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Dear Friend(s):

May the Peace of Christ Be With You!

Allow me to introduce myself to you; I am Fr. Corey S. Van Kuren and I have recently been appointed by Bishop James Moynihan as Chaplain to the Newman House at Binghamton University. I am succeeding Fr. Robert J. Sullivan, who has served here for 34 years. I myself am just completing a 12-year term as Pastor of Saint Paul's Church in Binghamton, NY. I also manage Pastoral Care for United Health Care, here in the Southern Tier (Wilson Memorial Hospital in Johnson City, NY and Binghamton General Hospital in Binghamton).

I am originally from Johnson City, NY, just across the river. I was a member of the Capuchin Franciscan Order for 9 years before coming to the Diocese of Syracuse and have served as a priest for 22 years. I am challenged and excited by this new appointment to a different and lively apostolate of Campus Ministry.

This appointment is challenging for a couple of reasons: First, I am succeeding a revered chaplain in the person of Fr. Bob Sullivan. His mere longevity, coupled with his love for the students and availability to them and the staff and faculty make him difficult to follow. I pray I might do half as well! Secondly, this ministry is new to me. The parish offers varied challenges to a wide spectrum of people, whereas here, the ministry is directed towards the students primarily. I pray that I might be able to address their search for spiritual truth in a relative, challenging and meaningful way. Thirdly, our success in being the presence of Christ and His Church on this campus relies heavily on your support!

This ministry is supported primarily by two sources, the Diocese of Syracuse, through the Hope Appeal and the Newman Foundation. If you are presently supporting the Hope Appeal, we need you to continue to do so. If you are presently supporting the Newman Foundation, we need you to continue to do so, if you are not, we NEED you to begin! You CAN be a support to us in many ways:

First, we need your PRAYERS! Prayer is the lifeblood of all ministries and we are no different. We will be successful only to the extent that we pray for the wisdom to do God's Will in this ministry for the good of the students, staff and faculty of Binghamton University. Please make this an intention of your daily prayer.

Secondly, we need your PARTICIPATION! We need you to re-associate yourself with us in any form that is possible for you. Maybe coming here for worship with the students on weekends, maybe serving on our Board of Directors, aiding us with your expertise in our ministry here, maybe financially you can support our ministry, any or all of these are needed by this ministry.

At the very least, we NEED to get re-acquainted! Please, forward to us any updated information on you, ESPECIALLY your e-mail. Through this we will be able to stay in contact with you and let you know what new and exciting things are occurring here at the Newman House. You will be able to receive NEWS by E-MAIL. Please return this info to us ASAP!

I hope you can share my excitement about our new beginnings here at Newman House. I look forward to hearing from you and hopefully, meeting you. Please know that you and all our associates are held in prayer daily here at Newman House and that we are here for you and your loved ones. Christ loves you and so do we!

May God Bless Us and May Mary, Keep Us Always In His Love!

Fr. Corey S. Van Kuren
Chaplain, Newman House at Binghamton University