This Sunday we celebrate the great feast of Pentecost. It marks the end of the Easter season. On this day, we see the fulfillment of the promise of Jesus to send the Holy Spirit upon His Apostles. As we know, the Holy Spirit will transform the lives of these Apostles. These frightened men who abandoned Jesus at His Passion will be transformed into bold witnesses who clearly show that they not only understand the teaching of Jesus but also are willing to put His teaching into practice. They will endure persecution, suffering, ridicule, and other forms of trial as they preach his Good News. They will heed the call of Jesus to go forth and make disciples of all nations.
As we celebrate this great feast, we also remember at this time of the year our loved ones and friends who are graduating from various levels of education. Although the health environment has been gradually improving, some graduation exercises cannot take place in person. For some graduates, there is still some form of online graduation exercises due primarily to the sustained impact of the Covid 19 virus. However, we still strive to honor our graduates in a personal way for their accomplishments.
The following prayer below, “A Graduate’s Prayer” by Mary Fairchild, provided by “Jesuitresource.org”, asks Our Heavenly Father to guide and bless one who is graduating. As we reflect on this prayer, and as we celebrate the feast of Pentecost, we are challenged to allow the Holy Spirit to come into our minds, and into our lives, and into our hearts as we continue to strive to cope spiritually in these difficult and uncertain times.
On behalf of our priests, deacons, and staff, we congratulate all our graduates at this special time of the year and wish them well in their future endeavors.
Dear Lord,
As I look to the future
Bright hope conducts this prayer,
For I know the plans You have for me
Were wrought with divine care.
Holy Spirit lead me.
Let me run at Your command.
You be still and know that You are God
When trouble is close at hand.
Your Word will be a lamp for me,
A guide to light my way,
A solid place to set my feet,
A compass when I stray.
May I live my life to please You,
Not for fortune, nor for fame.
May everything I say and do
Bring glory to Your name.
May my eyes stay fixed upon You,
As I seek the way that’s pure,
Tasting Your love and goodness
Sleeping and rising secure.
Planted by Your loving streams
I’ll delight in all Your ways,
Hidden by your sheltering wings
With new mercies by each day.
Even in a dangerous land
When storms threaten to destroy,
At the cross, I’ll stand upon the Rock
My Strength, my Hope, my Joy.
Dear Lord, show me Your favor.
At all times keep me blessed.
May Your face ever shine upon me,
With peace and perfect rest.