January 07, 2008
Warm
words of welcome from the Vice Provost of the Staten Island Campus,
Sharon Lynch Norton, Esq., greeted the Ozanam Scholars as they
arrived at the Kelleher Center on the St. John’s Staten Island
Campus for a presentation on “The Practice of Social Justice” on
November 13, 2007. John Carrion, Coordinator of the Ozanam
Scholars Program, arranged for this presentation as part of the
Ozanam Scholars Discover New York course.
Photo Gallery
Dr. Shannon, the guest speaker, is the Paul E. McKeever Chair.
This appointment is usually for one year and was initiated by the
Department of Theology and Religious Studies at St. John’s
University in 1991. It was established as a living memorial to Paul
E. McKeever, an esteemed colleague of the department who was
well-respected for the depth of his theological vision. The
occupant of the Chair teaches graduate courses and offers public
lectures on current questions of Moral Theology.
Dinner was included as part of the evening and Dr. James Keane,
Assistant Provost of Academic Service-Learning/Ozanam Scholars
Program, Queens campus, was asked to offer a prayer of blessing
before the meal. Students and guests enjoyed a delicious dinner and
had an opportunity to socialize with Dr. Shannon and his wife
Cathy, who also attended the event.
Invited quests included six high school seniors who are
interested in the Ozanam Scholars Program. These students
were recommended by their school guidance counselors. Over dinner
they discussed the program with Dr. James Keane and John D.
Carrion, the program’s Assistant Director. It was an exciting
opportunity for them to learn about the program.
Dr. Shannon began his presentation by tracing the history of the
Catholic Church’s involvement in social justice and how this
movement went from helping poor people with their immediate needs
to trying to find out why the need existed. “Frederic Ozanam,”
(whose work was the impetus for the development of the Ozanam
Scholars Program), noted Dr. Shannon, “wanted structured social
service, not just charity. This was the basis for his work.” Dr.
Shannon pointed out that the Christian belief that Jesus would
return soon after he left, slowly shifted when it did not happen.
Christians realized that they had to live responsibly, as Jesus
did, and that meant caring for those in need.
Dr. Shannon challenged the Ozanam Scholars with these words,
“You need to figure out what good you can do. Observe the signs of
the times, judge what they mean and then act upon what you see.
It’s not enough to have knowledge; you must put that knowledge into
practice. You may need to try and try again at what you do. When
you keep trying…that’s wisdom, not failure. Following an ‘Inner
World Spirituality’ will give you endless possibilities. That’s
what faith and justice is all about.”
Michael Eder, an Ozanam Scholar shared his thoughts. “I
was really impressed with Dr. Shannon’s credentials and how much he
knew about Social Justice. He spoke about how politically we
(Catholics) do an injustice to all in society if we only focus on
the issues of abortion, stem cell research and euthanasia, and not
other issues like the war in Iraq and how it’s going to affect us
for generations to come. These comments really made me think. Dr.
Shannon’s use of the term ‘Inner World Spirituality’ stayed with me
as did the distinction between charity and social justice. His use
of the example of Mother Teresa and her undeniably great work with
the poor and dying also impressed me. He noted that she never asked
the question of the government or anyone else, as to why the people
were poor and dying. She did what she was called to do and we need
to ask the questions as to why people can’t get ahead. I’ve got a
better idea now of what social justice really is.”
Dr. Shannon’s challenges offer the Ozanam Scholars a road map
for their future. It is up to them to take the risks needed to
travel the path.
If you are interested in the Ozanam Scholar’s program you can go
to the St.
John’s Web site and get further information.