Welcome Class of 2014

Do you want to continue working on a newspaper like you did in high school?  Are you interested in pursuing journalism as a career?  Are you looking to try something new and meet some great people in the process?  If the answer to any of these questions is “yes,” join The Observer at Boston College!  We are an independent campus paper that is looking for incoming freshman who are interested in journalism, writing, politics, photography, web design, layout, and film.  This fall, we will have staff positions available in news, opinions, business, Catholic issues, sports, photography, layout, web design, and film!

What has the staff at The Observer been up to all summer?  Read about their writing, internships, and research at the BC Observer Blog!

ALC Budget

After first refusing to release their respective $80,000 and $30,000 budgets, both the AHANA the GLBTQ Leadership Councils (GLC) released their budgets to The Observer. As semi-autonomous organizations within the Undergraduate Government of Boston College (UGBC), both the ALC and GLC receive their funding from the UGBC.

The Observer sought line-item budgets from the UGBC, GLC, and the ALC last month. Upon requesting the budgets, UGBC President Al Dea provided a copy of the UGBC budget. However, GLC President Kelsey Gasseling and ALC President Erika Hernandez both declined to release their respective organizations’ budgets.

“Unfortunately, it will not be possible for you to receive budget information from the GLC,” Gasseling told Observer reporters at the time.

Hernandez said, “In regards to the line-budget request, after speaking with UGBC, GLC, and our advisors, we have been told and agreed not to do this. I am sorry we cannot help you further.” When asked who advised her to withhold the budget, Hernandez refused to disclose the advisors’ identities.

The Observer successfully obtained the budget after meetings with Dr. Patrick Rombalski, vice president for student affairs, and Dr. Mark Miceli, an assistant dean in the student programs office and advisor to the GLC.

GLC Budget

Gasseling emailed a copy of the budget to The Observer after these meetings took place. Hernandez complied with The Observer’s request and sent a copy of the ALC budget as well.

However, Hernandez and Gasseling also released their budgets to The Heights. Hernandez justified this action by telling The Heights that “students have a right to know where their money is going.”

The ALC budget covers $80,000. While $46,400, 58% of the budget, covers the boat cruise and ball, the ALC also spends a combined $10,200 on two retreats, one for the AHANA Leadership Academy and another for the AHAHA Caucus. Other areas of expenditure include $4,000 on a faculty appreciation banquet, and $9,790 in executive discretionary spending.

The 2009-2010 GLC budget covers eight separate areas of expenditure. Two-thirds of the budget, or $20,000, goes toward the annual GLC Gala. In addition, the GLC spends $3,000 on the “Support Love Campaign,” $2,500 on both “National Coming Out Week” and the “Alumni Reunion/Senior Send-Off.”

Adult Baptisms during the RCIA Mass

Students filled St. Ignatius Church on the Fourth Sunday of Easter to witness nine fellow Eagles receive the Sacraments of Initiation during the RCIA Mass. Father Joseph Appleyard, SJ celebrated the Mass in which six students were baptized. Fathers Donald MacMillan, SJ and Anthony Penna, director of Campus Ministry, concelebrated the liturgy.

Receiving all three Sacraments of Initiation were Katlyn Beaver, Samuel Hay, Neil Hood, Yvette Ramirez, Alexander Riyadi, and Kimberly Sykes. Lauren Haumesser, Caitlin Mead, and Kristin Moran celebrated Confirmation.

The nine students, including a BC Law student, participated in a two-semester program of preparation, called the Right of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). This included weekly meetings, individual spiritual journeys, and retreats. Sister Mary Sweeney, SC coordinates the BC RCIA program.

RCIA, established during the Second Vatican Council and promulgated by Pope Paul VI, is the vehicle for adults to enter the Church. According to Sr. Mary, it is the Church’s approach to “restoring the catechumenate as a significant part of the journey toward participation in the life of the Church.”

At BC, the RCIA participants meet weekly for two hours to learn about the faith. Each week they address a different topic about Catholic belief and practice. “We prepare for the following Sunday’s liturgy by reading and discussing the Scriptures for that liturgy. We close with prayer,” explained Sr. Mary. The weekly meetings also give the participants time to reflect on the past week and the growth experienced in faith. “Over the two semesters, the participants form a community where they feel comfortable discussing their questions and their concerns and insights.”

During the Lenten season, the Rights of Preparation are celebrated to invite the participants, now called catechumens, into the worshiping community, their new spiritual home, and increase the sense of belonging. The First and Second Scrutinies, along with the Presentations of the Creed and the Lord’s Prayer make up these Rites.

During spiritual formation and preparation for the sacraments, the catechumens choose a sponsor. A sponsor is an active Catholic that is willing to be a companion to someone going through the RCIA process. They serve as Godparents for catechumens receiving Baptism.

Usually, the RCIA catechumens receive the sacraments at Easter Vigil Mass during the Easter Triduum. At BC, the Campus Ministry RCIA Mass is celebrated a few Sundays after Easter so that the whole community can come together to support their fellow students and welcome them into the faith family.

Fr. Appleyard opened the Mass with a reflection on the Scripture readings for the day, explaining the Old Testament images of lambs and the shepherd and their relevance for the Sacraments. The Responsorial Psalm, “We are God’s people, the flock of the Lord,” echoed this same theme.

Following the Gospel reading from John, the Liturgy Arts Group led a singing of the Litany of the Saints, asking for the intercession of all holy men and women. The candidates for Baptism and their sponsors then proceeded to the Baptismal font where Fr. Appleyard poured the Holy Water over their heads. As each catechumen was baptized, the LAG sang “Alive! Alive in Christ Jesus! Alive! New life from the dead! Alive! For death has no power! We are alive with God!”

All the catechumens gathered on the altar to receive candles lit from the Paschal Candle. “You have been lighted by Christ. Keep the light in your heart,” prayed Fr. Appleyard. These candles were decorated to resemble the Paschal Candle and represent the Light of Christ in the lives of the newly baptized. Each member of the congregation was given a small candle to light to be in solidarity.

The remaining catechumens joined the newly baptized for Confirmation. They were anointed by the Chrism and the church erupted in applause to show support for the new brothers and sisters in faith. After the Eucharistic Prayer and Consecration, the catechumens celebrated their First Eucharist and completed their Sacraments of Initiation.

The entire LAG, a full church of support and love, and the joy of the Sacraments made for a beautiful service. The BC community welcomes these new Catholics into the community with open hearts and arms. May God grant them strength to follow Christ with resolute hearts.

As part of the Still Right initiative, today we’re publishing “College Republicans and Pro-Lifers Organize at B.C.” written by John Dorman and originally published in the March 1, 1984 issue of The Observer, Volume 3, Number 2.

Fast forward to 2010 and the College Republicans and Pro-Life Club are influential organizations on BC’s campus.  The College Republicans regularly host political speakers from around the country.  The Pro-Life Club attends the March for Life in DC and hosts events on the sanctity of human life.