By CAITIE RYAN and ROB LOPEZ
staff writers
As I prepared last week’s column, I knew it was going to be my last full column. I could not, however, pass up this week to finally thank all those who supported me throughout the years. My parents and the rest of my family are the ones who have made this journey with me.
My friends, who I can’t imagine my life without, and my boyfriend who has supported me so much throughout this year, I thank so much. I would like to thank all my professors, especially Frank Garland; I really do feel like to you guys I am Caitie and not a number. I thank God daily for all the individuals who are in my life.
Finally I would like to take this time to introduce Rob Lopez. He will be continuing this column on next year. You probably have read his work and I wish him the best as he shares his faith.
Thanks, Caitie.
Caitie, I bet you can remember the first day that you stepped foot onto the campus at Gannon. Perhaps you shared many of the same doubts and fears that I and my fellow classmates have about our futures. The daily struggles and the accomplishments that seem to unfold so quickly.
Looking back on those times can you give us a little advice? I am beginning a new chapter in my life and I hope that the work that I do for my peers can impact them in a positive way, in the same encouraging way that you did.
I pray that our Lord will guide my words and actions and that I may be an example for many. I know that I am weak and that when I am that is when Christ will make me strong.
There will be times when I don’t think I can go on: too many assignments, too many out of classroom events, and not enough time.
I need to remember Christ; I will need my friends to help me; and I hope I can be there as a friend for you too.
I suppose the direction I would like to continue in is of a practical teaching of the Catholic faith and bring it to life with real issues that affect us all here and now.
I wish to revisit the reasons that we do things throughout our liturgical year and show how the Church continues to struggle for truth.
I hope to share the lives of saints with the readers and how their examples can help us on our journey.
The Catholic Church is the foundation of the Truth that lives, Jesus Christ, the head of the body, the church, and we are all the members working together to accomplish the salvation story.
I want all to be welcomed and to know the love that Jesus shares and calls us to share with others.
Caitie, my hope is that when I look back, like you are looking back now, I can see a road paved with many victories, victories that will be won for the students at Gannon and the community that we serve, and to be on the frontline in discovering the balance in a world that is too easily pushed back because of fear.
My hope is that someday when we graduate we can see the accomplishments that we have made and you and all who went before us can be proud of.
To all those who will be graduating, thank you for being a part of Gannon history.
I wish all of you the best of luck in your futures and pray that wherever God plants you, may you grow and bare much fruit.
As we celebrated the resurrection of our Lord on Easter, as we looked for him in an empty tomb and missed him, so we will miss you next year.
But like the resurrection story not ending on that Sunday morning, so your story doesn’t end, but begins a new life.
Don’t ever forget where you have come from, because you never know where you may be.
Don’t ever forget the people you meet, because you never know where you may see them again
I thank you, Caitie, for all of your hard work and dedication to the Knight and to your peers, and thank you for your inspiring articles.
To all the graduating seniors: May God bless you and keep you, and may he let His face shine upon you, and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.
