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The Magazine of The Catholic Chapel & Center at Yale University Spring 2024The Magazine of The Catholic Chapel & Center at Yale University Spring 2024 STM MAGAZINE SPRING 2024 268 Park Street, New Haven, CT 06511-4714 Phone: 203-777-5537 Fax: 203-777-0144 stmchapel@yale.edu Follow us online: stm.yale.edu From the Editor: Every year, it happens without fail, yet it always catches me off guard. Those smart, kind, and faithful students who light up our Golden Center are leaving us. It's a bittersweet moment, refl ecting both the impact they’ve had on our lives and the enduring impression we hope to leave on theirs. This issue brings to mind these mutual infl uences, off ering a glimpse into the profound connections forged during their time at STM. Happy reading, Robin J. McShane, Director of Communications About the Cover: Confronted by the imposing thirty-foot border wall between El Paso, Texas and Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, a student was moved to kneel and pray. This powerful moment occurred during STM’s Alternative Spring Break trip, designed to deepen understanding of the complex issue of immigration. Mission Statement Saint Thomas More Chapel & Center serves the Catholic community at Yale by: · Creating a vibrant and welcoming community through worship and service · Cultivating informed faith and spirituality · Engaging in refl ective discourse on faith and culture · Advancing the Church’s mission of promoting social justice · Participating in the global Church’s life and witness STAY CONNECTED! Follow us online at stm.yale.edu and readwatchlisten RUNNING ON FAITH Cover photograph by Sarahi UnzuetaDesign:Cadwell Art Direction Primary Photography:Nina Filippone Robert Lisak Photographypages 4, 5, 6, 26 STM Magazine Editor:Robin McShane is the Director of Communications at STM. Associate Editor: Julia ChinPh.D. '27 is studying English language and literature and co-chair of STM’s Graduate Council. STM magazine is published twice a year for our alums, parents, and friends. Opinions expressed in this magazine do not necessarily refl ect those of the entire STM community. In This Issue p 5 Finding Light In Darkness p 19 Faith In The Midst of Incarceration p 21 A Prophetic Witness p 25 40 Years of STM Soup Kitchen Table of Contents 1 FROM THE 3 FAREWELL, 9 MORE HOUSE 11 ABS TRIP: CHAPLAIN SR. JENN LECTURE: GUATEMALA DR. KRISTIN COLBERG 13 GRADUATES 15 ASB TRIP: 17 SOLIDARITY EL PASO, TEXAS IN THE CITY Features 7 FAITH IN THE REAL WORLD 2 POP! CULTUREDear Friends, I am happy and excited to present to you the 2024 Spring edition of the STM magazine. Throughout the Easter season, we listened intently to the words of Jesus in what has come to be known as His “Farewell Discourse” in John’s gospel. He urged His disciples, then and now, to “Remain in [Him],” and to remember that they have been “chosen… to go and bear fruit,” and to “go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature.” As we bid farewell to another academic year, we refl ect with gratitude on our shared ministry of welcoming and transforming students from all corners of the globe who converge at Yale University in pursuit of lux et veritas, light and truth, and then sending them forth as bearers of the light and truth of Jesus Christ in the world to “proclaim the gospel to every creature,” each in their own unique way. I am confi dent in the pages ahead you will see how our students have taken Christ’s command and mission to heart. Juliana Surprenant '24 shares her experience of “witnessing the healing power of conversation and prayer,” serving through Solidarity in the City and practically applying the gospel to everyday life, which has helped shape her understanding of “what it means to be a daughter of Christ.” Kashmiri Schmookler '24 M.A.R. refl ects on the Alternative Spring Break trip to Guatemala, which revealed to her “Christ’s everyday invitation to see the new life emerging in the midst of the old, and to encounter the abounding word of God in the brokenness and the beauty.” Whether through creatively evangelizing through digital platforms, heeding the call of our Holy Father Pope Francis to care for our common home, or experiencing death, resurrection, and ongoing conversion in their lives, our students exemplify their readiness to take on Christ's mission with unwavering faith and confi dence. By serving in the Yale and New Haven communities, reaching out to the marginalized, and extending their hands across borders, they embody the transformative love and power of Christ in every endeavor. I hope that you enjoy the Spring edition of STM magazine, and that the stories and refl ections ahead will inspire you as much as they inspired me. We are truly blessed in this ministry of welcoming, transforming, and sending forth, and we are grateful for your prayers and support. With deep gratitude in Christ, 1. FROM THE Chaplain’s Desk Fr. Ryan M. Lerner Chaplain Photograph by Robin J. McShane From STM's Prayer Book, Ever Ancient, Ever New: Prayers For Every Day Like a golden river, Lord, your wisdom flows from the beginning of the world to the present. Your love enkindles an undying flame and illuminates our path to the new age. Grant that our sacred tradition might bear us on radiant wings to the future unknown. Let us hear the tears of the wretched and let us weep, seeing with mournful hearts those tears of yours which you poured forth on the Cross. Let us love your name now and forever: one Church, one body of Christ, one blessed people ever bearing your presence to all people in our time. Let words fall from our lips like gems; let