The chaplains are honored to be a part of the ongoing spiritual development of the 51С»Æ³µ community. Please contact us for more information about our programs or to have a conversation about your faith or personal concerns.
Marybeth Kearns-Barrett
DirectorÌýof the Chaplains Office
mkearns@holycross.edu
Marybeth Kearns-Barrett M.Div. is the director of the office of college chaplains.Ìý She began her work at 51С»Æ³µ as an assistant chaplain in 1991 after earning a Master of Divinity at the Weston Jesuit School of Theology. Marybeth was appointed director of the office in 2011.Ìý She is a trained spiritual director and has completed a two-year certificate program in spiritual direction in the Ignatian tradition through the Murphy Center for Ignatian Spirituality at Fairfield University.
As a college chaplain Marybeth has worked in the areas of retreat development, LGBTQIA+ support, vocation discernment, and student engagement in the city of Worcester. Currently her work focuses on leadership of college ministries including oversight of Campion House, St. Joseph Memorial Chapel and the Joyce Contemplative Center.Ìý Areas of interest include feminist spirituality, the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, translating Ignatian spirituality for contemporary audiences of all faiths and beliefs, and climate justice.
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Megan Fox-Kelly, LCSW
Associate Director, Associate Chaplain - Retreats and Pastoral Care
mfox@holycross.edu
Having worked at 51С»Æ³µ since 2005, Meg is one of the college chaplains and a licensed clinical social worker who serves as the director of the retreat program. Meg helps to oversee the work done at the Joyce Contemplative Center, including all one-day, overnight, weekend and 5-day retreats for students, faculty, staff and alumni. In addition, Meg co-facilitates the weekly LGBTQIA+ group, the monthly TGNC+ support group and the monthly support group for survivors of sexual assault with colleagues from the Counseling Center. Meg offers individual, confidential, pastoral counseling to students of all class years with a unique interest in the integration of faith and spirituality in the work towards healing. If you would like to make an appointment with Meg, you can email her atÌýmfox@holycross.eduÌýor call the office at (508) 793-2448.
A 51С»Æ³µ graduate of 1999, Meg received her Master of Social Work from the Boston University School of Social Work in 2022 and a Master of Divinity from the Weston School of Theology in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 2003.
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Fr. Jim Hayes, S.J.
Associate Chaplain
jhayes@holycross.edu
Fr. James Hayes, S.J. graduated from 51С»Æ³µ in 1972, served for three years in the U.S. Navy and entered the Jesuits in August 1975. Fr. Hayes has a master's degree in philosophy from Gonzaga University, a Master of Divinity from Regis College of the University of Toronto, a Licentiate degree in Theology from the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, and a master's in pastoral counseling from Loyola College of Maryland. Fr. Hayes spent four years in Jamaica teaching and doing pastoral ministry. He served as chaplain at Fairfield University from 1987-1992, and associate chaplain at 51С»Æ³µ from 1995-1999. From 1999-2004, Fr. Hayes was director of vocations for the Society of Jesus of New England. Fr. Hayes is the founder and first chair of the College's Mission and Identity Committee.
Salena Ibrahim
Assistant Chaplain - Immersions and Multifaith SupportÌý
sibrahim@holycross.edu
Salena Ibrahim joined the Office of College Chaplains in July 2024. She holds a Master of Divinity degree from Boston College's Clough School of Theology and Ministry. Her areas of interest include theologies of migration, liberation, and feminism. Prior to moving to New England, Salena spent a year with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps in Detroit, MI. Salena has accompanied college students in campus and residential ministry, and she brings experience in teaching. Salena is particularly invested in the intersection of faith and justice, and she works with student leaders to coordinate immersion trips over spring break. She also supports the campus community with multifaith resources and opportunities.Ìý
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Marty Kelly
Associate Director, Associate Chaplain - Service and Justice Programs
mkelly@holycross.edu
Marty Kelly is a native of Worcester. Marty began his work at 51С»Æ³µ in 2007 after various experiences in parish, high school, and college ministry. Marty's primary responsibility is to advise Student Programs for Urban Development (SPUD), which facilitates student engagement with our neighbors in Worcester through both direct service and social action. The SPUD program includes more than 500 committed students and serves over 40 diverse sites in Worcester.
