THE COWL Can Be Hard,” He Said
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Page 2 News May 4, 2017 Why Does Change Suck? Fr. Philip Neri and Kelly Hughes Discuss Change at Last Theology on Tap by Sabrina Guilbeault ’18 love about what I do is giving you guys the youth of my Assistant News Editor priesthood.” A sweet part of the night occurred when both Hughes ON CAMPUS and Fr. Philip Neri shared what about PC they would miss the most. Hughes shared her love for Providence sunsets and La Salle Bakery. Fr. Philip Neri explained Sodexo supplies food for 850 colleges and universities around the country. Ten minutes before the last Theology on Tap of the his love for being the Chaplain on Call during traumatic semester, every chair in McPhail’s was already filled events on campus and how he has appreciated that part and students were making room for their friends on the of his ministry. “Being with students during such an floor as more and more students filed into the campus intense and wounded time is something I have come to bar to hear Fr. Philip Neri Reese, O.P. and Campus love,” he said. Minister Kelly Hughes ’11 answer the question, “Why The conversation got very deep when Fr. Philip Neri does change suck?” said to Hughes, “So, Kelly, want to talk about a guy?” Of After this semester, Reese and Hughes will both course this lead to “ooohs” from the crowd, which then be experiencing big change themselves as they leave erupted with laughter when Hughes responded back, Providence College to move on to other life endeavors. “Well, I’m clearly not meeting anyone at work.” Unlike most Theology on Taps in which one person She did explain how a beautiful and holy marriage lectures about a topic and then fields questions from the is something she looks forward to, and is extremely students in attendance, Reese and Hughes interviewed thankful for her friends she sees every Wednesday. each other about the change they were facing and how “You’re my sisters in Christ and I love you all,” she said God was part of that change. to the friends of hers who came to the event. After earning her psychology degree from PC in Hughes gave Fr. Philip Neri a tough question as well, 2011, Hughes went on to obtain a Master’s Degree in asking about the difficulties of being a priest. “Vocation Theology from Boston College before returning to PC Fr. Philip Neri , O.P. and Kelly NICHOLAS CRENSHAW ’20/THE COWL can be hard,” he said. “Anything that we are called to in 2014. Hughes intrview each other as do is hard, as the Christian life is all about bearing the She explained that she first experienced great change they talk about changes in their cross.” He explained he thought loneliness would be when she first left PC, and shared a personal story of lives. the challenge for him, but has learned that in life, turns feeling extremely bittersweet at a restaurant with her and joked that he did not come as prepared as she did, out everyone is lonely. “We can’t be fully ourselves family the night before commencement. “It rocked me,” and told those present that if his cup was empty at any with anyone. There will always be part of us that is she said. “Who was Kelly Hughes without Providence point during the evening, it was someone’s responsibility misunderstood.” College?” to fill it. He took the question about change head-on, and At the end of the evening, students in Campus She explained that change often feels like a pull explained that change sucks so much because we aren’t Ministry and Campus Chaplain Fr. Peter Martyr, O.P. between both a celebration and grieving a loss. On one made for change. We’re made for eternity, and that can presented both Hughes and Fr. Philip Neri with balloons, hand, there are exciting opportunities to come, but on make letting go of what you once had so challenging. flowers, and cake, and those in attendance thanked both the other hand, it feels as if the comforts of the last four The campus chaplain works closely with Hughes speakers for the lasting impact they made at PC. Even years are being abandoned. “I had to become a person through the new peer ministry program, and also teaches though there was a lot of conversation, Fr. Philip Neri’s who was new to me, and that scared me,” she said. philosophy at the College. Since coming to PC last year, drink was refilled twice. “I saw everything as a loss, especially what I thought Fr. Philip Neri has been a friendly face on campus, but McPhail’s stayed filled as everyone helped themselves would be my last chicken nugget Thursday!” will be leaving next year to begin the work to obtain his to cake, and the love for both Hughes and Fr. Philip Neri In keeping with the design of Theology on Tap, doctorate at the University of Notre Dame. was very present in the room. Both agreed that change Hughes explained how God worked through her Hughes asked him a tough question during the talk, does suck, but it was made evident by all the people during this time. “God is bigger than my plans I have and asked him what about change he was most afraid there to celebrate at Theology on Tap that their time for myself,” she explained. “The change was calling me of. “I’m afraid of wasting my years as a young priest in spent at PC was good. “Give yourself to God, and the to know God more deeply.” She explained how change grad school,” he said. Fr. Philip Neri explained that by change won’t be as bad as you think. When God gives becomes a bit easier when one sees that an act of change the time he gets back to PC after obtaining his doctorate, you the space you need to grow, there is so much in life is an act of faith. he will be 37. “So then I basically have about five years you can conquer,” said Hughes. Fr. Philip Neri listened intently during Hughes’ story and then I’m just some old guy,” he said. “Part of what I Dunkin’ & Agriculture Global Studies Continued from front page “We are super proud of and here over the long term can not only research process and then found a attached to this program, but benefit the city of Providence and creative and tangible solution for Inspired by the Farm Fresh Rhode our ultimate goal is to make state as a whole, but also distinguish how we can make a difference by Island program, “farm bucks” sustainability and food justice more the College from other institutions.” supporting local foods,” he said. would be put on students’ PC cards prevalent themes on our campus,” Dr. Nicholas Longo, the group’s “And while they are all seniors, and then could be used at local added D’Ambrosio. capstone professor, felt that his they also cultivated a new generation markets. Ideally, students interested Brown University and RISD, for students did extraordinary work. of leaders to continue with this in the program would partner example, are two of several Rhode “Starting with their collective project after they graduate, so they up with Student Enviornmental Island schools that have local passion for addressing climate are leaving quite a legacy,” said Dr. Action Committee, the campus’ food initiatives, and the students change and building a sustainable Longo. environmental club, for trips to aim to see PC become another future, they engaged in a rigorous the Pawtucket Wintertime Farmers “anchor institution” for sustainable Market. agriculture. In devising their proposal, the With groundwork for the project students partnered with PC’s global in place, the seniors hope to hand off studies, biology, and public and their work to SEAC members Will community service departments, as Bozian ’19 and Marvin Taveras ’19. well as SEAC, the PC Sustainability The biggest hurdle to get the project Committee, and various other on started is student initiative; if a large and off campus resources. The group of students are interested, students also met with members of project leaders and administration the College’s administration several are more likely to move forward. times in order to express their Reflecting on the project as a enthusiasm for the project and also whole, Skelly stated, “We have to discuss practical and logistical imagined this project as part of a challenges. wider paradigm shift to emphasize “It starts with conversations and not only our role in the local being able to meet with people, to food system and community find strength in common goals and development, but also a different values, and to realize it’s a very way of thinking and acting within the interconnected and interdisciplinary PC community. Emphasizing these A proposed idea would allow students to use “farm bucks” at PHOTO COURTESY OF FARMS.COM issue,” stated Longo. concepts of development and action local farmer’s markets. May 4, 2017 NEWS The Cowl 3 Students Granted Clare Boothe Luce Scholarship by Daria Purdy ’19 News Staff ON CAMPUS Three Providence College students have been chosen as recipients of scholarships that let them further their interests and passions above and beyond the classroom. Bianca Saliba ’18 and Emma Burgess ’18 are recipients of the Clare Boothe Luce scholarship, and Phoebee Jean ’19 has been chosen as a Newman Civic Fellow. The Clare Boothe Luce scholarship has been giving grants to college students since 1989.