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St. Augustine Blogs  >   Prep Talk Blog  >   A Letter from Fr. Reilly Regarding Graduation

A Letter from Fr. Reilly Regarding Graduation

Posted April 11th, 2014

Dear Parent/Guardian,

With commencement exercises quickly approaching, I thought it would be good that I share with you an overview of the celebratory activities for the Class of 2014, as well as your son’s obligations with respect to the completion of his days at the Prep. All of this information, as well as occasional updates, will be posted on Prep Talk and on the landing page of the Prep web site (www.hermits.com) under the header Class of 2014 Commencement Exercises on Tuesday, April 15.

Dates and Times:

  • Senior Breakfast, Award Ceremony, and Graduation Rehearsal:  Friday, May 16, 2014, on campus at 9:00 a.m. Seniors will be my guests for breakfast.  Students only.
  • Deans’ Dinner: Thursday, May 15, 2014, in Consalo Dining Hall at 6:30 p.m. Students only.
  • Senior Parent/Guardian & Faculty Reception:  Friday, May 16, 2014, on campus at Allegrini Monastery at 6:30 p.m. Formal invitations will be sent to you from the Office of Institutional Advancement via email. There is no cost to attend this event, and I hope to see all our parents/guardians of the Class of 2014 at this gathering.
  • Baccalaureate Mass and Commencement Exercises:  Sunday, May 18, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. on campus. Information regarding location and seating is below.
  • In order for your son to receive a diploma, he MUST:
  • Successfully complete all academic and service requirements.Satisfy missed school days in excess of 13 absences.
  • Please contact Mr. Iaconelli (Mr.Iaconelli@hermits.com) if you have questions.
  • Have no remaining financial responsibilities as determined by the Business Office. If needed, please contact Mrs. Adele Coggins (Mrs.Coggins@hermits.com).
  • Attend our Senior Breakfast, Award Ceremony, and Graduation Rehearsal on Friday, May 16.  Students only.

Baccalaureate Mass and Commencement Exercises:

  • Due to limited on-campus parking, families are encouraged to carpool.
  • Seating for families and their guests will begin at 9:00 a.m.
  • All attendees must have a ticket to enter.
  • Each family will receive eight (8) tickets in total.  Tickets will be color coded.
  • Five (5) blue tickets will be provided to each family.
  • Three (3) white tickets will be provided to each family
  • Weather permitting, both blue and white tickets will grant the bearers general admission to the Baccalaureate Mass and Commencement Exercises to be held on the Railroad Boulevard-side of the Buondonno Forum.
  • In the event of inclement weather, each Blue ticket will grant the bearer admission to Rodio Gymnasium to view the indoor ceremonies. Each white ticket will grant the bearer admission to the Consalo Dining Hall to view the Baccalaureate Mass and Commencement Exercises on the projection screens therein. This ticketing policy is in place to provide the highest possible number of tickets to each family by holding the Baccalaureate Mass and Commencement Exercises outdoors. If the weather precludes an outdoor event, the announcement that the ceremonies will be moved indoors will be made via the Honeywell Instant Alert System on Sunday morning, May 18, and the information will be posted on the Prep’s web site.

The morning of graduation seniors must: Wear a white shirt, tie, socks, dress shoes and dress pants under their graduation gown. Seniors must Report to Spina Gynasium no later than 8:45 a.m. Commencement Exercises will be finished by approximately 12:15 p.m. Graduates will receive their diplomas after the ceremony.

Members of the Class of 2014 are welcome to invite family members who are Roman Catholic priests and deacons to participate in the Baccalaureate Mass.  Please contact Fr.Patrick McStravog, O.S.A., Assistant to the President for Mission & Ministry (Fr.McStravog@hermits.com) for details.

“A YEAR IN REVIEW” DVD to include vignettes of the Baccalaureate Mass and Commencement Exercises will be sent to all parents/guardians of graduates in early June, compliments of the Office of the President.  Mr. George Smith, Director of Communications, will coordinate this matter.

Please call Mrs. Mary Jane Hrapczynski, Administrative Assistant to the President, (856.697. 2600 Ext. 149) or write (mrs.Hrap@hermits.com) if you have questions or need clarification about items in this communication.

Our Commencement Exercises this year at the Prep are very special as the Class of 2014 will celebrate with the Class of 1964 – the Prep’s second graduating class on the occasion of their 50th anniversary.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, our faculty and staff, I sincerely thank you for entrusting your son’s education to St. Augustine Prep. Please be assured of my prayers for your son, you, and your family as we acknowledge and affirm the many gifts and accomplishments of the Class of 2014.

In Augustine,

Fr. Donald F. Reilly, O.S.A., D.Min.

President