For me, today is about looking to the future. This evening, we celebrate the Baccalaureate Mass for the Class of 2020. In the gospel reading, as Jesus intercedes for the apostles by asking the Father to "consecrate them in the truth," I think about the ways in which parents and teachers have lovingly pointed our graduates toward eternal truths and eternal relationship with God. Before and after Mass, Abby Jarrold and Ellie Rudolph will speak on behalf of the Class of 2020 about how McNicholas has prepared them to continue their educations and serve others in the years ahead - with joy. So I'm confident about two parts of the future: eternity and the decades ahead! 

What about the more immediate future? Next week our Classes of 2021, 2022, and 2023 will visit campus to return their books for 2019-20. It will be wonderful to see them. No sooner do they return their books than we give them instructions for summer reading, which are included in this newsletter. And our welcome to summer reading heartily includes the Class of 2024. For 2020-21, we look forward to scheduled classes on campus available for all students, with flexibility for those who need to participate in classes from home. As noted in the newsletter last week, the emblem for the McNick experience next school year is the CONVERTIBLE, a safe green machine that provides the same sweet ride whether it's sunny or rainy, with the top going up and down seamlessly. I'm looking forward to the ride!