PRESIDENT’S BLOG: A MESSAGE TO THE 2021 GRADUATES

We have all experienced over a year of significant change in our lives. Many of us lost something we held dear whether it be a loved one or at the very least time spent with loved ones. We can consider 2020 and 2021 to be part of our spiritual journey and regardless of your age it tested us in a variety of ways. 

As I often do when faced with things I can’t explain or comprehend, I turn to the wisdom of others to offer me guidance and perspective. Recently I came across the prayers and reflections of Fr. Ronald Rolheiser a Jesuit priest from Canada who grew up on a farm in Saskatchewan. 

One subject of his writings was focused on Henri Nouwen, also a noted Catholic priest and author. Fr. Rolheiser wrote:
Ten years before his death Henri Nouwen was beset by a depression that nearly broke him. While in treatment, he wrote a powerful book, The Inner Voice of Love, in which he humbly and candidly shared his struggles and the efforts it took to overcome them. Eventually he found again his inner strength and emerged resilient, ready to re-enter his life with renewed energy. Remarking on what he learned from this inner collapse and his eventual return to health, he wrote that, in the end, our hearts are stronger than our wounds.

While he recognized not all wounds are alike, Fr. Rolheiser wrote that our ability to overcome our pain or suffering can be possible when we do two things: first, realize that we can find strength through God’s grace and understanding, especially through prayer; and second, we must realize that we don’t have to save ourselves, that we don’t have to get our lives right all on our own, that In this life we are not alone.

During your time at AMHS I hope you have come to realize these two things: prayer can give you strength; and you are surrounded by people who love you. Over this past year when the entire world suffered immense pain there would often come forth the light of hope to illuminate the darkness. 

Many times this light came from your generation, offering your wisdom, joy and hope. Think of the voices of your peers who champion climate change, social justice and inclusion, and the power of voting. You will indeed change the world.
In another of his books Fr. Rolheiser shares the following:

There is a beautiful text in the Gospels that captures, in stark metaphor, our need for prayer. One morning, after Simon Peter, James, and John have “toiled all night” and caught nothing – no fish, only their own emptiness – Jesus comes to them and invites them to go out to the deeper waters, to “put out into the deep.” They do, and they catch so many fish their boat can barely stay afloat.

Last year as juniors and throughout this year you went into the deep. You have overcome one of the greatest challenges our world has faced in over 100 years—you should know now you can do anything. But always remember these two things: when you feel particularly low or lost, stop what you are doing and pray; then remember, you are never alone.