“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.”
On a frigid evening, the Catholic community of the University of Connecticut at Storrs gave Bishop of Norwich Richard F. Reidy a warm welcome at the annual Young Adult Mass held on Sunday, February 1.
It was the bishop’s first time celebrating the Norwich diocese’s Young Adult Mass, and the Saint Thomas Aquinas Chapel on the UConn campus was almost filled to capacity for the occasion.
In his homily, Bishop Reidy acknowledged the challenges we all face, not only with the winter cold, but in our day-to-day lives. But one’s outlook depends up on one’s experience and perspective, he noted.
“January has been a real difficult month,” he said. “But for those who associate snow with skiing boarding, beauty and purity, vigor and fun, it’s been a wonderful few weeks. It is a welcome relief from winters that have not been too snowy of late.”
The Beatitudes, he noted, can elicit the same varied responses from those who hear them.
“To some, poverty of spirit, humility, purity of heart, mercy and hardships are diametrically opposed to what they believe are the paths to happiness in this life,” he said. “But to others, the Beatitudes are a path to peace, contentment and happiness that we cannot find anywhere else in a lasting fashion."
“Unlike the geography and weather which give us options … life gives us only one path to real, genuine, lasting peace and happiness. That path is the Beatitudes.”
The Beatitudes are good for our own lives, giving meaning and purpose, but also for society as well, he added.
At the conclusion of Mass, he asked God to continue to guide the young adults in their studies, and their careers and callings as they go forth.
“Working together as a community, the Church is not just the ordained, it’s all of us … the Holy Spirit works through all of us, and together, we all can be that light.”
The young people who attended the Mass were eager to meet with the bishop afterward in an informal reception gathering for refreshments at the UConn Catholic Center, next door to the chapel.
The center is a place for Catholics to connect and share activities such as service events, retreats, Bible study groups and more. They are run by FOCUS, a collegiate outreach whose mission is to share the hope and joy of the gospel with college students.
The Evangelization and Discipleship Ministry has organized the Young Adult Mass and reception for the past several years.
The Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish includes Saint Mary, Coventry, Connecticut, and Saint Thomas Aquinas, Storrs. The Mass drew young adults from around the diocese; college students, Crossroads for Christ members, and others.
Story and photos by Ryan Blessing
The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12)
Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the Earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called the Sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.
Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you...
