November 19, 2015

Rev. Peter Martyr Yungwirth, O.P. to be new College chaplain

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Rev. Peter Martyr Yungwirth, O.P. preaches in St. Dominic Chapel. (Patrick O’Connor photo)

BY VICKI-ANN DOWNING

Providence College will have a new chaplain and director of Campus Ministry in 2016.

In January, Rev. James Cuddy, O.P. ’98 will leave PC for a new assignment in New York City as pastor of St. Joseph’s Parish in Greenwich Village. Taking Father Cuddy’s place as College chaplain and director of Campus Ministry will be Rev. Peter Martyr Yungwirth, O.P., now the assistant chaplain.

Father Peter Martyr was assigned to PC in January 2015 in anticipation of Father Cuddy’s reassignment, said Rev. R. Gabriel Pivarnik, O.P., vice president for mission and ministry. Father Cuddy, who has been chaplain and director of Campus Ministry since 2009, has mentored Father Peter Martyr since that time, Father Pivarnik said.

Father Peter Martyr is a native of Hagerstown, Md., who graduated in 2006 from the University of Maryland, where he studied history. He entered the Dominican Order of Preachers in 2007 and was ordained to the priesthood in 2014. He holds a licentiate in sacred theology from the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, D.C.

Father Peter Martyr said his first choice as a Dominican was to serve as a college chaplain.

PC is “a physically beautiful campus, much smaller than the University of Maryland,” said Father Peter Martyr. “The faculty, staff, and administration are able to put much time into working with the students here. There is a more complete formation for the students. With a liberal arts education, students are much more prepared to work in the real world.”

Father Peter Martyr said he looks forward to helping students grow in their faith and especially to reaching out to students who are not engaged with Campus Ministry.

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Rev. James Cuddy, O.P. ’98

“Father Cuddy has this incredible love for the students,” said Father Peter Martyr. “He bends over backwards to really minister to them. To see the love, care, and concern he has for them, to help them find God and grow in their faith, and to see his leadership, is really impressive.”

Father Pivarnik said Father Cuddy has left “an indelible mark” on the PC community.

“He has overseen significant growth in the Campus Ministry staff, the development of national and international service immersion programs, the revitalization of the College’s retreat programs, and the planning and implementation of our comprehensive Peer Ministry program,” Father Pivarnik said. “Moreover, he has been a faithful and merciful priest who is a friend to many of us.”

St. Joseph’s Parish in Greenwich Village has been staffed by the Dominican Order since 2003. It also provides chaplaincy services to New York University.

Rev. Philip Neri Reese, O.P., visiting instructor of philosophy, will serve as assistant chaplain beginning in January until a permanent appointment is made, Father Pivarnik said.