Bishop Carlson Delivers Graduation Homily Fifty students received their degrees and diplomas from the Graduate School of Theology and College of Liberal Arts at Sacred Heart's 2005 Commencement Exercises, held on Saturday morning, April 30. Adam Cardinal Maida, just back from the papal conclave in Rome, was the main celebrant for the Baccalaureate Mass. His Excellency Robert J. Carlson, Fifth Bishop of the Diocese of Saginaw, delivered a superb homily that moved the chapel full of students and well-wishers. Bishop Carlson cited for the graduates the example of numerous saints who teach the Church how to "taste and see the goodness of the Lord." Teresa of Calcutta provides an example of engaging the secularized culture by proclaiming the faith boldly. St. Francis of Assisi shows us how to "change the world by changing ourselves, first." St. John Fisher is a "strong and mighty pillar" in the face of persecution. "If the world hates you" because of your work for the Church, "remember the world hated Jesus, first," said the bishop to the new graduates, referring back to the Gospel reading. In his closing remarks, Cardinal Maida thanked Bishop Carlson for his spirit-filled homily. The cardinal shared with the assembly the humbling and moving experience of being an instrument to select a new pope at this critical moment in history. Sacred Heart Rector and President Fr. Steven Boguslawski welcomed Cardinal Maida home and thanked Bishop Carlson for his inspired preaching and vital commitment to vocational recruitment. Father also had a surprise announcement: the bishop had just been appointed to Sacred Heart's Board of Trustees as its newest member. "We are grateful to God for providing a shepherd for the Diocese of Saginaw who embodies the integration of doctrine and pastoral practice and whose passion for youth ministry and the promotion of vocations raises our hope," said Father Boguslawski. Bishop Carlson will be sending to Sacred Heart five seminarians from Saginaw for the fall term. For the first time since the opening of the theologate in 1987, Sacred Heart has received commitments to form and educate seminarians from every diocese in Michigan.