NOLA, 2012

Students visiting with 3 Christian Brothers

Zambia, 2012

Rob Droel '12 with the Christian Brothers

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

IIM: Zambia 2012

Quick break from their studies!  Gabrielle Witt '13 with the students of Changa Changa Community School. 

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Zambia 2012

Christina DiStanislao '13 balancing a bundle of sticks on her head.

Zambia 2012

Jessalyn Marconi '14, Jessica Scapparo '13, Aly Luiso '15, Julia Zorn '12, Gabrielle Witt '13, Kate Gonta '14, Rob Droel '12, Nicole Avedis, Christina DiStanislao '13, Jaclyn Shearer '14

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Mission Trips: An Invaluable Cliché?


The formula is clear: go to college, go on a mission trip, find yourself.

Matthew McGinnity returned to school as a 23-year-old junior. Matthew Romano finally found something he cared about. Jacqueline Keeley turned down an acceptance letter to graduate school.

So has humanity finally stumbled upon a proven recipe to the time-old question of self-discovery?

“It may be cliché to 'find oneself’ through a mission trip,” said Tiffany DiNome, director of the Iona in Mission program at Iona College. “But it is a cliché because it has happened so often. And there is validity behind that. All clichés start somewhere meaningful.”

It is estimated that more than 1.5 million Christian-Americans take part in such mission trips annually, with an estimated $2 billion spent annually as well, according to Dr. Robert Priest, a missiology professor at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, in a 2008 article in Missiology journal.

Business is booming for short-term mission trips. And while the attraction may lie in the transfixing testimonials of those whose lives were drastically changed, the reality is that each student emerges from the experience differently.

DiNome states that such trips are invaluable for students to gain a new perspective both on how others live and to see oneself in an entirely new light. It isn't until one is immersed in the culture, stripped of creature comforts, when one realizes how simply others live without question. And this realization, DiNome says, will never be clichéd.

"It doesn't have to be a life-changing event,” said college sophomore Romano, “Sure, you could learn a lot about yourself. But I think it is the little things, the minute details that you see that matter most."

As an undecided sophomore, he scrambled to declare a major. He had no idea of what he wanted to do—so he chose criminal justice, a ‘secure job path.’ Then, he went to New Orleans.

Romano had found his passion, and it lay right in front of his eyes. As he worked tirelessly to finish a simple brick walkway at Trinity Lutheran Church, surrounded by the still-devastated Ninth Ward, he learned more about himself than ever before.

Time, he said, is the most valuable thing one can give. Now a public relations major, he hopes to represent a nonprofit organization in the future.

These short-term mission trips often do not last for more than two weeks. The activities of students are typically mapped out, hour by hour. Yet when placed within these thorough schedules, students are directly faced with tragedy—how they respond is up to them.

 Jacqueline Keeley, a senior at Iona College, chose to attend a mission to Cochabamba, Bolivia, on an emotional whim. Her best friend was leading the trip, she had nothing else to do over spring break, and a part of her knew something was missing from her life.

 “I was always one of those people who thought it was a cliché,” said Keeley, “I just thought I was going to be helping to change the lives of the people of Cochabamba, but they were the ones who changed me.”

Perhaps fitting the cliché all too well, Keeley has remodeled her life entirely based upon these precious moments. She will be returning to Bolivia after Christmas to work at El Centro de Infantil, a preschool, to teach. She will be able to reunite with the children that loved her without question—that taught her to love unconditionally.

While mission trips can easily be dismissed as clichéd opportunities for students to discover themselves, the intentions behind them can be nothing but pure. Matthew McGinnity, who travelled to Haiti his senior year of high school, employs his haunting memories of the citizens living in humble poverty there to appreciate what he has.    

A resounding consensus confirms that students attending mission trips do emerge with something in common. It may not be a perfectly packaged identity or purpose, but it is newfound appreciation for life. It’s no wonder why they are so popular.

"My experience gave me more than I could ever imagine. I want to succeed, I want to pursue my
dreams," says McGinnity, "I just want to deserve it."

