By Lauren Lewandowski, C 06

From serving meals to the homeless on the Boulevard of the Allies to being a youth group instructor, Saint Vincent College senior Jennifer Sylves practices what she has learned in her major at every opportunity. A Catholic Theology major minoring in philosophy and English, Ms. Sylves plans to teach religion at an area high school after graduation.

Ms. Sylves, originally a biology major, elected to study Catholic theology to "fully investigate the fullness and richness of my own religion. I wanted to use my knowledge to help others, as well as to write and teach. I want to encourage others to open themselves up to the same thing."

Typically on a Friday night, Ms. Sylves can be found alongside the Boulevard of the Allies in Pittsburgh participating with the College Campus Ministry group in Meals on the Boulevard. A local evangelical group funds this program, which provides hot meals for the homeless and disadvantaged citizens of Pittsburgh.

Ms. Sylves says of her time spent there, "I love conversing with my new friends; it’s great to learn about theology, but it becomes applicable on the streets. Seeing the faith in these people who have had the most adversity in their lives, letting them know I care, is the most fulfilling thing I’ve ever done."

Aside from her participation in Campus Ministry activities, Ms. Sylves is currently interning for Saint Vincent Archabbey Basilica Parish as a faith information instructor for the junior high Youth Group until the end of April. Through open dialogue and artistic means, Ms. Sylves is "hoping to open the hearts and minds of adolescents."

For her senior thesis, Ms. Sylves chose to investigate a topic brought to her attention by Br. Elliot Maloney, O.S.B. Her thesis focused on the origins and development of base Church communities in Brazil. Developed by faithful lay women, base groups have come together in Brazil for prayer, and members help each other. "Currently there are between 70,000 to 80,000 of these groups in Brazil, and this summer they will be holding their ninth conference that Br. Elliot will be attending."

After graduation in May, Ms. Sylves plans to seek employment at an area Catholic high school. Eventually, she would like to continue her education on the graduate level, saying, "I want time to harness my own potential and truly evaluate what is important to me. I really think that the experience of working in the world and evaluating my own goal is important."

Ideally, Ms. Sylves hopes to spend her life working with people in the pursuit of knowledge. "I want to help people develop new concepts and ways in which they can apply their faith and understanding towards the betterment of society as a whole. I would love to work with education programs through the Church."

Though she is working with The Saint Vincent Youth Group, Ms. Sylves has also found a way of incorporating her own passion for debate with her interest in working with youth. Ms. Sylves works as the assistant director of high school forensics at Greater Latrobe High School. The forensics group involves students who compete against others in speech and debate. Ms. Sylves helps to coordinate practices. "The students come to me with their interests, and I try to harness their natural talent and steer them in the right direction for competitions. It also helps them to improve their critical thinking and analysis skills."

For Ms. Sylves, speech and debate were a way for her to travel during high school. She competed twice in the National Forensics League Championships in both Portland, Oregon, and Norman, Oklahoma. This summer she will be accompanying three Greater Latrobe students to Philadelphia for the competition.

In May, Ms. Sylves will be intensively studying Spanish in Cuernavaca, Mexico. She will be staying there for a month. "This will be an extremely valuable experience for me; it will be important in my personal growth and vocational discernment. I am thrilled about getting this opportunity to go."

Though Campus Ministry and school work keep Ms. Sylves occupied, she has also found time to be the president of Saint Vincent Students for Social Justice. This group has sponsored various events on campus throughout the year. The group raised more than $1000 for tsunami relief. Students for Social Justice are also actively engaged in voter registration campaigns, registering 45 students to vote and submitting 24 absentee ballots in November’s election.

Ms. Sylves chose to come to Saint Vincent College because "faculty help out students who have shown academic skills and leadership potential. The sense of community I find with my fellow students, great professors and Benedictines is outstanding; that was my primary motivation. The Benedictine community has helped to open my eyes to another way of life. The dedication and beauty behind a monastic institution are awe-inspiring.

"Saint Vincent is based upon the personal communion of people coming together in the pursuit of knowledge that is not just something learned within the classroom, but applicable in the everyday situations of life."

Among some of the people who have influenced Ms. Sylves throughout her career at Saint Vincent are Campus Ministry Director Fr. Brian Boosel, O.S.B., who Ms. Sylves regards as "an exemplary Benedictine who has been a steadfast source of spiritual support and guidance." Also important to her is Fr. Campion Gavaler, O.S.B., associate professor of religious studies, who, she says, taught her that "loving one another means praying for each other." Dr. George Leiner, associate professor and chair of the Philosophy Department, offered her a position as a philosophy tutor during her sophomore year. "He allowed me the opportunity to plumb into the depths of students’ knowledge and bring forth something remarkable. It’s truly fulfilling when I can say ‘I saw the look in their eyes, and I knew they understood’."

Ms. Sylves expects to graduate from Saint Vincent College with honors in May. She is a 2000 graduate of Trinity High School in Washington, Pennsylvania, where she resides with her parents Peter and Joanne. She is a member of the Good Shepard Roman Catholic Church in Braddock.