"Over the years I have been most impressed with the students’ generosity in offering their time to work in Campus Ministry even though they are carrying a full course load and working a number of jobs. I can see that they recognize the importance of giving back to society in their voluntary efforts in community service." Father Joseph Flynn, OFM CAP College Chaplain The College of New Rochelle

Father Joe, tell us a little about your background, where you are from, and how long you have been at CNR.

My parents were Irish Catholic immigrants, and we lived in St. Theresa’s parish in Woodside, Queens. After elementary school I went to St. Mary’s High School in Garrison, New York, the Preparatory Seminary for the Capuchin-Franciscans for the New York-New England Province of St. Mary. Thus I began my life-long relationship with the Capuchin-Franciscans.

After 13 years of education culminating in a Masters of Divinity and a Masters of Theology, Solemn Profession of Vows and Ordination to the Priesthood in 1966, I was assigned briefly to Our Lady Queens of Angels, East Harlem, New York and then for three years to Sacred Heart Parish & High School in Yonkers, New York. This was followed by a six-year assignment to St. Michael’s Parish and High School in East New York, Brooklyn. At this time I also completed my Masters of Education in Pastoral Counseling at Iona.

Following nine years in pastoral ministry in 1976 I was asked to join our Formation Staff at Garrison, New York to teach and work with our friars preparing for Priesthood. During these years I attended Princeton Theological Seminary and Received a Doctoral of Ministry.

In 1994, I interviewed at Manhattanville College for the position of Director of Campus Ministry. I was presented with the Eleanor Kearns Simon Chair of Campus Ministry at Manhattanville, a position I held until 1999. At this time Father Jack Rathschmidt, OFM Cap. moved onto campus here at The College of New Rochelle and invited me to join him in sharing the residence.

In September 2002, after Father Rathschmidt became the Director of our Post-Novitiate Formation Program in Boston, I became The College of New Rochelle College Chaplain.

What are your main duties at CNR?

As Chaplain my responsibilities center primarily on pastoral ministry to the College Community. I preside at the Sunday Mass in Holy Family Chapel throughout the year. I am also pastorally responsible for coordinating Chapel activities, offering catechetical instructions and presiding at the Liturgies for The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), and, when completed, I am responsible for recording the Sacraments of the Records at Blessed Sacrament Parish; this is true for weddings as well. In order to encourage student participation as Liturgical Ministers, I coordinate the Fall and Spring Liturgical Training and Commissioning of Lectors and Eucharistic Ministers.

What are some of the major programs that Campus Ministry provides for the College Community?

In conjunction with pastoral and spiritual programs, Campus Ministry attempts to fulfill the Mission and the objectives of The College of New Rochelle and the Ursuline Spirit imbued within the Catholic Social Justice Tradition by coordinating a number of community service projects including The Midnight Run, The Adult Learning Center, Hope Soup Kitchen, The Lord’s Pantry, New Rochelle Humane Society, and the Sound Shore Medical Center.

International, Domestic and Urban Plunges are community service events that are offered to the students during the Christmas and Spring break holidays. These are week-long volunteer efforts by our students.

Peacebuilders (our title for Pax Christi) is coordinated through Campus Ministry. This year we have a special focus – Human Trafficking.  On Founders Day, along with the Liturgy and the Celebration of the Serviam Awards, Campus Ministry hosted an opening program on Human Trafficking, with follow-up programs on Human Trafficking throughout the year.

Campus Ministry also sponsors a Gospel Choir and a Chapel Choir, and members are drawn from the students and staff. One of the major programs coordinated through Campus Ministry is Peer Ministry, which invites students to join in the efforts of Campus Ministry as expressed in its various programs.

What program and/or services are available for students of other religions at CNR?

Besides the purely Catholic worship services the programs of Campus Ministry are intended to welcome all students of whatever ethnic or religious background.

What impresses you the most about the students at CNR?

Over the years I have been most impressed with the students’ generosity in offering their time to work in Campus Ministry even though they are carrying a full course load and working a number of jobs. I can see that they recognize the importance of giving back to society in their voluntary efforts in community service. It is encouraging to see their commitment to social justice issues, such as the problem of Human Trafficking which has become the focus of Campus Ministry’s Peacebuilders this year. I am also enlivened by their religious commitments to be involved in their various faith traditions, celebrating and worshipping in their own particular way. And I admire their ability to come together in prayer and praise of God through the Gospel and chapel choirs and liturgical ministries.