Fr. French, VP of Mission and Identity, Celebrates the Spirit of Duquesne
“Preach the Gospel at all times, if necessary use words.” These words, often attributed to St. Francis of Assisi, provide a framework from which to understand how Fr. Ray French, C.S.Sp., recently appointed vice president for mission and identity, will approach his new University position.
French, who has served as University chaplain and director of Spiritan Campus Ministry since 2000, has witnessed the Duquesne community quietly living the mission through everyday actions. “Our Spiritan mission is woven into the fabric of our institution,” explained French. “Through the years our buildings and structures may have changed, but the spirit has never changed – it is still as alive today as when it first began all those years ago.”
Whether we work with our hands, our minds or our backs, we share in God’s divine work of making new things and serving others. French mentions how a smile from a delivery man, a warm greeting from the grounds crew on a cold day or witnessing a professor reaching out a hand to a struggling student can be life-giving. He warns how easy it is to not recognize the mission being lived.
“There are so many wonderful things happening on a daily basis in every constituency of the University and beyond—I’d love to tell people about it,” said French. “For me, VP means ‘Very Pastoral.’ I want to be an encourager. I see this position as one that lifts up the mission and lets it be seen and celebrated.”
Energized by the possibility of drawing attention to people from every area of the University, French plans to explore ways in which we can draw inspiration and take direction from our commitment to serving God through serving students. He hopes to explore the spirit of the founders and see it articulated more fully within the context of Duquesne University.
“It rejuvenates us to witness our community living the Spiritan mission. It makes us proud and raises the spirit of the University when we can see the connection between the wider congregation and our community,” said French. “And the beauty of it is that each of us articulates it in different way. It’s brilliant.”