Congratulations, Class of 2026!

Forty-seven students from Incarnate Word Academy in Corpus Christi graduated from high school today. A solemn Mass, celebrated by Bishop Mario Avilés, marked the start of the last day of school for the Class of 2026. Parents, siblings, family, and friends filled Most Precious Blood Church, the Pro-Cathedral.
 
Referring to the Gospel of the day, in which the Risen Jesus asks Peter three times whether he loves him and then commissions him three times to feed the lambs and tend the sheep, Bishop Avilés said, “This is a call to discipleship for every follower of Christ: ‘Do you love me?’ Do you love the people entrusted to your care? Do you live out the Gospel in your daily life?” 
 
He continued that, as students of IWA, they were not only students who know a lot but also young people who know to whom they belong. The bishop hoped that they would find in their faith a living relationship with God, keeping space for prayer, community, sacramental life, and service.
 
After the Mass, the students honored their parents by giving them handwritten letters they had prepared. President Sammie Grunwald and Assistant Principal Darla Montano congratulated the students for their accomplishment. James Jackson, the Salutatorian of the Class of 2026, shared his journey from a scared freshman to a leader, giving his classmates the advice, “When an opportunity is presented to you, take it!” Valedictorian Cameron Rybar thanked Bishop Mario Avilés, Msgr. Courville, all parents, teachers and coaches, treasuring the friendships and memories made in these four high school years: “Our memories are about time spent with other people, let us never forget the importance of relationships.”
 
Each student received their diploma from Bishop Avilés, and then it was time for the students to turn their tassels from right to left, marking the end of one chapter of their lives.