-By Mackenzie Mennucci

Iona in Mission: Agape


During the week of May 14, nine Iona students, along with Dr. Meryl Nadel and Dr. Carl Procario-Foley, were guests of the Agape Community in Ware, Massachusetts where participants learned about sustainable agriculture, non-violence and many ecological practices to promote simple living and respect for the earth’s dwindling natural resources.  Students tilled soil, planted a garden, and ate vegetarian meals.  Rainy and overcast weather did not keep the Ionians from gathering and stacking wood that will serve to heat the main residence, Francis House, throughout the fall and into next winter as the Agape community plans to host colleges and universities as well as inner city church communities.  In addition to preparing a garden, the Ionians also planted wildflower and, for the second year in a row, an Iona tree, that was blessed with water from the Island of Iona. 


  Agape founders, Brayton Shanley and Suzanne Belotte Shanley, presented on topics of non-violence and vegetarianism while Prof. Michael Boover (Anna Maria College) educated the Iona contingent about the Catholic Worker movement founders’ Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin, specifically, the latter’s vision of the “agronomic university.”  The Shanley’s “grease-run” car was also a topic of interest as participants learned about the upkeep, costs and benefits of this vehicle.  Finally, a trip to a local land conservancy trust included a presentation on sustainable forestry practices.   

The days at Agape began with inter-faith prayer services and ended with reflection sessions that included time both for personal sharing and silent meditation.   On the last night participants serenaded each other with guitar and ukulele solos as well as original poems.  On the morning of the last day, clearly attuned to the good times he was missing, a large black bear came for a visit.  As he circled the house, he happily found grease cans that provided a yummy, vegetarian fare for breakfast.  


Tics, rain, and a formidable furry friend did not prevent the Iona contingent from benefiting greatly from this enlightening, educational week provided by the hospitable and inspiring Agape hosts and founders, Brayton and Suzanne.

-Carl Procario-Foley, Phd. 


Iona in Mission: Go New Ro-Why apply to GNR by Colleen!

Incoming freshmen should consider applying to Go New Ro because it is an amazing introduction to the Iona and New Rochelle communities.   Two years ago when I was an incoming freshman I, like most incoming students, was nervous about entering college and was concerned about fitting in and making friends.  Go New Ro gave me the opportunity to meet new people while getting a chance to be involved in serving the New Rochelle community and learning more about Iona and myself. 

During the experience I was able to meet other students who were passionate about service and eager to get involved. I was also able to meet upperclassmen and faculty members who were excited to meet us and help make our first experience at Iona an extremely enjoyable and positive experience.  Go New Ro gave me the reassurance that I would fit in at Iona and make friends.  By the time August rolled around I felt confident about entering this new environment knowing that I already knew some other incoming students as well as upperclassmen and faculty members that I could look to for support during my transition into college life. If an incoming freshman is worried about their transition into college, wants a preview into some of the opportunities Iona has to offer, or is just ready to get involved at Iona as soon as possible then Go New Ro is the perfect experience to apply for.

Monday, May 21, 2012

Iona in Mission: Go New Ro 2012

Name:  Michele Sampson, MS

Department/Position: Director of Off-Campus Housing
How does Go New Ro connect to your position here at Iona?  My job involves helping students transition as successful citizens into the greater New Rochelle community. Go New Ro helps me nurture young civic leaders who know a lot about New Rochelle!
Why do you love Iona? I love Iona because of the people who work here!  My colleagues all really care about the work we do with students and are committed to each student's success!  It's a very collaborative and supportive environment centered around helping students!
Why is Go New Ro such an important experience?  Go New Ro is one of my favorite programs each year because I get to see a new group of incoming students each year fall in love with Iona and New Rochelle
Favorite New Rochelle Restaurant: Hands down: Coromandel Indian Cuisine on Division Street! 

Iona in Mission: Zambia Day 3

We woke up and went to breakfast at 8:30 am. Most of us shared stories of waking up at various hours of the night (most alongside their roommate). For breakfast, there was a variety of food including bread, fruit and cereal. Soon after, Brother Banda arrived in a truck where most of us piled in the back after Christina said our group prayer.

