On the Road to Character and Leadership—Jim Mackin
Jim Mackin ’80 is a major gift officer in the Office of Institutional Advancement.
I have the best vocation ever: I talk and listen to people tell their stories about DeSales University. Usually, it’s done in face-to-face appointments, but since March we talk or communicate in ways that are comfortable or appropriate for the person: over the phone, properly spaced dining, FaceTime, Messenger, Zoom, or most recently at parks and outside.
In an era of a pandemic, politics, protests (some peaceful for the common good and some destructive against the common good), racial injustice, climate change, market uncertainty, unemployment, and global unrest, I often lean on the theological and philosophical teachings of St. Francis de Sales to be mindful each day and listen to the Lord. “Nothing is so strong as gentleness, nothing so gentle as real strength.” His teachings are more relevant and important today than ever.
DeSales alumni are so impressed with our leadership, especially at this time. Fr. Jim Greenfield and his Leadership Team have done a remarkable job of keeping us safe through the Salesian Solidarity Pledge of properly wearing a face mask, maintaining social distancing, washing of hands, and monitoring of health. Fr. Jim’s team has communicated well and prepared us well to handle the virus so that we can be open for the fall semester. In my reading, I have been inspired by others on a national and global level who have shown strong leadership and character during this pandemic. Michael Dowling, President & CEO of Northwell Health, serving as New York’s largest healthcare provider, was in the epicenter of the virus in the spring. His healthcare system treated over 76,000 patients within their 23 hospitals and saved lives through proper long-term planning and over-communicating throughout the crisis. The same can be said of Jefferson Health in Philadelphia. Through Dr. Stephen Klasko’s leadership, Jefferson was the first hospital to start using masks on January 25, 2020. Through their partnership with Gemelli University Hospital in Rome, they knew what was coming. Although unpopular in the US in January (and continuing to be unpopular in some circles), key decisions were made that minimized the souls that were lost.
All the experts within the scientific community have proven that masks save lives. Please continue to wear a mask: It’s currently our primary weapon to combat the virus. Wearing a mask is the same as obeying traffic laws at a stop sign and red light, wearing seat belts, not smoking in public places, or cleaning up after your dog.
Mike Roman is CEO of 3M. 3M is the world’s largest manufacturer of N-95 Respirator Masks, and they are stepping up to produce 2 billion N-95 masks by the end of 2020. They are balancing humanitarian concerns to make sure that health care workers and first responders around the world have the proper PPE equipment. They are also in the process of developing an accurate Rapid Test in partnership with MIT.
Amy O’Sullivan, an 18-year veteran ER nurse at Wyckoff Hospital in Brooklyn treated the first COVID-19 patient at the hospital in March. Amy came down with the virus but was back working less than two weeks after being on a ventilator.
Sister Norma Pimentel, Executive Director of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley, “the Pope’s favorite nun,” has provided food and shelter and love to over 100,000 people at the Texas and Mexico border.
These are the people who inspire me to continue to live the life of Jesus. Jesus teaches us of a holistic life of inclusiveness, welcoming, and forgiveness. Jesus was big on parties, sharing meals with those living on the margins of society. All were welcome, unlike the Amy Vanderbilt model etiquette dinners. The word “Catholic” means diverse, universal, global, unprejudiced. I think David Byrne, (lead singer for the Talking Heads), an immigrant with Asperger’s, was on this spiritual path with his song “Everybody is Coming to My House.” That is why Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia gave Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg 24 roses to celebrate a birthday. They were very close friends even though they had differences of opinion on the law. He is quoted as saying “some things are more important than votes.”
This is what we are trying to do today in our DeSales Community through the Center for Faith and Justice, the Office of Diversity Equity, and Inclusion, and the teachings of Dorothy Day with our Salesian core values. Bring together all of us to realize that “our worth is a divine gift, not a human achievement.”
Jim Mackin ’80 is a major gift officer in the Office of Institutional Advancement.