I have to say that I have written this speech at the back of one my statistics papers. I am very glad it finally came in handy! (Just don't tell Ralph Piedmont I said this!)

 I feel very humbled and privileged to represent you my fellow students. But it is actually kind of odd that I am up here. I have not attended either my own or anyone's graduation ceremony before, so I did not have a clue as to what a graduating student is typically expected to say at a time like this… so guess what, in typical graduate student style, I googled to gain clarification .. Well, somehow two days later, here I am standing before you all and I must say it is a little nerve racking…. The advice I got is to be funny, witty, inspirational, and motivational, I cannot promise to be any of that except that I will speak from my heart.

So, a very good evening to you all and thank you for coming today and being a part of our celebration. And Congratulations to all of us who are graduating. We did it!

The past few years have truly been an incredible experience. I still remember the first couple of weeks of the program. I was inspired by the warmth, humility, compassion, incredible talent, sense of humour, and passion of my fellow students, professors, and administrators. And as the years have gone by this list of positive attributes has only grown longer. Each person I have met is an exemplar of true Jesuit values of being committed to a life of increasing integrity and of being men and women for others. I feel proud and honoured to have spent the last couple of years in the Pastoral Counselling department at Loyola. 

We had good times and we had sad times. We do not have Dr. Saltman and one of my favorite professors Dr. Martin Hoolaghan, with us physically present with us today. But we sure have the skills and knowledge they have imparted to us.

When I had my telephonic admission interview with Ralph Piedmont, he did promise me a holistic education of the body, mind and soul at Loyola. But I think it's fair to say I got more than I had bargained for. I have learnt some really provocative African dance steps from no less than a Catholic nun, Sr Francesca, I learnt how to injure my knees while trying to keep pace with Fr Kevin's vigorous Irish dancing, I learnt to perfect the art of silent snoring, so as not to disturb my professor Dr. Danielle who was my roommate at the ACA conference hotel room! I learnt God could be a "she." I learnt that going for an event because of free food was part and parcel of a graduate student's life. One of the best lessons I learnt— I admit with a little help from God— was to invent a 48 hour day. I learnt to make time for self care which included fun times with some of you- movies, dances, parties, picnics, exercise, prayer, volunteer work etc., and all this had to be sandwiched in between the various assignments given by our loving professors, who wisely, or maybe not so wisely, believed that theirs' was the only course we were taking that semester! But we had a lot of fun and many challenges were won!

And of course in keeping with the Jesuit ideal of academic excellence there were many academic lessons learnt as well! The internships for many of us was an opportunity to see that what we learn in the classroom, can really be put into practice. We did not receive an education which expanded our heads or contracted our hearts. We received a holistic education involving the heart, hand, and head, an education for life.

There are many people who contributed to making this program a success for us. I personally have learnt a lot from you my fellow students. Thank you for being a part of my journey. You have been my family and my home away from home. All of you have constantly strived to be a better person and it is not often that we are surrounded by people who encourage and teach you in so many ways. You have motivated me by your commitment, openness, and sharings in class. Many of you have held full time jobs at home and at work places and taken courses at the same time. I salute you. You inspire me and give me hope, particularly the international students who have studied in a language which is not your first. I do hope the friendships we have made here will last a life time as we support each other to survive and succeed.

I would like to thank our administrators, clinical and site supervisors, and professors. They say a student's life is not easy. I don't think that is particularly true in the pastoral counselling department, not that our professors made it easy for us, not a chance! But what you certainly did was provide the knowledge, resources, support, and encouragement which made all the difference! By your example you modelled love, compassion, and hope. You have been maestros in our lives polishing us, refining us, and fine tuning us to create symphonies of love. Thank you!

I thank our parents, siblings, spouses, children, and friends who have made immense sacrifices these last few years. Without your concern and support we would not have done it. I would like to honour my mother who was my spiritual backbone and who passed away last May and my father who could not be here today, but has been the backbone of my educational life. I would like thank my siblings, friends, and particularly Gillian my best friend of 27 years who has come from Chicago to be with me today.
On behalf of all the students, if I could, I would like to thank each and everyone of you by name, but then we'd really have a long evening!

For me the most important thing that I take with me is what one of my classmates said, "Our life is a class." I have learnt to be open and sensitive to the Holy Spirit, clients, and colleagues, and have learnt from people we least expect to learn from. I think the most important aspect of the counselling dynamic is not "what" we say to our clients but "how" we make them feel. I learned for myself and for my clients that our backgrounds and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but ultimately with God's help, we are responsible for whom we become. I now know that the most important gift we can give our client is to hold the hope for them, till they are ready to carry it for themselves. And the most important lesson I have learnt is not to restrict God to the centre of my life, but to enjoy his presence in all aspects of my life including the counselling room. All of these are personal and pastoral lessons that I hope you can derive meaning from, as you step forward into your careers.  

Leaving the portals of this college we are filled with mixed emotions—happy, very happy that we are done! And yet it is a scary feeling to leave this sheltered, loving, and cocooned environment. One almost wants to scream… "Take me back in." But we are no longer moths, we are beautiful butterflies, and we hope, like we were taught in our Helping Relations class, that we can continue to support each other and be the wind beneath the wings for each other. My hope for you all is that you are as much in love with pastoral counseling as I am. As Pedro Arupe said, "Fall in love, stay in love, and it will decide everything.”

Finally in conclusion, I'd like to sing a verse of Josh Groban's "You Raise me Up" to remind us all that we go out into the world, not alone, but armed with God's love, grace, and blessings. We would not have succeeded, but for Him. All glory and honor to God! (please join in if you know the song)

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up... To more than I can be. 
You raise me up... To more than I can be.