By By Alex Miciotta
The University welcomed a new campus minister to its Interfaith Center this fall as part of a new approach to get young Catholics in touch with their faith.
Joseph Bruno, a Smithtown native, holds a degree in human resource management from Cornell University and taught at a West Islip Catholic high school before coming to the University.
His career transition came, in part, from his preference for a college community.
As campus minister, Bruno is responsible for facilitating programs and service opportunities, organizing Catholic masses and couseling students.
He is also the moderator of the Newman Club, the University’s Catholic organization, which sponsors philanthropic and educational programs.
The Diocese of Rockville Centre overseas the University’s Catholic portion of the Interfaith Center.
Several faiths, including, Protestant, Muslim, Jewish and Catholic, comprise the Interfaith Center, which is the branch of the University responsible for providing religious services and helping students conect to their faith and acclimate to college life.
The instillation of Bruno follows the Diocese of Rockville Centre’s announcement this year to implement changes to its campus ministry programs across Long Island.
At the helm of the reshuffling was Father Brian Barr, director of campus ministry with the Diocese who devised the idea of “peer ministry,” in which young chaplains would be installed on college campuses in the hope that students would be more inclined to speak with someone closer to their age.
Bruno, 28, replaced Sister Kathleen Riordan, who worked at the University for more than a decade.
Many freshmen are inclined to meet with Bruno because they believe a fellow newcomer to the University can empathize with their situation.
“I feel most comfortable going to Joe for advice on campus,” said Katie Jorgenson, a freshman film major. “He is very understanding of religion and is sympathetic towards all.”
Some students, though, expressed a feeling of loss.
“With Sister Kathy, I had someone older and wiser than myself to look up to,” Christina Beam, a sophomore drama major and regular attendee at the University’s weekly Catholic mass, said. “She really was a grandmother who you could go to for a hug anytime you needed. And I’m sure the new people will be just like that too, but I just feel less comfortable telling my deeper problems to someone so close to my age.”
Riordan, who headed the Newman Club until her departure in the spring, remains active in her Dominican order and looks forward to frequent visits to the University.
Jamie Herzing, senior English major and secretary of Newman Club, has high hopes for the new chaplain.
“I think everyone in the club was kind of wondering how this year would go because everyone really loves Sister Kathy,” she said. “I imagine it was tough for Joe to be put in that position coming into Hofstra, but I think he’s doing a fabulous job so far.”
“He seems like a great guy, he’s got great enthusiasm and I think I can speak for the whole Newman Club when I say that we’re happy that he’s here and doing positive things for the club,” Herzing added.
Bruno enthusiastically regards his role as mentor and friend to students.
“The students have been very welcoming and the administration has been great. I think I’m going to have a great time,” he said.
Joseph Bruno, far left, has already found a common ground with students who are new to the University. (Margaret Hawryluk/The Chronicle)