As you know, our football team started up after a 45 year hiatus, and we’ve taken our lumps this year, and things may get lumpier at Homecoming when nationally-ranked Washington and Jefferson comes to Chuck Noll Field. The fact that we didn’t win has not dampened the enthusiasm of the thousands who attended our home games so far – and we’ve seen some excellent plays by our young players.

I am proud of our guys and not surprised with our record. Let me ask a favor: When you see one of our football players on campus, give them a pat on the back, and thank them for pioneering Bearcat football. They are building a strong foundation for future teams, and before this season is over, I expect we’ll see great improvement.

 And tell them this: who would have thought that in our first year our football program would be on par with Notre Dame’s? That’s right – we have the same record as the Fighting Irish! And we’ve only lost three games in the last 45 years! Our players have a week off to prepare for the W and J game and to let their bodies heal. Our cheerleaders, pep band, halftime dancers, and all those who do so much to make Saint Vincent football entertaining, are getting ready, too. It should be a ton of fun.

I love how many of our students are involved in activities ranging from athletics (430 students in total) to club involvement (at least that many). Some do both. One of our sophomores, Claudia, a young woman from Peru, is a good example. She runs cross country for Saint Vincent, and recently she organized a campus-wide appeal for money and supplies for the people of her country impacted by the devastating earthquake there not too long ago. Today Saint Vincent will be sending to the Catholic Relief Services Latin America-Caribbean Region Overseas and Support Department (how would you like to answer the phone at that office saying that 100 times a day?) what was collected. It makes us proud when students come together like this in the relief of others.

As you may know, we have had a long-standing chapter of Amnesty International on our campus and students for years have proudly joined their efforts to AI’s to advocate for the millions in the world who have no rights, no justice, and no voice but ours.

How sad then for our students to learn that Amnesty International had decided to abandon its historic neutrality on the issue of abortion and embrace a policy that is in direct conflict with the teachings of the Catholic Church. For the past couple of weeks our campus chapter of Amnesty International has been meeting to discuss what to do about this development. How can a Catholic college be true to its identity and mission and not compromise its values in a situation like this? Amnesty International should have known that you can not defend the “disappeared” in Guatemala – the millions of peasants who have died under a series of brutal military dictatorships – while abandoning the unborn and their human rights, the most fundamental of which is the right to life.

I have admired Amnesty International’s advocacy and compassion for years and for the life of me can not understand why they would have become active in promoting abortion rights. Actions have consequences, and yesterday, the leaders of our campus’ chapter of Amnesty International decided to change the name of their group to the Human Rights Organization. I commend these students for their highly principled and courageous stand (if you are interested in joining the Human Rights Organization or any other club on campus, contact the Student Government Association for more information). I am glad that our College will continue to work to promote the protection of human rights throughout the world, and will work with other like-minded organizations that care about refugees in Darfur, those persecuted in Burma, and others across the continents whose God-given human dignity is imperiled.

Changes like this are a part of life and growth. Autumn begins on Sunday. Soon the temperatures will drop (but not today or this weekend – my Florida blood is loving the mid-80’s temperature!), the leaves will add color and then fall, and this lovely rite is as beautiful here in the foothills of the Laurel mountains as anywhere in the world. God reminds us of how seasons change. When I was growing up, there was a popular song, by the Zombies or the Byrds, I can’t remember, that went, “To everything, turn, turn, turn, there is a season, turn, turn, turn, and a time to every purpose under heaven.” They pretty much lifted the lyrics from the Bible and the Book of Ecclesiastes, Chapter Three (one of my Old Testament faves).

Tonight at sun down, our elder brothers and sisters in faith - Jewish people all over the world - will begin Yom Kippur. This holy day seeks a change within – a change of heart. It is a time of atonement and new beginnings.

So I’ll leave you with the simple suggestion that you take a moment to explore what is changing around you and inside of you. If there are things in your life that you want to change so you can grow and be more fully human and better capable of embracing your God-given dignity, then let this time be a turning point in your life. Turn, turn, turn. And holler if we can help!

Enjoy the beautiful weekend. God bless you!