It is with a mix of sadness and joy that I bid farewell to my short-time Campus Ministry colleague, Julianne Wallace (pictured in the center flanked by Niagara Campus Minister, Kristina Schliesman and yours truly) today from our UB Campus Ministry staff. Julianne will become the Campus Minister for Liturgy, Worship and Faith Formation at St. Bonaventure University–where her Franciscan heart will be fed with the charism that has formed her for so many years.
As a friend often says about job opportunities, “When they call, you’ve got to go.” Yesterday’s readings reflected that very theme. God calls us to do great things but, many times we shove away the call that God sends to us, making excuses because we’re afraid to make a move or simply don’t want to upset the apple cart and start over risking our comfort.
The truth is that I know St. Bonaventure will be a wonderful place for my friend and colleague to be a minister and she’ll be a great addition to the place where her gifts will be used wisely and with great joy. Besides Jules looks better in Franciscan brown than in UB blue anyway.
So in bidding her adieu, I spent the morning in prayer for Julianne and for all those who discern their role in life, especially those students who are seniors and graduate students who are starting their last semester tomorrow. As a new semester starts, I’ve been feeling that I’m being called to do more spiritual direction with people. I’m excited about getting more training from my Jesuit friends at Canisius High School where I’ll be taking a class on spiritual direction and the spiritual exercises with some of their faculty. For Julianne, who has discerned her gifts for helping people worship well reflecting that Franciscan spirituality she loves to students, my prayer for you is that you are able to do that and be joyful as you serve others.
So this post is dedicated to Julianne along with this song which many parishes I’m sure sang at mass yesterday. A hat tip to Deacon Greg for this you tube version.
See ya at the diocesan vicariate meeting. And Fordham takes on the Bonnies this Saturday in basketball. Get ready to feel the wrath of Ignatius. I’ll be the one in Maroon.