Dec. 12, 2024 – As 2024 comes to a close, we have assembled some of our top stories from the last twelve months. Over the past year, a Jesuit alumna went to space, the Jesuit Gala returned to Boston with record success, the USA East Province’s Apostolic Plan was approved, and we celebrated new Jesuit priests and those professing their First Vows. Read about these stories and more below.
Tania Tetlow Named First Lay Woman to Chair AJCU Board of Directors
On Feb. 3, 2024, the Board of Directors for the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities elected Tania Tetlow, president of Fordham University, as their next chair. She is the first layperson and first woman to serve in the role. Her tenure began on July 1. “I have been very fortunate to have the guidance and support of the AJCU’s board since 2018, when I was a new president at Loyola University New Orleans,” said President Tetlow. “It is an extraordinary group of leaders and I am humbled to be one of them, much less to chair our board.”
School of Theology and Ministry Named for BC benefactors Gloria and Chuck Clough
The Boston College School of Theology and Ministry was named the Gloria L. and Charles I. Clough School of Theology and Ministry in honor of two of the University’s most generous benefactors, whose $25 million gift will further bolster the school’s standing as a global leader in theological study. This gift is one of the largest ever to a school of theology, divinity, or religious studies. The Clough’s were also the 2016 recipients of the province’s Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam Award.
Astronaut and Le Moyne Alumna, Jeanette Epps, Visits Space Station
Earlier this year Astronaut and Le Moyne College alumna Jeanette Epps completed her historic mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-8. Launching on March 3, 2024, Epps served as a mission specialist and flight engineer, contributing to an eight-month science mission. The mission concluded successfully with a splashdown off the coast of Pensacola, Florida, in November 2024. In addition to being a Le Moyne alumna, Epps is also a member of the school’s board.
Hubert Benitez, D.D.S., Ph.D., Named 23rd President of Saint Peter’s University
On March 26, 2024, the Saint Peter’s University Board of Trustees announced the appointment of Hubert Benitez, DDS, PhD, as the 23rd president of Saint Peter’s University. He began his appointment on July 1, 2024. The trustees unanimously selected Dr. Benitez to succeed Eugene J. Cornacchia, PhD, who retired in June after 17 years as president.
A Record-Setting Evening at the 2024 Jesuit Gala in Boston
On April 16, more than 600 Jesuits and friends of the USA East Province gathered in Boston for the 2024 Jesuit Gala. The Gala was an opportunity to celebrate the mission and ministries of the province and also to present Jack and Eileen Connors with the Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam Award for their generous community-based philanthropy, especially creating programs that enhance the lives of so many young people in the Boston area. The evening set a record, with $1.7 million raised to support the Jesuits—educating Jesuits in formation, caring for senior Jesuits, encouraging vocations, and assisting with educational, pastoral, and social ministries. We were saddened to learn of the passing of Jack Connors on July 23, 2024.
Jesuits USA East Apostolic Plan Approved
Provincial Fr. Joseph O’Keefe, SJ, announced in a letter on May 16, 2024, the approval by Father General Sosa of the Apostolic Plan for Jesuits USA East. All UEA Jesuits, province staff, and directors of works received a copy of the full plan, as well as those colleagues who participated in our regional planning sessions. A new website was also launched, www.ApostolicPlan.com, that was shared with our wider Jesuit network of friends and benefactors. The website includes an Executive Summary of the plan and details on its two-year journey to fruition, including a page for questions and comments. A Commission on Ministries, made up of Jesuits and lay colleagues, convened for the first time in October to begin discussions on implementation of the plan.
Jesuit Ordinations 2024
On June 8, 2024, the USA East Province of the Jesuits celebrated the ordination of four priests at Fordham University Church: Fr. Brendan Coffey, SJ, Fr. Thomas Elitz, SJ, Fr. Brendan Gottschall, SJ, and Fr. Chia-Yang Kao, SJ. Ordained by Cardinal Stephen Chow, SJ, the Bishop of Hong Kong, these priests began their new missions to the Church and the faithful. This ceremony highlights the Jesuits’ ongoing commitment to ministry and spiritual formation.
Messina College Welcomed First Class of Students
Messina College, a new two-year, associate’s degree program of Boston College, opened July 2024 for its first class of students. It is designed for first generation, low-income students to earn a degree in a supportive environment. At the end of their two years, students who have maintained a 3.4 GPA can enter the regular Boston College undergraduate program.
First Vows 2024
On August 10, 2024, four Jesuits professed their First Vows at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Syracuse, NY. Professing vows were Mitchell Tu, SJ, Eric Panicco, SJ, and François Venne, SJ, from the USA East Province, and Alejandro Lozano, SJ, from the Canada Province. These vows mark a significant step in their spiritual journey and commitment to the Society of Jesus.
The 2024 Friends of the Jesuits Golf Outing
On September 17, 2024, Jesuits USA East hosted the annual Friends of the Jesuits Golf Outing—The Keenan at Quaker Ridge Golf Club in Scarsdale, N.Y., honoring the late Fr. James F. Keenan, SJ. More than 100 participants enjoyed a day of golf, a reception, and auctions, all raising money to support Jesuit formation and senior care. This outing is part of a 16-year tradition supporting Jesuit ministries.
Jesuits USA East Establishes Southern Maryland Task Force
As part of the implementation of the USA East Apostolic Plan, Provincial Fr. Joseph O’Keefe, SJ, has established a task force to plan the future ministry of Jesuits and our partners in Southern Maryland. The mission of the task force is to develop St. Ignatius Chapel Point, St. Inigo’s, and Loyola on the Potomac Retreat House into apostolic instruments that collaborate on several objectives which include preserving the religious and cultural heritage of the Society in Southern Maryland while focusing on our history of slave holding and continuing the work toward reconciliation and healing. The province will work closely with the Archdiocese of Washington and the Maryland Catholic Conference in these endeavors.
