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Dear alumni, friends and members of the Saint Joseph’s community,

Recently someone suggested to me that Saint Joseph’s College needs to look “more Catholic.” I was a bit surprised at that, because I think we do in fact look Catholic. There are crucifixes in every classroom and public space on campus, and the accreditation team that visited the College a few years ago said that they had never seen a college’s mission displayed so prominently. Finally, we recently restored our beautiful marble statue of Saint Joseph with the Christ Child, and it now prominently sits in a garden that overlooks the central quad. What more should we do, I thought? Maybe more yellow brick buildings?

Appearances really do count, but it strikes me that what’s most important about our Catholic identity at Saint Joseph’s College is not so much what we look like as much as how we behave. All the statues, crucifixes and religious art could not compensate for a lack of real spirit and faith behind our claim to being a Catholic and Mercy college. So how are we doing in this regard as a Catholic college?

People who visit Saint Joseph’s College almost always comment on the spirit of faith and good will that infuses the campus. This deep and genuine spirit translates into real deeds. For example, during our recent spring break, groups of students spent a week volunteering work at six different sites throughout the country, including flood-ravaged New Orleans. In this issue of the Saint Joseph’s College Magazine you can read about the 18 students and two professors who spent a week last January helping villagers in rural Guatemala. This month 25 students will either be baptized, make a profession of faith, or be confirmed in our chapel as part of our “Journey of Faith” program. Our campus ministry, through the unfailing efforts of people like Sr. Sylvia Comer and Fr. John Tokaz, is a lively part of campus life and speaks to virtually everyone at the College in some way. Fr. John, who is departing us after nine wonderful years as our chaplain, and Sr. Consuela White, who founded our superb nursing program, give witness to our Catholic and Mercy identity and are both featured in this issue as well.

Yes, I think the campus really does look Catholic; but our appearance is not just skin-deep. It derives from a profound Catholic and Mercy spirituality that the Sisters of Mercy have made manifest since Saint Joseph’s College was founded nearly 100 years ago. Perhaps venerable Catherine McAuley, the foundress of the Sisters of Mercy, said it best: “If the love of God really reigns in your heart, it will quickly show itself in the exterior.”

Sincerely,

David B. House

President’s message
Moving to Sebago Lake
Good in Guatemala
Earth to people
Dispatch from Macedonia
Talk with Renee Cyr ’07
Patients, not customers
Do you hear what I hear?
Farewell, Father John
In praise of study abroad
Pick a continent
Alumni news
Class notes
Endowed scholarships
Alum profile
Campus scene
Front page