Father Vince Hawk, director of the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland Newman Catholic Campus Ministry program and chaplain for Ashland University, celebrated a virtual baccalaureate Mass on May 15 at St. Raphael Church in Bay Village.
“Even after a couple of months of celebrating Mass in empty places, it still seems strange,” he said, noting things also are strange for the new college graduates. “I know this last quarter probably isn’t what you expected,” he added.
Reflecting on the readings, Father Hawk said he prays that the graduates recognize the gifts they’ve been given and that they remember where their gifts came from – the Holy Spirit. “Recognizing and using your gifts to their full potential will bring us the happiness we desire. Our lives have meaning because of who and whose we are – God’s chosen,” Father Hawk said.
He also told the graduates that their greatness comes from recognizing and acting like they belong to God and acting lovingly for the world. Jesus gave us a model for our lives in his relationship of love with the Father. He said God challenges us to love one another as he has loved us and he challenges us to use the gifts he gave us.
“It wouldn’t be a Newman event without a Newman quote,” Father Hawk quipped. “God committed some work to me that he has not committed to another,” he said, quoting Cardinal John Newman.
Father Hawk said Cardinal Newman would ask what work and what mission did God have in mind for him, noting each of us should do the same. “Our mission is love – using our gifts to help others and to build up the community around us.”
He also reminded the graduates that the Lord never deserts them. “The apostles were afraid, but Jesus kept showing up for them and he will for us, too. The resurrected Lord calls us friends. He wants us to bear fruit for the world,” he added.
“Congratulations to all of the graduates. You will have lots of stories to tell. I hope this is a time you’ll recognize that the Lord showed up for you,” he said.
Mass was concelebrated by Father Joe Previte, pastor of Holy Rosary Parish in Cleveland and chaplain for Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland Institute of Art and Cleveland Institute of Music; Father Chris Zerucha, pastor of St. Bernard and St. Mary parishes in Akron and chaplain for the University of Akron; Father Eric Garris, parochial vicar at St. Raphael Parish and chaplain for Oberlin College; and Father Rich Samide, parochial vicar at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish in Wooster and chaplain for the College of Wooster.
Father Hawk thanked Father Tim Gareau, pastor of St. Raphael, for hosting the liturgy. Music ministers were A.J. Hoy, campus minister at Oberlin College and the College of Wooster, and Steve Perry, campus minister at Case Western Reserve University. Joann Piotrkowski, assistant director of the Newman ministry program, read the petitions and helped plan the liturgy.
Below is a special message for the graduates from Father Don Oleksiak, diocesan administrator.
A second video (below) shared congratulations from the Newman ministry team at each campus, the chaplains, Father Hawk and Piotrkowski. At the end there was a special greeting from Archbishop Nelson Perez who told the graduates, “I miss you, I pray for all of you and offer my congratulations to you.”
There was a surprise ending with Pope Francis offering a joyful blessing for the graduates, also.
For more information on the Newman ministry program, click here.