When we arrived at the school, Brother Banda once again welcomed us and introduced us to Brother Jim, who had graduated from Iona and has spent 4 years in Africa, in Zambia and South Africa. Brother Jim spoke with us for about two hours and spread so much knowledge that he called his "biased view," but I think most of us respected it as honest and true. What I recall most from his talk was the peace he spoke of in Africa, specifically Zambia, as opposed to South Africa. I'm sure everyone has different moments they remember, but I found his genuine respect for how blessed he felt, humbling from someone who sets out to help others.

At the end of our talk with Brother Jim, we broke up for coffee, water and snacks and met again with Brother Banda. We received our tentative schedule for our stay, which I think everyone was excited about. There's so much each day that I can't wait for in new experiences. We then watched a short video with Brother Banda about Zambia and the "millennium goals" for Zambia coming up in just a few years. Our discussion after the video consisted of many topics, including the copper resources, HIV/AIDS, and women's education. I thought this was a great follow up to Brother Jim's talk because I personally reflected on the statistics he spoke about, such as 1/3 of the children at St. Edmund's are orphans and he related that to the research that should go into the social implications. Another idea that I believe struck many of us was the endless resource of copper, yet the poverty levels have not decreased (Also, the program Brother Banda spoke about in regards to male attitudes toward women was very intriguing).

After this talk at about 1 pm, we ha a lunch that consisted of chicken and beef pies and cole slaw. Lunch was followed by our group walk-throughs of Mazabuka. Bwallea was my guide along with Aly, Jess and Jeanne. We went on sand roads, saw the police station, walked on train tracks and through the main town in Mazabuka with little shops and many people.  I personally felt that seeing the women and children pumping water and carrying it on their heads made this experience seem more real. When we got back to Tukale Lodge, it was time to relax. Many of us wrote in our journals, read our books and spent time thinking about the day. Dinner was at 6:30 and was filled with vegetables, chicken, beef, rice and Nshima--yummy!

"No matter how full the river, it still wants to grow" (Zaire).

-Julia Zorn, Class 2012

Iona in Mission: Zambia Day 1 and Day 2


Yesterday we all met at JFK at 7:30 am for our 11:20 am flight. Everyone seemed excited and only a few were nervous, well, mostly me. After waiting around by the gate for a while, we finally boarded our first flight. The plane was huge and had people from various countries. The 12 hour ride to Dubai didn't seem as long as I thought it would be. With so many different movies, TV Shows and CDs to entertain myself with, the flight seemed to fly by (no pun intended)! There was also so much food that also took up a lot of time. Once we landed in Dubai, we had about 20 minutes to relax before we boarded our second flight to Lusaka. This plane was not as large but still was full of people. The second flight only lasted 7 hours and I slept through practically the whole flight. As we landed in Lusaka, we were greeted by Brother Banda, Brother Tidas and a few other men. We drove to a mall where we exchanged money and bought snacks. We then loaded back into the van and had a two hour drive to Mazabuka where we ate with the Christian Brothers at St. Edmund's School. We had Nshema, rice, chicken with veggies and kale while we talked about our upcoming schedule. After dinner, we drove down the road to Tukale Lodge where we will be spending the rest of our stay.

"Familiarity breeds contempt; distance breeds respect" (Nigerian Proverb).

