From the Pastor’s Desk:
On Friday morning we celebrated the Graduation Mass at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish for all of our graduating seniors from Springfield Catholic High School. As those young people walked into the Church for the last time as a class, they will never be the same. A few will enter the military, the great majority will continue their education attending colleges and universities all over the country, from California to New York. Wherever they go, they will be beginning a new life. They will be making new friends, having new teachers, studying new subjects, or subjects much more in depth, all the while struggling to figure out who they are and what they are really all about. It is an exciting time and a scary time. Regardless of where they end up for the next years of their lives, their lives will never be the same. My prayers are with them as they begin this new life.
On Tuesday evening here at St. Agnes Cathedral, our eighth grade class will walk through the doors of the Cathedral, for their last trip down the isle as a class. In the fall they will begin a new life, as high school students. Most will continue their education at Springfield Catholic High School. They will meet new friends, while continuing old friendships, new teachers, new freedoms which come with new responsibilities.
It is interesting that the graduation ceremony is referred to as a commencement ceremony. Graduation is both the end of something and the beginning of something. Being in education as a teacher for 17 years, director of the theater for 12 years and once again as chaplain for years; young people are not really completing something as much as setting the table for themselves to accomplish something great in their lives. I believe it can be summed up in 3 words: unselfishness, servanthood and love. All three are found in the life of Jesus Christ who is our brother, friend, example and God.
UNSELFISHNESS – is the key to real success. So often people think only of themselves and at the cost of hurting others or neglecting others. In the long-term they will find themselves empty and always wanting more because they were selfish. Christ is our example in giving and sharing.
SERVANTHOOD – is the 2nd key to real success. Serving others is what enables a person to experience gratitude, appreciation and a sense of community. Christ is our example.
LOVE – is the 3rd key to real success. You don’t have to like everybody. For that matter you can like just a few people. But we’re commanded to love everyone. Regardless of color, ethnicity, language, etc. Each of us is made in the image and likeness of our God, each of us have been given the opportunity to be loved and it begins by us loving ourselves, others and Christ.
These are why we have Catholic Schools, to put Jesus Christ as the reason for all we do, the example to follow. My prayer for all these young people is they will live these three words in their lives.
St. Agnes is looking for a full time (M-F) maintenance employee. Please call Fr. Lewis 831-3565 ext 102.