April 19, 2011 - Cardinal Seán Announces Expanded Campus Ministry Outreach

Braintree, MA (April 19, 2011) - Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley, OFM Cap. is pleased to announce that the Brotherhood of Hope will launch a new initiative called “Hub” (Hope for Undergraduates in Boston) on July 1, 2011.  The initiative has the potential to expand the outreach of the Catholic Church to nearly 60,000 students on campuses in the Fenway area of the city.  HUB will be based at the Catholic Center at Northeastern University, already an important source of evangelizing efforts to the students on that campus.

“The Brotherhood’s expertise and vision will be of invaluable assistance with this initiative,” said Cardinal O’Malley.  “Their twenty-five years of experience in campus ministry will provide us the opportunity to develop a community of college and university students centered in the Eucharist.”

“In order to fulfill this special venture entrusted to us by the Cardinal,” said Brother Rahl Bunsa, General Superior, “the Brotherhood needs to conclude our service at Boston University. We certainly experience real sadness over leaving the fruitful work at BU after serving there for 11 years and developing many solid friendships.  As a missionary community, we are honored by the Cardinal’s trust, and we are eager to accept this HUB challenge as we ‘put out into the deep’ (Lk 5:4).” 

In order to build on the highly successful campus ministry at Boston University, Cardinal O’Malley has appointed Rev. John R. McLaughlin as Director of the Catholic Center and Priest Campus Minister, effective July 1, 2011.  The archdiocese will be announcing additional pastoral support for students at Boston University by July 1. 

The Reverend Dr. Robert Allan Hill, Dean of Marsh Chapel and Chaplain to the University, expressed his “gratitude for the fine service rendered by the Brotherhood at BU.  In particular, I remember Father Paul Helfrich and Brother Patrick Reilly, who each served many years on our campus, for their pastoral and personal outreach to students. I am also grateful to Brother Sam Gunn, co-director, and to Brother Parker Jordan who have served most recently.”

The Brotherhood of Hope has been and continues to be a great gift to the Archdiocese of Boston and to campus ministry,” said Father Clancy, Archdiocesan Director of Campus Ministry. “It is exciting to have them expand their ministry and outreach to more of our students in the Fenway and Back Bay areas.”