THE MIRROR Week of April 17, 2024 | Vol. 51 Issue 10
Independent student newspaper
fairfieldmirror.com
Theme of Hope Shines at Annual Out of the Darkness Walk
BY BRIDGET KEOHANE Assistant News
Shea Burns/The Mirror Photo Courtsy of Fairfield News
Father Keith Maczkiewicz, the Director of Campus Ministry for three years, unfortunately, is relocated to Holy Cross. After the end of the 2024 Spring Semester, a new Jesuit will be taking his place in the Fall.
Fairfield Bids Farewell to Fr. Mac After Three Years of Service BY SAMANTHA RUSSELL Executive Editor
Father Keith Maczkiewicz (Mac), Fairfield University’s Director of Campus Ministry and University Chaplain, is dedicated to the Jesuit standard of availability. This commitment is why, when was asked by The Provincial to apply for a position at the College of the Holy Cross, he readily applied and accepted his relocation. “We’re Jesuits, we’re meant to be available,” he said. “I’m available for whatever they need.” Shortly following Fairfield’s commencement ceremony in May, Fr. Mac will begin a new chapter of his Jesuit career, working as the Associate Vice President for Mission and Ministry at Holy Cross. While he admits the transition will be difficult, he looks forward to the opportunity and hopes to maintain the Jesuit need for availability, which exemplifies the practice’s “one foot raised” motto: always on the move. Fr. Mac confessed that if asked twenty years ago whether he’d be working as a Jesuit at Fairfield University, he would have said, “no.” He attended Emerson College for one year as a musical theater major, then transferred to Fairfield University to finish his four years as a Stag. Working at his alma mater, the Jesuit discussed his bittersweet feelings
regarding his upcoming move. “Because it’s my alma mater that I will miss,” he declared. “Being here, as an alum, as a Stag, was special in a way.” Despite calling Fairfield Uni-
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“Because it’s my alma mater that I will miss ... Being here, as an alum, as a Stag, was special in a way.” -Fr. Keith Maczkiewicz Fairfield University Director of Campus Ministry and University Chaplain versity a home, graduating in 2004, Fr. Mac is no stranger to Holy Cross. From the years 2013 to 2015, then again from 2018 to 2021, he worked for the college’s Campus Ministry before transferring to Fairfield in 2021. Ever since he graduated college, Fr. Mac has worked in Campus Ministry. He became a Jesuit in 2008 after lengthy schooling, and ordained as a priest in 2008. Although he never planned on becoming a Jesuit priest, it is
something that Fr. Mac claims God called him to do. According to him, God, along with “the people,” wanted him to be a priest. “I think this is the way I’m called to live by, by God,” he affirmed. He continued to explain that a substantial value of Jesuit practice is the showing of love. Especially on a college campus, he notes that Jesuits are countercultural, and that “the value of Jesuit life and the value of Jesuit witness is love.” Fr. Mac is gratified by the opportunity to show love through Campus Ministry. Arriving at Fairfield University in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, the campus met Fr. Mac with masks and remote settings. Throughout his time at the university, a goal of Fr. Mac was to bring Campus Ministry back into an in-person force, a place of influence. This work grew into many different initiatives, one being a return of Campus Ministry on the Case Management Committee, which provides holistic outreach for students struggling with issues on and off campus. To Fr. Mac, it was important for Campus Ministry to be a part of those conversations. Fr. John Mulreany is the Superior of the Fairfield Jesuit Community. He praises Fr. Mac for all the work he has accomplished at
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On Sunday April 14, Fairfield students – led by the Fairfield University Psychology Club – took part in an on-campus walk titled “Out of the Darkness” to aid in the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s goal of bringing hope to those affected by suicide. Following registration at 11:00 a.m, the walk began at 12:00 p.m. and was about one mile long, starting at the Stag Statue and walking around the campus perimeter. 75 participants registered for the event and helped to raise over $5,600 for the cause. Psychology major Olivia Cataldo ’24 emphasized the importance of the event, stating, “Suicide prevention is a cause that the Psychology Club has been so passionate about spreading awareness for. We love any chance we can get to educate people on the subject and spread positive messages with each other! A great community came together on Sunday for the Out of the Darkness walk, and we helped each other realize that we are not alone!” Ava Holmes ’24, Co-President of the Psychology Club, added “I had the honor to organize the AFSP Walk this weekend on campus. After months of planning and raising money for suicide prevention, the event was the most beautiful and fulfilling moment of my time at Fairfield thus far. Talking about mental health and suicide is a very difficult endeavor, as these topics are heavily stigmatized.” Here For You, a local clothing brand in Fairfield, was also
present at the event in honor of its mission to spread mental health awareness. The store’s merchandise was available for purchase at the walk, and the business’ efforts helped raise over $500 for the cause. Most fundraising efforts took place on social media, where participants shared why they walk for suicide prevention and made use of the hashtags #HopeWalksHere and #OutoftheDarkness and shared a link to donate. The walk was complemented by honor beads of different colors, each signaling different ways participants are personally connected to suicide, in an effort to help individuals identify others who might understand their experience. The theme of hope and healing was also prevalent through many shared messages of hope and remembrance. Sophomore Ellena Whipple reflected on these moments and stated “At one point during the walk, I looked around and felt the immense amount of strength within the community. It is so important for all of us to show up for one another through all the good and bad that life brings. We are never truly alone.” Fairfield offers several confidential and no-cost counseling and psychological services for students who may be looking for extra support, including individual counseling, groups and workshops, and crisis intervention. Junior Clare McGuinness encourages students to “Tell your loved ones you love them, give someone a compliment, invite a classmate to dinner…small gestures can mean the most.”
Photo Courtesy of fu.psychologyclub Instagram Fairfield’s Psychology Club led the efforts to organize the annual Out of the Darkness campus walk on April 14 to raise awareness about suicide prevention. The walk took place around the perimeters of campus and was about one mile long.
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