-Jessica Scaparro, Class 2013

Iona in Mission: Chicago

On Monday, May 14 we arrived at the Brother David Darst Center. A few hours after we settled in, we went to the Epsworth Shelter. At the shelter, we heard the stories of many people who are currently homeless. I spoke to three men in particular. Each person shared their story.  One shared that he had moved to the United States from Morocco. He originally lived in Baltimore which he described to me to me as affordable but not a nice neighborhood to live in. From there he moved to Chicago where he did not know anybody. He has been living on the streets since. Another person and I discussed why Michael Jordan decided to manage the Charlottesville Bobcats instead of the Chicago Bulls. There was something about that gentleman that made me have a realization. He had a bachelor's degree in history from Depaul University and a master's degree in mathematics and education from University of Illinois at Chicago. This made me realize that even the most educated people could become homeless. Despite his current conditions, he seemed optimistic and was at least able to apply to many schools in order to become a teacher. The third person I spoke with from Cameroon. We discussed why Americans are more entertained by a normal baseball game than a world soccer match. He then asked me a question that struck me. He asked why are you here? I responded because I was on a mission trip with my school that is located in New York. I also responded that ever since I was a child, I have been more than willing to help the less fortunate. Afterwards, the director of the shelter revealed some vital information that he was once homeless. He had two bachelor's degrees in public relations and some other subject. He has also attained a master's degree in political science and once worked under President Obama. This discouraged me because even if I follow the right path, I too could become homeless. But then I remembered that he told us to always have a social safety net, which put me at ease. This experience has also made me aware that I need to become more involved in politics and possibly become a politician in order to truly help the homeless and make a difference.

-Austin Morrison, Class 2015

Iona in Mission: Chicago

On Tuesday, May 15, we went to two sites, one St. James where we took part in a food pantry and the other assisting in an after school program for at Port Ministries.

At St. James, Christina and I were given the task to hand out the bags of food to the men and women that came in during the distribution of the food. One of the first things that struck me was not the amount of people that should up, but the number of bags that they were allowed to have. The system was basically set up in which families of 1-3 persons received two bags of food, and families of 4+persons received 3 bags, and all of them had the option to ask for 1 additional item such as a bar of soap, toilet paper, or toothpaste. The reason why this stuck out to me so much was because those bags were expected to last them for the entire month, and although I can understand this because the food was supposed to be rationed out so that there would be enough for everyone, I thought it was simply amazing how families with 4 or more people are still grateful for receiving just one bag of food. It really showed me that these men and women were really willing to admit that they had needed help and that they were willing to go to food pantries to make sure that their families had food to eat.  It really warmed my heart that these people were not only grateful for the food, but they were also excited to meet us and were happy to see our smiling faces as we greeted them a good morning.

Port Ministries was a different experience than anything I was used to. We were told that the students there were from families that either had close to nothing in terms of food/shelter or they were growing up in neighborhoods that were extremely dangerous and didn't challenge them academically. I was extremely surprised when I met these children because I could not imagine living in a place that didn't give you the opportunities necessary to succeed. A lot of these children had the idea that they would not be able to be anything more in life not just because of the effects of a poor education, but because their parents didn't "succeed" and the society they live in don't expect that much from them.

These experiences opened my eyes a lot more to the effects that negative influences may have on young children and how they view the world. I worked with Austin on this day and we tutored two young girls that were around the age of 7. We were told that English was their second language and that they were not able to speak in English very well. However, they were able to read and write beautifully! I think they should be encouraged more and commended for their accomplishments. Overall, that day was extremely rewarding because I was able to learn more about the hardships of being in a society that doesn't have a lot of positive influences, and what it is like to actually help another person by giving them something that they'll need in their everyday life that could make it a little bit easier. I am really looking forward to the other life lessons that will be coming this week.

-Shanice Gilchrist, Class 2014

Thursday, May 17, 2012

All smiles en route to Shiprock!

Iona in Mission: Chicago


Today I had the honor of interacting with both children and adults that have been affected by social injustice in one way or another. One of the highlights of the day was visiting St. Leonard's which is a center that helps recently released convicts work toward a positive future. At St. Leonard's we spoke with former convicts and learned about how they wound up in prison, what their experiences were like, and what their hopes are for the future -- it was sad and enlightening at the same time. Their stories made me realize how one mistake can change your entire life, but it also taught me that change is not voluntary.  It is never too late to make a change and with hard work and dedication anything is possible.

