Heartfelt Messages Highlight Arrupe Awards

Back when he was a graduate student at Boston College, Rev. Joseph G. Marina, S.J., president of The University of Scranton, took a course, "Great Themes of the Bible," instructed by Rev. Richard J. Clifford, S.J., and the late Rev. Thomas D. Stegman, S.J.

It was captivating, creative and so inspiring, Father Marina said, that he still has his notebook from the class and occasionally returns to it.

"Instead of studying sections, like wisdom literature and the prophets and the gospels, they looked at particular themes running through," Father Marina recalled. "We studied, for example, creation through the lens of both testaments. We studied redemption. We studied mercy. It was a great way to become more familiar with the bible."

Father Marina, now the president of The University of Scranton, welcomed Father Clifford to campus on Apr. 10. Father Clifford was the guest of honor, receiving the University's Arrupe Award for Distinguished Contributions to Ignatian Mission and Ministry.

But for all the scholarly wisdom and critical thought Father Clifford instilled in Father Marina, the University president says his fondest memory happened outside the classroom.

"One day we were cooking and it was the middle of the afternoon," Father Marina told the crowd assembled for a luncheon at Leahy Hall. "I said to you, 'I still haven't been to Mass yet.' He said to me, 'Would you like to celebrate together?' And it was just the two of us in our house chapel; me on the one side, he on the other.

"Just a beautiful memory … so personal to me."

Father Clifford was introduced at the Arrupe Award luncheon by Daniel Cosacchi, Ph.D., vice president for mission and ministry at Scranton, who touted him as someone who's lived a life "with faith, intellectual rigor and genuine kindness toward all."

Father Clifford presented a lecture, "Jews and Catholics: Building a Peaceful Future," in which he emphasized the ongoing need for understanding and compassion between the two faiths.

Father Clifford's prolific career, spanning five decades, includes a 38-year run of teaching biblical studied from 1970 to 2008 at Weston Jesuit School of Theology in Cambridge. He joined the Boston College Clough School of Theology and Ministry in 2008 and remains there. His past experience also includes serving as general editor of the Catholic Biblical Quarterly and being the former president of the Catholic Biblical Association.

The University of Scranton established the Arrupe Award in 1995 to recognize individuals who have furthered in a significant way the Ignatian mission. It is named for the late Very Rev. Pedro Arrupe, S.J., the 28th Superior General of the Society of Jesus and sometimes referred to as its "The Second Founder."