AFTER SEVENTEEN YEARS, "FAREWELL, BELLARMINE!"

A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY
A LIFE-GIVING MINISTRY
A BIG THANK YOU TO ONE AND ALL




Melanie Prejean Sullivan and I worked together in Campus Ministry for seventeen years.
I don't believe we ever had one disagreement.




Dr. Jay McGowan invited me to work at Bellarmine when I was pastor of the Cathedral. I never thought it would happen, but if Jay wanted it, it usually happened. It even surprised me!



What I will miss most are the Sunday night Masses.........



............. and the chapel pulpit!

I gave over 700 homilies at Bellarmine University. I have saved them all on my computer.



Melanie and I were helped by the Francisan Friars from India, Fathers Antony and John.
They, along with Father George, will be replacing me as chaplains.



I think I sat through about thirty graduations in all! They kept getting bigger and bigger until we had to hold them on the athletic field.



MY THREE "BELLARMINE BOOKS"

SUNDAY NIGHTS is a collection of chapel homilies.
A PASSION FOR EXCELLENCE is collection of Baccalaureate homilies.
THE LORD IS CLOSE TO THE BROKENHEARTED is a collection of Blue Christmas homilies                                                        
(To order, click on MY BOOKSTORE in the panel to the right of this screen.)



I was invited to bless the new Campus Ministry offices as part of my farewell party.
On the wall of the office is this wonderful poster with a quote of mine and a summary of my preaching at the bottom. It is a wonderful tribute. I could not have summarized my years there any better. 

Melanie Prejean Sullivan (Director of Campus Ministry), Laura Kremer Kline (Associate Director of Campus Ministry) and Helen Grace Ryan (Vice-President for Student Affairs)



I was invited to bless the new Offices of Campus Ministry.
Melanie, Laura and the Franciscan Friars have offices just around the corner on the left.



Another view of the new campus ministry offices.



The new Office of Campus Ministry is located on the bottom floor of the new entrance to Bellarmine University.



Dr. Fred Rhodes has been a marvelous supporter of my ministry at Bellarmine over the years. He is one of the most affirmation-giving persons I know.



Joyce Stephenson has been there to help me and support me from day one! She is an amazing woman who never seems to have a "bad day."



Dr. Maureen Norris was a faculty member, regular Mass attender and consistent encourager.



Board of Overseers



Dr. Doris Taggert, Acting President, stopped by.



Father Clyde Crews, long-time Bellarmine professor and icon stopped by.
Father Crews has offered consistent welcome and encouragement throughout my tenure.

Several Franciscan Friars (including Father Provincial Leo - second on the left and two more visiting with him) pose outside their office. Father George who lives with Fathers Antony and John (on the right) had wandered off somewhere.

I hope everyone will note that it is taking THREE Franciscan Friars to take my place!




There you are, Father George!

Melissa Zoeller, Alumni Board

Even some friends from the Office of Public Safety attended my retirement reception: Officer Chris Gay and Officer Larry Burciaga.

The sumptuous brunch was enjoyed by a steady stream of well-wishers over a two-hour period.

This beautiful chair was a retirement gift. It has the Bellarmine University Seal and my name.
Notice it does not have rockers.
They knew better!


JUST WHEN I THOUGHT IT WAS OVER.....A BELLIE AWARD

About twenty faculty and staff members got "Bellie Awards" at the official opening of another school year. It is an annual awards and appreciation lunch.

I was given the

2016
CATHOLIC IDENTITY IN THE INCLUSIVE SPIRIT OF THOMAS MERTON AWARD






Acting Bellarmine President, Dr. Doris Taggert, presented my award.