May this be the first of many proud, successful moments in your life. Wishing you the very best on your graduation. May your courage and determination bring you great success. Your high school and college graduation is a milestone that will be remembered forever.
Graduates, congratulations! You have done it. After the long nights, the studying, and the sacrifices, you have reached a major milestone.
As you stand at this exciting crossroads, looking toward a future filled with unknowns, I want to leave you with three brief changes:
I challenge you all to take everything you’ve learned from every experience, conversation, and lesson plan with you into the real world and make the best of it. No, it’s not going to be easy, nor will success knock on your door tomorrow night, but I want for you all to continue to make PROGRESS. Whether it be in school, at work, or just becoming a better person in life, always, always, always continue to make progress.
As you move forward, know that our prayers and hopes are with you. You are loved and you are ready for this next step and share the love of God through our work.
Mrs. Jashawn Cato, better known as "Sis. Cato", here at the Greater Eleazer Baptist Church, was born and raised in New Orleans and is a proud graduate of Paul L. Dunbar, Class of 2005. I am a licensed cosmetologist, and I earned my associate degree from Tarrant County College in 2018. I am a devoted wife of 13 years to my Joseph Cato and a proud mother of two beautiful daughters—Ja’Yana and Jaiah.
I began my journey at the University of Texas at Arlington in Summer 2024, where I am pursuing a degree in Social Work. I discovered my passion for social work through my desire to serve others, especially youth, and to be a safe and supportive presence in their lives.
Despite facing unexpected life challenges during my academic journey, I remained determined and resilient. Through faith, perseverance, and the support of my family, I continued to push forward in my studies. My hard work and dedication earned me a place on the Dean’s List from Spring 2025 to present, and I am graduating with honors.
Along the way, I had to remind myself: God is not against me—He is with me, working through me and fighting for me.
My journey is a testament to faith, strength, and perseverance. I hope to encourage others to keep going, no matter what challenges they face, and to never give up on their goals. If I can make it through, you can too.
As it is written in Jeremiah 30:17, “For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds,” saith the Lord. And I am a reflection of just that.
This tassel was definitely worth the hassle!!
—Sis. Cato 💙
Jashawn is the wife of Bro. Joseph Cato, the mother to Ya'Yana and Jaiah and the daughter of Sis. Augusta Holloway.
As I graduate, I reflect on the things that have shaped who I am and what I enjoy most. I have a strong passion for cosmetology, fashion, and art—creative outlets that have allowed me to express myself, build confidence, and stay inspired throughout my journey. As I continue my education in college, I plan to major in psychology a field that truly interests me and aligns with my goals. In the future, I aspire to build a career as a child psychiatrist where I can grow, succeed, and make a meaningful impact. With faith, determination, and dedication, I am excited to step into this next chapter and pursue everything I’ve been working toward.
Ja'Yana is the daughter of Bro. Joseph and Sis. Jashawn Cato, the big sister to Jaiah Cato and the granddaughter of Sis. Augusta Holloway.
“The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it.”
Bryanna Fuller is a proud graduate of North Crowley High School and is honored to celebrate this special milestone with her church family. She currently works at Auntie Anne’s, where she was recently promoted in December to shift manager. She has also achieved a major accomplishment by completing her practical exam and becoming a fully licensed cosmetologist.
Bryanna will be attending Tarrant County College in the fall, then transferring to Tarleton State University in the spring of 2027 to continue her education in business management.
Bryanna is known for her positive attitude and strong work ethic, which have guided her throughout her journey and helped her stay focused and determined. In her free time, she enjoys listening to music, creating social media content, shopping, and practicing new beauty styles and techniques.
She is grateful for the love, encouragement, and support she has received from her family, friends, and church community. Bryanna looks forward to what God has in store for her future and is committed to continuing her journey with faith, determination, and purpose.
Bryanna is daughter of Sis. Sharonda Warren and the granddaughter of Bro. Cletis and Angela Thomas and the great-grand daughter of Sis. Ada Richardson.
