With the new academic year comes new additions to St. Bonaventure, one of which is located right in the center of campus: The McGinley-Carney Center for Franciscan Ministry.
Although the university ministry staff moved into the building in May, the interior of the “MC” is new to many of the students and faculty who were away for summer break.
According to Fr. Francis Di Spigno, O.F.M., it was about time for the ministry building to get a makeover.
“Jack McGinley, who has a long tradition as an alum of St. Bonaventure, saw and appreciated the whole notion of the Franciscan mission and ministry as a vital part of who we are as a university,” said Di Spigno, executive director of University Ministries. “The facility, however, was limited. It was originally an old maintenance garage.”
The former ministry building, the Thomas Merton Center, was not meant to be an assembly or meeting space, said Di Spigno.
“When Jack’s aunt Rita passed away, he established a trust,” said Di Spigno. “He gave money to build a building in honor of the McGinley’s, hence why it is named after them.”
The Carney part of the name comes from Sr. Margaret Carney, O.S.F., president emeritus.
“Sister Margaret stepped down in January of 2016,” said Di Spigno. “When the board was discussing the new building and its name, Jack asked to include her name in her honor.”
The building has many features including The Great Room, a place for members of the St. Bonaventure community to meet and assemble, more meeting spaces and conference rooms and a full kitchen. The additions include Interfaith Tower, structured as a place for those who are of different faiths to feel comfortable.
“We are proud that we are Catholic Franciscan,” said Di Spigno. “However, we are cognizant of the fact that there are no sacred spaces that could be used for other faiths. We wanted this tower because when you go there, there is no iconography. We did it so no one can own it, but everyone can use it.”
The tower was meant to be a tall and significant landmark on campus for this reason, said Di Spigno.
The building will be open 24/7 for students who can use their SBU IDs to swipe in at night.
Despite its upgraded internal features, Di Spigno said his favorite part of the building is the fountain located in front.
“I love it,” said Di Spigno. “It adds a uniqueness to campus that is something both different and beautiful.”
He believes the building will positively impact the campus community and bring everyone closer together.
“It’s a brand-new building in the heart of campus, so it is already attracting people,” said Di Spigno. “We want people to know it’s a welcoming place for people of all or no faiths. We want students, faculty and staff to come in and enter into a Catholic Franciscan mission, if you’re Catholic or not.”
He said he hopes it can be a place for people with questions to learn more about themselves and expand their knowledge outside of the classroom.
“The ministries center has always been a place where students can get involved,” said Dominic Caropreso, a senior marketing major. “Whether it be within ministries itself, or kids doing work on the comfy chairs, or even just to make a home cooked meal, this building was designed to bring people together. I would say this building is going to be a place where memories are made for all members of the Bonaventure family.”
engjg14@bonaventure.edu
