Early risers

Reading “Shared Experience: In a Pilot Program, Senior Women Gain Mentors,” by Jeri Zeder (Spring 2016), I was thrilled by the profile of the Women’s Center’s Rise program. As a graduate student at Boston College, I ran BC DUO, an initiative that paired first-year women with upperclass women in one-on-one mentoring relationships.

Like Rise, DUO sought to mitigate the findings [of surveys conducted at Boston College and other universities] that, on average, women’s self-esteem decreases over the course of four years at college, whereas men’s increases. As a Catholic Jesuit university committed to “cura personalis”—the care of the whole person—Boston College needs to take seriously these findings. I’m happy to see that the Rise program is being supported by the administration, and I hope for its continued success.

Erin Ramsey-Tooher, MA/MSW’15
Brighton, Massachusetts

As an undergraduate staff member of the Women’s Center who helped implement the Rise program, I can attest to its success. There is pressure on fourth-years to have their futures figured out. Rise is the manifestation of senior women saying, “We’re not done quite yet. We’re still here and ready to talk and engage and learn.” I am honored to work on a program that brings such incredible people together to discuss what matters to college women.

Teresa Sullivan ’17
Boston College

The Irish Church

In “A Catholic Ireland? Not for the First Time in Irish History, Catholics Are Many in Name, Few in the Pews” (Spring 2016), Patsy McGarry describes the current situation in Ireland very well. Mass attendance has dropped precipitously and parishes are importing priests from Africa to help alleviate a serious shortage of clergy.

I was rather astounded, however, that there was no mention of what is arguably one of the major causes of this problem: the disgust many Irish feel about the way some priests, sisters, and brothers treated children in their care. For example, the “Magdalene Laundries” are not mentioned, yet more than 30,000 girls and young women were literally imprisoned in these institutions by religious orders of nuns from the middle of the 19th century until 1996. The Irish government, the UN Commission on the Rights of the Child, and the UN Commission Against Torture have all demanded compensation for these abuses from the Sisters of Mercy, the Sisters of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd, and the Sisters of Charity—to no avail. To his credit, Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of Dublin has recognized a direct link between these abuses and the decline of Catholicism.

Harry McKone ’63
Provincetown, Massachusetts

Life lines

“Unplanned: Life with George,” by Dennis Taylor (Spring 2016), was one of the most beautifully crafted pieces of writing I’ve read in some time. I guessed the author was an English professor before it was revealed. Thank you, Professor Taylor, for sharing a story both sad and sweet. George is lucky to have you in his life.

Catherine Bailey ’02
West Hartford, Connecticut

I was deeply moved by the eloquent expression of love for Taylor’s new and unexpected responsibility, George. The man is amazing with a pen, but even more amazing is his heart. The thought struck me that if all parents (and relatives) lavished half the love that Professor Taylor gives to George on their progeny, we would likely not be fighting ISIS, and even possibly would have no need for police departments.

Gordie Leeuw ’72
Lincoln, Vermont

I am a young mom, and I absolutely hate reading parenting texts. “Unplanned: Life with George” is the first bit of writing on the topic of babies I have truly enjoyed.

George seems wonderful, and the author’s descriptions of the improbable intensity of his being have helped me to see my own nine-month-old daughter in a more detached way, for the nuisance of a miracle that she is.

Joanna Nurmis
Posted on BCM online

I cried . . . and laughed. (Thank you for that.) “Negligible immensity”—what a phrase.

May God bless you Mary, Dennis, and George. May this essay serve as an auspicious start to this young prince’s life.

Helen O’Donnell
Posted on BCM online

Words to live by

Re “Crowdsourcing” (Spring 2016): I was a member of the Student Advisory Board of the Church in the 21st Century Center from 2009 to 2013, and was also an intern for the Center. During my time on the board, I began to see the intrinsic connection between authentic dialogue and change in the Catholic Church. I saw both the difficulty and the reward of honest conversation around the most pressing issues that our Church faces.

