living the mission campus ministry ensures “care for the whole person”
T
he Office of Campus Ministry’s programming is more popular than ever among students, and today nearly 4,500 undergraduates annually participate in its many spiritual and service initiatives. With 14 ministers on staff, campus ministry plays a critical role in the University’s Jesuit, Catholic mission and commitment to student formation— priorities that are central to the Light the World campaign. “Boston College integrates aspects of spirituality with students’ academic experience, and that makes BC distinctive,” says Director Fr. Anthony
Penna ’70, M.Div.’74, M.Ed.’75. “Our goal is to nurture the minds and hearts of students. It’s the basis of cura personalis or ‘care for the whole person.’” There is particular demand for ministry-sponsored community service projects and spiritual retreats. In fact, 80 percent of BC seniors performed some form of community service while at the Heights, and more than half participated in a retreat. One of the most popular retreats is Kairos, which follows an Ignatian model and invites students to “find God in all things and contemplate hope and forgiveness through
prayer,” according to Campus Minister Greg Carpinello, MA’07, who manages the student-led program. More than 2,200 undergraduates apply for the 400 seats available during the 10 Kairos retreats held each year. “The retreats are used as a benchmark program for many colleges and high schools nationwide,” says Carpinello, “and with ongoing support, we hope they will continue to benefit more BC students each year.” Service groups such as Appalachia Volunteers, 4Boston, and the Arrupe International Program have also grown in the past decade and benefit from the direction provided by campus ministry. The programs expose students to social justice
issues through volunteer and immersion trips to some of the world’s most impoverished regions. These firsthand experiences, according to Penna, often serve as a catalyst for students’ academic and vocational paths. Among other key duties, campus ministry also oversees more than 20 Masses each week, coordinates a thriving liturgy arts group, offers spiritual direction to students in need, and provides support to a number of diverse faith communities. “Throughout their undergraduate experience,” says Penna, “campus ministry helps ensure that students recognize and develop their talents for the benefit of others.”
JACK HUYNH/ORANGE PHOTOGRAPHY
illuminations Julie Finora McAfee ’93 current residence Walnut Creek, California
occupation Cash management consultant
undergraduate major Finance
favorite bc activity Cheering on BC sports teams with my roommates
What did you enjoy most about your Boston College education? I appreciated all the opportunities that a liberal arts education offers. Like so many students, I benefited from the diversity of classes—and, in my case, I became a more well-rounded person because I was able to take women’s studies courses and other electives while completing a major in finance. How do you stay connected to BC on the West Coast? Soon after I moved to the Bay Area, I started to volunteer with the Northern California Chapter and quickly found that being far away from BC geographically didn’t have to mean losing touch. One great experience led to the next, and over the years I’ve served as a chapter co-leader and as a member of both the Alumni Association Board and the Council for Women of Boston College, through which I had the privilege to mentor a local BC student.
Additionally, I’ve served on my class’s Reunion Gift Committee and been a proud annual donor for a long time. My levels of commitment and involvement have changed as my life has changed, but there is always a way to stay involved with BC. Why is being an annual donor important to you? I received financial aid as an undergraduate, and it is personally important to me that students who are accepted to the University can attend regardless of their economic situation. My giving to BC each year helps ensure that a new generation of students has the same opportunity to succeed as I did.
30 advancement www.bc.edu/alumni