The Saint Rose Chronicle

Issue date: 10/28/09 Section: News

Media Credit: Josie Orsini

Media Credit: Josie Orsini

In 1968, the College of Saint Rose was forced to cancel a retreat because there was not enough student interest to justify the cost. At the time, the school realized the need to change their approach to student involvement in religious activities, since they had previously been required. This ability to recognize and adapt to evolving attitudes has continued through the years.

The demographic of Saint Rose has changed in many ways over time, going from being an all-girls school with a majority of students claiming the Roman Catholic faith, to a co-ed institution that reveres its Catholic history and heritage, but embraces an interfaith environment.

"There has been a growth in culture toward secularism," said Father Chris DeGiovine, Dean of Spiritual Life at the College of Saint Rose.

This change in culture has impacted students who have not chosen the school because of its religious aspects, but whose religious presence has affected their behavior.

"I go to church more often now than I did back home because there is a church on campus," said Steven Herrera, 18, of Brooklyn, a freshman who says his choice to attend Saint Rose was for academic reasons.

"Today it's less about religion, and more about spirituality," said DeGiovine. "It's a very different world."

On the surface, it appears as though religion is decreasing, but possibly it is just evolving. By having an interfaith sanctuary as opposed to a chapel, the school has accepted differing religions as opposed to just one. It is this open-minded method that encourages students to take their own approach to religion.

"I suppose I pray a little more than I would, but that's about it," said Amanda Daley, 18, of Clifton Park, a freshman who also says she chose the school for its academics, despite her Catholic background.

While it seems like there may be less of a religious following in general, another factor could be location.

According to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany (RCDA), demographic changes have been occurring throughout the northeastern United States, and show a population shift from less church membership in the cities, to more in the suburban and rural areas.

"In recent years, cities throughout the northeast have lost population," said Ken Goldfarb, Director of Communications for the RCDA. "As a result, churches built to serve hundreds, perhaps even one or two thousand families, would now see fewer than 100 people attend Mass on any given Sunday."

Much to the dismay of parishioners, decreasing participation numbers locally have resulted in recent church closings and consolidations. This took place under the Albany Dioceses Called to BE church process, a two-year collaboration of hundreds of meetings and input from thousands of Catholic participants, focused on forming a plan for the future of the churches.

"There's no question that the closing of parishes is a difficult and painful process for the people of the parish, for which there is a great spiritual and emotional attachment. All of the people involved in this process empathize with the painful adjustments that will be required," said Bishop Howard J. Hubbard in a press release on the RCDA website, which explained the initiative. "We as a church must acknowledge the social and demographic trends that require change, and remember our Church must adapt."

The process called for 33 worship sites to close and cited most cities to have lost between 25 and 39 percent of their populations since 1960, while suburban areas have grown by 50 percent. It also showed fewer men entering the priesthood, resulting in fewer clergy to serve in the suburbs where demand is high.

"These two factors are the leading reasons why it was necessary to take a new look at the future structure of our diocese and its parishes," said Goldfarb. "To make sure that the Church remained vibrant and continued to carry out its mission in an effective way."

These changes directly affected Saint Rose when RCDA asked Saint Rose to work more collaboratively with Saint Vincent's Church on masses and retreats.

So while it could be seen that approaches toward religion are evolving, as a result of overriding secularism or demographic changes, it remains certain that adapting to the changing ideals will continue to be the way to keeping religion alive.

"I hear a lot of people say although they are not practicing religion, many claim to be spiritual," said DeGiovine. "It'll be an interesting challenge to try to figure out what that means to people."

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