-Shristi Gagurel, Class of 2015

Iona in Mission: New Mexico

I can honestly say that I've learned the true meaning of human compassion. Being in New Mexico I have met so many people that have changed my views. Here are some examples:

From the man who feeds his chicken even though they don't lay eggs, the woman who lives by the saying "life is good", the man who met me at 8:30am to give me a ring he custom made for me since I fell in love with it in the wrong size, the 9 trip participants who paid for my ring because they knew how much I loved it, the 5 men and women who volunteer their Monday through Friday to serve over 100 people at a soup kitchen, the woman who saves everything for her compost in order to give back to the earth that gives her so much, the group of 60 sixth graders who helped us plant beans, pick weeds, and pick fruits and the community farm, the tribal elder who drove 4 hours to share stories, songs and a meal with us, the man who walked 10 women around New Mexico while putting up with our picture taking and chatting just so he could show us the beautiful sunset.

The people I have met here and the experiences I have had at the soup kitchen and the community farm have taught me what human compassion is. True, undeniable compassion in its truest form. I am going to miss Santa Fe and the laid back "get here when you get here" attitude. I feel like even my pulse has slowed down! It was amazing to take a minute and relax, close my eyes and reflect. What I decided was that we are lucky to be on this earth and we should treasure every day.

We have seen so much in the short amount of time that we have been here! We saw the oldest house in the US to a church without steeples (because they were too lazy to finish them, haha). We also saw the "Indian Schools" which has been renovated now but used to be boarding schools that the Native American children were ripped from their families and forced to attend at as early as the age of 6. We have seen rivers that do not contain any water...which was confusing at first! And we have seen beautfiul mountains, sunsets and stars.

I feel blessed to have made the friends I have in Santa Fe and I can not wait to travel to Shiprock New Mexico tomorrow and see what they have in store for us! (like outdoor sleeping tents!)

-Lauren Zanfardino, IIM Student Leader, Class of 2013

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Iona in Mission: Chicago

All semester long we had been preparing for our mission trip to Chicago, Illinois. We attended meetings, fund-raised, and strengthened our bond as a team. It felt like the day would never come, but now it is finally here. As I prepare to embark on my first Iona in Mission trip, I cannot wait become closer with my team, and meet so many amazing people in the windy city! I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to spread the Iona mission and share my fortune with others. I am anxious and excited to travel to a city that I am a stranger to. I hope that the people we meet will learn as much from us as we will from them. We have all worked very hard to prepare for our journey and when we hop on that early flight to Chicago I know we will be more excited than ever! I can't wait to share my experiences and what I have learned with the rest of the Iona community when we return. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we embark on our wonderful adventure!

Laura Lubrano, 2014

Iona in Mission: Agape

On the way to Massachusetts everyone took these few hours to get a quick nap in before we arrived at the community, and we're lucky we did! After a quick orientation on the organic and self-sufficient nature of Agape Community by Suzanne and Brayton Shanley, founders and operators.   We enjoyed an excellent lunch of vegetarian chili and an Agape vegetable soup. 

Then, we were unexpectedly put to work right away. We all worked hard clearing some brush from the entrance to a little wooded area right near St. Francis House, the house where we will be staying this week. Brayton then recruited us all to help him organize a pile of wood by size for stacking. This pile was MASSIVE. It must have been five feet high, eight feet wide, and twenty feet long! It took us about an hour, maybe an hour and a half to conquer it, and boy were we proud. Afterward, we had some rest and relaxation time, while Kyle prepared us vegetarian tacos for dinner--they were delicious!

Our reflection tonight was based on drawing up and discussing our "Life Maps," a diagram of where we are from and how we became who we are today. This was a great time for opening up, and we all got to know each other very well, hearing about the challenges and triumphs of each participant. Later on, the evening quickly and quietly winded down to a much needed bed time.

    So far, Agape has been everything I've expected of it and more. I signed up for the Iona in Mission trip looking for a chance to spend some time with nature, and simplify my life from all the excess, and boy did I sign up for the right trip! Despite considering myself an avid fan of text-messaging, I haven't even turned my phone on since we got here, and I don't think I'll be compelled to at any point soon. All of the work here is in the forests, and the garden, picking up trees, turning soil, so on, so forth, and I can't wait to face the work week ahead! The reflection time is great as well.   Despite not being the most religious person, I still found significance in the reflections and prayer times. I cannot wait to see what tomorrow holds, all I know is I've got to be up bright and early to make breakfast! Good night, Agape!

