The seven Sacred Heart Church young people who graduated from college or high school this spring were honored by the parish on Pentecost Sunday June 4.

Pentecost is the celebration of the gift of the Holy Spirit and completes the Easter season. The Easter season began at the Easter Vigil with the lighting of the sacred fire, a sign of God’s presence, and the lighting of the paschal candle, which represents the light of Christ.

As graduates were called forward to light their own candles, which were decorated with their school colors, they were reminded of their baptism in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit and that the Holy Spirit will always be with them to guide, support, love and comfort them. Each graduate lit his or her candle from the paschal candle.

The college graduates are Kelli Breeden, who received a bachelor’s degree in health education and community health from Georgia College and State University, and Nichelle Hart, who graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Georgia College and State University.

The high school graduates are: Maria Bertrand, who graduated with honors as the salutatorian from Pendleton High School and will attend Clemson University; Diego Castro, who graduated from Hart County High School and plans to attend North Georgia College and State University; Brynn Dancy, who graduated with honors from Hart County High School and will attend North Georgia College and State University; Maribel Gonzales, who graduated from Elbert County High School and will attend Clayton State University; and Bliss Kotal, who graduated with honors as the valedictorian from Hart County High School and plans to attend the University of Georgia.

The Knights of Columbus presented each one with a gift on behalf of their parish family.