Marty is a graduate of Stonehill College and holds a master's degree in theological studies from Weston Jesuit School of Theology. He is married to Meg Fox-Kelly, and they have three sons: Kieran, Sean, and Conor.
Mary LaVigne
Assistant Chaplain
mlavigne@holycross.edu
Mary LaVigne joined the Office of College Chaplains in 2024 after earning dual-Master's degrees from Boston College in Theology and Ministry and Social Work, with a focus in clinical mental health. Before moving to Massachusetts, Mary spent a year in Chicago, IL with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps at a faith-based community resource center. Mary earned her B.A. in Global Studies and Spanish from Loyola University Maryland in 2020. Her areas of interest include feminist theology, Ignatian spirituality, and the integration of social work and spiritual wellness in Jesuit higher education. Mary has accompanied college students in residential life and ministry, and she brings experience in sexual violence prevention, response, and resource navigation.
Mary lives on campus in Brooks Hall, and oversees residence hall ministry, coordinates the weekly, small faith-sharing discussion groups program called Cura Communities, and assists with retreats.
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Laura Nelson
Hospitality Director
lnelson@holycross.edu
Laura Nelson joined the Chaplains Office in October 2019, She studied geology at Hamilton College in upstate New York and worked in the fashion industry for many years in New York City. To explore her longstanding passion for baking, she attended the French Culinary Institute and earned her pastry arts certification. After relocating back to her beloved home state of Massachusetts in 2014, Laura combined her passions for health and wellness and food to become a personal chef. Her primary focus is on healthy menu planning and meal prep for her clients as well as catering to food allergies and plant based nutrition. As hospitality coordinator for the Chaplains' Office, Laura brings her passion for food and serving others to her role. She oversees and mentors the student cooks and bakers, menu plans for luncheons and dinners and, handles the room bookings at the Campion House. Laura lives in Princeton with her husband, two children and a plethora of animals.
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Andrew A. OmondiÌý
Assistant Chaplain
aomondi@holycross.edu
Before joining 51С»Æ³µ as assistant chaplain with special responsibility for outreach to athletes,ÌýOmondiÌýtaught theology at Providence Cristo Rey High School in Indianapolis. He also taught and served in other Jesuit missions in Kenya, Tanzania, South Sudan and Uganda as an educator and a missionary.ÌýOmondiÌýholds a master’s degree in educational psychology from the University of London (IOE) and another master’s degree in theological studies from Boston College. He is married to IzabelaÌýOmondi.ÌýOmondi, Izabela,Ìýand their children Austin and NataliaÌýlive on campus in Brooks-Mulledy Hall where they serve as chaplains-in-residence.Ìý
Joseph Penny
Assistant Chaplain-Liturgy, Office of the College Chaplains
jpenny@holycross.edu
Joe Penny joined the Office of College Chaplains in 2024 after graduating from the Clough School of Theology and Ministry at Boston College with a Masters in Theology and Ministry. During his time at the CSTM, Joe explored the intersections of sacramental theology, jazz/hip-hop studies, theologies of liberation, critical pedagogy, and public theology. Joe comes to the College of the 51С»Æ³µ with experience as a Restorative Justice Facilitator at the College of Saint Benedict and St. John's University Multicultural Center. He has served as a consultant on various DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) initiatives with the Boston Theological Interreligious Consortium and the Clough School of Theology and Ministry at Boston College. Additionally, Joe has served the church as a professional pastoral musician and drummer for over a decade working with Dolores Gomez, Trevor Thomson, Bob Hurd, Meyer Chambers, the Archdiocese of Boston Black Catholic Choir, and M. Roger Holland II.
