A day in the life of ... a resident priest

Rev. Kevin Kersten, S.J., is a professor in the communication department, teaching Mass Communication Ethics. He is a resident minister in Gabelli Hall and is the manager of BC Cable's Channel 46. Every Sunday, Kersten, a priest since 1959, celebrates Mass at a local church, St. Joseph's, in Wakefield.

5 or 6 - 8:30 a.m.: I wake up to pray and reflect and listen to great music, all to help me get into the presence of God in my daily routine.

9 a.m. - 12 p.m.: Office hours in the communication department in 21 Campenella Way.

1 p.m. - 1:30 p.m: After lunch I usually have a half-hour snooze, because I usually do work right until midnight.

Afternoons: Before teaching (3 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays) I put the finishing touches on my class prep. Between classes I'm working the telephone with colleagues on faculty, my students, the Channel 46 staff, and externs. In the late afternoons, I attend the Jesuit community Mass. During the three days a week when I don't have class, I tend to work on Channel 46, do long-term class prep, take care of my non-academic responsibilities, and enjoy the companionship of my fellow brother Jesuits and friends.

Evenings: After supper, I'm usually at my room in Gabelli Hall, available to seniors living in the dorms for counseling, sharing pizza, and otherwise enjoying their company. I'm really interested in just about everything that goes on campus, particularly the people. I help where I can, and I'm trying to exercise my priesthood in the work that I do. I do priestly ministry wherever I can and wherever there is a need.