derful experience at
Mt. Irenaeus. Eight-
coming Class of 2021
joined Amanda Nau-
joks, associate director
of University Ministries;
Jeff Sved, director of
the friars at Mt. Irenaeus -- Fr. Lou Mc-
Cormick, O.F.M., Br. Kevin Kriso, O.F.M.,
Br. Joe Kotula, O.F.M., Fr. Dan Riley, O.F.M.
-- and me, for a Mission and Min-
istries Day. These incoming first-year
students arrived the day before their
Orientation session to explore who,
what, and why we are a Catholic
Franciscan institution.
white clouds that mark a great sum-
mer day. During our first session of in-
troductions, Fr. Dan referenced an
image of God that has captured my
imagination for a long time.
ence is everywhere." As we sat in our
circle in the grass beside the main
house, we imagined the God that has
no end, no beginning, and constantly
calls all of us into unity.
to bless the wedding rings just before
they are given away to their husband
or wife. It is my hope that the couple will
remember that image of God through
their rings.
covenant between God and the Church."
It is a bond that unites us, that holds us
fast, and that can never be broken.
infinite circle.
called to live within that circle of life that
we call God.
we are not united. By now it has become
trite to say, but I want Walter Cronkite
back. Is there a way that we can become
informed of what is going on in our world
without "spin" or political agenda?
Cronkite had an agenda. I think it is safe
to say that in reality, we all have agendas
-- or perhaps, better said, perspectives.
Mass in Holy Peace Chapel. As is common
at the Mountain, after the homily we are
readings or on what we heard. Someone
commented on how scary the world is
and how difficult it is to enter now be-
cause it has become so dangerous. There
were nods of agreement throughout the
chapel, and perhaps even some sighs.
he graduated college 50 years ago, his
classmates thought the world was dan-
gerous, too. "The world is always a dan-
gerous place," he said. He referenced the
Vietnam War, the fear of nuclear prolifera-
tion, and racial injustice. (The '60s were
an interesting time!) But then he re-
on in the world, "As long as we do our
best and continue to remember that God
is with us, it's all going to work out."
God is with us. We forget that we are
called to be, not just in this world but of
the unending circle of God's infinite pres-
ence. We are in a covenantal relationship
with a God who will not forget us, for-
sake us, or abandon us.
our message, but it never did.
but respond to it and bring love where
there is hatred, healing where there is in-
jury, faith where there is doubt, hope where
there is despair, light where there is dark-
ness, and joy where there is sadness.
themselves Bonnies but are ready to em-
brace our Franciscan call to be instruments
of peace.
whose circumference is everywhere