Mirianna Sternhagen -- super student speaker
“Closing time. Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.” – Semisonic
It was a glorious Saturday morning: blue sky, sunshine, perfect temperature in the mid-70s, flowers blooming, light breeze, surrounded by friends.
So I found myself at the final graduation ceremony of Mater Ecclesiae College, Greenville, Rhode Island. It being the last event of a closing college, I was feeling a bit melancholy, looking forward to seeing many good friends, but hoping to lurk on the edge of the crowd in case I found myself with a speck in my eye leading to a tear.
My plan didn’t work out. Patricia Camarero, the dean of academics, snagged me after Mass, reminded me that I was a faculty member (adjunct professor, please) and next thing I knew I was dressed in a borrowed academic gown with colorful sash and hat, processing to professors’ row and a prime seat for the festivities. I’m certain I looked as awkward as I felt.
Then I listened to three absolutely brilliant speeches. Joan Kingsland, college president/author/chef; Fr Roger Landry, who works for the Holy See’s delegation at the United Nations; Mirianna Sternhagen, one of the graduating seniors, past star of my annual communications course.
I’ve been to a fair number of graduations and heard some, well, really awful speeches. They are usually about how wonderful the school is, how the students are going to be successful (make lots of money) and what a great time everyone had.
This graduation’s talks were more along the lines of prayer, gratitude and service to others. These graduates will find success in poverty, chastity and obedience. They will experience joy because they know they are loved.
I expected a sad event: the final senior class of a closing college, just four young women, a faculty and staff that would never be together again, the end of something I have loved and admired. It all seemed, frankly, a bit pathetic.
Shame on me, oh me of worldly standards and little faith. Mater Ecclesiae had completed its service. More than two decades it had marked the beginning that would allow it to do so much good – and eventually come to this end. From this end there will be many new beginnings, as the students, faculty and staff go into the world to spread the gospel.
Somewhere in the midst of Joan’s Celtic prayer, Fr Roger’s history of the many Mater Ecclesiaes (starting with the HolyFamily) and Mirianna’s confession of being truly loved by Christ, I found myself in a spirit of total peace and joy. Glancing about the crowd, knowing smiles and glassy eyes showed I was not alone. There was much laughter, applause, even cheering.
The ceremony to mark the end had become the commencement of new missions, the launching of new adventures, the start of more beautiful work to bring souls to Christ. I was blessed to be there and grateful to be part of something so new and fresh.
