Commencement 1999
Senior Address, John Finley, Class of 1999
John Gerard DeSilva Finley was selected by his fellow
classmates to give the Senior Address. His address is as follows:
Somewhere down the line, people are sure to ask us graduates:
"What was so great about Thomas Aquinas College?"
"How did it make you what you are now and was it worth
it?" Indeed I would not be surprised if some of our esteemed
guests and relatives here today are wondering the same things.
In response, much could be said in praise of the education
itself - the liberal arts, the Great Books, the Socratic method
- and this would all be true, and most likely an understatement.
Yet this is probably not the first thing that would come to
our minds.
No, I think our first thoughts would be more of the true
happiness that we had throughout our four years here - happiness
that had not existed before we came; happiness that may not
be matched in its own right for quite a while. Of course,
happiness can mean many things, especially here - sleeping,
getting off campus, even work study, I believe. But the happiness
that we will always remember, the happiness that changed us
so much, is not any of these things, but rather all the true
friendships we made, and the life we led as a class together.
Now I am sure we were all amazed and possibly wary of one
another when we first met, freshman year. And yet before long
we had grown to know each other to the point where we could
see in everyone a completely different aspect of life, truth,
goodness, and often humor. Before long, we knew how much,
in many ways, we depended on one another for advice, support,
and a right good time.
We will most likely never know how these bonds and this unity
came about, to such a degree, with such sincerity, but we
do know that we all came here with the same desire: to think
and learn about great things. We all wanted to truly know
ourselves and how our lives could be of real meaning - rightly
ordered with respect to God and man.
And I think this is where the program itself fits in. For
we know that these friendships were not built on sand. They
were often confirmed or solidified in many amusing ways, but
they did not come about like that. We saw in our years here
how it was essentially through the common effort to discuss
and understand the highest things that we were so closely
united. It was about this common effort that our lives revolved
together, and without this, we could not have affected one
another as we have.
It seems that in particular the qualities of charity, humor,
and sincerity have characterized our approach to the truth
and our dealings with each other. Most important among these
has been charity - the life of God, where through it, He has
come into our midst. In charity, we were able to look for
the good in those around us, and take an active interest in
their well being. In fact some have taken such an active interest
that they are now engaged or married - (though perhaps it
is better not to call these cases of charity!).
In this vein, there is no question that humor itself has
played a tremendous part in our life at school: teaching us
not to take ourselves or others too seriously, and making
for a needed balance in the context of intellectual rigor.
Yet necessary for both of these, and for any worthwhile inquiry
or interaction, has been sincerity, wherein we have tried
to remain honest, humble, and true to ourselves.
Now these qualities, which we have seen so exemplified in
each other, have not only transformed our lives at school,
but have made us better individuals all around, and we must
live by them now and in the future. For this day marks as
much a beginning as it does an end, and what we have learned
in the past is but a preparation and foundation for what is
to come.
We stand now at the threshold of a new millennium, and the
world around us seems to be changing pretty quickly. At least
that's what my contacts on the outside tell me. God only knows
what great events, sufferings, and joys will take place in
our time. Yet we cannot be anxious, for His Church is our
stronghold, His truth our refuge, and righteousness our salvation.
All we must do is embrace these three in our new duties and
occupations, trusting in the Lord. And if we bring to our
lives the charity, humor, and sincerity that we experienced
so strongly at school, how can we fail to love these vocations
just as we did in our days here? Indeed, since this has been
really a preparation for our true life's work, we can expect
even greater joys and blessings based on what we have gained
here.
We are ever grateful, then, for those without whom our education
would not have happened, and who gave us this opportunity
in the first place. Our parents and families particularly
have always stood behind us and given so much more than we
can ever repay. Also the priests, tutors, administration and
staff here have not only imparted this wonderful education,
but have been shining examples of how it ought to be lived
- directed towards God and those around us. Let us always
remember that we have not so much gained possession of the
truth itself, but more the freedom to seek it, the ability
to recognize it, and an abiding love for it. Thus, we must
never close our minds in pretentiousness or pride, but always
remain open to the truth, no matter what our situations, no
matter who we are dealing with.
Finally, we are always grateful for each other, and the memories,
inspirations and ideals that we shared and still have. Though
we sorrow at this parting, these will never fade away and
can only serve to brighten the days ahead, because if living
for the Church in truth and righteousness has been so rewarding
for the past four years, why not for those in the future?
So we now take leave of the College and each other in warm
gratitude for all we have been to others and all we have become.
I can surely speak for everyone of us in saying: "I will
miss you greatly." But this gratitude gives rise to hope,
for we go on to serve Christ and man in various ways to our
utmost abilities. In this purpose, we are confident that what
we have received from God and each other will strengthen these
abilities, perfecting ourselves and our families.
With hearts uplifted in gratitude for these years at school,
and hope for good times and joy in the lives of all here present,
let us close with the words of David: "Praise the Lord
in his sanctuary, praise him in the firmament of his strength.
Praise him for his mighty deeds, praise him for his sovereign
majesty. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Alleluia!"
-- Qtrly Newsletter, Summer 1999
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