Best wishes go out to graduates

April 29, 2004

Dear Graduates:

Throughout the Diocese of Sioux City it is a time of commencement. I would like to take this opportunity as the Diocesan Administrator to extend my sincerest congratulations to all the Catholic graduates of the schools, universities and centers of learning in Northwest Iowa. For each one of you it is a personal achievement; an achievement brought about by the use of your God-given human talents. This time of commencement for you has arrived from the help, support, and guidance of many people in your lives: your parents, teachers, mentors, school administrators and other benefactors. I take this occasion to thank them, as also should you.

As Catholic Christians, not only should you develop human talents, aspirations and qualities, but also realize that from the day of your Baptism you have been called by name to develop the gift of faith received from God. That gift of faith needs a response from you, an answer to God by your words and deeds throughout your lives.

Your graduation celebrates the fact that you have achieved a goal. Rejoice in it. Now each of you will commence or begin another important phase of your life. That may be either further education or entering the world of work and career. Do that with vision and enthusiasm.

It is my hope and prayer that as graduates you will remember both your scholastic accomplishments and the gift of faith from the Lord. In the journey that lies ahead of you continue to have an intimacy with the Lord Jesus in the Mass, the sacraments and prayer. May you also make good moral decisions in your life so that you will truly make a difference in our world, in our Church and in our families. We are counting on you. May God bless you.

Asking the prayers of Mary, the Mother of God, for each of you, I remain

Sincerely yours in Christ,
Rev. Msgr. Roger J. Augustine
Diocesan Administrator