Students from 12 Catholic Schools on Staten Island gathered Wednesday for a mass to celebrate their 8th grade graduation.

More than 850 students descended on Our Lady Star of the Sea. 

Bishop John O'Hara celebrated the mass alongside all of the pastors on Staten Island.

In his sermon, O'Hara spoke about his time as a young man, telling students to remember where they come from.

"You are the future not only of the church, but this nation and of the world. As I say to my confirmation kids, 'We are called to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world,'" Bishop O'Hara said.

Former NYPD detective Steven McDonald attended the mass to talk about forgiveness and the value of a Catholic education. McDonald was shot in the line of duty and left paralyzed 30 years ago.  He ultimately forgave the shooter.