Seniors will soon celebrate their Catholic high school graduations

Members of the Class of 2022 of Bishop Chatard High School in Indianapolis show their joy as they process from their graduation ceremony in May of 2022. (Submitted photo)

By John Shaughnessy

Pride and relief, nostalgia and celebration will blend once again as seniors prepare to graduate this spring at Catholic high schools across the archdiocese.

It’s a time when friends promise to stay close forever, when seniors seek out the teachers who have made a difference in their lives, when parents of the graduates look at their children and wonder where the years have gone.

It’s also a time for congratulations to the Class of 2023, including this one from Brian Disney, superintendent of Catholic schools in the archdiocese.

“Congratulations to our Catholic high school graduates throughout the archdiocese,” Disney said. “We are proud of you for your accomplishments and are excited to see the continued impact you will make in our Church, communities, nation and world. Be who God meant you to be and go set the whole world on fire.”

The superintendent applauded the graduates for how they have “demonstrated their intelligence, courage, strength and commitment by excelling in academics, athletics, performing arts and other activities.”

He especially saluted the graduates for the way they have lived their faith—through their community service, their participation in the sacraments and their growing relationship with Jesus.

Disney also praised all the people who have supported and contributed to the success of this year’s graduates.

“All the successes of our graduates would not be possible without their parents, their primary teachers,” he noted. “The dedication and support of their priests, school leaders, teachers, coaches and staff members have contributed to their successes as well. All their opportunities are enhanced by those committed to Catholic schools, including our benefactors and prayer warriors.”

The superintendent also hopes the graduates will continue to build upon the formation and education they have received in their Catholic school as they journey into the future.

“May their relationship with Jesus Christ remain strong, and may they use their gifts to bring glory to God.”

Here is a listing of graduation-related information for the 12 Catholic high schools in the archdiocese.
 

Bishop Chatard High School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 156 seniors.

The Baccalaureate Mass will be at 6:30 p.m. on May 18 at the school.

The graduation ceremony will be at 2:30 p.m. on May 21 at the school.

The class valedictorian is Jackson Herrera, son of David and Lori Herrera of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Indianapolis.

The class salutatorian is Catherine Joven, daughter of James and Carol Joven of St. Simon the Apostle Parish in Indianapolis.

The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Msgr. William F. Stumpf, archdiocesan vicar general and pastor of St. Matthew the Apostle Parish in Indianapolis.
 

Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 194 seniors.

The Baccalaureate Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. on May 21 at the school.

The graduation ceremony will be at 4:30 p.m. on May 21 at Clowes Memorial Hall on the campus of Butler University in Indianapolis.
 

Cardinal Ritter Jr./Sr. High School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 113 seniors.

The Baccalaureate Mass will be at 7 p.m. on June 1 at St. Malachy Church in Brownsburg.

The graduation ceremony will be at 7 p.m. on June 2 at the school.

The class valedictorian is Anna Kokosa, daughter of Chris and Mary Kokosa of St. Malachy Parish in Brownsburg.

The class salutatorian is Carson Vrabel, son of Kevin and Megan Vrabel of St. Malachy Parish.

The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Chris Walsh, archdiocesan chancellor.
 

Cathedral High School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 247 seniors.

The Baccalaureate Mass will be at 6:30 p.m. on May 19 at the school.

The graduation ceremony will be at 1 p.m. on May 21 at the school’s Brunette Park.

The student commencement speaker will be summa cum laude graduate Joseph Mariani, son of Tom and Myra Mariani of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Indianapolis.

The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Archbishop Charles C. Thompson.
 

Father Michael Shawe Memorial High School in Madison has a graduating class of 38 seniors.

The Baccalaureate Mass will be at 2 p.m. on May 28 at the school.

The graduation ceremony will be at 7 p.m. on May 28 at the school.

Numerous students are in contention for valedictorian and salutatorian honors as the school year draws to a close, according to school officials. The announcement of these honorees will be made on May 28.

