Faculty Appreciation Mass and Lunch

On Wednesday, January 28, the Seton Hall Faculty gathered for a special Faculty Appreciation Mass and Lunch on the feast day of St. Thomas Aquinas. Headed by Seton Hall Campus Ministry and co-sponsored by the University Provost, the Office of Mission and Ministry, the Center for Catholic Studies, the Catholic Studies Program and the University Core, the event provided an opportunity for the faculty and staff of the University to gather in thanksgiving and communion.

The event kicked off with 12 Noon Mass in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception. Fr. Nick Sertich ’15 celebrated Mass and made sure to tie in the feast day of St. Thomas Aquinas, the patron saint of university professors. Fr. Sertich’s homily was characterized by the medieval maxim of St. Thomas Aquinas, “bonum diffusivum sui est,” meaning “goodness is self-diffusive.” Fr. Sertich expressed to the faculty gathered that “bonum diffusivum sui est” encapsulates the very heart of the mission and vocation of educators. Teachers do not simply work for personal to gain or a paycheck like any other job, but to share the goodness God has given them with the students God has placed in their care. Fr. Sertich emphasized how the goodness of God is diffused through the faculty and educators of the University.

The powerful message of Fr. Sertich stuck with the faculty as the group transitioned to the second part of the event, lunch in the Chancellor’s Suite in the University Center. Lunch provided a great opportunity for faculty to converse, catch up with fellow faculty members, take a breather from the busyness of the day and know that they are appreciated by the students they serve.

Of the many faculty members in attendance was Professor Jim Corino, Ed. D. who has served at Seton Hall for 18 years as the Director of Seton Hall’s Executive Education Leadership programs. Beyond Seton Hall, Professor Corino’s professional life spans more than 50 years as a public-educator ranging from assistant superintendent and high school principal to coach and athletics director in various school districts throughout New Jersey. When asked what keeps him coming back year after year to serve as an educator, Professor Corino replied, “It’s people like the students.” While Professor Corino aspired to go to law school prior to his career in education, he said he fell in love with the people and students in education and could never leave afterwards.

In attendance as well was Kelly Shea, Ph.D. who serves at Seton Hall as an Associate Professor of English and the Director of First-Year Writing. When asked what her vocation as an educator means to her, Shea said “To me, vocation as an educator means that my students are my priority. There are other endeavors that faculty members are expected to undertake, like research and service, but teaching is truly my vocation and what I think I’m here for.” Shea’s vocation as an educator deeply exemplifies the call of educators to share the goodness of God to the students placed in their care.

Another of the University’s administrators in attendance was Mary Kate Naatus, Ph.D.,  Dean of the Continuing Education Program at Seton Hall. When asked what being an educator means to her, Naatus replied that it means “being part of a community that genuinely cares about the growth of the whole person.” She went on to further say that “Coming together as we did for the Faculty Appreciation Mass and Lunch serves as a reminder of how faith and mission provide a meaningful foundation for learning and a greater sense of purpose for all of us.” Naatus’ words illustrate the genuine goodness which arises from and is diffused through education and how faith plays an important role in spreading goodness throughout the university.

Faculty such as Professor Jim Corino, Kelly Shea, Ph.D. and Mary Kate Naatus, Ph.D. are astute examples of the many educators who impact the daily lives of students on Seton Hall’s campus. To Professor Corino, Shea, Naatus and all of the many faculty members across campus, the student body appreciates your daily call to fulfill the mission of diffusing goodness through education.

Categories: Campus Life, Faith and Service