At Marymount University in Arlington, faculty, staff, students and religious gathered for the annual Mass of the Holy Spirit at the campus’ Sacred Heart of Mary Chapel Sept. 3. But the annual Mass had an additional significance this year.
The Mass, celebrated by Bishop Michael F. Burbidge, continued the university’s yearlong celebration of its 75th anniversary. Other celebratory events include a Sept. 26 pilgrimage to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, and an Oct. 10 Marian Music recital.
In his homily, Bishop Burbidge noted the importance of unity among the university community.
“Jesus reminds us that unity is not just mere tolerance or acceptance. Unity is communion, perfectly revealed in the law of the Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,” he said. “We are one in the faith that we profess, which is at the heart of everything we do as a Catholic university. It must permeate every part of this campus.”
Bishop Burbidge addressed a challenge faced by all universities. “We live in a world and a nation so fractured, so divided. We see that division on campuses, even within families and communities,” he said. “And so Jesus sends us to do our part to be a sign, an instrument of unity. And it’s not easy. It requires sacrifice. But don’t forget, Jesus prayed for unity on the night before he died, knowing the cost. If we are going to be a sign of unity, then we must stay strong and steadfast in the faith, in the truth, and in our values and virtues that unite us.”
At the end of Mass, Marymount Chaplain Father Gabriel Muteru and Marymount President Irma Becerra thanked the university community and Bishop Burbidge. Becerra said his message of unity resonated with her.
“Even (amid) all the challenges that higher ed (institutions) are facing this day, I know that through unity, together with our faculty, our staff, our board of trustees, and all our friends and students, Marymount will continue to be successful,” she said.
Among the worshippers were religious sisters who were longtime members of the university community. Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary Sister Jackie Murphy, 92, began teaching at Marymount’s former Junior School in 1968. “All the sisters who’ve ever been here have been very involved in the community,” she said.
Sister Jackie said she has fond memories of Sister Marie Majella Berg, a fellow RSHM, who served as president of Marymount 1960-93. “Sister Majella…made this place grow,” Sister Jackie said, adding that “it’s been a privilege” watching Marymount grow over the decades.
RSHM General Superior Mother Gerard Phelan founded Marymount in 1950 as a women’s junior college. The college was located on the former estate of Presley Rixey, a personal physician to Presidents William McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt. RSHM Sister Elizabeth Gallagher served as the college’s first president. In 1973, Marymount became a senior college, offering bachelor’s degrees in more than 20 disciplines. Several years later in 1979, it expanded to offer graduate programs. In 1986, the school became fully co-ed across all departments and changed its name to Marymount University.
Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Sister Patricia Earl, who also attended the Mass, has a long history with the school. She attended the Marymount Junior School, a girls’ school, in 1954, and was a student for eight years.
Becerra, the current president of Marymount University, took office July 1, 2018. Previous presidents of Marymount University include Matthew D. Shank, 2011-18; James Bundschuh, 2001-11; RSHM Sister Eymard Gallagher, 1993-2001; RSHM Sister Berg, 1960-93; and RSHM Sister Berchmans Walsh, 1955-60.
“I have such fond memories of the (RSHM) sisters, celebrating Christmas, special holidays and their feast days with vocal programs, ballet recitals, and getting to know them so well,” Sister Patricia said. “My fondest memories include the outstanding elementary education and faith foundation that I received and especially receiving first penance and first Communion, and later confirmation administered by Bishop Peter Ireton.”
In 1970, she returned to the junior school as an assistant and a little over a decade later, became headmistress. After a hiatus, she returned to Marymount in 2003 as director of the master’s program in School Administration and Supervision/Catholic School Leadership Program. She retired from the position last year.
Many of Arlington’s own educators have roots at Marymount. “The influence of Marymount on the diocese is enormous,” said Frank Roque, principal of Bishop O’Connell High School in Arlington.
Roque graduated from Marymount in 2018 with a master’s in education, and commended the effects of one teacher in particular — Sister Patricia. “Sister Patricia embodies the same excellence in Catholic School Leadership that she tried to instill in her students. She knew and taught that our Catholic faith was more than just a nice addition to education. Rather, she instilled in us the ideal that our faith should infuse everything from curriculum to hiring. If we were to lead our schools successfully, faith must be at the core of our practice.”
Robin Williams, principal of Our Lady of Good Counsel School in Vienna, earned a master’s degree in administration and supervision from Marymount in 2021. “I’m blessed to say that I have only attended Catholic universities, but what makes Marymount unique is their amazing ability to build community in such a short period of time,” Williams said. “When I first stepped on campus everyone, seemed to be driven with the same mission — bring Christ-centered joy to everyone you meet.”
For information on the anniversary pilgrimage and other events, go to marymount.edu/75.
Read the original article on The Arlington Catholic Herald’s website.
