Syracuse University welcomes new leadership at Catholic Center

Fr. Manny Vasconcelos helps students make sandwiches to be
distributed to the hungry. Photos | David Garrett

The Syracuse University Catholic Center is under new spiritual leadership. Franciscan Friars Fr. Manny Vasconcelos and Br. Nick Romeo settled into campus life in August upon the semi-retirement of Father Gerry Waterman, OFM Conv. Fr. Waterman, now based in Washington, D.C., continues to serve as needed — covering vacations, leading spiritual retreats, and helping oversee outreach activities.

A Franciscan friar for 15 years and a priest for eight, Fr. Manny moved to Syracuse from Washington, D.C. Before entering religious life, he earned a B.A. in theology from Providence College in Rhode Island, a master’s in education, and a Master of Divinity from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

Fr. Manny spent four years as a campus minister and religious teacher at Cathedral High School in Springfield, Mass. In an Aug. 6 interview with Syracuse University (SU) News, he said he isn’t interested in replacing Fr. Gerry’s relationship with students; he wants to earn trust slowly and walk alongside them as his own connections take shape.

“Friendships that are rooted in Jesus Christ have a meaning that goes deeper than just a shared interest,” he told The Catholic Sun. “People are looking for ways to build community and connection. We hope to be a place where everyone feels a sense of belonging.” Fr. Manny said it’s encouraging to see the new chapel full of young people.

“The best thing I can give someone who I interact with is a listening ear,” continued Fr. Manny. “In my time as a college student, I appreciated someone like a priest to simply let me be who I was at the moment but also encouraged me to grow from my experiences.

“My faith deepened in those moments where it was challenged and questioned, so as a college chaplain, I want to provide a non-judgmental space for students to explore and own their Catholic faith,” explained Fr. Manny.

Br. Nick found his calling to religious vocation early in life. Growing up in Baltimore, Md., he joined the Franciscans right out of high school. He earned a B.A. in religious studies from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio before earning his master’s degree in education at Boston College, balancing his studies with summer work in high school ministry. Br. Nick then served for nine years in Buffalo — focused primarily on campus ministry — and two years in Baltimore. “I’ve been doing Province internal ministry for the past six years,” Br. Nick said. “So, I’m looking forward to — and already enjoying — doing ministry with real people.”

Br. Nick agrees there is a longing for human connection and community in the real world, unmediated through virtual platforms. “The Church provides a ‘third space’ to build substantive relationships rooted in a common fount of meaning,” he said.

Br. Nick said there is a desire for the stability and reliability represented by a 2,000-year-old tradition coupled with something of a hipster appreciation of all things ‘vintage.’ “There is disenchantment with the wider culture’s available options for centers of gravity; that is, young people want something more deeply authentic as the signpost for their life’s journey,” he explained.

With only a few months serving the Syracuse University community, Fr. Manny is looking forward to expanding campus ministry. He said having a second Franciscan friar join him as an associate chaplain will be beneficial, providing students with a visible example of fraternal community in action. “I look forward to deepening my relationships at the Catholic Center and discerning the various gifts that each person brings to the community.”