Alumni and Friends Pay Tribute Through Support of Catholic Scholars Program

September 19, 2016

It was an evening filled with poignant reminiscences as more than 260 alumni and friends gathered on the Queens campus of St. John’s University on Saturday, September 10, to honor the legacy of the late Pamela Shea-Byrnes, D.Min. ’86SVC, ’90G and support the scholarship that bears her name.

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The Pamela Shea-Byrnes Catholic Scholars Endowed Scholarship Fund is a four-year grant awarded to students who commit themselves to faith-based leadership training, service, and prayer, and formation of a deeper understanding of what it means to be a leader inspired by the Catholic tradition. Catholic Scholars assume important leadership roles within the community of faith and service at St. John's University in preparation for becoming faith-inspired, Catholic leaders for life.
 
The event began with a concelebrated Mass in St. Thomas More Church. Prior to the start of the service, Most Rev. Robert J. Brennan ’84C, Auxiliary Bishop for the Diocese of Rockville Centre, led the congregation in a moment of silence and reflection in memory of the victims of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Later, Bishop Brennan recalled his longtime friendship with Pam.
 
“I remember Pam from my days as a student here at the University,” he said. “We studied together, and she was always filled with the spirit of St. John’s. I believe that she lived that spirit all through her life and brought it to whomever she met. Pam embodied the very special mission of St. John’s and announced it clearly to others. She was a friend in so many ways. I’m happy to be here this evening to help commemorate her legacy.”
 
Jimmy Walters ’04C, ’06G.Ed, ’09G, ’12Ed.D. also had a deeply personal connection to Pam. Now Director of Residence Ministry and the Catholic Scholars Program, Mr. Walters readily acknowledged that he “wouldn’t be at St. John’s if it weren’t for Pam. She was a great mentor, a great friend, and gave me the opportunity to get involved in Campus Ministry. She will always be a model of who I want to be as a Catholic leader.”
 
“Pam had a vision of bringing young Catholic leaders from across the country to St. John’s,” he recalled. “We’re trying to do our best to continue her vision by forming the students to become, in her words, ‘young disciples.’ Pam would want these students to pick up the mission of Christ by serving the poor and serving others. That’s what she was about, and it’s what this scholarship is all about.”
 
For David Gildea ’97CBA, his association with Pam began during his first days on campus. An active participant in University life through his involvement with Student Government, Inc. and the President’s Society, Mr. Gildea is happy to help keep her vision alive by helping to solicit support for the program that was so dear to her heart.
 
“Pam was everything that you could hope St. John’s would be,” he said. “Pam really loved St. John’s and loved making everyone aware of the great things about the University.”
 
Pam’s influence extended well beyond the borders of her immediate organization. Always seeking ways to make the world a better place, she put her Vincentian values into action by reaching out to those in need. She was particularly committed to sharing her time and talents with St. John’s Bread and Life, a comprehensive social service agency in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn. Since 1982, the agency has worked to alleviate hunger and poverty in Brooklyn and Queens by serving more than 2,500 meals to hungry New Yorkers every day.
 
“I’m pleased to honor Pam Shea-Byrnes, both for the work she did for the University and particularly for St. John’s Bread and Life,” said Anthony Butler, Executive Director. “It was amazing how Pam could take her values, spirituality, intelligence and energy, and operationalize those qualities to serve others. She totally personified the mission of St. John’s, as well as reflecting the commitment to make a difference for others that we all share at St. John’s Bread and Life.”
 
At Kellenberg Memorial High School in Uniondale, NY, Pam was remembered for creating the program that encouraged high school students to strengthen their faith as they entered college, enabling them to assume positions as Catholic leaders after graduation. Brother Kenneth M. Hoagland, S.M., ’81C, Kellenberg Principal, is pleased that many of his students were given the means to succeed by participating in this unique initiative.
 
“Pam’s vision for the Catholic Scholars Program was a wonderful way to nurture students through Catholic education, and prepare them for making a difference for others for the rest of their lives as Catholic leaders,” he said. “A number of our graduates have benefitted from the program, and that’s a wonderful legacy that will live on through the young people from all across the country who are chosen to take advantage of this exceptional opportunity.”
 
For the current Catholic Scholars, the ability to combine education with a commitment to service is an ideal road to transformation, both intellectually and spiritually. They look forward to carrying their faith into their personal and professional communities, embracing the charism of doing good works as a means of putting their faith into action.
 
“Being a Catholic Scholar is a great way for me to keep my faith intact,” said sophomore Catherine D’Angelo ’19Ed. “It really helps to ground me and keep my college experience faith-based. Pam was a close family friend; my mom and Pam went to college together here at St. John’s. It was a terrible tragedy when she passed away, but seeing this program come to fruition is a reflection of how she put her dreams into action. Being a Catholic Scholar keeps her alive for me, and is a wonderful way for all of the students to carry on her legacy.”

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