From left to right: Fr. Gerry Waterman, OFM Conv., donor and alumna Judith Pistaki Zellisko, Dr. Ruth Chen, professor of practice, and chancellor and president of Syracuse University, Kent Syverud, cut the ribbon at the official opening of the Catholic Center. Catholic Sun photo | Chuck Wainwright

By Eileen Staff writer | The Catholic Sun | Diocese of Syracuse

On Nov. 5, Bishop Douglas J. Lucia joined Syracuse University Chancellor Kent Syverud, and Fr. Gerry Waterman, OFM Conv., for the dedication of the new St. Thomas More Chapel and Catholic Center. Franciscan priests, donors, faculty, staff, and students were in attendance to celebrate the newly built chapel located on Walnut Place on the SU campus. In addition to the new church, the renovation includes a new library, which is the former small chapel, and a lounge for comfortable conversation. There are also a number of student meeting rooms for Bible study and a space for the Catholic Student Association.

When the chapel was being designed, Fr. Waterman asked for several things — “light, since we live in Syracuse, warmth achieved by integrating a lot of wood, and a building that evokes awe and wonder.”

Rev. Brian Konkol, vice president and dean of Hendricks Chapel, said the renovation of the Catholic Center reflects the historic growth in student engagement over the past decade. “As various programs and services reached, and sometimes exceeded space capacity, the renewed Catholic Center will provide opportunities for more students, faculty, staff, and alumni to deepen their roots and widen their reach by offering brave spaces that nourish the spirit and soul,” he said.

Konkol said that to prepare engaged citizens, scholars, and leaders for participation in a changing global society, Syracuse University chooses to engage the fullness of religious and spiritual life. “Hendricks Chapel is known as the spiritual heart of SU. It is the student-centered home for religious, spiritual, moral, and ethical life — a home for all faiths and a place for all people,” said Konkol. “The Catholic Center, in particular, provides a vibrant home for prayer, guidance, and fellowship.

“We empower students to be the evangelizers by extending an invitation to their Catholic friends who have never been to the chapel, attended Mass, or participated in the weekly brunches or dinners held at the Center, explained Fr. Waterman. “A personal invitation, student to student, has been our greatest success of growth.”

Fr. Waterman tells his students that there are two ways of fishing, or evangelizing — by throwing out a net to see who you can catch (through social media and email) or fishing with a pole — through one-on-one personal invitation. “I want them to understand that if they’re being spiritually nourished and physically fed and feeling a sense of belonging, other students want that very same thing.”

Konkol calls Fr. Gerry a treasure. “In addition to being wise and committed, he is enthusiastic and inviting, and I am personally honored to serve alongside him. He embodies the Gospel in both words and deeds.

“He expresses his Franciscan identity by accompanying students, helping them connect with their faith with daily life and learning, and providing them with the courage to witness Jesus in the midst of community,” Konkol added. “The legacy of his leadership will be felt for generations to come.”

During his remarks, Bishop Lucia shared his gratitude for the work that has been done to expand both the ministry and worship areas of the Catholic Center at Syracuse University. “It is with great excitement that I bless the new St. Thomas More Chapel,” he said. In his six years of service to the diocese, Bishop said he has had the privilege to offer Mass both on Sundays and weekdays for the students, enjoys their fellowship, and participates in the service projects sponsored at the Catholic Center. “I am extremely grateful to Fr. Gerry Waterman for his pastoral and spiritual leadership that has brought us to this day and for the support of this renewed vision by Chancellor Syverud and Dean Konkol.”

“The transformation of the Catholic Center, made possible by the generous support of Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello, affirms Syracuse University’s commitment to supporting the needs of all students from across all faiths,” added Chancellor Syverud. “The new St. Thomas More Chapel will provide much-needed expanded space to accommodate the unprecedented growth in our Catholic community in recent years. This investment strengthens our commitment to being welcoming to all, and enhances our ability to provide modern, versatile space for our community to gather, worship and serve the community.”

“I also want to express our deepest gratitude and support for Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello for this project,” Bishop Lucia said. “I have personally been so inspired by the lived faith of the students at SU who seek to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ and His Church. Every time I come away from an event at this Campus Center, I have great hope for the future both for the Church and our world!”