Three Saints and Phrases to Guide you Forward
From PE teacher and Athletic Director Mrs. Abby Bartlett’s speech to the SBCS graduation Class of 2026:
Good evening to all of you. Parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends.
Hey 8th grade…what’s up, Chat?
My name is Coach Bartlett. Coach B. Coachie. “HEYYYYY COACH!” Abby Shabby. Or, as this class likes to simply state it: Abby.
I’ve tried my best to adapt to the formality of my status, but at the center of it all, I am honored to just be Abby in your eyes.
I came to St. Benedicts three years ago, and most of you only knew me as Carter’s mom. We were a brand-new relationship — one that took three years to mature.
For perspective, the last time I had been around first-time middle schoolers was when I was one, over 25 short years ago. It was kind of like becoming a mom all over again — except this time to humans taller than you, with impressive eye rolls, appetites of body builders, and truly just a group of humans fully committed to reminding you just how lame you really are.
But truly, I cherish this class deeply.
Together, over these three years, we have all done our own bit of growing — almost in parallel with one another.
I spent a lot of time thinking about what I should say to you tonight. Every one of your incredible teachers could stand up here and offer you profound wisdom — beautifully poetic, deeply prophetic words to carry with you as you leave our nest.
And quite honestly, my words tonight are tragically plain. But take them with you, regardless.
In honor of our three years together, I want to give you three of the saints who have guided me on my path— and three phrases that might help guide your own path forward.
To get there, I need to give you the Cliff Notes version of my story.
Most of you know I was baptized Catholic as a baby. I attended CCD classes and was confirmed in the Church as an eighth grader. But my relationship with the Church felt stagnant. Routine. Lacking depth. I was Catholic in name, but not fully in feeling. God existed vaguely in the background of my life. You could say I was always faithful but rarely faith-filled.
It would be years before He became the main character.
Both of my parents worked for Catholic and charitable institutions throughout my childhood and set an incredible example of how we are called to love and care for the world. I worked at a Catholic nursing home in college and spent time getting to know the Sisters and learning about our faith through their perspective.
I tell you all of this because He was always around me — quietly awaiting my arrival.
I was exposed to faith. But I didn’t fully get it yet.
And then I got it.
At the age of 25, the doctor placed my firstborn son into my arms, and suddenly all that had been patiently waiting for me allowed me to make my grand entrance.
I remember my dad holding my son, staring at me…and saying, “Do you get it now?”
And to this day, that thought absolutely wrecks me. I was fully exposed.
I spent a quarter of my life feeling disconnected. But slowly, internally, I began repairing what had been profoundly lacking. My faith no longer felt mechanical. It felt like holding your breath underwater and finally coming up for air — one huge inhale of goodness all at once.
He was there.
And finally, so was I.
Now, while that moment hit me like a ton of bricks, there was still a lot of change that needed to happen in my life. My overhaul was not fast. And it definitely wasn’t without help. So I got to work.
Over the course of the next ten years, I adopted the love and care from a few good Saints to help me through.
The first was Saint Joan of Arc.
She was the confirmation saint I chose when I was 13 years old. At the time, if I’m being honest, I mostly picked her because I wanted to get the assignment over with and didn’t know who else to choose. For those that don’t know, she was a peasant girl acting under divine guidance, leading the French army to victories, but was burned at the stake. Even at 13, and disconnected, I found her strength and perseverance admirable. She is a total baddie.
I look to Joan when my chest feels heavy or when life feels like a mountain I cannot climb. I would be remiss If I didn’t tell you I repeat “I was born to do this” during some terrifying moments of my adult life.
I want you to find the Joan in yourselves over these next few years, as you will most certainly be faced with your own trials.
Find the Joan in you when you lack confidence but know deep down that you are meant for something bigger. Find the Joan in you when life asks more of you than you think you can give. Find your Joan and remember: you were born to do this.
Once you accept that God built you with the same tenacity He gave Joan, you give yourself permission to live a brave and intentional life.
