“Welcome home.”
Those words were repeated frequently in the homily of Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost at the Mass of the Holy Spirit. The liturgy, which traditionally begins the new academic and formation year, took place Aug. 24, in Mary, Mother of the Good Shepherd Chapel at the Center for Pastoral Leadership in Wickliffe.
Bishop Woost methodically extended a “welcome home” to each group gathered for the Mass. He concluded his litany of welcomes with Bishop Edward Malesic, who was among those concelebrating the liturgy.
The chapel’s dedication on Aug. 17 was the capstone of a major, multiyear renovation project on the CPL campus. With a constant flow of construction equipment and personnel over the past couple years, the CPL is finally back to its “normal self,” ready to begin the academic year and ready to be the space of welcome that it was meant to be for those being formed for ministry throughout the diocese.
The Aug. 24 Mass brought together instructors, formators, spiritual directors, seminarians from both diocesan seminaries, candidates in diaconate and lay ecclesial ministry formation as well as those pursuing advanced degrees from the campus’ graduate school of theology.
During his homily, Bishop Woost implored those present to “trust not just in God, but in those who he puts in our lives.”
His advice to those in formation is also applicable to all the faithful in that “we do not make this journey alone. Listen and heed the Spirit’s voice. We can be witnesses to God’s saving presence in the world.”
So while the CPL’s hallways, classrooms, offices and residence halls are settling into their routine, he noted it is the voice of the Spirit that continually reminds them, “This is where you belong. Welcome home.”