Well, the day is finally here. The Little Rock Institute of Theology Class of 2011 will graduate on Saturday, September 10 at noon in the Morris Hall Chapel at St. John's Center. It has been a marvelous journey. The invitation was extended over a dinner and a glass of wine. Thanks, Linda, for encouraging us to try it out.We have attended 34 weekend classes - approximately 340 hours of instruction. I would guess that at least that much time was spent on each of the 34 papers written. Each class entailed driving 5 to 10 hours and, my favorite part, each Friday night was capped with a "break out" session. We always brought a bottle (or two) of wine to share with the professors so that we could quiz, argue and laugh together. I have to admit, I didn't make it through the session that stayed up until after 2 a.m.! I can't believe how much I have grown and how much more I appreciate my church.
Thank you, dear sisters in study. Especially my Texarkana ones - Mel, Louise, Ann, and Anne. You have changed my life. Thank you to those who work behind the scenes and put it all together, especially my buddy Diana. Thank you to the professors who came from Texas, Arkansas, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Florida, Louisiana, New Jersey....Wow! How blessed we are to have you share your passion and learning in Little Rock. Thank you to my family - my parents that instilled a love of learning, my children who challenge me to reach higher, my husband who encourages me and holds me up.
Thank you, most of all and every moment, to my Lord and my God. Would that I could write a sonnet of love to express my gratitude. I never knew how much I didn't know and yet all I know now is that I have barely scratched the surface of how much there is to know. Thank you, my unknowable God for the glimpse that quenches my thirst and leaves me wanting more.
The following are the petitions I wrote for our graduation mass. Thank you for joining us in prayer. Pax et bonum...
For Pope Benedict, Bishop
Taylor and all
the clergy,
that they may continue to
guide us in living our faith.
We pray to the
Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.
For Abbot Lawrence and the
brothers of St. Gregory's Monastery,
that they may continue to
sow the seeds of faith through knowledge and service in their daily
work.
We pray to the
Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.
For all who lost their
lives on September 11, 2001, for those who mourn their loss, and for
the leaders of our nation as we still wrestle with the consequences
of that day that those lost may rest in Your peace, those mourning
may be comforted, and those in leadership might guide us toward
peace.
We pray to the
Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.
For Your cleansing rains to nourish the trees, the fields, and the lakes of Arkansas, Texas and Oklahoma that the beauty of the land may remind us of our Creator.
We pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.
For the Little Rock Institute of Theology's leaders, teachers and students; that You may continue to bless their work as they grow in faith, hope, and love.
We pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.
For our parents, spouses, children and friends that they may be blessed for the support and encouragement they have given us.
We pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.
For the Little Rock Institute of Theology's graduating class of 2011, that we may love you more dearly, know you more clearly and follow you more nearly.
We pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.
