Posted June 11, 2021

Archbishop Nelson Perez celebrated a baccalaureate Mass for the community of the archdiocesan high school in West Chester on Wednesday, June 9 at St. Joseph Church, Downingtown. The school’s 258 seniors graduated in a ceremony Friday, June 11 in the school auditorium (see a photo below). The class received more than $41 million in total college scholarships, of which 30 were for full tuition, and 92 were presidential scholarships. (Photos by Sarah Webb)

  • Father John Donia, center, spends a moment after a June 2021 Mass with Bishop Shanahan seniors. Father Donia was named president of the school effective June 8, having served as both principal and campus minister. (Sarah Webb)

  • A graduating senior from Bishop Shanahan High School prays during a June 9 baccalaureate Mass celebrated by Archbishop Nelson Pérez at St. Joseph Church, Downingtown. As of June 11, face masks are no longer required in churches throughout the five-county archdiocesan area, including the city of Philadelphia. (Sarah Webb)

  • Archbishop Perez places a cross on a student. The crosses remind each of the soon-to-graduate seniors of their Catholic identity after high school.

  • Michael McArdle, who is retiring as principal of Bishop Shanahan, and Father John Donia, who will succeed him as principal, place crosses on students during a ceremony during Mass.

  • Immaculate Heart Sister Regina Plunkett, president of Bishop Shanahan, places a cross on a student.

  • Posing after the June 11 graduation ceremony for Bishop Shanahan High School are, from left: Michael J. McArdle, principal; Sister Maureen Lawrence McDermott, I.H.M., chief academic officer and superintendent of secondary schools for the Philadelphia Archdiocese; Cara Wankmiller, salutatorian; John Porter, valedictorian; and Sister Regina Plunkett, I.H.M., president of Bishop Shanahan. (Photo courtesy Bishop Shanahan High School)