canisiushigh.org
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TODay F e at u r e
Pastor of the school
Fr. Joe likes to use the word “pastor” to describe his role as
the president of Canisius High School. “Jesuit teachers have
always seen themselves as pastors of the classroom,” he
explains. “While teachers have rules, and regulations and
guidelines to follow, they must be applied pastorally to the
individual. At Canisius, we help in every way we can for
students to develop their own unique, individual talents for
the service of others.”
To that point, Fr. Joe notes the motto men for others, the
foundational element of Jesuit education at schools like
Canisius worldwide. As he begins his leadership at Canisius
High School, he says he would like to begin adding the word
“with” to that motto: “Men For andWith Others.”
“As Rev. Gregory Boyle points out in his book,
’Tattoos on the Heart’
, Jesus was not just a man
for others, he was one with others,”
Fr. Joe
says.
“It is not enough to be a leader; you must
truly understand the heart of the people you
are with. Perhaps our new Jesuit pope, Pope
Francis, put it best when he said, ’The shepherd
must smell like his sheep.’”
Fr. Joe concludes, “Given what we do within Canisius –
bringing a diverse population reflecting the greater Buffalo
area together with one another – we are seeking unity and
inviting all the many different people into our sense of
mission. When we take it outside the walls of Canisius, I
think that mission can transform the city, the country and
ultimately the world.”
Installation in September
The Canisius High School community gathered in the school
auditorium on September 20 for a Mass of the Holy Spirit
and the installation of Fr. Joe as president. The Very Reverend
David Ciancimino, S.J., Provincial for the New York Province
of the Society of Jesus and former Canisius High School
principal, presided over the mass and installation.
Rev. Robert Pecoraro, S.J. was co-presider and members
of the Jesuit Community of Western New York served as
concelebrants for the mass which was attended by the
entire student body, faculty and staff, members of the
board of trustees, other invited guests and members of
Fr. Joe’s family.
During his homily, Fr. Joe referenced a play he once attended
on the life of legendary football coach, Vince Lombardi.
At the time, Fr. Joe had just completed overseeing a
major renovation of his parish church, St. Francis Xavier
in Manhattan. At dinner before attending the play, he told
a friend and fellow Jesuit that he felt his job was finished;
that there was nothing left for him to do as leader of the
parish. Fr. Joe says he felt rather desolate.
At the end of the play, the actor portraying Lombardi held
out a football to the audience and said he was presenting the
game ball to them stating, “Because, you’re worth it!” Then
the actor, seemingly looking right at Fr. Joe in the audience,
says, “Because you’re not finished!” Fr. Joe took it to heart,
realizing he was not finished and his ministry had more in
store for him.
“Why do the faculty, staff, administrators, and
benefactors of Canisius High School do what
they do, holding out that game ball to you?”
Fr. Joe asks the students.
“Because you’re
worth it! But for everyone at Canisius, we are
not finished. The Spirit inside each and
every one of us never stops and calls us forth
to be men and women for and with others.”
To view a video of Fr. Joe’s homily scan the
QR code or visit canisiushigh.org
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