Campus Ministry Center Project
Campus Ministry plays a vital role in the pastoral, liturgical, academic and social life of Assumption College. The Campus Ministry staff is committed to the development and transformation of our students through many programs; and yet, as with the faithful in the Old Testament, they have wandered in search of a permanent home since a fire destroyed the original center in 1993.
The building of a new Campus Ministry Center has been a long time coming. After 17 years of discussions and planning, the Center was officially incorporated into the College’s strategic plan in 2008. The Board of Trustees approved the project in 2009 when Institutional Advancement reported it had gifts and commitments of $3.3 million toward the $3.9 million project. The official groundbreaking took place in March 2011 and the formal dedication in April 2012.
The Building Takes Shape
The Tinsley Campus Ministry Center is connected to the Chapel of the Holy Spirit and is 8,800 square feet (the same size as the Chapel). With the recent construction of several new buildings in the vicinity of the Chapel, including the Testa Science Center and the new Admissions House, this location will enhance the ability of the Campus Ministry staff to serve the campus. Placing the Center in the heart of campus demonstrates its importance to our mission.
Campus Ministry is, in a sense, an extension of the Assumptionist
presence on the College campus. It is served by a staff of seven, overseen
by Fr. Dennis Gallagher, A.A. ’69, vice president for Mission In addition,
the Core Team of 16 students play an integral role in the programs and events sponsored by the Office of Campus Ministry. “Campus Ministry provides important opportunities to deepen our students’ connection to the mission of the College and strengthen each student’s faith and relationship with God,” said Fr. Dennis,. “It serves as a bridge for the dialogue between faith and reason by gathering students and other members of the campus community together for reflection, prayer, worship, learning and service.”
The advantages of the new center include:
- All Campus Ministry staff housed under one roof for more efficient operation of services
- Offices suited for private conversations with students and staff
- An Interfaith Prayer Room for personal prayer for students of all faith traditions
- A large auditorium for receptions, lectures and dinner programs
- A kitchen adjacent to the auditorium and restrooms to serve the Center and the Chapel
- A conference room for staff meetings and other smaller gatherings
- Air conditioning for the Chapel, which will provide a comfortable setting for summer weddings and daily Mass
“The Center enhances the presence of Campus Ministry and increases opportunities for expanded programming,” said President Francesco Cesareo. “It creates a space that conveys the distinctive spirit of Campus Ministry and its unique role in the Assumption College mission.”
Additional features
The project also provided an opportunity to enhance the Chapel of the Holy Spirit. There is now a small Eucharistic Chapel for private prayer, restrooms and an enlarged Sacristy for preparation for liturgy..