Dear Friends,

To all God’s beloved… who are called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  (Romans 1:7)

First of all, please accept my apologies for not being with you this Sunday.  It was my earnest desire to be with you. Sadly, the Coronavirus has impacted travel plans to this very important farewell gathering, as it has so many other events in our lives this past four months. We Paulist Fathers in New York City send our prayers for your good health and safety during these challenging times.

As we celebrate today over 112 years of Paulist service and ministry here at the University of Texas, I can’t help but think of all the people we have been blessed to walk with on the journey of faith: students, faculty, staff, alumni, neighbors, and others.  Through each gathering of the community around the altar, Awakening retreats, weddings, Bible Studies, the RCIA, one-on-one conversations about faith, tragedies that brought everyone together for prayer, staff meetings,  service projects, we have shared our faith and our wisdom with you, and in turn have learned from you how God is alive and active.  Thank you for allowing us to be with you on, as the earliest disciples called it, The Way.

I am also remembering all those Paulists who have served this campus since 1908, from Frs. Healey and Smith who were the first to come to the Lone Star State to establish a Paulist Missionary base, and then Fr. John Marks Handly, the Tennessean, who was the first official Newman Chaplain, to Fr. Dave O’Brien in the 1960s who built the First UCC, to Fr. Charlie Brunick who officiated at the weddings of Texas Political royalty in the 1970s, to Fr. Paul Rospond who still keeps up with Awakening folks, to Fr. Pat Hensy and Fr Ruben Patino who oversaw the expansion of the building at the turn of the Millennium, and finally to Fr. Larry Rice whose vision and hard work along with Fr. Jimmy Hsu and the entire center staff have provided a firm foundation from which the ministry at U.C.C. will continue to grow and thrive.  This rich history of Paulist pastoral leadership will continue to leave an enduring mark on UT graduates who have gone forth from this Center to be Catholic leaders throughout the state and the world. 

These precious memoires are treasures that as missionaries we will take with us as we go on to new mission fields, sharing them with those we encounter.  But I must be honest:  This is a bittersweet moment, as this is a path not of our choosing.  Yet, we are told time and again in scripture that in unexpected and unwanted moments like these, there is much wisdom to be gained when we trust in the Lord that all will be well.  

On this final Paulist Sunday at the U.C.C. I wish to commend in a very special way Fr. Larry and Fr. Jimmy.  Thank you both for your tireless service to this community!  Your attention to the pastoral needs of students has been, without question, in a class by itself!   Even in the midst of the pandemic, you have been true innovators creating ways to keep everyone connected.   Thank you Fr. Larry for your leadership of this community as Director these past four years.  Your thoughtful preaching and joyous presence, your attention to the signs of the times, adapting campus ministry so all may be welcomed and included, and your attention to the details of administration and fundraising, of which few are aware, but all have benefitted from, are among the many great gifts you have given this community.   Thank you Fr. Jimmy for your pastoral leadership here at your Alma Mater.  Your energy and zeal for campus ministry is limitless.  Thank you for the countless hours you have spent counselling, advising, and directing students here.  Your attention to worship and the sacraments, especially mastering the livestreaming arts, have enabled the community to lift their hearts closer to our Lord.  May this experience of ministry serve you well in all your future endeavors, which we pray will be bright indeed! 

As we Paulists go forth from the University Catholic Center, please know that you will always be in our hearts and prayers.  My prayer is that the Lord will continue to bless this community of faith so that you may continue to be a shining light of faith and love on this campus.

St. Paul said it best when he wrote: “I give thanks to God at every remembrance of you, praying with joy in my every prayer for all of you, because of your partnership in the Gospel from the first day until now.  I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Phil 1:3-6).

Sincerely Yours in the Lord,

Father Eric Andrews, C.S.P.
President