CAMPUS AND AREA MINISTRIES
Website: http://www.dartmouth.edu/~aquinas/index.html
Email: Aq@dartmouth.edu
Phone: 603-643-2154
2 Occom Ridge Rd; Hanover NH 03755 (located at the end of Webster Avenue)
AQUINAS HOUSE
Aquinas House, known as AQ, is the Catholic Campus Ministry and Student Center at Dartmouth College. It is a ministry of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Manchester, N.H., and provides the sacramental, liturgical, pastoral, and spiritual ministry of the Catholic Church to Dartmouth students. AQ is a vibrant community of faith in which each person is strengthened to grow closer to God through Jesus Christ and to live out his/her Catholic faith in daily life. It is through Aquinas House that the Catholic faith is taught, celebrated and lived through a variety of spiritual, educational, and social activities. AQ is located at the end of Webster Avenue (“Frat Row”) and is open 24/7 for student use. Facilities include a chapel, library, meeting spaces, game rooms, coffeehouse, kitchen, and more. All Dartmouth students, Catholic and non-Catholic, are welcome at all events and activities.
ACTIVITIES
Weekly Schedule
Aquinas House offers Mass on Sundays at 11 am and 7:30 pm; Mon-Wed, Fri at 5 pm and Thursday at 9:30pm; Confessions Mon and Friday from 4:15-4:45 and Thursdays 8:30- 9:30 pm. All are welcome to attend AQ’s weekly community dinner on Mondays at 6 pm.
Additionally, Aquinas House offers many faith based discussion groups, lectures, bible studies, RCIA/Confirmation class, the Knights of Columbus male fraternity, Memorare women’s group, Graduate Student/Young Adult outreach, retreats, service trips, social activities (game nights, movie nights, etc.), outdoor ministry events (camping, fishing, hunting, hiking, etc.), pilgrimages and other activities throughout the term. See the website or blitz “AQ” for more details.
STAFF
Fr. Jonathan Kalisch, O.P. – Chaplain & AQ Director
Fr. Jon was born and raised in Woodbridge, NJ. He graduated from Georgetown University in 1994, majoring in American Studies with a concentration in government and history. After working for Price Waterhouse in Poland, Fr. Jon returned to the United States and joined the Dominican Order in 1996. Ordained a priest in 2003, Fr. Jon has extensive experience in campus ministry. AQ's chaplain since 2009 and an avid sports fan, Fr. Jon considers his job to be the best in the world: leading others to encounter the love of Christ!
Contact: Frjon@dartmouth.edu
Fr. Maciek Okonski, O.P. – Associate Chaplain
Fr. Maciek was born and raised in Gdansk, Poland. After joining the Dominican order in 2000, Fr. Maciek graduated from the Papal Academy of Theology in Krakow and was ordained a priest in 2007. Fr. Maciek is new to Dartmouth, joining us after two years of chaplaincy work in Minneapolis, Minnesota. An avid cyclist, volleyball and ping-pong player, Fr. Maciek fell in love with Football after coming to America.
Contact: FrMaciekOP@gmail.com
Fr. Francis Belanger, O.P. ’89- Associate Chaplain
Fr. Francis was raised in East Greenwich, RI, attended Catholic schools for ten years, and graduated from Dartmouth in 1989. He made his profession of vows in the Dominican Order in 2001 and was ordained in 2005. Prior to his assignment at Aquinas House, he served s an associate pastor and campus minister at St. Thomas Aquinas University Parish at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, VA. Known for his quick wit, Fr. Francis has served at Aquinas House and St. Denis parish since November 2006.
Contact: FrFrancis@dartmouth.edu
Elizabeth Rider – Campus Minister
Elizabeth joined AQ as campus minister in January 2010 with experience in campus ministry, mission work, and women's ministry. Elizabeth graduated Quinnipiac University in Hamden, CT with a Masters of Occupational Therapy degree. As a student and later as a campus minister, Elizabeth assisted in the formation of a women's group, co-founded a campus pro-life group, led many retreats and pilgrimages/service trips, and was instrumental in the implementation of many other ministry programs on campus.
Contact: LizRider@dartmouth.edu
Brian and Dawn Trexel – Campus Ministers
The Trexels have served together for over 30 years in pastoral ministry. Some of their ministry has included leading bible studies, coordinating outreach events, speaking at retreats and conferences, facilitating United States and international ministry trips, leadership training, outdoor programs and trips, crisis intervention, and support groups. In 1993, they created a mentoring ministry for high school and college young men. In 2007, the Roman Catholic Church welcomed them through the sacraments of Confirmation and Reconciliation into the Church. Brian & Dawn moved from Minneapolis, Minnesota to join the Aquinas House staff in June 2010.
Contact: Trexel.Dartmouth@gmail.com