(story of Thomas)

To the parents, my hearty congratulations to you. This day

is just as much about you as it is the graduates. Today is
the culmination of what began many years ago as you held
your little one in your arms, realizing what unconditional
love was and knowing that you had gone past the point of
no return. (*looking at graduates*) They were stuck with
you! Life and your heart would never be the same. Your
sacrifices have been many; may the gratitude of all go with
you today and always.

To the Graduates
Today you take an important step forward when you
receive your degree days from now. This will be reflected
symbolically when you step up on the stage where we can
all see you and congratulate you. Taking any step forward
has to be looked at as part of a journey and it is worth
reflecting briefly all the other steps that brought you to this
point on your journey:
 Your own commitment (dragging yourself out of bed
in the mornings to get to lectures, more or less on time)
 The support of your friends
 The sacrifices made by your parents
  The hard work done by your teachers in primary and
secondary school as well as your lecturers in St
Anthony’s College
 God’s gift to you of life, with all its possibilities, for
which we give thanks today
Today is not just about looking backwards with gratitude;
it is about look ahead and exploring the various roads that
are open to you. But the future is not just about what you
will do to earn a crust; it is about who you will become and
how you will use your gifts in the service of others.
Everything has been served to you on a platter. Your school
has served you religion. Your school has served you the
opportunities for making friends. Your school served you
the obligations that motivated you to study. Your parents
served your personal needs—from feeding you to doing
your laundry to picking you up, etc, etc, etc, And this was
done because we love you. It was done because we know
that it is more blessed to give than to receive. And you have
received.
But now, you will have to intentionally choose to give.
Intentionally choose to love.
I challenge you, then. I’m not inviting, I’m not humbly
requesting. I dare you, I challenge you: love. Give
selflessly. Choose to study not because of what you get
from it, but because learning is beautiful. Choose to go to
Mass not because of what you do or don’t get out of it, but
because Jesus is lovely and challenging. Choose to do
good, not because I said so, but because there is something
hidden and mysterious in the wild world of small virtues—
something worth discovering, something lovely in itself.
SAINT ANTHONY’S COLLEGE provided you with a
Christian Education not because of what we could get out
of you, but because we loved you.

And lastly, It says, “I have consecrated you in the truth”

which is another way of saying that Jesus has totally
given his life for you, the consecration happening by the
shedding of his blood.

So too, us: we have consecrated you in everything we

have given you….

It is now that you are sent. We will miss you. But you
must go. Consecrate the world in love!