Oak Knoll celebrated the Lower School Class of 2025’s graduation liturgy on June 4, 2025, in the Mother Mary Campion Center for the Performing Arts.

The ceremony opened with a procession of graduates and the hymn “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee,” followed by a liturgy led by longtime Oak Knoll friend Reverend Monsignor John Carroll of the Diocese of Paterson. In his homily, Monsignor Carroll reflected on the evening’s Gospel reading, the Parable of the Sower, noting:

“Isn’t that what you, parents, do with your children? You plant seeds — and one big part of that planting has to do with God’s word.”

He reminded the community that each student grows at their own pace and emphasized the importance of nurturing God’s word in everyday life.

“Nobody grows the same way as the next person,” he shared, “but the important thing is that they do learn, and they also learn that God’s word exists.”

The Prayer of the Faithful, written and read by students, included heartfelt gratitude for teachers, parents, and friends, as well as prayers for peace, justice, and the global Church.

Lower School Division Head Christine Spies delivered a closing reflection honoring the graduates’ growth and leadership:

“Whether you started in kindergarten or joined us later, we’ve watched you grow wiser, more confident, and more compassionate.”

She highlighted memorable milestones, including leadership retreats, a new digital design course, and cherished community moments like outdoor lunches and late-night bonding at Woodloch Pines.

“Today, you are both the present of Oak Knoll and the future of the world,” she shared. “Stay grounded in your faith, share your gifts, and never forget — you’ll always be a part of Oak Knoll and its 100-year legacy.”

The ceremony concluded with the presentation of diplomas and a celebratory slideshow set to music, capturing joyful memories of the Class of 2025’s time in Lower School.

Congratulations to Oak Knoll’s sixth-grade graduates as they step confidently into their next chapter, rooted in faith, leadership, and love.