Q. What do you hope to accomplish in your position as vice
president for mission and ministry?
A. I am looking forward to creating moments for people to deepen their sense of Ignatian spirituality. For everyone here there is an opportunity to get involved. One of the important things I hope to pass on is the ministry of listening. God is listening very much to us, loving us and healing us. We are all busy and easily distracted. We need to find moments of silence and stillness to listen to Him. At the Ignatian core is passion and zeal. I invite not just students, but faculty, staff, administration and alumni to join me on the journey. I look forward to welcoming all to be part of the mission and ministry here at Saint Peter’s.
The office of mission and ministry has a full staff, and we are ready to move forward. I am blessed to start this new role when enrollment is sky rocketing and we have welcomed a lot of new staff, faculty and administration. We are in an exciting moment and God is blessing us.
Q. What are the most valuable lessons you want to share about Ignatian spirituality?
A. Cura personalis may be the most commonly used phrase on campus, meaning to care for the whole person, body, mind and spirit. For me, personally, what I want to put out there is the Ignatius ideology that we should be contemplatives in action. We are always called to be prayerful and reflective, but we are not going to sit in a chapel all day; we are called to go forth and ignite a flame.
Pope Francis reminds us to care for all those who struggle the most and who are suffering. He challenges us to go to the frontiers, the borders and the fringes where the people who are suffering are, and engage with those who need our help the most. This call is reflective of Ignatian spirituality.
Q. The Office of Mission and Ministry was recently moved to the Mac Mahon Student Center. How has this change affected your department and how will it assist you in your new role?
A. We are in the Mac Mahon Student Center and this is the center of the Saint Peter’s University universe. This space is welcoming and accessible.
Q. What else would you like us to know about your transition to your new role?
A. I am very, very grateful for this opportunity. This year marks my seventh year at Saint Peter’s. It feels right and I’m excited. I have felt an overwhelming excitement on campus. People have ideas and we want to listen to them. A Jesuit education is all about transformation. Our office is about providing them a path for that transformation.