As an Assistant Chaplain at the College of the 51С»Æ³µ, Joe assists with liturgical coordination, organizes liturgical minister formation in collaboration with liturgical interns, coordinates the chaplains' outreach to Latinx students, faculty, and staff, coordinates marriage preparation for weddings held in St. Joseph Memorial Chapel, and assists with retreats.
In addition to his work as a Chaplain, Joe continues to engage in various forms of creative expression. He played the role of musical guest in the pilot episode of "Neighborhood," a creative reimagining of the Mr. Roger's Neighborhood program. His love for Jazz, Neo-Soul, and Hip-Hop inspires him to transform spaces as a DJ. Finally, Joe continues to nurture his love for poetry by attending to the thematic material that emerges in the world around him.
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Emily Rauer Davis
Associate Director, Associate Chaplain - Immersion Programs
edavis@holycross.edu
Emily Rauer Davis joined the Chaplains' Office in 2014 after moving back to Massachusetts from the West Coast. A 1999 graduate of 51С»Æ³µ, Emily spent a year with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps before completing her Master of Divinity degree at Weston Jesuit School of Theology. Her previous work in ministry has involved both high school and college campus ministry, young adult spirituality programming, and faculty/staff formation. Emily works with a team of student leaders to coordinate trips across the United States over fall and spring breaks, and facilitates pre- and post-immersion reflection and spiritual formation. She also assists with liturgy and retreats and enjoys meeting with students for spiritual direction.
A native of Syracuse, New York, Emily currently lives in Natick with her husband, Andrew, and their two sons, Michael and Peter.
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Laurence Rosania
Assistant Chaplain / Director of Liturgy and Music
lrosania@holycross.edu
Laurence Rosania, a first-generation college graduate and Philadelphia native, received his B.A cum laude from Yale College and an M.A. in Spirituality from Fordham University, with additional study at the Accademia Musicale Chigiana (Siena, Italy) and the College of Music, Temple University.ÌýAs director of liturgy and music, he is responsible for the liturgical ministries of the College and all major campus liturgical celebrations.ÌýAs a liturgical composer, his music is sung throughout the USA and abroad. It is published and recorded by OCP and World Library Publications, and appears in numerous resources including Breaking Bread, Glory and Praise, JourneySongs and .
He has served at three historic New York City churches including the Jesuit Church of St. Francis Xavier, St. Paul the Apostle (Founding Church of the Paulist Fathers), and the Capuchin Church of 51С»Æ³µ-St. John the Baptist. He was artist-in-residence at the Interfaith Center of C.W. Post/Long Island University, and is known for his workshops and retreats in the Psalms and Gregorian chant.ÌýHis commissioned work for churches and schools includes a recent premiere at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, D.C.
Laurence has served on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians /New York, and is an active member of Mensa International.
His career in New York City comprised work as conductor, teacher, accompanist, recording artist, and performances in venues including Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center.ÌýHe has been a resident at the Trappist St. Joseph’s Abbey in Spencer, Massachusetts,ÌýDai Bosatsu ZendoÌýin New York, with Ven. Thich Nhat Hanh in Plum Village, France, and at the ÌýNew York Catholic Worker with Dorothy Day.
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Paula Shanley
Office Coordinator
pshanley@holycross.edu
Paula Shanley began working at 51С»Æ³µ in December 2021. Paula has her bachelor's in communications from Regis College in Weston, Massachusetts and her master's from Boston University. Paula spent many years working in advertising sales and marketing for cable television in New York City. Since her time in the city, she has been working on a variety of freelance marketing and event planning projects for area non-profit organizations. She has enjoyed planning a variety of fundraising events over years and also developed her social media marketing and web design skills. Paula is thrilled to be a part of the Campion House staff and her many skills will help keep the daily office operations running with efficiency. Contact her if you need assistance scheduling a meeting with one of the chaplains. Paula lives in Leominster, Massachusetts with her husband and two children.ÌýÌý