Albert and Amelia Ferst Interfaith Center

Albert and Amelia Ferst Interfaith Center
Westfield State University
577 Western Avenue
Westfield, MA 01086-1630

Mission
The mission of the Albert and Amelia Ferst Interfaith Center is to support religious and spiritual life and to promote interfaith understanding at Westfield State University. During the academic year, Center staff members provide and support opportunities for worship, meditation, spiritual exploration, religious learning, celebration, fellowship and service. In support of the College's mission to prepare students for life in the global community, the Center seeks to promote respect for and understanding of diverse religious traditions and to help students relate their moral and religious traditions to their personal choices and service to society.

Chaplains and Religious Services

Father John Dean, Catholic Chaplain
Telephone: 413-572-5567

• Catholic Mass is celebrated on campus at the Interfaith Center on Sunday at 12 noon & 4 p.m and on Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. On long weekends, Mass is only offered on Sunday at 4 p.m. During the Lenten season, Mass is offered Monday through Friday at 7:30 a.m.
• Father Dean is available for counseling by appointment.

Reverend Kimberly J. Murphy, Protestant Chaplain
E-mail: murphykj@aol.com
Telephone: 413-568-7557 or 413-579-4186

• Sunday services are held at 10 a.m. at the UCC Second Congregational Church located at 487 Western Avenue, adjacent to the College's commuter parking lot.
• Reverend Kim is also available for counseling by appointment.

Rabbi Joyce Galaski, Jewish Chaplain
E-mail: rabbijoyce@gmail.com  
Telephone: 413-572-8164

• Services are held on the High Holy Days and approximately twice a month for the Jewish Sabbath and for other Jewish holidays. Services are held jointly with Congregation Ahavas Achim of Westfield at the Interfaith Center on campus. A schedule of Jewish services is posted at the Interfaith Center entrance, published in The Westfield Voice student newspaper, and is also available by contacting Rabbi Joyce.
• Rabbi Joyce is also available for counseling by appointment.

Students interested in Muslim prayer and activities on campus or in the wider community are invited to contact Prof. Kamal Ali at 413-572-5388 or kali@westfield.ma.edu.

Requests for additional religious services and/or spiritual advising for students may be directed to Kim Morgan, Office of the Vice President of Student Affairs, c/o kmorgan@westfield.ma.edu or 413-572-5400.

Interfaith Programming and Student Activities

The Westfield State University Foundation, Inc. supports the College’s Interfaith Programming Committee (IPC) for the purpose of offering additional religious, spiritual and interfaith programs on campus. Programming requests can be processed here.

The IPC also welcomes new student members. If interested, contact Rabbi Joyce Galaski at rabbijoyce@gmail.com or Kim Morgan at kmorgan@westfield.ma.edu.

For information about religious student organizations and activities on campus including Christian Fellowship, Campus Crusade for Christ and the Jewish Student Organization (JSO) visit our Clubs & Organizations page.

Interfaith Center Facilities

The Center's main worship area seats about 90 and authorized groups using the Center are responsible for bringing and removing any symbols or artifacts particular to their faiths. The Center’s chapel features a magnificent pipe organ with two manuals, a pedalboard and three and one-half ranks of pipes. The organ may be played by bona fide musicians familiar with such instruments including students from the University's Music Department.

On the lower level of the Center there are offices for College Chaplains and a lounge for meetings or gatherings.

While the Interfaith Center does not have facilities for preparing or serving food, catering services are available from the University Dining Service by pre-arrangement with the Catering Dept. Manager gancelli@westfield.ma.edu.

Student members of all faiths are invited to use the Interfaith Center by request through the College Chaplains or through the advisers of religious student organizations.

Weddings may be scheduled as well, provided there is no previously scheduled religious service; many college alumni have been married at the Interfaith Center on campus. The College’s Office of Events Management handles scheduling of the Interfaith Center. For information, call 413-572-5432.

Supporting the Center

The Interfaith Center on campus was dedicated on May 16, 1982. Albert F. and Amelia Ferst of Westfield - for whom the Center is named - demonstrated extraordinary generosity in championing the cause, and taking the lead in the first joint fundraising effort in the history of Westfield State University, involving students, parents, faculty, staff, and alumni of the college, and the people, businesses, organizations, and churches of Greater Westfield. The Ferst family also donated the Center's pipe organ in memory of their parents.

The operation and maintenance of the Albert and Amelia Ferst Interfaith Center require ongoing funding through the goodwill of those who use it and those who support its mission. Inquiries and contributions may be directed to:

Dave Caspole
Assistant Director, Development:
dcaspole@westfield.ma.edu
(413) 572-8198