our souls become living temples and palaces for you. Old and new, what has been done and what shall be for you—let me learn and keep it all, rejoicing always in your glory. Give us new life and send your breath upon us who praise you with sincere hearts. Day has risen and conquered the darkness in my soul. Let light and truth shine forth from my countenance this day. Katie Painter '23POP! CULTURE Social Media: A New Form of Evangelization Mary Margaret Schroeder '24 Flashback to early November, and I’m sitting in the administrative offi ces with Robin McShane and Nina Filippone for a Communications Team meeting, chatting about one of my favorite social media initiatives: Instagram Reels. These short, fi ft een to ninety- second videos grab the attention of users, especially those who aren’t necessarily already following the STM page but see the Reel due to an algorithm tailoring content to their interests. Some of our previous STM Reels received 1,500 to 3,000 views, featuring everything from aft er-Mass dinner reviews to Stations of the Cross refl ections. A recent Reels trend featured videos fi lling in the blanks of the phrase “We’re ____: of course we _____.” This trend used lighthearted jokes to describe characteristics associated with a specifi c group. So we brainstormed a few Catholic-related ideas, and I recruited some Undergraduate Council friends (and even Father Ryan!) to participate. We ended up with a thirty-fi ve-second video fi lled with clips like “We’re Catholics: no, it’s not dirt on our forehead, it’s just Ash Wednesday” and “We’re Catholics: it's rose, not pink.” Over the course of mere minutes, our video went viral. As of early March, the Reel had received over 949,000 views and had brought 4,000 new followers to our Instagram page. In this age of technology, social media provides a unique opportunity to spread information rapidly across a large audience. Social media has long been associated with negative consequences, but could it be harnessed for good? What does this mean for the Church? As a prominent social media user with about 28 million followers across X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and YouTube, Pope Francis has paved the way for electronic evangelization. The Holy Father’s online presence allows him an instantaneous global reach, particularly to young people, whom he is oft en spotted taking selfi es with around St. Peter’s Square. The over 2,000 both positive and negative comments on our Reel have sparked thought-provoking discussion about the Catholic faith. As we refl ect on the reach of our social media endeavors, it’s clear that the digital landscape off ers unique potential for future evangelism and underscores the power of technology to engage and spark conversations about the faith. Sharing the faith certainly takes on diff erent forms, and we are equipped to adapt to the ever-evolving realm of media. From likes to lighthearted insights, our Reel reminds us that sharing the faith is just a tap away. Follow us on Instagram! @STMYale n Mary Margaret Schroeder has been STM’s Communications Intern for the past three years. She graduated this spring with a B.S. in Psychology. She was STM’s chapter co-chair of Catholic Relief Services and a member of the STM Undergraduate Council. 2.3. From a farewell party speech for Sr. Jenn Schaaf by Nicole Perone ’16 M.Div. Nicole is the ESTEEM National Coordinator and Adjunct Professor of Catholic Studies at Sacred Heart University. (The speech was edited with her permission.) Sr.Jenn and I began our time at STM the same year: Her fi rst year as an assistant chaplain was my fi rst year at Yale Divinity School. At a time when I had absolutely no idea what I was doing or where God was calling me, I found a home at STM and special, sacred accompaniment from Sr. Jenn. Our relationship was strengthened as I served on the Graduate Council, which she mentored. She invited me to chair it and would not accept “no” for an answer—modeling the gentle persistence which was a hallmark of her ministry. During that time, she convened leaders from various graduate and professional schools to comprise the Council, not knowing that she had perhaps inadvertently created a cadre of women whom she deemed “aggressive extroverts”—and, as an introvert herself, she took it in great stride. The truth is, Sr. Jenn witnessed for us a way to be authentically faithful without ever sacrifi cing how God created you to be. She always made abundantly clear to every young adult in her care that they were loved by God exactly as they were, and that they had a home in the Church exactly as they were, too. And, that it was OK to be mad at God, struggle with the institutional Church, or grapple with a doctrinal or theological concept; for she knew the truth that we were more than just the labels that defi ne us or the boxes we check, but multifaceted young people journeying through a sacred roller coaster time of life, and she was just happy to be along for the ride. Because of that, Sr. Jenn has been a quiet, consistent, peaceful presence in our lives, sitting with us in times of great sorrow and celebrating milestones of great joy. She has truly been a good shepherd to her fl ock of graduate and doctoral students. She has sat with us in the fog of uncertainty and accompanied our discernment. She has walked miles of beach at Silver Sands to lend a listening ear. She has toasted job off ers and graduations and she has left an indelible mark on my vocation and life as my forever chaplain and friend. Cheers to the next chapter, SJ! Farewell, Sr. Jenn Schaaf " Thank you for making our community not just a home away from home, but one