A big welcome to all of the Frosh and new students! And welcome back to all of the returning students! It is great to have everyone home. The place feels kinda empty when so many students, not mention faculty and staff, are away during the summer months.
One of the great pleasures, as well as great challenges, of being a university-based community is constant influx and outflow of members. The sadness of saying goodbye to a group of beloved graduates is tempered by welcoming new members from all over the United States and the world, with a wide and rich variety of experiences, backgrounds and expectations. It is a constant reminder of the universality of Christ's body, the Church. You are beloved sisters and brothers in the Lord who have been led here to grow in knowledge and competence, as well as in faith, hope and love. In addition, you will use your gifts (those you know about and those you have yet to discover) to positively impact the University, the Church and the world.
You will find the Catholic Community at Stanford to be a thriving, dynamic community. You find here a microcosm of the Church throughout the world, with all the joys and challenges that implies. Above all, we strive to be united in the overwhelming love of Jesus Christ. St. Paul reminds us: "If I speak in human and angelic tongues but do not have love, I am a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal. And if I have the gift of prophecy and comprehend all mysteries and all knowledge; if I have all faith so as to move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away everything I own, and if I hand my body over so that I may boast but do not have love, I gain nothing...Love never fails." We know that God's love never fails and we strive to mirror that love that seeks the good of the other in our own lives, both individually and corporately.
You will find many opportunities to be nourished. The Sacraments are readily available, especially the Eucharist and Reconciliation/Confession. There are ongoing and one-time service opportunities, where you can give a little a get a lot. There are classes, lectures and special presentations sponsored and co-sponsored by the Catholic Community on timely issues. There are ways to get involved with other Christians, as well as members of other religions, for both service and learning opportunities. You can join a small faith-sharing group to get to know others deeply and support and be supported by them. We have prayer groups and opportunities for spiritual direction. The list goes on!
Our community expects its members to give of themselves, not just receive of manifold blessings God has given us. The Lord works in and through all members of the community to strength and built up the CCAS, the University and the local area. We are nourished so that we can be of use to our neighbor, whether it's a roommate, someone at work, someone we have difficulty with or any of the countless souls we encounter daily. (Remember that when someone asked Jesus "Who is my neighbor?" he answered with the parable of the Good Samaritan!) God gives gifts not for us to keep, but to use in love, as St. Paul so pointedly told the Corinthians. It is the challenge daily, of living out our faith.
On behalf of the Director, Fr. Nathan, our Chaplains, Nancy Greenfield, Teresa Pleins and Catherine Wolff, the Interns, Jessica Sanchez and Jimmy Delgadillo and our Administrator Kathryn Gray, welcome and we look forward to getting to know you and being of service to you during your time on the Farm.
Fr. Carl Schlichte, O.P.
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