Dear Graduates . . .
The first group of graduates for the Catholic High Schools in our Diocese, members of the Class of 2018 from Lourdes High School in Nogales, Ariz., will march into the next phase of their lives this afternoon.
The other five high schools will follow suit over the next several days, with the graduates of San Miguel finishing out the graduate season.
Our graduates have learned so much. Our graduates have so much more to learn. Although many of our high school graduates surely feel they have finally “completed” something, and they have, it is my prayer that this critical first stage of their lifelong learning not stop their zeal, their yearning and their need to continue to embrace all the knowledge they can to become the very best humans possible.
As Catholics, I hope the lessons of our faith that we have lovingly and tirelessly tried to give our students during these years will remain with each of them. It also is my prayer that each will take those strengths and talents given to them by God and use those to their fullest for the benefit of others and to help themselves become the best people they can become. Not necessarily great or rich, but their best in the eyes of God.
This is the the call each of us is given; to share our gifts with one another for the benefit of all. Giving our best in life to others is essentially the way to follow the commandment given to us by Christ, that is, to love one another.
To our graduates: keep working. There will be setbacks and stumbles, but keep your faith. You know how; your parents, teachers and many other people that you know and will come to know have shown you and will continue to support you. Be good. Do good. Love. The greatest people we know have done these things.
You may enjoy the Paradoxal Commandments. These statements are clear as are the steps they call us to follow.
People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered;
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you've got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God;
It was never between you and them anyway.
The Paradoxical Commandments were written by Kent M. Keith for astudent leadership booklet that was published and copyrighted in 1968. The Paradoxical Commandments subsequently spread throughout the world. St. Teresa of Kolkata is said to have put them on the wall of her children's home in Calcutta, which is why they are sometimes attributed to her. © Copyright Kent M. Keith 1968, 2001.
Confirmations
I continue my travels to parishes to confer the Sacrament of Confirmation. This week I will be at Most Holy Trinity Parish, Our Lady Queen of All Saints and St. Augustine Cathedral.
Arizona Catholic Conference
Twice each year, my brother bishops from Phoenix, Gallup and the Holy Protection of Mary Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Phoenix and I meet to discuss matters of importance to all of us. Usually this meeting takes place at the Diocese of Phoenix, but next Tuesday, we all will be meeting in Tucson. The main topic of this meeting is Catholic Schools, and so representatives from each diocese’s Catholic schools will be on hand to make presentations, including our own school Superintendent, Sheri Dahl.
Upcoming
May 22
Most Holy Trinity Parish
Ordination of Marcel Emeh
7 p.m.
Bishop Emeritus Gerald F. Kicanas will celebrate the liturgy of Ordination to the priesthood for Marcel Emeh, who will be serving the Society of the Divine Savior, SDS, also known as the Salvatorians
Kino Cup Soccer Tournament
The Fourth Annual Kino Cup Soccer Tournament takes place the Memorial Day weekend.
A highlight of the event is the annual priests versus seminarians game, this year on Friday, May 25 beginning at 6:30 p.m. A bonafide rivalry, our men of God put their all into the game. Our priests were victorious last year.
There is food for sale and lots of excitement. Come cheer for your favorite priest or seminarian.
For more information, visit diocesetucson.org/vocations
Ordination to Priesthood
Deacons Thomas Quirk and John Gonzales will be ordained to the priesthood on June 2 at St. Augustine Cathedral.
The beautiful liturgy begins at 10 a.m.