filled with fresh flowers, feminist theologies, frank conversations, and faith in abundance. Just as the Church needs her Holy Mother, so does STM need its favorite nun “mom.” You’ve always cared for each of us as the people God created us to be. May you receive the same love and joy in return as you journey forward. Julia Chin Ph.D. '27 A thousand congratulations, Sr. Jenn. You made me the coolest kid in (law) school because I told everyone I " had a nun on speed dial. I would say that I’ll miss you terribly, but I plan to keep you on speed dial. The students at Dominican University will just have to share you. Thanks for everything, especially for being my mom at graduation. Jacqui Oesterblad '22 J.D. What is required of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with God. Micah 6:84. The memories I have cherished during my time at STM are a testament to your dedication— thank you for making it feel like home! Jack Barsody '23 M.Div./M.P.H. " When I think of moments of transition at STM, I remember Sr. Jenn’s steady confidence and presence. When I think of students at the margins, I remember Sr. Jenn’s unequivocal commitment to welcoming them. When I think of my early years at STM, I remember Sr. Jenn’s generous guidance and example. " I am thankful for everything you have done for the STM community. The Dominican University is blessed to have you. Allan Esteron, Assistant Chaplain5. Finding Light in Darkness: A Student's Journey to the Catholic Church Gabriel Mesa '23 Ph.D. '29 n my first year as an undergraduate at Yale, I went to church as many times as I had my entire lifetime. I sang in many churches with the Yale Russian Chorus and had even visited STM’s Chapel, yet I still regarded belief to be the cultural practice of others and not for me. Yet God remained in the background, patiently waiting for me to find Him. While on tour in Russia in 2019, I began to seriously consider my experience with religion. I sang in an Easter procession in which the entire city seemingly came out to proclaim that ‘Christ has Risen!’ Afterwards, I began occasional calls with Bill Teska, a retired Anglican priest, who brought me through early Church history and the Anglican catechism. These calls coupled with reading the patristics, apologetics, and Holy Scripture meant that by 2022, I began calling myself a Christian. Stuck between Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy, I was convinced that Christianity was simply the most correct worldview, but intellect was no substitute for soul. In 2023, my friend took his own life. There are many things I will never forget about that day, but even in the moment I knew it marked a severe break from my life before. How could someone choose this? My hollow knowledge of Christianity had no place for real tragedy. Bereaved friends and family took refuge in the seminar rooms of STM as we grieved and looked anxiously to what came next. A few days afterwards, I spoke with assistant chaplain Grace Caroll and Father Ryan, who graciously consoled me, despite never having spoken to me before. This article contains discussions and references to suicide, which may be distressing or triggering for some readers. If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, please seek help from a trusted individual or a mental health professional. Photographs by Rob Lisak Photography6. Fr. Ryan offered to say Mass in the room where my friend had died, entering my house with deep conviction and courage, despite the skepticism of my roommates and the tragic circumstances. In a small, dark room on the third floor, Fr. Ryan showed me the power of Christ to sanctify, to turn death into life. I do not think I knew Christ until I understood the weight of his sacrifice, in how deeply the world had been marred by sin. In the months that followed, I began to develop a trauma response that I could not shake. I began having nightmares and could not sleep for fear of the evil that I had recently come to know. Throughout this process Fr. Ryan remained a spiritual guide, lending me a copy of the Liturgy of the Hours for night prayer and helping me find solace in the Church. What remained for me was to place my whole faith in God, to turn the fear into a real adoption of Christ in my heart. Last September I began RCIA with assistant chaplain David Rivera at STM, where I continued to witness the expanding community of believers. Every Sunday Mass, in both the silence and the glorious music, I was better able to contemplate the loving presence of God. I started to see places where I could bring my friends into the Church. During Holy Week, I had my first real doubts about my faith in many months, but this only confirmed that what I was doing was right. As I grew in my openness to spiritual life, the Church became more rewarding, the very same songs and readings I had heard in 2018 now filled with beautiful mystery. When I was baptized this Easter, I opened my eyes as a believer more fully able to appreciate the beauty of God in this world. Amidst a world of spiritual skepticism, the Church, through its people, stands out as a living testament to the vibrant, diverse, and joyous life in Christ that knows not the fear of unbelief. I am incredibly thankful to the STM community for maintaining its holy and joyous tradition, and for patiently and consistently inviting me to be a part of it. I now look forward to a life of following Christ’s instruction to “come and see.” n Gabriel Mesa '23 Ph.D. '29 is studying history at Yale’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Gabriel Mesa receives his First Holy Communion from Fr. Ryan Lerner during the Easter Vigil.Next >