College students start with community blessing
SALT LAKE CITY — "This is a great way to start the school year, a new beginning. It’s good to welcome it with a Mass," said Romnick Poindexter, a freshman from Westminster College and a member of the Campus Ministry Leadership Team. Scores of Catholic students from the University of Utah, Salt Lake Community College, and Westminster College, grabbed their blankets and joined the community from St. Catherine of Siena Newman Center on Aug. 30, at President’s Circle on the University of Utah campus to start their studies with the annual "Mass on the Grass," a Mass celebrated picnic style. "I’d like to welcome all who are here: vistors, President (of the University of Utah) Michael Young and his wife, and others of the administration of the university, Westminster College, and Salt Lake Community College who reached out to all of you. Thank you for coming to this wonderful celebration," said Father Peter Rogers, pastor of St. Catherine of Siena Parish. "We pray to God he’ll give us the wisdom and knowledge that will help us thrive in our academic goals this year, and in our growth and faith." "As one week has passed of this new academic year, I hope our students haven’t already fallen behind in homework," said Fr. Rogers jokingly during his homily. The priest said the students, along with the community, were gathered to ask God to help them thrive in their academic, social, health, and spiritual development. "This is a significant time in your life. These few years will challenge you to expand your knowledge and skills… We are all challenged to evaluate our conscience and values through study, investigation, analysis, and dialogue," said Fr. Rogers. He invited the students to study the scriptures, "the word of God, which is already planted within you." The priest also invited them to get involved in "deeper investigation of your faith, beliefs, and values. Analyze and look at Catholic theology… dialogue with your friends and ministers at the Newman Center. They will guide you. We are here for you. "We want this to be your home away from home, and to participate in events with people who share your faith and values," said Fr. Rogers. "This is also an excellent time to dialogue with those of different faiths… so you gain greater understanding and look for commonalities. If we respect what they believe, we’ll build respect for one another and indeed, love. We will not be afraid because we will truly understand, respect, and love them. We will spread the love of God for everyone, so we can have peace in the world." Fr. Rogers encouraged students to become involved in the Newman Center because it will give them both spiritual and academic gain. "Studies have shown that college students who are active participants have more opportunities and a greater chance to finish their degrees and excel in academics," he said. The first reading of the Mass was from the book of Deuteronomy and made reference to how observance to the commandments reflects wisdom and intelligence. "Now, Israel, hear the statutes and decrees which I am teaching you to observe, that you may live, and may enter in and take possession of the land which the Lord, the God of your fathers, is giving you. In your observance of the commandments of the Lord, your God, which I enjoin upon you, you shall not add to what I command you nor subtract from it. Observe them carefully, for thus will you give evidence of your wisdom and intelligence to the nations, who will hear of all these statutes and say, ‘This great nation is truly a wise and intelligent people.’ For what great nation is there that has gods so close to it as the Lord, our God, is to us whenever we call upon him? Or what great nation has statutes and decrees so just," said Moses to the people of Israel in the reading. The second reading was from the letter of St. James, where he said the word of the Lord incites to action rather than just contemplation. " Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does. If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." The Gospel according to Mark reminded the congregation about the time when Jesus’ disciples were eating with unclean hands, so the Pharisees noticed and reproached Jesus for not following Jewish tradition. "Well did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘This people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines human precepts’," said Jesus in the Gospel. "You disregard God’s commandments but cling to human tradition." Jesus then summoned the crowd and said to them, "Hear me, all of you, and understand. Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile. From within people, from their hearts, come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, and folly. All these evils come from within and they defile." "May you be beacons of light, volunteering, and social justice; and respond to Jesus’ call to be disciples on earth through love, service, and compassion to all," said Deacon John Keyser, who assisted Fr. Rogers and Father Peter Do at the altar. At the end of the service, the Campus Ministry Leadership Team at the Newman Center for this year was blessed and everyone was invited to gather at the center to dine as a community.
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