Interfaith Services

Interfaith Services is an opportunity for students to explore and expand their understanding of their own faiths and others’ faiths. Interfaith Services provides pastoral care and services to the college community, which includes spiritual counseling, availability of the sacraments and spiritual direction. Interfaith Services emphasizes respect for differing perspectives, focuses on service through the lens of interfaith, and explores how faith plays a role in the college experience. The goals of the college’s Interfaith Services are as follows:

• • Foster respect for people’s diverse religious identities and build relationships between people by learning and serving together.
  • Create opportunities for the college community to understand the meaning of one’s existence and linkage to internal awareness and happiness.
  • Represent the College on the CUNY Interfaith Advisory Board, which is comprised of a diverse group of proven leaders who represent various faith traditions.
  • Support respectful dialogue with students of differing faiths, and foster a community of religious acceptance, measured through participation.

About our Campus Chaplain, Father Ralph Rivera, S.J.

Ralph Rivera, S.J., a priest of the Jesuit Order and a representative of the Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn, is the Chaplain for Medgar Evers College community. Additionally, in collaboration with other religious leaders and community members at Medgar Evers College, plays an important role in the ongoing discussions to bring a faith and spirituality center to the campus. Father Rivera will help coordinate a support network to assist MEC in providing counseling and support to the campus community, inclusive of every religion, race and ethnicity represented on the campus. Services include personal counseling, and support and assistance to individuals experiencing domestic violence and abuse.

Father Rivera is available to meet with students in Room S-307 in the Student Services Building on Tuesdays 9:00am – 11:00am and Thursdays 10:00am – 12:00pm. In addition, every Tuesday, from 11:30am to 12:00pm, Father Rivera celebrates mass for any members of the campus community that wish to attend: students, faculty, staff and administration. Mass takes place at the Jesuit Community Chapel, located at 1101 Carroll Street (on the corner of Rogers Avenue and Carroll Street).