The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Chris Walsh, chancellor.
 

Father Thomas Scecina Memorial High School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 101 students.

The Baccalaureate Mass will be at 7 p.m. on May 25 at Holy Spirit Church in Indianapolis.

The graduation ceremony will be at 7 p.m. on May 26 at the school.

The class valedictorian is Mason Beriault, son of Justin Beriault and Niki Matherly of Holy Spirit Parish in Indianapolis.

The class salutatorian is Andrew Causemaker, son of Dan and Andi Causemaker of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Indianapolis.

The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Msgr. William F. Stumpf, vicar general and pastor of St. Matthew the Apostle Parish in Indianapolis.
 

Lumen Christi Catholic High School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 6 seniors.

The Baccalaureate Mass and graduation ceremony will begin at 5:15 p.m. on May 18 at Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Church in Indianapolis.
 

Oldenburg Academy of the Immaculate Conception in Oldenburg has a graduating class of 41 seniors.

The archdiocese will be represented by Archbishop Charles C. Thompson during a Senior Mass at 1 p.m. on May 19 at the Chapel of the Sisters of St. Francis in Oldenburg.

The graduation ceremony will be at 1 p.m. on June 4 at the Chapel of the Sisters of St. Francis in Oldenburg.

Four students are currently in contention for valedictorian and salutatorian honors, which will be announced during the senior awards ceremony on May 19. The students are listed in alphabetical order:

Madelyn Henry, daughter of Brad and Miranda Henry of Holy Family Parish in Oldenburg.

Mary Hunter, daughter of Jeff Hunter and Lisa Mattucci-Hunter of St. Louis Parish in Batesville.

Erin Pottschmidt, daughter of Todd and Carolyn Potttschmidt of St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross Parish in Bright.

Clare Van Meter, daughter of Daniel and Jennifer Van Meter of St. Michael Parish in Brookville.
 

Our Lady of Providence High School in Clarksville has a graduating class of 75 seniors.

The Baccalaureate Mass will be at 7 p.m. on May 26 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in New Albany.

The graduation ceremony will be at 5 p.m. on May 28 at the school.

The class valedictorian is Ethan Richards, son of Jack and Anne Richards of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish.

The class salutatorian is Maci Hoskins, daughter of Michele Hoskins of St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Clarksville.

The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Chris Walsh, chancellor.
 

Providence Cristo Rey High School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 41 seniors.

The Baccalaureate Mass will be at 6:30 p.m. on June 1 at the school.

The graduation ceremony will be at 7 p.m. on June 2 at the school.

The class valedictorian is Benjamin Torrijo, son of Rosa Hernandez.

The class salutatorian is Florgisel Garcia, daughter of Juan Garcia and Florentina Cazares of St. Anthony Parish in Indianapolis.

The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Archbishop Charles C. Thompson.
 

Roncalli High School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 257 seniors.

The Baccalaureate Mass will be at 6 p.m. on May 19 at the school.

The graduation ceremony will be at 9 a.m. on May 20 at the school.

The class valedictorian is Anna Dressman, daughter of Bruce and Lori Dressman of St. Barnabas Parish in Indianapolis.

There are two salutatorians:

Andrew Dial, son of Greg and Kristen Dial of St. Barnabas Parish.

Robert “Max” Neitzke, son of Robert and Anne Neitzke.

The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Archbishop Charles C. Thompson.
 

Seton Catholic High School in Richmond has a graduating class of 23 seniors.

The Baccalaureate Mass will be at 1:30 p.m. on June 4 at St. Andrew Church in Richmond.

The graduation ceremony will follow at 3 p.m. on June 4 at the school.

The class valedictorian is Jack Martin, son of Edward and Jennifer Martin of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Richmond.

The class salutatorian is Josey Meeks, daughter of Jim and Beth Meeks.

The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Michelle Radomsky, assistant superintendent of Catholic schools. †