Graduation Mass/Commencement Student Information
Hall D – Shaw Conference Center Friday May 24, 2013
Pre- Grad Mass / Commencements
See attached floor plan for locations of Pre-Mass/Commencement Locations.
Time
Event
Pre-Mass /Commencement Details
Leading up to
 Dress Code: Semi- Formal ( No Jeans, T-Shirts, Running Shoes Please)
May 24
 Please Discuss Picture taking etiquette with your parents / families:
 Gowns must be returned immediately after the exit procession; as a
result any pictures with gowns should take place before the
commencements. Please arrive early if you would like to take these
pictures.
 Parents / Families are not allowed inside of the roped off grad
seating area for pictures or other purposes.
 Parents/ Families should not block or hold up the graduation
procession (entrance or exit) for the purpose of picture taking.
 Inform your parents / families to follow the program (alphabetical
order) to know when you will be called on to the stage.
NOTE: There is no coat check or valuables storage in Hall D.
Arrival to Hall D
 It is strongly advised that you either leave coats and valuables at home or
hand them off to your parents / family for safe keeping.
 All the grads will have a program placed on their seats (please do NOT take a
program)
Graduation Gown Pick Up & Name Card Pick Up
Graduation gowns available for distribution ( Starting at 5pm)
5:00 – 6:30 pm
 If you want to take pictures with your gown on please show up early to do
this before the Graduation Mass / Commencements
Please do the following in the order that they appear:
6:00pm – 6:15pm
 Use the Washroom ( last opportunity before Mass & Commencements)
 Spit out any gum.
 Pick up Gown ( Distribution booth inside Reception Area ( Foyer) of Hall D)
 Pick up Name Card (Table set up in Hall outside of Hall D)
Alphabetical Line Up for Graduation Procession
Line up in Alphabetical Order for Graduation Procession:
6: 15- 6:45pm
 In Corridor on the S. side of the Outside Hall
 Order of Procession: Piper, Dignitaries, Speakers, Administration,
MC, Grad Council, Grad Class of 2013 in Alphabetical Order.
 Look for Large Alphabet numbers, to line up according to last name
alphabetically. (Teachers are there to help you line up)
 It is important that you line up in the order that you are expected to appear
in the program, as your family will want to be prepared to take your picture.
 Line up in pairs
 Keep the noise level down so that everyone can hear instructions before the
procession.
 Make sure your cap tassels are on the left.
6:55pm
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7:00pm
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Graduation Mass & Commencements
Graduation Procession
Follow the Piper through the foyer, into Hall D and to the Grad Seating Area
which is roped off.
You are travelling in pairs; so that the grads on the R will sit on the R side and
grads on the L will sit on the L side.
Each row is about 15 chairs long, watch for the teachers to usher you into
rows.
Once ushered into your row remain standing for the Priest’s Procession to
start the mass.
Priest will inform you to be seated after the introductory rites.
Graduation Mass
Follow Program for Mass details and order.
Participate in the mass
Be respectful (no socializing, no clapping ~ not appropriate for a mass)
Follow the direction of ushers in your graduation seating area for Eucharist
distribution.
If you do not want to receive communion place your right hand over your
heart to receive a blessing instead.
Stand for the Recessional Hymn and Procession of the Priest
(Signaling the end of the Mass)
Graduation Commencements
Speeches
~ 8:15 pm
Dignitaries, Administration, Valedictorian
~ 8:30pm
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Presentation of the Graduates
Graduates will be ushered (starting with Row 1 outside  inside) in single
file.
 Bring your Name Card with you; DO NOT bring your program with you.
 Graduates are lead to behind the curtained off area behind the altar.
 The microphones and cameras pick up everything it is important to behave
respectfully so that everyone’s name can be heard being called out.
(Be quiet, be dignified, show appropriate participation)
 You will be directed to the steps behind the curtains that lead up to the altar
where names are being read out alternating R and L sides.
 When it is your turn:
 Hand your card to the Announcer at the microphone
 Whisper your name pronunciation to them.
 Wait for your name to be announced.
 Process around the altar to Ms. Malecki:
 Receive Scroll with your L. Hand
 Shake Ms. Malecki’s hand with your R. Hand (over the scroll)
 Face the Audience.
 Pause to move your tassel on your cap to the R side
NOTE: This is not a time for a chat or a hug, behave in a dignified and respectful
way.
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~10:00 pm
Exiting the stage:
 Carefully descend the steps in front of the altar closest to your
seating side. (R or L)
 Receive a candle at the bottom of the stairs from a teacher.
 Return to your seat.
 Listen quietly in the seating area and behave in a dignified and respectful
matter.
Christ Be Our Light Ceremony
 Introduction of Christ Be Our Light Ceremony ( MC)
 Lighting of Gr. 10, 11 and 12 Candles ( By 3 members of Grad Class)
 3 Members of Grad Class enter the grad seating area and light the candle of
the student on the innermost chair in each row.
 The light is passed from student to student in each row until the entire class
has lit candles.
MC or administrator announces:
“Congratulations to the Archbishop MacDonald High School Graduating
Class of 2013”
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~ 10:15pm
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Grads stand and turn to face parents and raise their candles. ( keep candle
lit for procession)
Graduation Procession – Grande March Out
Grad Song starts playing.
Teacher Ushers will direct you out starting with back rows  front
Pair up with the person being ushered from the row across from you.
(R row + L row pairing)
March in continuous form NO STOPPING.
Once in the Foyer blow out your candle and keep travelling to the grad gown
booth for returning gowns.
Where Grads line
up for procession.
Corridor
Pre-Mass / Commencement Floor Plan
Grad Name Card
Table
Altar
Curtained Off Area
Hall D
Staff
Seating
Grad
Seating
g
Grad
Seation
Seating
g
Disabled
/ Seniors
Family
Seating
Family
Seating
Family
Seating
Family
Seating
Family
Seating
Family
Seating
Entrance
to Hall
D
Tickets
and
Programs
Hall D Reception Area (Foyer)
Seating
Family
Family
Seating
Washrooms
Hall D Foyer
Entrance
Grad Gowns
Hallway Outside Hall D
Mass Procession Floor Plan
Curtained Off Area
Altar
Staff
Seating
Grad
Seating
Grad
Seating
Mass Eucharist Floor Plan
Curtained Off Area
Altar
Grad
Seating
Grad
Seating
Commencement Floor Plan
Curtained Off Area
Altar
Grad
Seating
Grad
Seating
Staff
Seating
Commencement Exit Procession
Curtained Off Area
Altar
Grad
Seating
Staff
Seating
Left over
programs on table
Grad
Seating
Hall D Reception Area (Foyer)
Grad Gowns