apart. You’re the One that guides my heart.
R: Lord, I need you, oh, I need you. Every hour I need you. My one defense, my righteousness: Oh, God, how I need you.
Where sin runs deep, your grace is more. Where grace is found is where you are. And where you are, Lord I am free. Holiness is Christ in me. (R)
So teach my song to rise to you, when temptation comes my way. And when I cannot stand I’ll fall on you. Jesus, you’re my hope and stay. (R)
Concluding Rites
Blessing of the Medals
Blessing of the Graduates
At this time, we invite all family members to extend your right hands over your graduates, as we bless them together.
Let us unite our hearts in prayer and entrust to the hands of the Lord these women of the Academy of Notre Dame de Namur.
May God who began this good work in you carry it through to completion, enabling you to use your talents to the fullest.
May God give you the grace to make wise choices and to be faithful to your commitments, always confident in the support of those who love you.
May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships, so that you will continue to seek excellence for yourself and others.
May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that you will work for justice, equality, and peace.
May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation, and war, so that you will reach out your hand to comfort them and change their pain into joy.
May God bless you with the confidence to know that you can make a difference in the world, so that you will do the things which others tell you cannot be done.
May your integrity be a gift to the world and may the Spirit of God be with you always.
May you have the wisdom and courage to always proclaim by your lives even more than by your words the goodness of God.
Recessional Song
Oh God Beyond All Praising
O God beyond all praising, We worship you today and sing the love amazing that songs cannot repay; For we can only wonder at every gift you send, at blessings without number and mercies without end: We lift our hearts before you and wait upon your word, we honor and adore you, our great and mighty Lord.
Then hear, O gracious Savior, accept the love we bring, that we who know your favor may serve you as our king; And whether our tomorrows be filled with good or ill, we’ll triumph through our sorrows and rise to bless you still: To marvel at your beauty and glory in your ways, and make a joyful duty our sacrifice of praise.
Reflection
Abigail Hall
Awards Presentation
Notre Dame Alumnae Award
Mrs. Erin Pratt Director of Upper School
Given to a member of the graduating class who exemplifies the philosophy portrayed in the words of the school song, “Love, Courage, High Ideals, Loyalty to the Standards of the School”
Aimee Willard Scholar Athlete Award
The Aimee Willard Scholar Athlete Award is given in memory of Aimee Willard, star athlete and team player of the Class of 1992. The recipient of this award, selected by the members of the Physical Education Department, is an honor student and an outstanding athlete.
Sister Rose Carmel Award
Awarded to a member of the graduating class who, in the opinion of the faculty, has served the community quietly and effectively, with a mature sense of responsibility
Sister Mary Augusta Award for French
Presented to a graduating student who, throughout her study of French, has demonstrated consistent effort, enthusiasm, and a true love of the French language and culture
Irma Alonso Award for Spanish
Awarded to a member of the graduating class who, throughout her study of Spanish at Notre Dame, has consistently demonstrated a love of and enthusiasm for the Spanish language and culture
Sister Nancy Bonshock Social Studies Award
Given to a student who has a keen interest in Social Studies, a passion for justice, and love for the poor; who exemplifies the simplicity and courage of St. Julie Billiart; and who, by her example and through her faith, proclaimed “How Good is the Good God”
Sr. Mary Anne Broughton Religion Award
Given to a student who mirrors Sr. Mary Anne’s deep love of Saint Julie and her gentle manner. The recipient is committed to justice on both a local and a global level, and her actions demonstrate a “heart as wide as the world.”
Distinguished Service Award
The Distinguished Service Award recognizes a student who embodied the mission of the Academy throughout her Upper School years by her “passion for justice and love for the poor.” In the spirit of St. Julie, with simplicity and joy, she has lived the gospel mandate of service with integrity and compassion.
Alma Mater
Lyrics on back
Alma Mater
With hearts and minds attuned to praise, your standards wrought in faith, Nobility, love and courage, too--the guiding spirit of our youth, Your high ideals that never swerve, your work so nobly planned, The friendships formed ’neath the gold and blue will unite us, Notre Dame.
Your labors blessed by the Almighty Hand of the loving Architect Are as a symbol of noble life where love and sanctity gleam bright. O Seat of Wisdom, Mother mild, we place our hope in you. Undying loyalty we pledge, O beloved Notre Dame.
“Teach them what they need to know for life.”
St. Julie Billiart
