Newsletter

A LIFE OF SERVICE

Growing up in a faith-filled family where my dad was a very busy and involved medical doctor, set the stage for me to think about a life of service. After completing formal education, I worked with university students both in the classroom and in administration. For a young man not yet 30, this was a fulfilling and challenging career.

Nonetheless, there came a time in that journey when I realized many young adults were searching for purpose and identity at a much deeper level than found in classic higher education. Gradually, I came to realize that very truth applied to me as well as others!

After a time of discernment, I resigned my position at the university and began studies for the priesthood. I came to believe I was called to parish ministry and the diverse realities found in every community. After ordination, for six years I enjoyed this life and the range of human encounters was breathless! Yet, once again, God’s loving Spirit nudged me to look more deeply. More searching led me to the Missionary Society of St. James the Apostle.

Latin America amazed, thrilled, and overwhelmed me, and the theatre of my life as a priest was now global. The message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ – the Good News – is unchanging. However, it is received in the moment of people’s lives. For those living at the margins of the world the Gospel yields a power that often transforms individuals and communities. Moreover, it transforms the messenger –the priest – proclaiming that Good News.

I never would have guessed that my earlier career in higher education and my life as a missionary would conveniently come together to begin a remarkable initiative – Rostro de Cristo (RdC). For more than 30 years this program has hosted year-long volunteers and short-term retreats for students from high schools and colleges throughout the US.

I have been privileged to found and lead RdC throughout these years, often through turbulent times. Yet, our mission is clear, and we have been blessed. Now it is time for another transition. I will step aside and one of the first volunteers, Dr. Ed Hardiman, will take over leadership of the Board of Directors. I will continue on the Board as vice-chair during this transition and serve on the advancement committee as well.

I am grateful beyond measure that RdC is continuing to move forward with such strength and commitment to our mission. For I believe this pandemic era has accelerated the reality of a divided, lonely, frightened, and searching world. The antidote, I am certain, is the mission of Rostro de Cristo and empowering a new generation of volunteers to be transformed and then, transform our times to an era of greater freedom, unity, and hope.

Fr. Jim Ronan

A JOURNEY OF FAITH

In February 1988 I first stepped off a plane into the hot and humid Ecuadorian night. I was with a group of 10 other high school students and our school chaplain, a former St. James Missionary. The experience was transformative and pre-Rostro. We lived in the rectory of La Parroquia Santa Marianita in Durán Centro. On the final night of our experience, I stood on the roof top patio of the rectory and shared with my good friend that I would be back. That promise came true as a participant in Rostro de Cristo in June 1990 and the promise has been repeated multiple times since night on the patio of the rectory.

I have been blessed to serve as one of the first-year long volunteers and an adult leader of retreat groups for high school and college students with Rostro Cristo multiple times over the last 30 years. Each experience is unique, and each experience is centered on a profound encounter with Christ amongst the people of Ecuador. As a volunteer I spent a good deal of time among the people of Cerro de las Cabras, “Goat Hill.” This settlement area was destitute and the first home to Rostro de Cristo. I have distinct memories of Lucho circling around me with boundless energy as I struggled to make the climb and the pride of Mario when he replaced his house built from sugar cane with a home built of cement blocks. I also reflect on the moments of heartache and grief - when Julia’s mother was hospitalized and when the community came together with Deacon Segundo to mourn the passing of a friend and neighbor.

During my second visit to Ecuador, I was also fortunate to encounter Fr. Jim Ronan, founder of Rostro de Cristo. His ministry and energy had a profound impact on me and prior to leaving we spoke about the possibility of returning to Duran for a longer period of time. During my year in Ecuador my relationship with Fr. Jim grew deeper. We lived a few steps from the rectory and our community of two volunteers had many contacts with the priests of the parish.

Today, I am 25+ years into a vocation of serving and leading in Catholic education. My experiences in Ecuador have continued to guide my work. A large tapestry of Mt. Chimborazo, purchased at the end of my year, has accompanied me in each position I have served in the world of Catholic education. Heeding the words of Pat McTeague, spoken when our group visited Nuevo Mundo in 1990 - I seek to ensure the decisions I make are building up our work and positively impacting the people of Ecuador who have powerfully formed and informed my faith journey.

Today as a husband and dad of four - one who has participated in Rostro - and the Head of a Catholic school the experience of Rostro is carried on. I am honored and humbled to follow Fr. Jim as the next Chair of the Rostro Board. In many ways this work continues to fulfill that initial promise made in February 1988 on the rectory patio. The mission and ministry of Rostro is integral to addressing the challenges and divisions faced by our world and our Church today. The young people of today and our world are in desperate need of Rostro. The powerful encounter that Rostro provides is transformative and deepens the capacity for empathy, compassion and a faith seeking justice.

As we continue our journey and carry on the vision of Fr. Jim, we are grateful for your support and look forward to working together to develop, enhance and strengthen Rostro in its mission to form faith based and culturally relevant change agents who work for equity and justice fueled by their encounter with the face of Christ amidst the people of Ecuador.

Ed Hardiman, PhD.

Ed with St. John's Retreat group visiting Damien House in 2017.

Ed Hardiman, PhD. has served as Headmaster at St. John’s Prep in Danvers, MA since 2011 and brings over 25 years of leadership in Catholic Secondary Education where he is recognized for his work in mission and curriculum integration.  Ed received his BA in politics from Fairfield University. He has an MA in pastoral ministry and a PhD in educational administration from Boston College. In 2007, he received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Fairfield University. He and his wife live in Danvers with their four children.