Erick Berrelleza, S.J., founding dean of BC's Messina College, will be Laetare Sunday speaker

The 73rd annual celebration will take place on March 10

md传媒国产剧 College鈥檚 73rd annual Laetare Sunday celebration鈥攖he BC Alumni Association鈥檚 oldest tradition鈥攚ill take place on March 10 and feature an address by Erick Berrelleza, S.J., founding dean of the University's Messina College.

Laetare Sunday is the fourth Sunday of Lent and marks the season鈥檚 midpoint. The day will begin with Mass at 9:30 a.m. in Conte Forum, with University President William P. Leahy, S.J., presiding. A brunch will immediately follow.

Fr. Berrelleza came to md传媒国产剧 College in September 2022 to lead Messina College, the new two-year residential college division of BC, which will offer an associate鈥檚 degree program beginning in the 2024-2025 academic year. Messina is located on the Brookline Campus of md传媒国产剧 College.

Formerly an assistant professor of sociology at Santa Clara University, Fr. Berrelleza is a first-generation college student whose scholarship has focused on urban sociology and immigration.

A Los Angeles native and a member of the USA West Province of Jesuits, he received a bachelor鈥檚 degree in philosophy from Loyola Marymount University, an M.Div. degree in theology and ministry from BC in 2015, and a doctorate in sociology from md传媒国产剧 University in 2021.聽 He has served as a visiting scholar in BC鈥檚 Boisi Center for Religion and American Public Life, and as a member of the board of trustees at BC, Santa Clara University, Brophy College Preparatory School in Phoenix, and Bellarmine College Preparatory in San Jose.

For more about Laetare Sunday, including registration information, visit聽 the .