Reflection on the Alemany Dinner and what DSPT means to me.
By Sophia Leahy Stone
This year I was blessed with the opportunity to serve my alma mater, DSPT, at the 2007 Alemany Award Celebration. The event turned out to be one of the most rewarding activities I have participated in, and has moved me to write this reflection piece on what it means to serve and be part of the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology tradition.
The event was to honor Eleanor Westbrooke and Scott Connolly, who have contributed significantly to the service of the school through their employment. It was evident in the speeches made that the two honored individuals served selflessly and lovingly with a devotion that is rarely witnessed these days in the working world. Many guests, but I think those especially whose lives have been touched by Eleanor and Scott, were moved to tears when the awards were given. I counted four standing ovations in total.
Through out the course of the reception and dinner, members from all aspects of the school served effortlessly and graciously with smiles and gratitude so that the guests, the honored and the donors, could thoroughly enjoy themselves. Staff, alumni, current students, both religious and lay, worked together in the setting up and cleaning up of the event. Fr. Chris Renz, O.P., who is the Academic Dean, served guests trays of delectable delights with a genuine smile and sparkle in his eyes. Even Fr. Michael Sweeney, O.P., the President of the school, served platters with a smile and a chuckle. I was delightfully surprised to see Fr. Richard Schenk, O.P., a scholar and teacher whom I very much admire for his intellect and values, serving guests the entire evening with the same concentration, determination and devotion that he attends to his research. There were many, many other people who selflessly contributed, but what amazes me the most was that I did not hear anyone complain, we all worked together, and that it seemed like the evening was enjoyable for all, servers and guests. I have not attended such a function in my life where it appeared that everyone, from the chef, to the servers, to the clean up crew, to the valet attendants, and all the guests—had an enjoyable evening. The cause of my tears of joy on the way home and right now, is the realization that it was all in the name of Love, all in the name of God, serving our community together, joyfully and effortlessly through Him.
In The Aquinas Prayer Book that was given to the laity who helped with this event, there is a prayer ‘for Ordering a Life Wisely’, and in this prayer there are descriptions that accurately portray the service of the night:
O lord my God, make me
submissive without protest,
poor without discouragement,
chaste without regret,
patient without complaint,
humble without posturing,
cheerful without frivolity,
mature without gloom,
and quick-witted without flippancy.
It has never felt so good to be part of the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology. I pray that we will continue to have opportunities like this, to serve together in such a joyful fashion, for the good of both heart and soul.
-------
See also the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology Events Calendar and Academic Calendar.
Details about the wide range of events happening across the GTU consortium are available at the GTU website.
about us | news & events | admissions
faculty | academics | student services
