College Chaplain

Year 12 final College Mass

Dear class of 2022

We are here in this Chapel to implore God's blessings andcongratulate you on your accomplishment. For persevering to the end. And I know you still have the big exams coming up, but at least you got there, and we believe you will pull through.  I wish I could tell you that your labours are now finished. I wish I could say to you the words of the parable, “Well done, good and faithful servants! Enter the joy of your rest.” But you and I know this is just the journey's beginning. Because you are young, most of your life’s journey still lies before you. When you leave the four walls of this school, many of you will leave home to pursue higher education in different cities. In sending you to Marian College, your parents sacrificed a lot, believing that they are making an excellent investment that will make them immensely proud in the future. When somebody says: How can they afford to send you to a Marian College? Answer by asking them: How can they afford not to? At any rate, one chapter in your life's story is ending, and a new one will soon begin. There will be many opportunities to develop your talents if you allow it and if you persevere. Remember that during your years at Marian college, starting from the principal, the teachers and staff have tried their best to inculcate a profound sense of generosity, service, and fairness in you. Our motto, taken straight from the words of Christ, who said to us that He is the "way, the Truth, and the Life", Marian college which you have become a part and particle of have sort to show you the way, the only Truth that exists and full meaning of life in Christ Jesus. In that sense, we are confident that you will swim successfully through life and emerge victoriously. That is not to deny that there will be difficulties: of course, in our lives, we find in our path, activities and mindsets thats tifle hope, and there are false pathways that seem to lead to happiness and fulfilment but end only in confusion, sadness, and fear. But with your years in Marian College and of Catholic secondary education behind you, we believe that you have been equipped to excel even when your path takes you through twists and turns, through the joys and trials of ordinarylife. With the Holy Spirit to strengthen and guide you, your own lives will become a journey of hope. So, as you consider the great expanse of life ahead of you, three things would be customary for many to say. I have no intention of saying any of these things. One customary thing people say is: “Believe in yourselves!”But I am not going to tell you to believe in yourselves. We human beings are weak and fallible.  If you put your faith in yourself, you will wind up disappointed. Forget about believing in yourselves. Believe in God instead. He is strong and true. He will take care of you. He will not disappoint you. It makes more sense to believe in Him. And that is why the first reading speaking to us through Jeremiah tells us, "I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you”. Therefore, seek to put your confidence in God and ask Him always to grow His confidence in you.The second customary thing to say is: “You can accomplish anything you set your mind to!” But I am not going to say that, either. It might be true; it might not be. There are no guarantees in this life. What I am going to tell you is this: The good Lord has a plan for you. Whatever it is, He will give you the grace to accomplish it—you can be sure of that. If we give ourselves to God's holy will, He will see us through every hardship and every setback. May God's will be done.The third customary thing to say is: “Stay focused on your goals!” That would be good advice. But I am going to give you BETTER advice. Stay focused on Jesus Christ and all the values and morals that, through Christ, Marian College has been able to hand over to you. If our eyes are fixed on Christ, then we know what our goals ought to be. As we journey through life, we must remember that God is our origin and destination, and Jesus is our way. Jesus is the Way to God, our ultimate goal; his selfless way of love allows us to find meaning in our lives through whatever career path the future may reveal to us. Our lives are a gift from God, but authentically, our lives are a task entrusted tous. We acknowledge the many gifts of God's providence, but at the same time, we must recognise that our lives will be, in great measure, what we make ofthem. Life is eternal – but at the same time, we must apply ourselves if we are to reach eternity. The gospel called us the salt of the earth; let us be that salt to the world. Marian College, together with your parents, has given the light, do not hide that light; instead, allow it to shine bright that all may see. We congratulate you on all your accomplishments.