By Kate Stringer |
Last Friday, University President Fr. Bill Beauchamp announced that Fr. Gary Chamberland, director of Campus Ministry and Corrado Hall pastoral resident, will be leaving the University at the end of the semester and moving to Notre Dame. The decision comes from a desire to be closer to his parents, whose health concerns increasingly demand more of his attention.
“It’s hard to leave, I love this place,” Chamberland said. “This is a place I’ve always thought of as home, have called home.”
A graduate and former professor of Notre Dame, Chamberland will return to work in the Division of Student Affairs as a hall rector.
Before his ordination, Chamberland served as Shipstad Hall Director from 1992-1995. He returned to The Bluff in 2009 where he began his role as director of Campus Ministry. Additionally, he served as interim director of the Garaventa Center from 2013-2013, sat on the Presidential Leadership Cabinet and served as pastoral resident of Kenna and Corrado Halls.
To students and colleagues, Chamberland’s role at UP has exceeded those of the job descriptions. Campus Ministry Assistant Director of Faith Beth Barsotti felt a deep sadness at the news of Chamberland’s departure.
“I get really happy when I see Father Gary,” Barsotti said. “His presence is beyond Campus Ministry, it’s so much of his person that he shares with all of us. The way he walks around campus, the way he talks to everybody, the way he’ll stop by and just chat with me.”
Former Corrado resident and junior Francis O’Halloran will miss the friendly, inclusive energy Chamberland brings to his interactions with students.
“He’s a good man. He always made everybody feel included, wanted and happy, regardless of whether you’re Catholic or not,” O’Halloran said. “He doesn’t classify people based on their devotion but on their human worth.”
Whether it was through his role as Campus Ministry director or pastoral resident, Chamberland said he tried to “help students find life in God and celebrate it.”
Corrado Resident Assistant and senior Amanda Ewing found this to be true last spring when Corrado’s much-loved housekeeper, Shari Butler, passed away.
“The way that he talked about (Butler) in her memorial Mass was so perfect and what everyone needed that came to that Mass,” she said. “He knew exactly what to say about her that was funny and lighthearted and that everyone understood.”
Chamberland found challenging experiences like these to be both the best and most difficult elements of his job.
“When someone’s dealing with the death of a parent, somebody is dealing with deeply personal issues, whether that be alcoholism, or their own sexuality, when somebody is trying to figure out what they’re going to do in life, you help them see ‘You’re okay, this is the human condition,’” Chamberland said.
The news of Chamberland’s departure took many people by surprise. However, Chamberland said he has received huge support in his decision to move.
“People are happy that he’s going to take care of his parents. That’s been a huge stressor for him,” Ewing said. “Corrado’s such a supportive community already so we’re just trying to back him up and make his last few weeks count.”
The selection of a new pastoral resident for Corrado has yet to be determined, though a new one will be assigned for spring semester, according to Corrado Hall Director Michael Wode.
Father Mark DeMott, director of Shipstad Hall, will replace Chamberland as interim director of Campus Ministry in January. He will still continue to serve as hall director for Shipstad.
Barsotti sees a similarity in the intentionality both Chamberland and DeMott bring to their work and interactions with students
“You walk into Shipstad and (DeMott) knows everybody’s name,” Barsotti said. “He dives into everything he does with 200 percent if that’s possible. He has a deep love of people and I think he’s committed to helping individuals grow from wherever they’re at.”
As interim director, DeMott is eager to expand the reach of Campus Ministry to a wider sector of students.
“My hope is that Campus Ministry won’t just serve students who raise their hand and say they’re interested, but that Campus Ministry would serve all their students and meet them where they’re at,” DeMott said.
DeMott is inspired to continue the work Chamberland began as Campus Ministry director.
“Father Gary did such a beautiful job with Campus Ministry,” DeMott said. “When you see Father Gary on campus you see students who love him, you see students who he knows by name. I’m excited to have the opportunity as a brand new priest to continue the work that he’s done and to grow in my own faith as I provide leadership for the campus community.”
