2
O.F.M., if ministries could move out of the basement of Butler
Gym into what was the old maintenance building.
previous year to its present location beyond Plassmann
Hall. The vacated maintenance site, a one-floor brick
almost entirely of volunteers. Open[ing] in March 1973, the
newly renovated facility initially had no carpeting, hanging fluo-
rescent lights and little furniture, but was soon furnished to in-
clude a piano, stereo system, movie projector, kitchen, library,
prayer room, study-conversation room and shag rugs. In 1977,
the Campus Ministry Center was rechristened `The Thomas Mer-
ton Center.' "
center 12 years ago.
for Social Concern, the University Mission Office, the Office of
Faith Formation, Worship and Ministries, The Warming
House/Bona Buddies, and Mt. Irenaeus.
students, faculty and staff who have come to The Thomas
Merton Center over the years found a place to rebuild them-
selves, and one another, within that simple brick building.
They knew they could always find the spirit of welcome and
spiritual exploration in the heart of campus.
Construction of the William E. and Ann L. Swan Busi-
ness Center has resulted in a newly formed campus
those walking from the Reilly Center to the library, Butler Gym
or Café La Verna, or between Plassmann and Robinson, Falco-
nio and Doyle halls.
the painful, difficult and challenging times. Fr. Michael Blastic,
O.F.M., in a presentation he made to the guardians of Holy
Name Province in 2005, used the word conversatio to imply
that the friars should be among the people.
minor) envisages a conversation (being with and towards an-
other)."