Letters
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Fear is something we all experience in life. It is also some- thing that manifests differently in each of us. We may fear not living up to expectations or fear for our future.
Increasingly, as we look around the world, we may fear living in a society that sees us as outsiders. I vividly remember my initial fears when I entered the Franciscan TOR community—particularly when it came to leaving my devotional books behind during Holy Hours, relinquishing my desire to control the way God would speak to me. Through all of our fears, Christ’s words in the Gospel resound: “Be Not Afraid” (cf. Matthew 14:27).
Our theme for the 2018-2019 academic year is this familiar refrain, often quoted by St. John Paul II and Pope Francis. In his recent apostolic exhortation Gaudete et Exsultate, the Holy Father reminds us to “not be afraid to set your heights higher, to allow yourself to be loved and liberated by God” (No. 32).
Oftentimes, this means learning to listen to God in a state of complete surrender and attentiveness—something my old spiritual director referred to as “growing up.” When we do this, maturing in a faith that recognizes our own humility, we find that the noise and confusion in the world around us, so often the cause of our fears, fades behind the steady beating of our own hearts in union with God.
It is in this union, in which we allow Jesus to truly make his home in our hearts, that we become the people the Father had in mind when he created us. Through this union, we seek holiness in our daily lives and embrace a love that leads to true joy and true happiness rather than a life dominated by fear. It is both my hope, and my prayer, for us as we begin this year.
May we listen to the Lord attentively, and find liberation from our fears.
In Christ and St. Francis,
Father Sean O. Sheridan, TOR
President, Franciscan University of Steubenville
Dear Students:
This October marks the 40th anniversary of the beginning of the pontificate of St. John Paul II. In his inaugural homily as pope, St. John Paul II pointed out a tendency of our time:
“So often today man does not know what is within him, in the depths of his mind and heart. So often he is uncertain about the meaning of his life on this earth. He is assailed by doubt, a doubt which turns into despair. . . [Christ] alone has words of life, yes, of eternal life” (No. 5).
What prevents so many of us from turning to Christ to realize our dignity and to dispel our doubts? Often, it is fear.
St. John Paul II challenges us to “Be Not Afraid” (cf. Matt. 14:27). Do not be afraid to welcome Christ and to accept his power, to open wide the doors of our hearts. But our fear can prevent us from giving everything over to him. He can have this part of our life, but maybe not that part. We want to rid ourselves of that particular vice, but maybe not this one. We are willing to be his disciples, but only if it doesn’t cause us too much embarrassment or difficulty. We may be afraid that by following Christ with our whole heart, soul, mind, and strength, we will lose control of our own lives.
But we know this: Only by trusting Jesus and giving everything to him can we become the men and women God calls us to be. Only by conforming our minds and hearts to Christ can we come to know the freedom, peace, and joy for which we have been created.
In a world beset with fears of all kinds, let us pray continually, “Jesus, I trust in you.”
May the Lord bless you abundantly!
Mr. David Schmiesing
Vice President of Student Life Franciscan University of Steubenville
Dear Fellow Students,
We’re so glad to welcome you home to your best academic year yet! We cannot wait to see what God has in store for you. No matter if this is your first year or last, we pray that the Lord shower his blessings upon you and that your time here is fruitful, fulfilling, and life-changing.
As your president and vice president, we are humbled and excited to serve you this year. Our job is to give you the tools you need to have the best time here at Franciscan University. Whether you want to join a club or start one, we want you to feel listened to, cared for, and appreciated.
This campus offers many opportunities to you, and we want to see you use them to your advantage.
Franciscan is an extraordinary place, with a community that wants to see you flourish both in your personal and spiritual lives. You can grow immensely over these coming months, and your contributions to this University through your service, love, and prayer help make it so unique.
We encourage you to branch out, to make friends with people who will be part of your life for years to come. Explore the city of Steubenville and all it has to offer. Read new books, take interesting classes, go to workshops, but most importantly—pray. Let your time here foster the relationship with the Lord that you have always wanted.
We are so excited to meet all of you. Know that you are in our prayers, and we cannot wait to help make your dreams become a reality.
In Christ,
President Gabriel Gessler
Vice President Kyle Aubert
Franciscan University Student Government