-Kevin Towler, 2015

Iona in Missio: Chicago

Iona in Mission: Chicago St. James Soup Kitchen

Iona in Mission: Chicago Team at St. James Soup Kitchen

Iona in Mission: New Mexico

Although my New Mexico experience has just started, it has been quite the adventure. From the start of our journey at the airport, to these past 24 hours in Santa Fe at a community farm and La Plaza, I have been exposed to so much, which I am truly grateful to have experienced. Our day of travel transferring planes and waiting in airports was exhausting, but when we arrived we were met by our laid back friendly leader who is so exemplary of the culture in New Mexico. Hearing the story of our leader and the stories of so many others has been so interesting and eye opening as it forces us to reflect back upon our lives, the experiences we have had, and the things that we value.

At the community farm we were exposed to the labor associated with running a farm. Joining in the activities like picking weeds, planting beans, and picking apples was such a unifying experience and truly allowed us to feel as if we were part of the farm for the day. Being the first time I was ever on a farm, I didn’t know what to expect, but once we arrived I was able to join right in as the people there were so friendly and open and helped us to work to improve the farm. At the farm we learned all creatures and things hold value here and nothing is put to waste. It’s so refreshing to be around people who live so efficiently and peacefully.

Later on we walked through La Plaza or the town and learned about the history of New Mexico. As we walked it became clear that everything was very close and easily accessible and that the people are close too as they even regard newcomers as family. In La Plaza, the handmade Native American jewelry was too beautiful not buy and the mountain backdrop provided the most beautiful canvas for pictures. So far my experience in New Mexico has been so calming and exciting and I can’t wait to continue my experience in Santa Fe and to start my experience in Shiprock, a much more rural area. 

-Christina Raymond, 2015

Monday, May 14, 2012

Iona in Mission: Santa Fe Team landed in Dallas!

Iona in Mission: New Mexico Pre-trip

Our trip is rapidly approaching and I am quickly realizing that living a life of simplicity is already a growing experience for me. I stuck strictly to the packing list for New Mexico and yet somehow still managed to have a bulging suitcase and stuffed backpack. I am going to un-pack and re-pack again, taking out anything I can in order to make room. I'm redefinining my idea of "necessity", realizing that I thought I was relatively low-maintenance but my bulging bag suggests otherwise. At any rate, I am looking forward to seeing what everyone else is bringing with them on the trip. I heard the weather in New Mexico is cooler than I might think, but what if it gets warmer than I anticipate in packing?  But more than what to bring and what to wear, I am very excited to begin our adventure in frequent prayer, simplicity, community, service and exploration of a culture not readily accessible in the suburbs where I grew up. I have a feeling the last thing I'm going to be thinking about once we get there is what I did or didn't fit into my suitcase. The idea that I even have a suitcase to fill is remarkable, what other common items do I have and others don't that I take for granted?Assistant Professor

-Jillian Flood, Ph.D., NCSP
Iona in Mission Moderator

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Iona Commissioning Mass 43 participants will live Edmund's call to serve

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Meet Fred! Go New Ro Student Leader


Name: Fred Carter Jr.
Major: Psychology
Graduation Year: 2015
Hometown: Naugatuck, Connecticut
Why do you love Iona?
I love Iona because of the small size of the campus. Since Iona is on the smaller side you are almost guaranteed to see most of the same people each and every day. You eventually start talking to them and voilà, new friends!
What was your favorite aspect of Go New Ro?
My favorite aspect of Go-New-Ro was learning about the college. We had the opportunity to meet members of the faculty and administration, some members we may not have had such close interaction with on a normal day.
Favorite New Rochelle Restaurant: Alicia’s Bakery (GREAT coffee!!)
What clubs, organizations and team do your participate in?
Iona College Rowing Team, Office of Residential Life- Resident Assistant,  Student Government Association, Inter-Residence Council.