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At Greater Eleazer Baptist Church, we strive to provide a welcoming and inclusive environment for people of all faiths and backgrounds. Our community is focused on promoting love, compassion, and understanding, and we believe that these values are at the core of all major religions. Whether you are looking for a place to worship, to connect with others who share your beliefs, or simply to learn more about different religious traditions, we are here to support you. We offer a variety of programs and services designed to meet the needs of our diverse community, and we would love to have you join us.
At Greater Eleazer Baptist Church, we strive to provide a welcoming and inclusive environment for people of all faiths and backgrounds. Our community is focused on promoting love, compassion, and understanding, and we believe that these values are at the core of all major religions. Whether you are looking for a place to worship, to connect with others who share your beliefs, or simply to learn more about different religious traditions, we are here to support you. We offer a variety of programs and services designed to meet the needs of our diverse community, and we would love to have you join us.
At Greater Eleazer Baptist Church, we strive to provide a welcoming and inclusive environment for people of all faiths and backgrounds. Our community is focused on promoting love, compassion, and understanding, and we believe that these values are at the core of all major religions. Whether you are looking for a place to worship, to connect with others who share your beliefs, or simply to learn more about different religious traditions, we are here to support you. We offer a variety of programs and services designed to meet the needs of our diverse community, and we would love to have you join us.
They are following an incredible calling to care for the souls of people (Heb 13:17). There’s a weightiness to that calling that’s hard to describe—and Pastor Barrett fulfills that calling with faithfulness and joy.
Their work is never fully done. Even when they go home at night, they’re still on call at some level. Crises seldom happen according to our schedules.
They shoulder burdens few people know. In fact, they sometimes must carry them alone, and they often weep more over the sin of congregation members than those members do over their own sin.
They do much of their work “behind the scenes.” We see them publicly when they preach, but that assignment isn’t the bulk of their work. Many are the hours they spend preparing sermons, visiting the sick, evangelizing the lost, counseling the hurting, and raising up leaders.
They work hard at balancing their personal and family time with congregational time. Not all pastors find this balance well—and their family often pays a price—but most pastors I know strive to do this task with diligence.
They bear the responsibility of preaching the Word. That work requires seeking God’s face, exegeting and interpreting the Word, crafting a sermon, and delivering it. No pastor wants to misinterpret or mis-teach the Word; thus, their burden is great.
They must deal with critique and criticism. Sometimes it’s warranted, but often it’s not. Many pastors could write a book on the surprising, odd, often nitpicky criticisms they’ve received. Yet, most pastors I know hear them with grace.
They share all of life with their parishioners. Not even a family physician shares all of life – birth, conversion, baptism, graduation, marriage, parenthood, death, and every major struggle and celebration between birth and death. Only pastors have that privilege, and I greatly appreciate their investment in our lives.
Dear Lady Rebecca Barrett,
For consistently supporting your husband spiritually, emotionally, and physically...thank you. Your love is his greatest earthly treasure.
For filling in the ‘gaps’ at church, for noticing the little things…thank you. It makes a difference.
For smiling when your own heart is breaking…thank you. That takes grace.
For all of your sacrifices, both visible and invisible…thank you. God sees them all.
For being authentic, for not trying to be superwoman…thank you. People can always relate to real.
For modeling Godly living and for mentoring those who are young in the Lord…thank you. The next generation is changed because of this.
For navigating an often hectic and unpredictable schedule with graceful flexibility…thank you. You make it look easy.
For burying your own grief, for setting your own burdens aside, in order to reach out and minister to others in their times of sorrow...thank you. People will never forget that you were there for them.
For nurturing your relationship with Christ above any other relationship…thank you. It shouldn’t be any other way.
For leading through an example of servanthood, for serving with confidence and joy…thank you. You compel others to serve God with you.
For embracing the privilege and high calling of ministry, for saying “yes” to life with a pastor…thank you. You make Christ’s bride look beautiful.
"To see our church grow in biblical education and training; A driving force in our community and outreach serving the homeless, elderly, disable and the lost; shared by the love of God for us through us with others."
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8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.
10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.