Nazareth Catholic Community
May 3, 2020 ~ 4th Sunday of Easter
Blessing for Seniors, TONIGHT via Zoom at 7:00PM!
Meeting ID: 144 809 501
Greetings everyone,
Congratulations! You made it. The spring 2020 semester has officially come to an end. This has been such a challenging and disappointing semester, to say the least. Take comfort in knowing that you have navigated a very difficult transition to on-line learning and have begun to adjust to living in a world none of us could have ever imagined. These are challenging times that bring fear and uncertainty. However, they also bring possibility and, yes, hope if we open our hearts to such a perspective. Now that you no longer have the responsibilities of the semester demanding your time, I encourage you to use this newfound time to reflect on how this pandemic is inviting you to live. This is some of the best self-care you can give yourself!
St. Francis of Assisi based his life around the pursuit of true joy. Joy is deeper than a happy feeling contingent on the experiencing of something in the moment. Rather, joy is a state of being; achieved because the conscious decision to live an external life that reflects the identity and values of the Ture Self that is found within you. True joy is found when we live a life that genuinely reflects the person God created you to discover, instead of the person, the False Self, that the numerous exterior influences of the world say you should live as. In some ways, the pandemic has removed some of these worldly demands and distractions that have prevented us from living lives of true joy.
Pope Francis has a gift for each of us to help us navigate this new reality and to guide us along a path in this search for joy and hope. The Vatican published a free downloadable book of Pope Francis’s prayers and homilies responding to the trial and suffering of the coronavirus pandemic. Titled Strong in the Face of Tribulation, the book also contains suggestions for Catholics who are unable to receive the sacraments due to restrictive measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The book, which was released April 21, is available in English, Italian, Spanish and French and will be updated several times a week with new homilies and other interventions made by Pope Francis. You are invited to use this book, and this new found time, to reflect on your life’s direction and purpose. Discover, in the midst of uncertainty, clarity into your True Self.
Please know I am available to meet one on one via Zoom over the summer. As a spiritual director and chaplain, it is a privilege to assist individuals in their journey to discover their true identity and purpose. If you would like to setup a time to meet, please email me and I would be happy to do so. I will be continuing these services though out the summer. Please watch your email for details.
Finally, tonight we will honor our graduating seniors with a special Blessing of Sending Forth. If you are an undergraduate or graduate student who is graduating, please join us so we can pray for you on this next step of your journey. For those of you who are not graduating, please joins us so we can unite our prayers of support for our seniors. Hope to see you at 7:00PM tonight!
Pax et Bonum,
~ Jamie
Thank you Fr. Robert Reiser, SJ
In addition to honoring our seniors tonight, we will also acknowledge and give thanks for the faithful service or Fr. Bob Reiser, SJ to our Catholic Community. Fr. Bob will be moving to Washington DC to begin a new assignment as the Executive Director for the Jesuit Schools Network.
Fr. Bob has served the Catholic Community at Nazareth College as a sacramental minister for over 12 years. In addition to being with us on Sundays, he has celebrated many weddings and baptisms for us. Congratulations Fr. Reiser of your new appointment. We are grateful for all you have done for us and for being a wonderful example and witness of God's love! Please know you will be deeply missed!
Go Light Your World 2020: A Candlelight Ceremony of Gratitude and Induction into the Nazareth College Alumni Association
Sponsored by Nazareth College Alumni Relations, the Center for Spirituality and the Undergraduate Association.
Nazareth College Catholic Community
Jamie R. Fazio, M.Div., Catholic Chaplain, Office: GAC 160
The Nazareth College Catholic Community is part of the Nazareth Center for Spirituality. All are always welcome!
Email: jfazio1@naz.edu
Website: http://www.naz.edu/center-for-spirituality/catholic-community
Location: Linehan Chapel, East Avenue, Rochester, NY, United States
Phone: 585 389 2308
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/35057526410/