April 6, 2018 at 1:53 p.m.
CATHOLIC PROFILE
Cylon's keeping busy: family man, music minister, brand-new college chaplain
Parishioners applauded his announcement - and then clapped even more loudly as he added that he would also like to continue as music minister, "if you will have me."
Mr. George has endeared himself to the Holy Spirit community since he began leading its music in 2004. He first came to upstate New York from his native Trinidad and Tobago to go to Hartwick College, earning degrees in music and computer science. He recently added a master's degree in pastoral studies from St. Bernard's School of Theology and Ministry in Albany.
While he now has two jobs, a wife and three children, Mr. George said he does not feel overwhelmed.
"My current positions will actually allow me to spend more time with my family, especially at dinner time," he said. "Hudson Valley is a commuter campus, and Sage, though a traditional four-year campus, has a commuter feel to it because most of the students are local."
As a result, "my daytime office hours will allow me to be at home most weekday evenings. I am extremely happy to be continuing my music ministry at Holy Spirit.
"Balancing all these responsibilities will occasionally take some creativity. However, my wife and I are committed to working together as a team to make sure that our family bonds remain strong."
His commitment to his ministries, he said, reflects his belief that "God has called me to do Church-related work. I feel most fulfilled when I am sharing my faith with others, helping people in their time of need or connecting with God through prayer and study."
Mr. George said his responsibilities as a college chaplain include "evangelizing the campus communities - students, faculty, and staff - through spiritual counseling, sacramental preparation, retreats and volunteerism. I will also attend a variety of campus functions to offer prayer and presence."
Reaching out
While he is the Catholic chaplain, Mr. George emphasized that "my ministry extends to people of all faiths. One of my responsibilities will be to collaborate with ministers of other faiths to offer ecumenical and interfaith experiences to the campus communities."
Although he has been on the campuses only a few weeks, the chaplain has made his presence known so that students learn that "they can stop by my office anytime or stop me in the hallway to engage in friendly talk, faith talk, prayer or just to be a listening ear.
"For those seeking ways to be more active and expressive in their faith, I hope to help students be more connected with neighboring church communities.
"Many young people find it easier to connect with their spirituality by way of service to others. I hope to facilitate active volunteerism on campus and within the surrounding community."
The new chaplain related one experience he's already had at HVCC: A student "shared with me his amazing personal story and his willingness to explore Christianity again after spending many years exploring other religions and philosophies. I was very happy that he was willing to share - and that I was there to listen."
Stick with it
For college students trying to stay connected to their faith, Mr. George advises finding "a community of believers on or off campus. Though many young people today seem content with practicing their beliefs in private, a personal faith connected with a believing community is the best way to maintain and grow in one's faith life."
Mr. George termed his own journey from the Caribbean to Albany "a journey of faith. I took a great leap of faith into the unknown because I was eager to learn about a new culture and a way of life different from my own.
"Though adjusting to life in the United States was certainly not smooth, I learned that we share many commonalities and that we are not that much different from each other in the essentials."
Given his current occupations, it's no surprise that he added, "It was my involvement in campus ministry that helped me in my adjustment to college life and to life in the United States. I hope and pray that God will use me to help students navigate the complexities of college life by remaining in touch with their spiritual lives."
(To contact Mr. George at his chaplain office, go to https://www.hvcc.edu/campusministry.)[[In-content Ad]]
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