Dear Class of 2008, You have been on my mind a lot these past few weeks. I have spoken to many of you, and you have told me about your plans for summer, college, graduate school, and career. I can see the excitement in your eyes – and at times a bit of anxiety – as you face the future. You’re asking yourselves, “What is next? What will become of me?”

No doubt many people are offering advice. You will hear a few speeches (I will give of few of them myself!) and receive cards of congratulations and encouragement from friends and family. Do you mind if I add a few thoughts of my own? I’ll keep them brief, and I hope they’re easy to remember.

Always give first place in your life to God. After all, he made you and knows what is best for you.

Ever since you were born, your parents and teachers have been God’s instruments in building a strong spiritual foundation for you. Even though the building blocks of this foundation were tailor-made for you at each stage in your development and may seem simple, don’t ever consider them “childish.” They will serve you well the rest of your life.

Remember the words of Jesus: “Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like the wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted his house. But it did not collapse; it had been solidly set on rock” (Matthew 7:24-25).

Obligations are good for us.

We have an obligation to participate in Mass every Sunday and holyday of obligation, an obligation to receive Holy Communion at least during the Easter Season, and an obligation to confess our grave sins at least once each year. “Obligation” is not a dirty word. In fact, religious obligations ensure that we avail ourselves of the great blessings of the Church – the Eucharist and God’s loving mercy. Why would one not want to fulfill such obligations, when they keep us on the right path and give us the greatest nourishment we could possibly receive?

We owe God the fulfillment of religious obligations, in grateful response to what he has done for us. They are truly the least we could do.

There are also obligations flowing from commitments to others: the obligation to put in a good day’s work for one’s employer; to be faithful to one’s spouse; to be true to one’s promises; to take care of one’s health. Our fulfillment of these and many other obligations makes the world go round.

Use your freedom well.

Some people think of graduation as being released from prison. They say to themselves, “Now that I am free, I can do as I please and enjoy myself.” They will soon reach a decidedly un-enjoyable dead end. Freedom is found in doing what is right, true, and good. That is what we were made for! When we “give in” to things that are evil and not good for us, we are not free at all.

Always stand for life.

Life is sacred, from the moment of conception until death. The Catholic Church always stands for life, and one of your obligations is to respect, promote, and defend life at every stage. There is a lot of talk these days about “choice” and how we should not impose our beliefs on others – that people should be free to choose for themselves. Remember what I said about freedom – when we choose what is evil or what is bad for us, we are not free at all.

Abortion is the killing of innocent life. It is always wrong. The fact that it is legal in this country, and that one is “free” to choose it, does not make it right. That is not just the “Catholic opinion.” It is the truth, and it is true for all. Your generation bears a serious obligation to promote what Pope John Paul II called “the culture of life.” Work hard to put an end to abortion.

Being Pro-Life also means that you will respect every person and treat him or her in a way that is consistent with the dignity God has given all of us. No life can ever be cast aside, ignored, or forgotten because it is deformed, sick, elderly, foreign, poor, or in prison. Remember that Jesus told us, “Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40). Put your Pro-Life stand into practice by helping those in need.

I could write more, but I will stop here. Putting God first, being faithful to your obligations, using freedom well, and standing for life have far-reaching consequences. As with most things in life, they are closely interrelated, and one has an effect on the other.

The sure way to hold everything together is to pray, for prayer is the lifeline of our friendship with God. Pray every day, wherever you are, and stop by church when you can to visit the Lord Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. You will find rest and security in prayer, and God will give you strength for life’s tasks.

As for me, I will pray for you, that you may have life, as Jesus said, “to the full.”

Congratulations!

Do you have a petition for Bishop Sartain’s prayer list? You may send it to him at:

Bishop Sartain’s Prayer List
Diocese of Joliet
425 Summit St.
Joliet, IL 60435-7193