Finding the perfect gift isn’t often easy. Depending on what kind of a gift you’re looking for, these days, many opt for the ever popular gift card. Who could possibly go wrong with money? Requiring little thought – if you buy a gift card for the Maine Mall, with the vast amount of choices – you can shop ’til your heart’s content!

But is your heart content? In a society that measures success by career or brand label, size of home and neighborhood, the car you drive, or the material goods you acquire – being successful by these measures can be quite stressful. As our seniors graduate, their whole life lies ahead of them to become successful in each of their own ways. Some may be lured into careers that offer high salaries, while others may be content earning a modest living doing what they love, and some may experience the best of both worlds.

Recently the Today Show interviewed Kenny Rogers. I loved what he said: “Find a job you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life.” Now, there’s a guy who has a lot going for him: a job that he loves, with fame and money to go with it. But I’d imagine it wasn’t always that way for him. Making it in the music world is tough, and I know several starving musicians.

So, what’s your gift to the world? This was the question asked to Scarborough High School seniors this year. For 14 years Scarborough High school seniors have been invited to participate in a Baccalaureate.

So what is a Baccalaureate? Today’s Baccalaureate is a multi-faith occasion that gives thanks to God as students celebrate the completion of graduation requirements. Scarborough is the only public school district in the area that continues to celebrate a Baccalaureate. The celebration continues because parents and students see this as important for graduates transitioning to the next chapter in their lives.

Sponsored by the Scarborough Clergy group, and supported by parents and the high school, the service incorporates a variety of traditions in which thanks is given to God as students prepare for their graduation, and their lives ahead of them – they’re able to stop, reflect back, give thanks in prayer, and express hope for the future.

Since 1994, participation in this celebration has grown in popularity. Starting out with 25 students, this year’s Baccalaureate swelled to 169 participants. Because of its size, St. Maximilian Kolbe parish has hosted the event since 1994. Under the direction of Elaine Hollywood – a parishioner at St. Maximilian Kolbe, and retired educational technician who worked for 11 years at the high school – she coordinates parents and students, and supportive school personnel and clergy to celebrate this event each year. Dan Bouchard has assembled a slide show since 1994 for the special occasion.

Each January, Hollywood contacts the high school for the class list and addresses. In February, the parents of the students write a letter to every student inviting them to participate in this optional off-campus event. Interested participants gather in March, and the kids begin planning the whole ceremony. The parents take care of sponsorship and administration – of which kids are asked to contribute $5 and childhood photos.

In response to the question: If you could give a gift to the world, what would it be? The seniors chose the virtue of hope.

Student Kristen Buckley, the master of ceremony, addressed the crowd gathered for the celebration. “The Baccalaureate theme our class has chosen is ‘Hope is the light that guides our way,'” she said. “We all hope for the greater things in life. Hope is inborn and has been rooted in every soul through the goodness and grace of God. May God hear us, whom he has made to hope.”

As graduates begin new chapters in their lives, hope manifests itself when others point out God given gifts that often one cannot see themselves. Encouragement, support, and love – are gifts that money often can’t buy. I hope that every graduate is able to find a job they love so that they never have to work! Congratulations to the class of 2006 – may the gift of hope always be the light that guides your way.