CABRINI COLLEGE, RADNOR, PA. 19087
VOL. XXIV NO. 5
DECEMBER 9, 1977
Chaplain's Resignation
"It was not a hastily made decision BY SUE O'HAGAN "It was a difficult decision, one
which I had to make for both personal and professional reasons." These words were spoken by Rev. Thomas Piechocinski, Ed.D., when asked about his decision to leave Cabrini and return to active ministry in the diocese of Camden. Father Tom's appointment as chaplain and coordinator of counseling will end Dec. 22. In the wake of Father's leaving, a new chaplain will be hired. A chaplaincy search committee, comprised of students, faculty and administrators, is presently in the process of filling the vacancy. Father Tom's resignation was officially announced in a midNovember President's newsletter. Though the announcement came suddenly, Father Tom says that the decision took a while. "It was not a hastily made decision," he says. "I sought consultation with many others before I gave the final word." Father Tom says that many factors were involved leading to his final decision to leave Cabrini at the end of this semester. But when asked for specifics, he replied,
"It's a very delicate situation and I can't really elaborate." He makes it clear that he wasn't asked to leave nor is he "at war" with the administration. Rather, Father says that he asked for the transfer. And he says he did so at this time because he saw it as "the most appropriate time." One problem was specifically encountered by Father Tom in his year-and-one-half stay at Cabrini that may have led him to decide to return to active ministry. He calls it the "impossibility" to perform both the tasks of the chaplaincy and the coordinator of counseling well. According to Father Tom, both jobs combined were just ''too overwhelming" for one person to deal with effectively. When asked why another fulltime co~selor couldn't be hired to help ease the load, Father Tom said he didn't know whether or not that possibility had been explored. But he explains that with the shortage of priests in the diocese of Camden he probably wouldn't be able to remain at Cabrini solely in the capacity of chaplain . President Sister Mary Louise
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agrees that both jobs can be too much at times. "The chaplaincy and the counseling center are two separate and distinct entities," says Sister Mary Louise. For this reason, the chaplaincy search committee has been commissioned to seeli, "first and foremost," a full-time chaplain. Father Tom's departure in no way means the demise of the Rudy Rooymans Counseling Center which he was so instrumental in establishing. The center will continue to operate with the rest of the staff staggering their hours to accommodate the needs of the students, says Sr. Mary Louise. If anyone is hired for the center, it will be on a parttime basis until student interest and use of the counseling facilities warrants otherwise. Father Tom says that Cabrini would be foolish to give up the counseling center altogether. He sees his contribution as having a "vigorously well-established foundation'' with many future possibilities. But he calls whatever Continued on Page 2
REV. THOMAS A. PIECHOCINSKI
Psychiatrist" tells why people commit suicide BY KIM HAYES As exams draw nearer, a friend
may tell you, "I'm going to commit suicide if this pressure doesn ·t stop." This may be a common attitude, "but suicides are usually committed early or toward the middle of a semester,'' according to Dr. Bruce Mapes, a psychiatrist who specializes in suicide. Dr. Mapes, who spoke at Cabrini College on Nov. 17th, added, suicides are a major cause of death among college students. Suicides are almost always preceeded by four types of typical behavior: • Suicidal thoughts are common to most people.
• Suicidal threats such as, "I'm going to take my life," show that the person is not sure how he or she would do it. There is not much to worry about at this stage. • Suicidal gestures give the appearance of suicide, for example, lightly slashing wrists. However, gestures are rarely fatal and often are a plea for help. • Suicidal attempts have fatal consequences in most cases although methods vary. There are misconceptions about suicide, according to Dr. Mapes. At least 60to 80% of all people considering suicide give concrete clues. A person need not be insane to commit suicide. Rather than being an impulse, the act is often
Say "Cheese I
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times very well-planned and organized. "A 52 year old man actually bought a new suit and shoes just to wear when he shot himself in the head," said Dr. Mapes. Suicides are committed by children as young as five years of age. Suicide tendencies do increase with age. There is also a strong correlation between depression and suicide. Usually in adults suicides are most common when a person comes out of a depression not during the depression. Adolescents, who are more adventurous, tend to act out their problems and are more impulsive. "They do not withdraw like adults," said Dr. Mapes.
and among widowers and divorcees. They occur less often with married people. Suicides tend to decrease when a state of war exists and tend to increase when the economic level of the country goes down. Women make more suicidal attempts, but men more frequently complete the act. According to Dr. Mapes, women usually use nondisfiguring methods such as pill overdoses, whereas men tend to use guns and knives. Suicidal people have one thing in common and that is, ''Three Death Wishes," said Dr. Mapes. These wishes include the wish to be dead, the wish to kill, and the wish to be killed.
This is your chance I BY BARBARA POLOMANO
Fred Pfaff will teach photo course next semester.
Why do people commit suicide? According to Dr. Mapes, many see suicide as a transition to a new life. It serves as a release from suffering and pain. Rarely, is suicide committed out of spite. If you suspect someone of being suicidal (remember, they usually give clues), the best thing to do, said Dr. Mapes is LISTEN. "Do not avoid bringing up the subject." "Do not hesitate to get help," he added. If someone r.eally insists on committing suicide, there is not too much you can do about it. However, hospitalization, therapy . and anti-depressant drugs together are the best form of help. Suicides occur most frequently with people who lack close friends
How much do you actually know about photography? Do you know any more than how to smile and say "cheese?" If not, you may want to look into a new addition to Cabrini's curriculum, a brand new, fully equipped darkroom and a photography course that will explain how to use the darkroom. About a thousand dollars is being poured into the darkroom and it will be well worth taking advantage of. Dr. Jerome Zurek, chairman of the English/Communications Dept., along with consultation from Eastman Kodak, formulated all plans for the darkroom. The money for the darkroom
came from a special appropriation for equipment to improve different programs here. The money was designated by the board of trustees. Mike Caranfa, director of building and grounds, was put in charge of the actual construction of the darkroom. "Within three weeks, he had hired the carpenters and had the room about half completed. He worked very quickly to turn the plans into a reality," Dr. Zurek said. The new darkroom, which will be finished for the spring semester, is located in the basement of the Mansion. It is divided into three sections: a film developing room ; a printing room ; and a finishing room.
A lot of new equipment will be purchased: three enlargers; two 6foot long aluminum sinks; and several smaller items such as developing tanks and thermometers. Also, a stricter schedule for the signing out of the key for the darkroom will be enforced. Last semester, over $50worth of equipment was stolen from the darkroom. Therefore, stricter schedules of who uses the darkroom will be kept. If you know nothing about photography or the use of a darkroom here's your chance to learn. Next semester, an Introductory to Photography course is being Continued on Page 4