Fr. John Denning Remarks at 2019 Convocation

Good afternoon, everybody. Great to see all of you as we start the 71st academic year at Stonehill College.

First, I want to thank Alison Cashin, president of the senior class, for the presentation of the concrete shovel. What a thoughtful reflection on the richness of the Class of 2020.

I look forward to how our seniors will lead the student body, as generous and thoughtful mentors to the Class of 2023.

And to the first-year students, welcome. I know I speak for everyone in this room in saying that we hope you find a home here at Stonehill, and I look forward to seeing how you will contribute to this community of scholarship and faith.

I also want to thank in a special way, Professor Tim Woodcock for his thoughtful and inspiring words, and congratulations to Professor Karen Anderson on being honored with this year's Louise F. Hegarty Award for Excellence in Teaching.

Both Tim and Karen are reflective of our faculty. Scholars and mentors, who make time for individual students, provide critical feedback, nurture skills and interests, pose difficult questions, and guide students as they formulate their own answers.

They have a wonderful ability to connect theory, application, and practice and have a passion for teaching.

I’d also like to extend a word of welcome to our new faculty and staff members who are joining the College this year. And to Dr. Molly Smith, who is serving as our new interim provost, who is graciously emceeing this Convocation. I look forward to working with all of you in the days ahead to enhance the College’s mission.

I want to take a moment to talk about something that happened on a beautiful day earlier this summer. A small event, but its message has stayed with me in a significant way.

The day was Friday, July 19th. A colleague of mine sent me a picture of the removal of the perimeter fencing that had been such a fixture on the main academic quad during the past two years.

We all know the purpose of the fencing was to ensure safety and security during the construction of two major building projects. During that time, however, we lost access to the quad, a special space for many of us here at Stonehill.

Fence free and with a beautiful new building, that photo in a way signaled for me the re-opening of the entire campus, which now is available to everyone again.

As we begin this year, it is important that we mirror that moment, taking down the fences that hinder our learning and keep others at a distance.

In the Constitutions of the Congregation of Holy Cross it speaks of us as “crossing borders of every sort and finding ourselves at home among more than one people or culture, reminding us again that the farther we go in giving, the more we stand to receive.”

Certainly, in our nation there has been much discussion about fences and walls. And I am reminded of these words from Pope Francis who said, “Those who build walls will become prisoners of the walls they put up.”

His words echo the fundamental principle of Catholic Social Teaching on solidarity – which says that “we are all truly responsible for all.” Fences and walls become obstacles and block the “pathways of solidarity and humility.”

Embodying light and hope, our mission calls us to serve the needs of our neighbor, our society, and one another.

Given the challenges that we face as a society, let us remind ourselves that this mission is a noble and necessary one.

A Stonehill education seeks to nurture the virtue of solidarity, as we strive to create a more just and compassionate world.

As we begin this academic year, let us ask Mary, Queen of the Summit, to watch over us in her love. May God bless you in your work and in your studies and may God's spirit animate all that we do here at Stonehill. Thanks so much and I hope you have a great start to the academic year.