Campus Ministry will miss Lies
By ERIN LaRUFFA
Assistant News Editor
The Campus Ministry office will not be the same next year without Father Jim Lies, the director of spirituality and retreats who will be going to the University of Minnesota for a doctorate in moral psychology.
"There will be a big void with his leaving. ... He just brings a lot of life to the office," said Father John Herman, who has worked with Lies in Campus Ministry. "He's so energetic and enthusiastic."
During his time at Notre Dame, Lies has influenced Campus Ministry, said the people who have worked alongside him.
"He's helped us develop some new retreats," said Father Richard Warner, director of Campus Ministry. Lies also participated as a team member at four or five retreats every year.
Beyond his role as retreat director, Lies has also frequently conducted Mass at the Basilica and has been the author and editor of Campus Ministry's weekly "Considerations" column in The Observer.
The fact that Lies spends time with students has also been important to Campus Ministry.
"He knows so many students, probably from socializing with them," said Sister Susan Bruno, who worked with Lies as co-director of the Notre Dame Encounter with Christ Retreat. Bruno added that she will have to follow Lies' example of interacting with students.
Herman will assume additional responsibilities in directing retreats, while Bruno will assume Lies' role as well as her own in running the Notre Dame Encounter.
In addition, two new priests will be joining the Campus Ministry staff as part of their responsibilities at Notre Dame. Father Jay Steele, currently working in South Bend, will lead retreats. Father Thomas Bednar, who has spent 10 years in Chile, will work with Hispanic students in his role as director of cross-cultural ministry, a position Lies did not hold.
Nevertheless, members of the current Campus Ministry staff said they will miss Lies.
"I think he did a wonderful job," Warner said. "We'll miss him for sure."
"It's a tremendous loss to Campus Ministry, his hall and his friends," Bruno said. "He's been one of my best friends on campus."
However, she said that everyone at Campus Ministry is excited that Lies is pursuing something he has wanted to do for a long time. She also hopes he will come back when not attending classes, something Lies said is probable.
"I hope to return to Notre Dame often, perhaps on the occasional fall weekend," Lies said. "Even as I take my leave of this place, Notre Dame will always be home to me."
Herman said he is confident that Campus Ministry will continue to flourish even after Lies leaves. Lies explained that the strength of the program is the fact that the staff works together in order to minister to students, faculty and staff.
"None of us could do what we do without each other, and none of us would be compelled to do it at all but for our students," Lies said. "Our lay staff is as committed to the mission of this University as anyone associated with this place. Our salaries are evidence enough of that."
In January, the office will move to the new Coleman Center, currently under construction at the site of the old bookstore.
All News Stories for Friday, May 19, 2000
