Finding Light, Purpose, and Community: Catholic Scholars Reflect

Founded in 2012 by the late Pamela G. Shea-Byrnes, D.Min. ’86SVC, ’90G, the mandate of the Catholic Scholars Program is to form students not only intellectually, but spiritually and ethically, with an emphasis on servant leadership rooted in the University’s Vincentian mission. 

Directed by Victoria M. O’Keefe ’13CPS, ’15G, ’19G, Residence Director for Catholic Scholars Program, Social Justice, and Retreats, Office of Campus Ministry, the program intentionally weaves together academic excellence, faith formation, service, and community, challenging students to engage the world thoughtfully and compassionately at a time when such leadership is urgently needed.

“The program was founded to create a faith and leadership program that would meet the world’s needs,” Ms. O’Keefe said. While the structure includes weekly Mass, retreats, service opportunities, and close mentorship, she emphasized that the program’s heart lies in how students integrate faith into their daily lives—a formation that, as students attest, continues well beyond the classroom.

Biology major Alessandra Cesare, a sophomore, remarked that Catholic Scholars transformed her faith from something meaningful into one that is all-encompassing. Despite being the recipient of a Catholic school education her entire life, “I feel as if there’s a kind of light about me that I didn’t have before.” She added that the program taught her that God will always be there, through the thick and the thin. “God’s got it, 100 percent, no need to stress.”

She joked, “If you told me two years ago that I’d have Scripture posters all over my dorm room, I would have never believed you. The program taught me to strongly integrate my faith life into my living space.”

Katherine Garlisi, a junior Journalism major, arrived at St. John’s with a quiet faith that deepened dramatically through Catholic Scholars’ intellectual and communal rigor. “To be surrounded by people who share a like-minded faith life is an incredible privilege.” She noted that her deepest friendships at St. John’s are with fellow scholars.

Katherine serves at Mass, is part of the choir, and teaches religious education at a local parish in Queens, NY. “I love the community aspect of it. Being in the program genuinely inspires me to be a better Catholic.”

Sophomore Alexandra Prettitore, an English major, described herself as an introvert, and credited the program with gently pushing her beyond her comfort zone, whether through attending Catholic Underground—a combination of Eucharistic adoration and evangelization through art, poetry, and music—or applying for an internship with a Catholic organization she never would have considered before.

“Prior to Catholic Scholars, I kept my faith to myself, maybe as a more personal part of my life,” she observed. “Now, I see it as a light that shines to others.”

Briana Tola, a junior Adolescent Education major, was accepted into Catholic Scholars on the day her grandmother—a central spiritual influence—passed away. She saw the moment as an opportunity to recommit to her faith. “Serving at Mass really helped bring my faith back to me,” she noted.

Today, Briana is President of the University’s Society of St. Vincent de Paul chapter and participated in the Vincentian Service Immersion or Plunge program. “At a school this big, it’s hard to meet like-minded people. Catholic Scholars helped me find real friends. Everybody prays for each other. You really feel supported by the students and the moderators.”

Briana hopes to specialize in special education and believes the program provides her with professional formation as well. “It helps me remember God is with me through it all.”

International graduate student Taraja Brown ’25CCPS arrived at St. John’s with an already strong faith, but it became “habitual.” Through participation in Midnight Runs, teaching religious education, serving as a Eucharistic Minister, retreats, and leadership roles as a resident assistant and Student Ambassador, she found her voice

Taraja even began a bible study group with several of her cohort members. “All of that is because of the program. I genuinely want a close connection with God. It’s not just routine. Catholic Scholars opened my eyes to the Vincentian mission in a very real way.” 

Ashley Mathew, a senior English major, stressed that the program gave her the courage to speak publicly about faith and justice. As a woman of color, she identified strongly with the Vincentian emphasis on advocacy for the marginalized, eventually representing St. John’s at a Catholic social ministry gathering in Washington, DC.

“Catholic Scholars gave me the confidence to speak about my faith, even when it felt uncomfortable. The Vincentian mission showed me that faith and justice are inseparable.” She wants to carry faith-based advocacy into her future career, whatever that may be.

Kevin Romaine, a first-year Homeland Security major, was the newest scholar in the room, and stressed the program was already having an immediate impact on his faith life and St. John’s experience. Already steeped in service through his family and parish, he had yet to grasp its spiritual dimension.

“I always believed in service, but Catholic Scholars taught me why we serve,” he said.

Within months, Kevin embraced new forms of prayer, Scripture engagement, and leadership, even volunteering to lead prayer for the entire program during his first retreat. “This program helped me understand that service is a way of encountering God. I’ve only been in the program a short time, but it’s already changed how I see my faith.”