Road SignsUncharted WatersBy Catherine Reed
“It is funny how someone can come in and out of your life so quickly, yet leave footprints and memories in your heart forever.” This quote is posted on the bulletin board in my office. I have no idea where I found it or who wrote it. Nevertheless, it expresses perfectly my Holy Cross experience. Many of you have asked the questions, “Why are you leaving and where are you going?” One special student asked, “Rev. Reed, why are you leaving us?” When I answered that I was retiring, she replied, “But we can’t retire from God’s work.” She’s a wise young lady. I replied, “No, don’t worry; I will never retire from God’s work. This is just another chapter in my life. I came for what I thought would be one year—to get the Protestant Ministry started—and I’ve stayed eight. After much prayer, God revealed to me that I’ve completed my assignment. It is time to pass the baton on to someone else who can take this ministry to even higher heights. I’m excited about the possibilities for this ministry and I’m excited about my retirement. In 2000, I met Joe Reilly ’55 and Dave Doern ’62 of the Bishop Healy Committee at an ALANA Consortium meeting at Clark University where I had been a campus minister for seven years. They asked me to come to Holy Cross to meet with Kim McElaney, director of the Chaplains’ Office and the two of them because they wanted to start a Protestant Ministry at Holy Cross. Soon afterward I returned for a second meeting. Since I arrived early and it was such a beautiful day, I sat on the bench outside of Campion House. During that quiet time I felt a sense of peace and I also felt this is where I belonged. My role as the first Protestant Chaplain at the College of the Holy Cross was a big step in uncharted waters. It has been a wonderful experience. Has it always been easy … quite frankly, in the beginning I sometimes questioned whether I had made the right choice. “There are some questions you answer with your lips and there are some questions you answer with your life.” I took the same advice that I give to students: “stick to it and don’t quit.” After a few more months, my time with the students at Holy Cross became a journey of love. By then, they slipped into my heart and began to leave footprints. At the end of that year I knew I was where God wanted me to be. The ministry started out slowly. Hour of Power, which is our hour of prayer, began with only three students and me. Now it is a vital part of our ministry. As some of the students remarked, “this is the highlight of my day.” Sunday Worship Services also started out with only three students. Now, the numbers have grown with students taking a vital role in the service. We have a Praise and Worship team and a choir. The diversity of our group enhances our worship time together. We are truly many members and one body. We have grown together. One of my greatest joys has been to watch students grow close and form a lasting relationship with God. Still, another is to have watched so many students march down the aisle with diplomas in their hands, and the joy of the Lord in their hearts, academically prepared and spiritually sound. We have laughed together, cried together and learned from each other. I have learned as much from them, as they have from me. It is so rewarding when I receive the cards, letters and e-mails “catching me up”—or the calls for prayer when they are going through difficult times. During the Black Student Union’s 40th anniversary celebration, it was an absolute delight to see so many students return, sharing their incredible success stories. To me, it was a magnificent sight, as I looked at the sea of familiar faces during Sunday Worship in McCooey Chapel, which was overflowing with alumni and current students—all worshipping together—a true blessing for all who witnessed. To my family, my son, Bruce, and his wife, Lynn, my daughter, Lynnel, and her husband, Jerry, and my two wonderful growing grandsons, Reed and Jackson: I love and cherish you so much. You have supported me and have extended your time and holidays to students. The Holy Cross students to whom I’ve ministered became a natural extension of my own family. It has been my pleasure to invite my student family for dinner during school breaks, Thanksgiving and Easter. During these occasions, I was able to sit back with a joyful heart as both worlds and both of my families became one. I will forever look back on those days as extraordinary, and know that those endearing memories will touch my heart as each new holiday season approaches. To my colleagues who welcomed me and embraced the new position, I will forever be indebted for the acceptance, the friendship, the guidance and the love that has been shown to me by so many at Holy Cross. To each of you, I offer my sincerest gratitude. Now, it is time for me to step down, and I do so with mixed emotions. It is hard to say good-bye to this chapter in my life, yet, I am excited as this new door opens for me. Many have asked about my plans. I plan on doing some extensive traveling. I will continue to focus on and write poetry. And I’m happy to say I’ve been awarded a grant to publish my second book. I plan to travel more as well. And most importantly, as I said to my special student, “Not to worry, I will never retire from God’s work,” and my role as associate pastor of John Street Baptist Church will continue as well. I leave with many fond memories, many new friends, and a deeper trust and love for God. You have left footprints and memories in my heart that will remain forever. I pray God’s continued blessing on the College, and on all who pass through its gates. I’d like to complete this chapter of my life with these words from my book Crossing Boundaries.
Oh Holy and Everlasting God I came to you You held me until the tears subsided Rev. Catherine H. Reed
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