Current Meeting Materials - Seton Hall University

May 2024

Greetings to the Seton Hall family!

The Easter season has just concluded, but the joy of Easter continues and is reflected in the beauty of God’s planet which is unfolding during late spring. In Vermont, where I live during the warmer months, the “mud season” has been replaced by the return of green leaves, budding plants, and the sound of chirping birds. Despite this joy, I am conflicted because of the unrest at university campuses which affects young people and deprives them of the happiness that they should feel at the completion of the school year. We should pray with gratitude about nature’s beauty and with petition for the protection of our younger people.

Three articles are presented this month. One, written by a bishop, is a Catholic perspective on the migrant crisis in America. The other two, written by executives, provide examples of empathetic leadership.

Mark Seitz is a bishop on the southern border of the United States. He believes that the migration problem is perilous and often deliberately characterized by language that is dehumanizing and reductionist. From Seitz’s perspective, this presents a pastoral challenge for the Church which must act with urgency to find new solutions, and be in solidarity with migrants who are marginalized.

The other pieces do not directly address the migrant crisis, but offer a framework which might be applicable to the problem. In Kevin Kelly’s small organization, the leadership tirelessly tries to meet employees “where they are.” This approach is transformative for both his executive team, and worker development and commitment.

Kristine Mackey provides insight and lessons learned from the Spiritual Exercises. In Annotation 22 of the Exercises, Ignatius prescribes “assuming the best in others” at all times which includes during deliberations to resolve problems. Following this prescription is the approach taken by Kevin Kelly’s team; Ignatius’s directive also aligns well with Bishop Seitz’s hope to look at the border crisis through the eyes of migrants.

As the school year winds down, the Micah group will also pause to refresh and relax. May you and your families enjoy the summer season! I look forward to resuming our correspondence in September.

Wally Kennedy