Father Chris Moving on From Saint Rose

By Lauren Sears
News Editor

After serving the campus community for a quarter  century, Rev. Chris DeGiovine, is leaving Saint Rose.  He currently is the Dean of Spiritual Life and Chaplain at the College.  DeGiovine will be serving as the pastor at St. Matthew’s parish community in Voorheesville. He begins his position in two weeks.
The news was first publicly announced Saturday during the 5:30 p.m. mass by, Rev. Richard Vosko at St. Vincent’s de Paul.  DeGiovnie told the Saint Rose community at the 6:30 Sunday mass at the Hubbard Interfaith Sancturary at the end of mass.  Monday, in an email, he notified the general campus community after a congratulatory note to his colleague Joan Horgan, from the Office of Spiritual Life.
“I have been here for a long time at Saint Rose,” said DeGiovine. “When I first came, I thought that I was only going to be here for four or five years.
“After I fell in love with Saint Rose, still love in love with Saint Rose, eight – nine years later, I said to myself you love this job, you love the people, but it you are still here after 65, please get out,” DeGiovine told The Chronicle Monday.
“I thought a younger person should be in my position, in a few weeks I turn 64. I have never been a pastor of a parish, I have been an associate pastor, priest, Chaplin, and a Dean. I would like to be a pastor before I have to retire at 70.”
Faculty responded quickly to the email announcement with supportive feedback.
“Twenty-five years is a gift to us at the College. We all thank you for a task well done,” said Maryann McLoughlin, professor of math in an email. .   You always and everywhere are/were present, I am sure at a cost, though you have taken time to refresh yourself with a sabbatical which passed all too quickly, and all that bicycle riding,” said McLoughlin.
“I was profoundly saddened that he was leaving, but very happy for him. He’s so much a part of the Saint Rose community, and the campus as a whole-he’s really a part of the institution.  I wish him all the best,” said Kelly Meyer. Meyer who is the Director of Academic Advising at Saint Rose.
“A classic example of Fr. Chris’s effaceable style and genuine appreciation of this institution that he announce his departure (oh…by the way) after a gracious compliment to one of his colleagues. Thanks so much for 25 years of spiritual guidance and unwavering support for our department,” said Paul Maureen in an email. Maureen is the Chair of the Art Department.
DeGiovine said that his favorite part about his position at Saint Rose is the students, getting to know the students, getting to love the students, getting to teach some classes, doing all kinds of work with the students.
When asked if any moments during his time here stood out to him. “I’ve got thousands of them; some of them are just being with students.  Adventure program out with the students on ropes course, CLASSIC weekend hikes with students at Silver Bay, the Music groups, celebrating the masses, Holiday celebrations, Christmas, working with Better Together, the student interfaith group on campus, It’s just so hard to pick out one.”
Lastly DeGiovine wants the students to know this “Yes, I love you, thank you for loving me, I will miss you immensely, and I will see you soon.”