Staff Biography

Virginia McCarthy
Chaplain

So, a bit of introduction. Most people call me Ginny—even my mother when she’s mad at me (not that I’ve ever experienced that!). Very important—I am married to my partner in crime, Michael. Sharing common interests, logically, I suppose, you will frequently find us together.

Originally from St. Louis, I have fought the boomerang effect at least for now. After completing my studies at Saint Louis University in Theology and Spanish, I headed south of the border to Mexico. In the Uxpanapa Valley of Veracruz, Mexico, I worked with a team of women to develop a women’s program in 25 different villages of the valley. Though my tortilla-making skills will never win any competitions, I hold very dear the lessons I learned during this time and, even more so, the wonderful people that I had the privilege of meeting.

The tradition of meeting and learning from wonderful people continued as I embarked on my next journey to Weston Jesuit School of Theology. I found myself in a new situation of intense learning, where I became immersed not only in a new theologically-centered environment, but also in the wonderful world of faith formation and the quite-foreign-to-midwestern-ears accent donned by most Bostonians. These experiences earned me my divinity…Master’s of Divinity, that is.

Equipped with my love of international experiences and adventure, Spanish and my fresh, new theology degree, Michael and I moved to Spain where I worked with the Department of Campus Ministry at Saint Louis University in Madrid. I thoroughly enjoyed the wonderful students in their rich international and interreligious diversity, not to mention the tapas and sangria.

At SSOM, these interests find their natural home in working with activities such as the International Service Immersion trips, the development of the new Center for Service and Global Health, the Urban Plunge, Community Night and many others, not to mention your ideas that have yet to be incorporated into the wonderful mix that is Ministry.

On any given day you could find me socializing (my favorite past time), running, biking, hiking or participating in a water sport, spending time with family and friends, frequenting a second-hand book store, taking pictures, traveling or cooking.