October 09, 2009
Queens, NY -
Best-selling author Mitch Albom paid a special visit to St
John’s as part of the University’s Academic Lecture Series on
October 8 in Belson Stadium. He delivered a heartwarming speech on
faith before a large crowd of students, faculty and fans, who had
the unique opportunity to see the renowned writer live and in
person or via satellite at various locations across the five St.
John’s campuses. The speech was a direct reflection on Albom’s
newest book Have a Little Faith in which he shares a never-ending
need to embrace faith and the security it provides in times of
desperation.
Turning out on a perfect fall evening, the crowd listened
eagerly as Albom spoke of the relationship he shared with the lead
characters, Albert Lewis, his childhood Rabbi, and an inner-city
Pastor of a poor Detroit church, Henry Covington. While the two men
come from vastly different backgrounds they were both instrumental
characters to Albom’s story. He entertained the throng at St.
John’s with conversations he had with his Rabbi, for whom we was
selected to compose a eulogy, and the encounters he had with a
recovering drug addict turned pastor. To close the speech Albom
delivered a riveting message.
“Faith, it’s what get us through all the madness, sadness,
broken heartedness, the pain and loss,” said Albom. “If we have a
little faith, maybe we will be able to figure it out (all the
problems) for ourselves.
Following the speech fans made their way to a book signing
outside of Belson Stadium where they had the opportunity to meet
Albom, obtain autographs and purchase a copy of Have a Little
Faith. The author plans to donate a portion of the proceeds for the
sale of his book to help fix Pastor Covington’s Church – I Am My
Brother's Keeper Ministries.
Albom’sappearance was sponsored by Student Government, Inc. and
the Department of Student Life and is part of the University’s
Academic Lecture Series, which focuses on topics relevant to the
St. John’s University mission and the global society in the fields
of science, health care, religion, education, media, technology,
politics, business, culture and the arts.
For more information, or for a list of upcoming lectures in this
series, please visit http://www.stjohns.edu/campus/lectureseries.
Interested media are asked to call St. John’s Office of Media
Relations at 718-990-1621 or e-mail inquiries to mediarelations@stjohns.edu.
For late breaking news and information visit the St. John’s web
site at www.stjohns.edu/news.