Cornelisse to lead search for Catholic chaplain
Following interim priest Father Dan Moloney’s appointment to a different location, Allison Cornelisse, a member of the Brandeis Catholic community, will be temporarily coordinating the University’s Sunday Mass, according to an email sent to the Catholic Student Organization by Chaplaincy Department Administrator Ellie Afienko on Friday.
Senior Vice President for Students and Enrollment Andrew Flagel wrote in the email that Cornelisse will be organizing Mass on campus “most weekends” and will be coordinating “arrangements and transportation to other services in the area” when on-campus Mass is not possible.
“This is not a permanent solution, but I am confident Allison will provide warm support to our community through the remainder of the school year,” he added.
Flagel also explained that a committee of community members will be discussing the subject of a permanent chaplain at length in the coming weeks.
“In relation to future planning, I have asked a diverse group of student, faculty and staff members to convene as a small working group on the topic of our campus Chaplaincy across religions and faiths,” Flagel wrote.
According to the email, Prof. Wendy Cadge (SOC, WGS) will be the committee chair, and the group will also include Elana Insley ’15, one of the Catholic student leaders. The email also said that the committee hopes to conclude their work by the end of the semester.
Flagel also touched on Reverend Walter Cuenin’s departure from the University after almost nine years as the Catholic chaplain. Dean of Students Jamele Adams wrote in an email to the community that Cuenin was leaving the University due to unspecified health reasons, according to a Jan. 13 Justice article.
“I realize that the departure of someone profoundly influential across our community for many years has been challenging for many of us,” Flagel wrote. “As we move forward as a community, finding the best model for our broad range of observances and beliefs is a daunting challenge. I invite and welcome your input, and look forward to discussing this with many of you in the days and weeks to come.”
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