Membership Type: Associate Member
Organization and Position: Dean of Mission and Ministry ay Fairfield Prep (All boys – Catholic Jesuit High School)
I am beginning my 19th year at Fairfield Prep and serve the school community as their Dean of Mission and Ministry. As Dean of Mission and Ministry, I coordinate the adult faith formation programming which includes faculty/staff, parents, alumni, and the Board of Governors. I also oversee the Campus Ministry department which coordinates all the religious and spiritual life programming for students. I have worked in ministry for the past 25 years as a theology teacher, campus minister, and parish youth minister. I am also a certified Spiritual Director and received Spiritual Direction formation and certification through the Murphy Center for Ignatian Spirituality at Fairfield University. I live in Shelton, CT with my wife and children.
NFCYM and especially the network of campus ministers and religion teachers has been a source of support and encouragement. It has provided some wonderful networking opportunities as well as numerous program and event ideas that I can directly apply to my work in Ministry.
I am one of the co-moderators of the Ministry Network for Campus Ministers and Religion Teachers. To accompany someone is to be with, to journey with. NFCYM came along at a point in my ministry where I needed a group that was prayerful and supportive. I got more connected to NFCYM during the COVID pandemic shutdown. NFCYM was one of the organizations that accompanied me through this extremely challenging time.
Following graduating from Fordham University, I took a job as a parish youth minister in Brooklyn, NY. This position was part of a year–long service project. I received room and board, a small stipend, and health insurance. This turned into 2+ years and 3 summers of an experience that changed my life. I went back to Fordham to do my theology coursework. In 1999, I began my work in secondary schools as both a teacher and campus minister. Working with the young church and those who minister to them has been one of the greatest joys of my life. To walk and accompany young people and adults on their faith journey is a blessed vocation and I am so grateful to God.
Be gentle with yourself. We can put tremendous pressure on ourselves those of us who work in ministry but that only leads to burnout. We need to support one another and lean on each other. We must realize we are not alone in this work. Jesus sends his disciples out two by two so you always have companions in this journey.
Whatever is on their mind as it relates to Campus and Youth Ministry
I would say this in terms of the focus areas. We must highlight and continue to prop up our youth. We need to increase our programming for youth in our Dioceses (schools and parishes alike). One of the things I did during the pandemic shutdown as I know many of my colleagues did as well was adapt and re-vision much of our programming to be able to meet the needs of our young people. I was in awe of what I saw when I looked and noticed the level of innovation as it related to ministry programming. This past academic year as we returned to a more normal level of programming, I witnessed a growing desire and hunger from our young men at Fairfield prep for deeper faith and religious experiences. We saw a record number of retreat participants; more students wanting to engage in meaningful Christian Service; and saw more young people going to confession and engaging with the sacraments. We must continue to tap into this energy and enthusiasm.
Looking for more content like this? View all the latest articles here.
Pastoral Juvenil Hispana Coordinator,
Diocese of Austin
Diocesan Member
"NFCYM has accompanied me in reaching out to like minded professionals to better provide service (ministry) to adolescents. NFCYM has allowed me to network and grow professionally.
'Youth as Protagonists' has been essential to Pastoral Juvenil Hispana in the Diocese of Austin."
Youth Minister, St. Christopher Church
Associate Member
"The various resources have helped me keep our program exciting and vibrant. NFCYM has provided me with shared information via webinars, workshops, conferences, outreach, and opportunities that are very informative to help make my ministry successful.
NFCYM is an open forum for me to seek material, guidance and support in keeping the youth ministry program successful."
