Unapologetically

Some years ago, we were dropping one of our daughters off at Benedictine College to start her freshman year. As you might imagine, we were part of a multitude of parents and other family members who would arrive squeezed into cars and vans, and then leave strangely emptied in so very many ways. For us, she was our fifth drop-off so we had some idea of the emotions that might descend. She was however the first at a private faith-based school, so there were some differences.

One difference was the family gathering and send-off. Right there in the program for the day the expectations were clearly laid out: gather in the Abbey Chapel, hear a message, and then leave. No dawdling and hanging around. Move along.

President Stephen Minnis gave what I’m sure was a comforting and inspiring message, along with various other messages. What I remember him saying was this: “While everyone is welcome here, we are unapologetically Catholic.”

No waffling. No fear of offending. Inclusivity if you wanted to be part of the community but a clear definition of what that community was. Freedom to stay or go.

I was so struck by that statement. Clearly, since years later I remember it out of all the various University/College welcomes, messages, etc., that I’ve sat through or given.

As I continue on life’s journey and more specifically on my faith journey, the ability to gently but firmly say, “All are welcome; I am unapologetically Christian” has become more and more important. There are large parts of my life that I am ashamed to say I felt unprepared for and fearful of what might happen if I was so bold.

Now I finally recognize it is not an invitation to a rock fight but rather it is acknowledging the base from which I live. If others choose to engage or not – to stay or not – does not and should not change my core.