Prince of Peace Chapel
Catholic Campus Ministry Center
By MICHAEL WOJCIK
HALEDON — For past 23 years now, the “Universality Series” of Catholic Campus Ministry here has been stirring up the multicultural melting pot at William Paterson University as it continues to make the concept of diversity real to students — by introducing them to the food, music and worship styles of different ethnic groups.
Now the Catholic Campus Ministry Association, National Catholic Student Coalition and National Association of Diocesan Directors of Campus Ministry will recognize the “Universality Series” as one of seven “exemplary campus ministry programs” in the U.S. CCMA will bestow the honor on Wednesday, Nov. 13 at the Hyatt Regency in Washington, D.C., at the Fourth Annual Campus Ministry Bishops’ Reception. On the same night, CCMA will recognize Bishop Rodimer for his “exemplary support of the Catholic Church’s vision for campus ministry,” the organization said.
Established in 1979, the “Universality Series” consists joyous and prayerful celebrations of some of the many ethnic groups that spice up the student population of William Paterson University, Wayne — including Italian, Irish, Latino, African, Middle Eastern and Asian.
Each celebration begins (usually at 7:30 p.m., unless noted otherwise) with Mass, which is celebrated in the language of the ethnic group with English translations or bilingually in Jesus Christ, Prince of Peace Chapel in the Bishop Frank J. Rodimer Catholic Campus Ministry Center.
Attended by students, parents, faculty and neighbors, the Mass is highlighted by the music of the culture and is often celebrated by a priest from that heritage, said Father Scurti, diocesan cooordinator of campus ministry and WPU’s campus minister.
After Mass, participants partake of a ethnic feast that features the food of that specific culture and either recorded or live music.
“It’s an eye-opening experience for the students. I hope the students gain an to appreciation for different cultures,” said Father Scurti, who said the academic year-long series allows students to share their own heritage. “Each group is encouraged to celebrate its uniqueness, while celebrating the unity of the Catholic Church.”
Campus Ministry recently added an Eastern European Celebration of German, Polish and Croatian traditions, which will take place Sunday, Nov. 3 an with Mass concelebrated by Father Zbigniew Tyburski, parochial vicar of Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Highland Lakes, a native of Poland. This year, the ministry has become more inclusive in its definition of diversity by adding a its first Sign Language Mass with Msgr. Joseph Goode, chaplain of the Paterson Diocesan Ministry to the Deaf and paorchial vicar at Our Lady of the Magnificat, Kinnelon, on Sunday, Nov. 10.
On April 6, 2003, the “Universality Series” will continue its reach across faiths with its annual Model Seder and Mass, at which Jewish and Catholic students and faculty share their religious traditions.
The setting of a college campus provides a perfect place to promote diversity and cultural understanding, said Father Scurti.
“There are people here from so many different backgrounds who are in a state of transition,” he said.
In his nomination application for Bishop Rodimer’s award, Father Scurti noted, “Bishop Rodimer has been a major benefactor and shepherd to campus ministry. He has never refused an invitation and has made it known that he wants campus ministry to grow — and encourages the young adults of the diocese.”
Russell Meyers III, Catholic Campus Ministry Club vice president, first experienced the “Universality Series” a few years ago when he attended a model seder. The senior in broadcast journalism and TV production said he learned about the historical significance of the foods presented at a Jewish seder.
“I was amazed with diversity — Jews and Catholics come together,” said Meyers, also student executive producer the weekly TV show, “The Word: Alive and Well,” hosted by Father Scurti. “No matter what’s going on in the world, it’s possible for cultures to come together without animosity.”
From German and Polish heritage, Meyers said his family is getting into the act to help prepare for the Eastern European Celebration — his Polish grandmother plans to made such favorites as peirogies. Meyers’ mother and aunts will attend.
Father Scurti came up with the idea for the series in 1979, shortly after he was assigned to William Paterson College. He was in charge of building up the college’s faltering young adult community, when the center was called Newman House.
The first celebration was Italian Night. This year, it will take place on Sunday, Oct. 20 with Mass concelebrated by Msgr. Mark Giordani, rector of the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Paterson. Recently, music department musicians and Catholic Campus Ministry music ministry members have performed Italian music.
The next celebration was Latino Night, which is co-sponsored by the Latino community, the Organization of Latin American Students and Latino fraternities and sororities. On Sunday, Oct. 6, Father Brando Ibarra, parochial vicar of St. Margaret Parish, Morristown, will concelebrate Mass.
African Heritage Night, which this year will held Feb. 23, 2003, will feature performances by the WPUNJ Gospel Choir.
But it was with the September 1999 opening of the Jesus Christ, Prince of Peace Chapel and the Bishop Frank J. Rodimer Catholic Campus Ministry Center — which was the result of six years of fund-raising and support from the bishop — that the series began to flourish.
“The chapel became center of spiritual, social, cultural and educational events,” said Father Scurti. “The chapel was designed with the diverse community of the university in mind. It became a home away from home for the university community.”
Even the chapel itself reflects Catholic Campus Ministry’s attention to multiculturalism. Above the altar hangs an image of the crucified Christ — hand carved from mahogany in Tanzania — which symbolizes the universality of church. The chapel also has Mexican handmade candle holders and an Our Lady of Czestochowa icon, which Father Scurti brought back from a recent trip to Poland.
After the opening of the center, Catholic Campus Ministry added the following celebrations:
• Irish Mass and breakfast, followed by Irish delicacies and music, which will be held March 2, 2003, at 10:45 a.m.
• Middle Eastern Night with the choir of St. Ann’s Melkite Church, West Paterson, which will be held Feb. 9, 2003.
• Asian Mass to commemorate the Asian New Year, to take place March 30, 2003.
• St. Anthony Mass set for June 13, 2003 at 12:30 p.m. It will include a blessing of bread for the poor and a procession with a St. Anthony statue around the center’s parking lot. A few months ago, donors raised $1,000 for Eva’s Kitchen, Paterson.
In May, Father Scurti submitted the nomination forms for both awards. Meyers also assembled a professional video presentation for national award that outlined the “Universality Series” reinforced with footage of celebrations. Father Scurti sometimes inserts celebration footage into and discusses multicultural topics on “The Word: Alive and Well.”
Many of the celebrations can be viewed on Catholic Campus Ministry’s video Web site:www.ccmcommunications.com
This latest honor will added to Catholic Campus Ministry’s growing display case of awards for the “Universality Series.” In 2000, William Paterson University’s Student Government Association named Catholic Campus Ministry Club the year’s Outstanding Club, specifically citing the series. Last year the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People named the “Universality Series” as Outstanding Cultural Event.
For more information about the “Universality Series,” call Father Scurti at (973) 720-3524.
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Sign Language Mass
Latino Fiesta
Italian Night
email: scurtil@wpunj.edu
