Staff photo by Fritz Busch The Cathedral High School graduating Class of 2021 tosses mortar boards towards the sky after commencement at the Church of St. Mary Sunday.

NEW ULM — The Rev. Garrett Ahlers spoke about friendship and what it can really mean to graduating seniors at the 99th Cathedral High School commencement Sunday.

“Graduation marks the beginning of a new adventure. I hope you’re blessed with true friendship. Friends who will support and challenge you,” Ahlers said in his commencement address.

“It’s about faith that I talk today. If there ever was a year with a glorious ending, it was last year,” Ahlers said. “Strive to love according to God’s plan, not your own designs, facades or people we wish we were. Faith is about looking for God the same way David does. There is nothing David conceals as he looks to God.”

“Faith is to live faithfully, beyond what comforts us here and now, but up. Remember the image of David. God is always before you,” Ahlers said. “I offer you my heartfelt congratulations and my sincere confidence in your graduation.”

Valedictorian Grace Gleisner talked about the band trip that included stops in Chicago, St. Louis, and New Orleans in her farewell address.

“It’s worth it if you learn something from it,” said Gleisner. “In a few short months, many of us will go to college. I hope none of us will ever stop learning. Pushing ourselves outside our comfort zone causes us to grow.”

Gleisner said the classmates learned something about themselves during the challenges of COVID during their junior year.

“We learned to take responsibility of ourselves and learned to dream. Some of us have big dreams,” said Gleisner. “We’ve made it this far. There is no stopping us now. Each one of us will shine. When you don’t, I hope you pick yourself up. Some of us are nervous or excited or both. We are ready. Here we come.”

In his diocesan administrator address, Monsignor Douglas L. Grams told graduates Jesus will stay with them until the end of time.

“May the lessons you learned be the springboard for new friendships,” said Grams. “We are called to be more like Christ. When we come out of this pandemic, we’ll be better or worse, but never the same.”

Grams said other pandemics are poverty, racism and narcissism.

“Graduates, be grateful for all you have been given. Show these gifts every chance you get,” said Grams.

Salutatorian Sarah Mohr also received the Lumen Christi Award for commitment to service and the Catholic faith.

Fritz Busch can be emailed at fbusch@nujournal.com.