Fall 2012 - Saint Thomas More - Yale University

A Legacy of Generosity
Joseph J. Vale '63
Excerpts from remarks made by Joseph J. Vale '63 on December 4th,
2011, celebrating the renovation of the chapel at which a plaque was
unveiled honoring his parents.
Good Morning,
When Father Beloin asked me if I would like to say a few words
today, because I am a lifelong, die-hard baseball fan, my first
thought was of Yogi Berra, the great All-Star and Hall of Fame
catcher for the New York Yankees many years ago. Near the end
of his distinguished career, the Yankees held a special day in his
honor at Yankee Stadium. After the gifts were conferred and
the speeches given, Yogi stepped to the microphone to express
his gratitude, and
began by saying,
in his inimitable
way, “I would like to
thank everyone who
helped make this day
necessary.”
First but not least,
as Yogi might say, I
thank my parents,
who really did make
10:00 am Mass presentation of the gifts
this presentation
necessary. Judge
Jerome Vale and Jean G. Vale lived lives which spanned nearly all
of the twentieth century.
I hope that their lives will provide you with guidance, confidence
and inspiration, as they did for me. First, their faith in God was
unwavering. In the 1930s, my father was one of the laymen who
helped an enterprising pastor transform a fledgling New York
parish that had begun in a storefront, not unlike those down
the street on Broadway, into a large church with a school and a
thriving community program.
My parents were remarkable, too, for their discipline,
determination, sacrifice and perseverance during difficult, lean
times in the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. During the Great Depression,
my father went to law school at night, while holding a day job.
Throughout their
entire lives, they were
extremely dedicated to
family. They were also
intent upon fostering a
home environment for
their only child – even
going into debt to
finance my education
at private school and
Yale.
Bishop Christie Macaluso, D.D., Auxiliary Bishop
of Hartford
To them I owe my life and
everything I have become.
Rev. James Healy was my
pastor here at Saint Thomas
More Chapel during my
undergraduate years. He
taught me what it really
meant to be a Catholic. He
taught me that this recently
renovated structure is really
not the Church. It is only
the church building. We –
you and I – are the Church.
Saint Thomas More Chapel Plaque
Next is Troy Murray, my classmate. Had he never mentioned
to me the great changes happening here, my interest would
never have been piqued, nor would I ever have become an active
supporter of this community. Troy’s actions demonstrate how
important it is for Saint Thomas More Chapel to connect more
closely with Yale’s Catholic alumni, so that they will make an
increased contribution to this community over time.
Then, there is Tom Golden. His life points out the importance of
“giving back” – that is, wisely reinvesting God’s assets (of which
we are only temporary custodians, never true owners) and doing
so for the betterment of mankind.
And, of course, Father Robert Beloin. He is transforming Saint
Thomas More Chapel into the preeminent Catholic university
community in this country. In this regard, I believe Saint
Thomas More Chapel’s future role in the Catholic Church is
to produce the lay leaders who will be needed to help manage
parishes and charitable activities as the Church faces a desperate,
growing shortage of priests and resources in the United States in
the years ahead.
In a broader historical context, I foresee his work as providing
our nation with leaders in the Church in the same way that Yale
has traditionally supplied America with leaders in government,
business, the professions and academia. And, by the way, you and
your successors here will be those leaders, so begin to prepare for
your roles while you are still here at Yale. How?
I was once told a story about St. Francis of Assisi. One day
Francis asked a young friar to accompany him as he went into
Assisi to preach about what it meant to be a Christian. Assisi was
quite small at that time, and Francis started at one end of the
town’s central street and proceeded to greet some townspeople,
bless others, dispense alms, solve problems and console or inspire
as situations warranted. When the two men reached the far
end of the street on the outskirts of town, the young friar said
to Francis, “But Francis, when are you going to preach?” And
Francis responded, “We just did.” It is because of Fr. Beloin that
I, like Tom Golden and so many others, have invested in Saint
Thomas More Chapel’s activities.
Fr. Eddie DeLeón, Joe Vale '63, Bishop Christie Macaluso, and Fr. Bob Beloin after Mass
And so the lessons are: faith in God, in country and in the future; discipline,
determination, sacrifice and perseverance; dedication to family; putting faith
into practice; giving back; and contributing to society.
In closing, let me say this:
I remember being in this chapel as an undergraduate, and staring at these
exotic chandeliers, wondering what life after Yale would hold in store for me.
I wished that alumni would come back to provide me with some insight or
advice.
I know that many of you are facing uncertain futures right now, especially as
the tectonic plates of business, finance, politics and society are shifting. But
I can assure you that – despite what “experts” and media pundits might lead
you to believe – nothing you have experienced in your lifetime compares
in magnitude or difficulty with the wars, economic depression or sacrifices
which my parents faced during their lifetime.
Moreover, you stand better prepared at your age than they were. So take
comfort, and be inspired by their lives. As the gospels tell us, “fight the good
fight,” “run the race.” And, as Pope John Paul II once told us – and as my
parents firmly believed throughout their lifetimes – “don’t be afraid, don’t be
afraid.”
Thank you.
New Members of STM Board
William M. Edwards '02
Alumni Trustee
New Members of STM Pastoral Team
Denise Arroyo
Receptionist
Kevin Cook '97
Assistant to the Chaplain
Joseph J. Vale '63
Alumni Trustee
Samantha Sokoloski
Administrative Assistant
As the gospels tell us, “fight the good fight,”
“run the race.” And, as Pope John Paul II once
told us – and as my parents firmly believed
throughout their lifetimes – “don’t be afraid,
don’t be afraid.”
8 Hon. Guido Calabresi '53 '58 LL.B. and Joe Vale '63
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