A Rite of Passage

Certain critical events in our humble existence are so monumental, so life-changing that we refer to them as "Rites of Passage". These critical moments shape and define who ....or "what" we are to become. These events are so important that we ritualize the individual milestone and do our best to sacramentalize (i.e. "make holy") these significant turning points in our lives. A few of these life-defining moments might be; Baptism (or Christening / Naming ceremony), for some... maybe a Circumcision or Bris ritual (Ooooo ...Ouch!), First Holy Communion, Confirmation (or Bar Mitzvah / Bat Mitzvah), Sweet Sixteen (or Quinceañera), a Wedding, a Religious Profession, or maybe even an Ordination.
Another set of these "rites of passage" are centered around the advancement from one significant level of educational accomplishment to another. These are known as Graduations. Oftentimes, we sacramentalize (i.e. "make holy") these graduations by invoking God's blessing on those who are ending one phase of their lives and beginning another. One ritual used to invoke the divine blessing on the graduates is called a baccalaureate service (... or Baccalaureate Mass). Last night, several hundred of us gathered at a local church to celebrate a Baccalaureate Mass asking God to share graces on one hundred and seventeen matriculating seniors from a local Catholic High School. We are proud of the accomplishments of these young adults in arriving to this point in their life but we realize that they dearly need Strength from the Almighty for the journey that lies ahead of them. God bless each and every one of our graduates.

Never Too Old To Learn

The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young.

Henry Ford

On the eve of Mother's Day 2010, those who were watching late night television were treated to octogenarian Betty White hosting Saturday Night Live. Why were so many people *surprised* that this 88 1/2 year old comedienne could still perform with the best? This lovely lady is truly an inspiration to those who are a generation or two removed from her. An inspiration ... a role model... but none of us should be surprised by her talent and energy because she is only 88 and a half years old.

My own mother is only a few years younger than Betty White (...sorry, Mother for giving away your age) and this woman too is an inspiration and a worthy role model to her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  Years ago, after some of her children had already started college, the matriarch of our clan decided to give higher education "the old college try". She surprised some folks because she excelled in *all* of her studies. These people may have been surprised at our mother because she was one of the oldest students ...yet she had (correction... *has*) one of the sharpest minds in all academia.

This Mother's Day, some of her children went together and gifted Mother with the latest technological gadget (...an IPad). True to form, our mother embraced this new technology and once again proved that, "No one is ever too old to learn." Again, it should not surprise us that this octogenarian, ...a great-grandmother, would enthusiastically learn something new. Her genuine enthusiasm for life-long learning should inspire all of us.

A couple of years ago my Beloved began a four year journey pursuing a Master's degree. Though my wife might be a bit older than the typical grad school student she is competing with the best of them. It should come as no surprise to her friends and family that she is doing exceptionally well academically in all of her classes. Only two more years till she gets the coveted sheepskin. In the meantime ...and forevermore... she will be an inspiration to the godchildren and others, encouraging them to excel in their studies and enthusiastically pursue their dreams because... "You are Never Too Old To Learn."

 

Mother's Day 2010

I remember my mother's prayers
and they have always followed me.

They have clung to me all my life.

 - Abraham Lincoln

A number of my siblings, nieces and nephews living in Southern California surprised my Mother this morning by joining her at Mass. Can you imagine how pleased she must have been to have them gather with her at church? That simple, unselfish act will surely be more cherished for her than dozens of bouquets of flowers and gifts of expensive perfume.

How wonderful it would be if all children would join their own mother in prayer, especially today.  Mother and child would take the opportunity to thank God for the gift of the other and then offer prayers for the well-being of each other.

As for my wife and the mother of our children, she decided to make dinner for us on her special day as a tribute to her own Mother. "Thanks for loving your own mother so much you wanted to share that love with us."