The C21 Center was conceived as a resource and a catalyst for renewal in the Church after the sex abuse crisis in the early 2000s. The Center continues to carry out that mission, using common faith to bring together people of diverse political and ecclesiological perspectives. As a member of the Student Advisory Board, I experienced how the Catholic intellectual tradition compels us to engage in conversation, and that the most difficult discussions are often the ones the Church needs most.

Meg Stapleton Smith ’13
White Plains, New York

Being involved with the Church in the 21st Century Student Advisory Board helped me to normalize conversations about spirituality and faith. The board works to bring the personal stories of on-campus role models to the student body. This helps students learn how to see God in all things, challenge their faith, and spread conversations that are central to the Jesuit mission.

Peter Trainor ’15
Cambridge, Massachusetts

Campaign notes

Re “Decision 2016,” by Christopher Amenta (Spring 2016): The run for the top offices of the Undergraduate Government of Boston College by Anthony Perasso ’17 and Rachel Loos ’18 embodied the spirit of the New England Classic, the nine-year-old satirical publication of which they are co-editors.

Since its inception, the Classic has been a place where students can be funny, creative, and thought-provoking. It’s exciting to see the current staff evolve the New England Classic humor beyond the print edition—online, into social media, and now into the political realm.

Katie Curley ’10
Milton, Massachusetts

The author was co-founder of the New England Classic in 2007.

Value added

Re “We Are Masti,” by Zachary Jason (Winter 2016): Being a part of Masti was not just about being a part of a dance team; it was about being a part of a larger family. Performing at the ALC [AHANA Leadership Council] Showdown was always the highlight of my spring semester. I loved being onstage in Conte in front of an amazing audience and showcasing the culture I grew up in.

Shrini Doshi ’13
New York, New York

Well-versed

Re “Lost Bards of Boston” (Spring 2016): In the spring of my junior year, I found myself in the office of English professor Paul Lewis, interviewing to be a part of the Forgotten Chapters of Boston’s Literary History exhibition team. Little did I know that five years later, I would still be in regular contact with Paul and the other members of the group, meeting to discuss one of the project’s afterlives, debating the merit or interpretation of a previously forgotten poem, or just catching up. In fact, at the time, I was struggling to picture just what my life away from the Heights would look like. I was not convinced of the social value of a life spent among books.

On our first visit to the Boston Public Library, we toured the atrium where the bulk of the exhibition would be presented. Paul pointed out that a lot of the visitors to the show would be accidental, passing through the library on other business, and that our job was to engage them even for a moment. Paul models how to accomplish public humanities projects, how to teach, and how to mentor.

Kristin Canfield ’12
Austin, Texas

The author is a Ph.D. candidate in the English department at the University of Texas at Austin.

Father figure

Re “Dorm Master” (Letters, Spring 2016): During my time at Boston College, Edward J. Hanrahan, SJ (dean of students and director of the Office of Resident Students from 1964 to 1986), was known for showing up anywhere on campus at any time of day or night. His appearance at the most inopportune times for students was legendary.

Fr. Hanrahan (a.k.a. EJ) was truly concerned with the welfare of his fellow humans, especially students. In retrospect, it’s perhaps not surprising that he could foresee when students might get into trouble—but he also had his “sources.” EJ knew more than the basics of information-gathering skills.

Fr. Hanrahan officiated at my wedding in 1971 in Rhode Island. He was a truly exceptional man and Jesuit.

Robert P. Morris ’70
Glen Rock, Pennsylvania

Correction: In the Spring 2016 issue, Digest referred to the deadly Streptococcus pneumoniae as a virus. It is, in fact, a bacterium. We thank Tom Norton, MA’84, of Foster City, California, for pointing this out.

BCM welcomes letters from readers. Letters may be edited for length and clarity, and must be signed to be published. Our fax number is (617) 552–2441; our email address is bcm@bc.edu.