Assumption College’s Campus Ministry staff welcomed the campus community to an open house on Feb. 15 to showcase our newest building. After 20 years of planning and discussions, the Tinsley Family Campus Ministry Center has opened its doors. In October, the Board of Trustees unanimously approved the naming of the center in recognition of the $1 million leadership gift provided to the College from the Tinsley family. This leadership gift was the anchor to a successful fundraising effort that raised over $4.2 million for this beautiful addition to our campus.

Campus Ministry provides an important opportunity for our students to connect to the mission of the College, to strengthen our student’s faith and to integrate the intellectual life with the spiritual life. Campus Ministry serves as a bridge for the dialogue between faith and reason by gathering students and members of this campus community together for reflection, prayer, learning, and service. The addition of the Tinsley Family Campus Ministry Center to the Chapel of the Holy Spirit, located in the heart of our campus, demonstrates the importance of this dialogue to our mission and our faithfulness to our Assumptionist character.

The 8,800-square foot facility includes a large auditorium, a Eucharistic Chapel, a conference room, and offices for the Campus Ministry staff. The building is equipped with air conditioning and restrooms. Adorning the interior will be the Heritage edition of the St. John’s Bible. This publication, consisting of seven volumes, is the first completely hand-written and illuminated version of the Bible to be commissioned by a Benedictine Abbey since the invention of the printing press in the Middle Ages. The Heritage edition is a full-sized reproduction of the original. Only 360 sets exist, and Assumption College will be the only institution in New England that will own this magnificent work. The acquisition of the St. John’s Bible was made possible through the generosity of benefactors Gloria and Normand Marois ’57.

While much of the interior work is complete, this spring will bring new landscaping and a fully complete center. The formal dedication and ribbon cutting will run from April 27^th to April 29^th. These will include a blessing by Bishop Robert McManus, the Ribbon-Cutting, the unveiling of the St. John’s Bible, an academic lecture on the Saint John’s Bible by Father Michael Patella, O.S.B. of St. John’s University, a musical concert with the Chorale and Chapel Choir, and a musical performance by the Assumption College bank. Special thanks to all who made our new center possible. Please join us for these events.