Trinity High School’s Class of 2020 participates in their final Mass and commencement ceremony on July 10 at the Horn Community Center in Whitesville. COURTESY OF ANNA MCDANIEL
Catholic high schools honor 2020 graduates in non-traditional ceremonies
BY WKC STAFF
Senior year was far from normal for the Class of 2020, whose final semesters drastically changed when schools switched to non-traditional instruction this past spring, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, the three Catholic schools in the Diocese of Owensboro have made sure to honor and celebrate these graduating youth, albeit while following state and diocesan safety guidelines for facial coverings and social distancing.
On June 21, Owensboro Catholic High School held a final Mass and diploma ceremony on the football field at Steele Stadium in Owensboro. On July 10, Trinity High School in Whitesville held a final Mass and graduation ceremony at the Horn Community Center, located on the campus of St. Mary of the Woods Parish in Whitesville. On July 11, St. Mary High School in Paducah held their final Mass and graduation ceremony in the school gym.
Bishop William F. Medley was present at all three final Masses and graduation events.
On June 21, during their final Mass and diploma ceremony, the graduates of Owensboro Catholic High School are permitted to remove their masks while sitting, since their chairs are spaced six feet apart on the football field at Steele Stadium. COURTESY OF HALEY HAMILTON
Temporarily removing his mask to speak to the graduates, Bishop William F. Medley addresses the Class of 2020 at St. Mary High School in Paducah on July 11. COURTESY OF THE PADUCAH SUN | DAVID SNOW
Originally printed in the August 2020 issue of The Western Kentucky Catholic.
