Alison Cawley
2007 Recipient of the Maureen E. O'Rourke Marianist Student Award
Acceptance Speech
I can see the UD chapel from my bedroom, and because my bedroom has been the same for the past three years, this image of the chapel stands out in my mind's eye and against the Dayton sky. It is never the full dome that I can see, just a small sliver poking its head out from behind St. Joe’s reminding me of the community I have grown to be a part of.
I had been working for the Office of the Rector for about 4 days when Maureen told me Fr. Paul needed to see me, it was a Tuesday (Adele Day) so I simply said I would pop in at 301 before dinner to see what was up—she said no, I needed to go to Fr. Paul’s office. Go to Fr. Paul’s office? What the heck for? I had not worked enough to be fired already. Fr. Paul is very much my neighbor, but now it was time for me to speak to Fr. Paul, the Rector. When I sat down he had a smile that was radiant with light, and as he told me I would be receiving this award, I could not help but mimic that smile myself. This award has provided my heart and my spirit what it needed to fully embrace who I have become in the past four years.
The way the aspects of the Marianist Charism have become intertwined in my life these days is far beyond anything I could have ever imagined.
The ideas of community and inclusivity have been with me sense birth, my Mom, Fern, Leah, Emily, and Patrick, my sisters and brother, have taught me first hand how to live with and for people. Community to put it simply is how we survive. When I reflect on my greatest times of joy, and the times of sorrow, members of a very intentional community have always surrounded me, this is one of the many blessings in my life.
About two blocks into the student neighborhood is a small brown house, this house (and its neighbor 301, plus a big yellow house on Stonemill, and a small white one in Magoffin Co. Kentucky) are where I have been shaped by the Marianist idea of community. It is the likes of Erin Anderson, Kathryn Janiszewski, Beth Lownik, Mary Devito, and Liz Devito who I have lived in intentional community for the last 3 years (yes, I lived on Kiefaber as a Sophomore, thanks again Joan for trusting me and the Spirit). These women have taught me how to pray, how to laugh, how to reconcile being a woman in the Church, and the privilege it is to come home to dinner being cooked for you each night—even if it is only salsa and rigatoni (speaking of which, good planning on Thursday night…my night to cook).
My faith life has grown from the smallest of seeds to that which is strongly rooted in the rich, life-giving soil. It has been the inspiration of Joan and AJ Wagner, Brother Tom Pieper, Fr. Chris’ challenges set forth each week at mass, and countless other people on this campus who have helped me to shape a life rooted in an active love for God. It is also these people’s commitment, along with Mary and Jesus’ example, to social justice that has led me to experience such a development of love and dedication to the advancement of each human being, and a life bound up with God.
It has been Fr. Tedesco’s COC homilies, images like the Seat of Wisdom at the top of the cemetery, time spent with the Marianist Sisters, and the vow of stability which have inspired and created the image of Mary I hold so near. “Tell God, I Said YES”, Mary not only said yes to bring God into the world, but she taught us to ask questions at the same time—to be in active conversation with God at all times that is the example of Mary. To bring joy to those in sorrow and despair, to believe in others when they think it is not their hour. To be known as the one who stood, standing with people when there is simply nothing else to do, and no words to be said. These are the examples of faith that Mary has inspired so many of us in this room with.
Mission is the community, and community is the Mission. A few weeks ago, I was interviewing students for Marianist Student Communities and BT said this phrase about 10 times in 2 hours—it sunk in that 10th time. As May, approaches defining my mission outside of UD seems to get harder and harder, but then BT says something as simple as, community is the mission and mission is the community, and I start to regain peace again. Adding the Marianist mission to my life is perhaps the greatest gift I have been given at UD. I have applied for the Jesuit Volunteer Corp (I know…but if any SM community would like to move to the East coast, I would be more than willing to sign up for the Marianist Volunteer Program), as well as committing myself as a Lay Marianist in late April. It is you in this room who have inspired, loved, taught, and encouraged me that gives me the courage to walk humbly, act justly, and sing loudly with our mother Mary by my side.
I thank you for coming tonight to this beautiful party, please join me in thanking Sue Zielinski for all the time and effort she put into it. I would also like to give a very special thank you to Maureen O’Rourke, she has been a dear friend, an upper-class-woman who taught me to refer to it as the ‘student neighborhood’, and has set an example that students will follow for years. Joan and AJ, Emileah and Mike, and all the other students nominated thank you for your commitment— UD is a better place because of it. The cash award will be split between the UDSAP program, UD Summer Appalachia Program, a community based program in Salyersville, Kentucky focusing on building relationships, REACH, the student organization on campus promoting positive mental health, and the group of students working with Joan Wagner to become vowed Lay Marianist this spring.
Finally a heart felt thank you to the catering staff, and all those parties who had a hand in bringing us our meal tonight, may their work be rewarded justly.
May the love and peace of our God be with you always.