SCRANTON, Pa - The Rev. Bret Stockdale, S.J. joins the campus as the university chaplain, the newest addition to the Office of Campus Ministry staff. He is the first to assume the position since The Rev. Richard Malloy, S.J. in 2016, but Stockdale wasn’t always on track to become a university chaplain. 

“I really love politics. I went [to] the University of New Hampshire as a political science major. My initial plan was to go into law, but I actually ended up spending a short time in finance,” Stockdale said.

Before his time at the University of New Hampshire, Stockdale grew up in Worcester, Massachusetts and attended St. John’s High School in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts. His family supported a faithful life by attending mass and celebrating the holidays. Stockdale said it was really his involvement in youth ministry that led him toward the priesthood. 

“I had already been working in youth ministry in the diocese for a couple years,” Stockdale said of his former experiences. “It wasn’t until I was in graduate school at World Youth Day 2002 that was the first time I formally talked with Jesuits and Jesuit classmates of mine from Boston College about the Jesuit Society. I was sort of at a crossroads and at a time of testing one’s vocation, an ongoing discernment.”

While in his Jesuit formation years, Stockdale met a certain Joseph Marina, the current university president, who would eventually ask him to join his staff at the University of Scranton. 

“He’s a year behind me in the novitiate. We overlapped when he was finishing up his theology degree at Boston College,” Stockdale said. “We overlapped for a year there and actually lived in the same house.”

As a Jesuit, Stockdale is a part of a greater community within the religious life, which he found most valuable. The University of Scranton as a Jesuit campus has many special Jesuits on campus ready and able to help the students. Stockdale said the most interesting part of being a Jesuit is the relatability and the sense of camaraderie. 

“So much of Jesuit discernment is recognizing the greater need. After ordination, I went to Fairfield University and then spent some time at the Jesuit parish in Oceanside,” Stockdale said of his spiritual journey. “Ignatian spirituality always comes first and foremost.”

Even though this is only the beginning of his time at the university, Stockdale is eager to help students in any way he can. Discernment is one of the most important roles of college students (figuring out what to do with the rest of your life). 

“Be in ministry, be in science, be in medicine, nursing, education, whatever it is, find your passion. Take as many classes or experiences as possible to help you grow in that passion…Give yourself time because it doesn’t happen overnight. Ignatian spirituality is so much based on discernment and ultimately finding your passion,” Stockdale said.

Stockdale joins the university not only as the campus chaplain, but also as a tool and resource available to students. Dr. Dan Cosacchi, vice president for mission and ministry, believes having a campus chaplain is important for students to have as an asset to their growth and development. 

“We have a close-knit staff who are really eager to meet with students and get to know them on a personal level. I think it will give an opportunity to students who, in a particular moment of need, are looking to speak with a priest,” Cosacchi said of Stockdale’s role on campus. “He’s joining a committed staff in Campus Ministry and CSSJ (Center for Service & Social Justice) who are looking out for the best interests of our students.”

As the new university chaplain, Stockdale is able to create personal bonds with students on campus. Michael O’Malley, director of liturgy and music, personally knows the importance of Campus Ministry and their ability to connect with all different students.

“…not having the role filled for a while is important because not having the role filled for a while leaves some opportunity for Father Bret to be creative, for us to be creative, and to think of maybe some new ways that we can reach out to students and create a great atmosphere on campus to promote out Jesuit identity,” O’Malley said.

Stockdale can be found in room 200D of the Campus Ministry office on the second floor of the DeNaples building. He’s excited to be on campus and offer any help he can to the student body both spiritually and academically.

“Find what is your passion, what brings you joy, what brings you life, what makes you feel closer to God,” Stockdale said.

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