St. Joseph’s University, New York honored the women religious during the dedication and blessing of the Sisters of St. Joseph Chapel, located within the Long Island Campus’ new Student Center.
Hosted by the Office of Institutional Advancement, the event took place Wednesday, Feb. 28, during common hour, with Fr. John Sureau of St. Brigid’s Church in Westbury presiding during Mass.
“I’m very blessed to pray with the Sisters of St. Joseph, who have formed me since I was four,” said Fr. John, who graduated from the Long Island Campus in 1997.
“I’m honored, as we all are today, to celebrate the sacred space recognizing that it’s not just a chapel, it’s not just a university; it’s ultimately the work of the Sisters of St. Joseph, who have encouraged, empowered and really inspired many to go from this place and transform the world and fill it with God’s love,” the pastor added.
Engrained in the History of the Institution
After Mass, guests were invited to attend a small lunch celebration in the Knapp Swezey Foundation Multipurpose Room in the Student Center.
S. Elizabeth Hill ’64, CSJ, J.D., the institution’s sixth president who led from 1997 to 2014, spoke on behalf of the leadership of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph, who founded St. Joseph’s in 1916.
“I wonder what the founders of St. Joseph’s College for Women would think if they saw us here today,” S. Elizabeth said. “I was thinking of all the Sisters today who helped make this place what it is — and we couldn’t go through all the names, there’s just so many.
“But I do have to mention three specifically: S. George Aquin O’Connor (O’Connor Hall), S. Virginia Thérèse Callahan (Callahan Library) and S. Mary Florence Burns (Burns Hall),” S. Elizabeth continued. “Without that triumvirate, this school would not be here today.”
Keeping the Sisters at the Heart of St. Joseph’s
Donald R. Boomgaarden, Ph.D., current president of the University, thanked the donors who gave to the University for the construction of the Student Center with the chapel in mind.
“This building, the students in it and those that are gathered here today have a special thanks to offer to the Sisters, because it was your dream and your vision that made this whole place possible,” Dr. Boomgaarden said. “While this building is a focal point, on both campuses you can really feel a sense of energy, joy and mission, and a connection to the great legacy of the Sisters of St. Joseph.
“So for the Sisters in particular today, I want you to come to the campus and the chapel as frequently as you can,” he added. “Remain as connected as you possibly can to us, because that connection is our life. That’s what gives us a sense of life and direction; it’s the legacy that you’ve provided and the models that you provide even now.”
Jonathan Galo, Long Island Campus Minister, organized the day’s Mass, and S. Grace Edna Rowland, CSJ, Ph.D., led the closing prayer.
