Merry Christmas from Seton Hall University
“And she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” – Luke 2:7
Christmas Message from the President
Dear Seton Hall Community,
Christmas is a time to cherish our families and loved ones — the important people with whom we share interests, values, beliefs and experiences.
Each year, I reminisce about Christmas with my maternal grandmother, who was left a widow with four young children. She was resilient and successfully raised her family, aided by her strong faith and the support of her Catholic community in Subiaco, a small town about 50 miles from Rome.
As my grandmother taught me, families are gifts we receive and blessings we nurture. I think of Seton Hall in this way.
Christmas is a time to cherish our University family. It is quite a large family, spanning more than 10,000 students and thousands of current and former faculty members, administrators, priests, religious, parents, friends and over 100,000 alumni.
In our Setonian family, we make room in our hearts to accommodate our differences while fostering the bonds that unite us.
Christmas is also a time to cherish the Holy Family of Mary, Joseph and Jesus.
They persevered in the face of exceptional odds, fleeing Herod’s persecution and building a life together while Jesus prepared for His ministry.
With Christ, we are sustained through life’s challenges and blessed with the Seton Hall family we treasure and call home.
In that spirit, may all your families experience the joy that began in a Bethlehem manger. And may we all work ever more diligently to channel Christ’s peace in our families, at Seton Hall and in all those we encounter in the new year.
Wishing you the blessings of Christmas,
Katia Passerini, Ph.D.
Interim President