Cardinal Donald Wuerl of Washington told 671 graduates of Marymount University in Arlington May 15 that their generation faces great challenges to the idea that we are part of God’s plan and that there is an interaction and interconnectedness to what God asks of us and how we live out our lives.
“Jesus came to announce that he was going to make all things new but he was going to invite all of us to make that happen, that we wouldn’t just be passive bystanders,” the cardinal said during undergraduate commencement exercises at DAR Constitution Hall. “Never give up the hope, never give up the vision, never give up the dream you can make this a better world.”
Throughout his address Cardinal Wuerl stressed that the graduates should stay connected to their relationship with God, the relationship they have with others, and that dream of making this a better world.
“It’s important to stay connected to family, to friends, to associates, to classmates, to this university, but it’s also important to stay connected to the spirit of God within you,” he said. “It’s important to stay connected to the faith convictions that drive this university and provide you with a frame of reference as you move forward.”
Marymount President Matthew D. Shank and vice chair of the board of trustees Marlene Malek awarded the cardinal with an honorary doctorate of humane letters. Njoud Mathhar Abu-Jabar, who earned a bachelor’s in business administration, gave the address for the graduating class.
Later in the day, Diana Venskus, associate professor of physical therapy, addressed Marymount’s 327 master’s degree candidates and 46 doctoral degree candidates. Allison Troutman Stueve, who earned a master’s in business administration, gave the address for the graduating class.
