The following message was sent to the Holy Cross College community on May 8.
Dear Holy Cross College Community,
Holy Cross is pleased to announce the appointment of Father Michael DeLaney, C.S.C., as the new Assistant to the Vice President of Mission and Ministry and College Chaplain at Holy Cross College.
Known to many as Fr. Mike, he brings decades of international pastoral experience and global ministry leadership to this role, where he will support the spiritual life of our campus community and help deepen the integration of Holy Cross charism into all aspects of the College’s life.
“I look forward to sharing life on campus with the students, faculty and staff,” Fr. Mike said. “During this time of growth and palpable energy at Holy Cross College, with so much hope for its future, I am privileged to have this opportunity and do all I can to serve our students and the entire campus community.”
President Marco Clak welcomed the appointment, saying, “Fr. Mike brings a deep understanding of the Holy Cross mission, and a global perspective rooted in pastoral care, education, and formation. His presence on our campus will help us continue forming Catholic intellectual scholars, courageous citizens, virtuous leaders, and hopeful and passionate disciples animated by the Gospel and the mission and charism of the Congregation of Holy Cross. At Holy Cross, we believe the world needs more saints—and Fr. Mike’s leadership and witness will inspire our students to live with purpose, faith, and courage.”
A native of Skaneateles, New York, Fr. Mike entered the Congregation of Holy Cross in 1981 and was ordained in 1987. He studied international relations at Georgetown University and theology at the University of Notre Dame.
His ministry has taken him from Portland and Chicago to Santiago, Chile, where he was the Superior of the Holy Cross community there for a decade. While serving at Saint George’s College, he founded Chile’s first Peace Studies program and he helped facilitate the creation of an international house of formation in Santiago.
He was then called to serve as Director of the Holy Cross Mission Center, supporting Holy Cross missions in Asia, Africa, Haiti, and Latin America. Recently Fr. Mike served as Rector of Saint Joseph’s Oratory in Montreal, founded by Saint Andre Bessette, C.S.C. and now one of the most significant pilgrimage sites in North America.
“Fr. Mike will begin officially at the College later this summer,” President Clark said. “In addition to his duties as the Assistant to the VP for Mission and Ministry and with Campus Ministry, he will teach two of the seminar courses in our new Integrated Curriculum. We are grateful to Fr. Bill Lies, C.S.C. and the Provincial Council of the U.S. Province of Priests and Brothers for enabling Fr. Mike’s placement at Holy Cross. Please help me welcome Fr. Mike DeLaney, C.S.C. to the Holy Cross family.”
Ave Crux, Spes Unica,
Dr. Marco J. Clark
President
Holy Cross College at Notre Dame