A message to high school graduates and families

    Recently I have had numerous conversations with high school graduates who are heading toward college. They are excited and nervous about their next chapter in life. Many are anxious to get away and experience “freedom,” but little do they know that this freedom comes with heavy responsibility.

    As I talk to them, I remind them of the fact that they were not an accident. They are a gift from God, and they are called to share that gift with others. As they leave for college, they will experience many different challenges and temptations that may take them off of their track. I remind them that their purpose is to go to class, study  and graduate. Everything else is lagniappe.

    I also challenge them to remember their faith life. It is during times of temptation and struggle that our foundation of faith keeps us heading in the right direction. Many times, it is those young adults who forget their “foundation” that end up returning home or having to transfer because they strayed from the path that they were called to walk on.

    Over the years, I have directed college freshmen and their parents to various resources. One of my favorites is “The Freshmen Survival Guide.” I also share “A College Student’s Prayer” with them.

    So please join me as we pray for our graduates, no matter what they are doing in the next phase of their lives (i.e., school, military, work, etc.). 

    Let us ask God to guide them and their families as they try to discern their purpose and to use their gifts to make society a better place. 

    We are truly blessed within our archdiocese with outstanding youth and young adults, and God continues to bless us with new young people who are great leaders now, but will lead, not only society, but our church in the future.

    Ansel Augustine is director of the Office of Black Catholic Ministries: at [email protected].
 

A College Student’s Prayer

Lord, give me strength to learn this text that you have blessed us with.

Give me strength to persevere, to focus even when it seems beyond my power.

Give me the ability to learn your will, to interpret it correctly.

Help me to live my life as you wish me to live it, to be who you want me to be.
I surely cannot follow in the footsteps of your only son, whom you sacrificed for us, but help me to follow as close as I can.

I am sure to err along the way, and I am forever thankful for your forgiveness.
I wish only to serve you, to follow the path of righteousness.
You are the one and only God, and we are all in the greatest debt to you.

I stumble along the way quite often, but you are always there to catch me.

Help me to be patient, with teachers and my peers.

Help me to be kind, and helpful to others.

Help me to be productive, to do my work instead of slacking.

Help me to stay calm in times of great hardship and stress.

Help me to manage money wisely, and to find a way to earn more.

Help me to refrain from jealousy and envy toward my friends who are better off than I am.

Lord Almighty, give me strength to be the Christian I am capable of being.

Thank you, Father.
AMEN.