At last month's commencement ceremony, Notre Dame principal (and alum) Fr. Joe Hindelang, s.m., who has a long record of service to students and to the Society of Mary, tells grads to “look to God for guidance and look for opportunities to make the lives of others better.”
Fr. Joe Hindelang, s.m., is principal of Notre Dame Preparatory School. He addressed the Class of 2017 at the school’s 23rd Commencement on May 21, 2017.
Previous to NDP, Hindelang, a 1968 graduate of Notre Dame High School in Harper Woods, Mich., served in a number of Marist provincial positions in Boston, Italy and France. Prior to that, he served for more than 10 years at Notre Dame in Harper Woods as a religion teacher, vice principal and superior of community. He began his years of ministry in 1972 in Syracuse, New York, at Bishop Grimes High School as a teacher of religion and history.
Hindelang addressed the school’s Class of 2017 during its commencement ceremony on May 21. The following are excerpts from those remarks:
“Principals in Marist schools throughout the world have the privilege of addressing their graduates.
“This is the 23rd graduation for me from Notre Dame Preparatory School.
Hindelang began his Marist ministry in 1972 at a high school in Syracuse, New York.
“As graduates of this Marist, Catholic school, I encourage you to think creatively and critically, but speak civilly.
“More importantly, be participating and contributing citizens at college, in your local community, our country and our world.
“Most importantly, be people of faith and integrity who look to God for guidance and look for opportunities to make the lives of others better.
“Or — as Marial Manzor and Gabby Jacoby challenged you — to continue to live the mission.
“Teachers and staff members, thank you for your dedication, excellence and generosity that have most certainly benefitted these seniors and all our students. And especially for this ceremony, thank you to our counselors, Ms. Derico, Ms. Anderson, Ms. Pizzo, Ms. Lytle and Ms. Pasko.
“Parents, hopefully your daughters and sons thank you often, and also will thank you today for making all of this possible. I thank you for your help and contributions over the years – this Catholic school could not exist without your commitment and we appreciate your continued support, especially as we break ground for an addition to our school building on June 6.
“Seniors, on behalf of the faculty and staff, I am proud of all that you have accomplished at Notre Dame and grateful for all that you’ve contributed. Thank you to those who have made NDPMA a better place!
“Seniors please stand.
“On behalf of the Marist Fathers and Brothers, Mr. Guest and the Board of Trustees, it is my honor to declare you graduates of Notre Dame Preparatory School and now alumni of the Class of 2017!”
Comments or questions? mkelly@ndpma.org.
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About Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy
Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy is a private, Catholic, independent, coeducational day school located in Oakland County. The school's upper division enrolls students in grades nine through twelve and has been named one of the nation's best 50 Catholic high schools (Acton Institute) four times since 2005. Notre Dame's middle and lower divisions enroll students in jr. kindergarten through grade eight. All three divisions are International Baccalaureate "World Schools." NDPMA is conducted by the Marist Fathers and Brothers and is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States and the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement. For more on Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy, visit the school's home page at www.ndpma.org.