Next — and please save the eye rolls — I’d like to introduce you to Saint Benedict.
He changed my life in my late twenties.
“All guests who present themselves are to be welcomed as Christ.” This rule was it for me.
Really think about that for a moment. Treat others as though they are Jesus Christ himself. Embrace humility above your ego.
We live in a world that encourages self-involvement. We constantly consume misinformation about ourselves and others. We judge. We critique. We compare. We become so hyper-focused on status that we forget to notice the beauty in the people around us. We forget that Christ exists in us all.
Adopt this practice now. It will make you acutely aware of your words, your thoughts, and your treatment of others. Once you realize that God placed the same oxygen in the lungs of those around you, your love for others will grow tremendously.
Live like Benedict did and welcome the beauty of strangers and friends alike. Have the respect and decency to care for humanity simply and with an open heart.
And lastly… Our Lady.
As I said before, I grew up Catholic mostly in name. My education taught me how to participate but it was a while before I felt integrated.
And I want to say this with full vulnerably and honesty: I didn’t know it was okay to truly love Mary.
But as all of these pieces started coming together in my life, my connection to her became undeniable. Through Mary, I found healing for many of my own wounds. I found grace — for myself and for others. I was able to love differently. I was able to love more purely.
Find your inner Mary, ground yourself in her grace and watch your authentic love grow exponentially. She will never leave you, as she never left her own son. Ask for her guidance, ask her for grace, and allow her to lead you.
So those are my back-pocket Saints. Borrow mine or find a handful as I have and utilize their wisdom often. Let them guide you.
Alright…let’s mix it up. Pop quiz time!
Who can tell me one thing I hollered from the microphone at the end of class every day?
Tuck in your shirts.
Eat your vegetables.
Be kind to your mothers.
Okay! Very impressive. So, we were listening.
Now, how many of you actually applied any of that to real life?
Really quick. Let’s dig in.
What do we really mean when we say, “Tuck in your shirts”?
We mean: bring your best foot forward.
Take ownership of the goodness and beauty God gave you. Show up prepared. Respect yourself enough to present yourself well. Because if you look good, you feel good. And if you feel good, you perform at your best. Give the world the opportunity to see you at your peak — beautifully and intentionally made.
Next up: eat your vegetables.
Listen, I won’t launch into the full list of vitamins your body needs to function for the rest of your life, but seriously, people — identify with this. Think of vegetables metaphorically as the goodness you bring to your life - emotionally, physically. mentally, and spiritually. Learn to love what is good for all areas of your life. You know the saying, “You get out what you put in”? That applies here too.
Take care of yourselves. What you put into your body says a lot about how much you value yourself. There are a million things you can adopt to take care of you. So…start be eating your vegetables.
And lastly — my final soapbox rant of the evening:
Be kind to your mothers.
And your fathers.
And your grandparents.
And your siblings…
And all the people who love you so deeply.
Graduates, I need you to turn around. Seriously. Turn around. I’ll wait. You know I’m stubborn.
Now wave at those beautiful people who love you the way Mary loved Jesus and the way Jesus loves us all.
That right there — that is the love of Christ in real time staring back at you.
They sent you to this incredible school so you could be lead by deeply faith filled educators. They supported you through homework and game days. They check in with you to see how your friendships are going. They’ve probably even tried to learn what you mean when you say rizz or your true definition of TUFF.
They have never once asked you to earn their love. They just give it. Freely. Constantly. Endlessly.
So, give them your kindness.
Learn to love others with the same sincerity your parents have modeled for you — with the same all-encompassing love Christ has for you.
You are worthy of both giving and receiving that kind of love.
So. Be kind.
Alright. Time for me to step down.
Guys, we all love you. I love you.
But before I go…enjoy one last mint on me.
But also:
Be intentional like Joan, be conscientious like Benedict, and fill your heart with love like Mary’s.
Tuck in your shirts, eat your vegetables, and be kind to your mothers.