The Spring 2017 Baccalaureate Mass took place at 6 p.m. Friday, May 12, in The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in downtown Wichita. The Mass drew students, parents and friends along with Newman board members, faculty and staff.
The Mass was celebrated by the Most Rev. Carl A. Kemme, bishop of the Diocese of Wichita, and featured reflections by two Newman graduates, Michelle Moore and Ashley Gonzalez. Moore is a non-traditional student who came to Newman after raising her family. Gonzalez, from Camanche, IA, was the 2016 Heartland Conference Volleyball Player of the Year. Both graduating seniors shared with the audience their educational journey and experiences while at Newman.
Kemme told the graduates that the community is “very proud to call you a graduate of an educational institution that is near and dear to the heart of the Diocese of Wichita.”
During his homily, Kemme quoted American poet Maya Angelou when he said, “People will forget what you did but people will never forget how you made them feel.” He encouraged those gathered at the celebration to reflect on Angelou’s words, and to embrace the motto of John Henry Cardinal Newman, namesake of the university, cor ad cor loquitur, which translated means “heart speaks to heart.” Kemme explained that when “heart speaks to heart life is changed.”
Below are videos of each Baccalaureate reflection and Bishop Kemme’s Homily message during Mass, and a photo gallery from the event. Click on each video and gallery to view.
