Answering a reassignment request from the Boston Archbishop Sean P. O'Malley, Father David Michael, the campus Catholic chaplain, said he will leave his position here at the end of this semester for a parish in Boston."This change in my ministry and my subsequent departure from Brandeis comes unexpectedly, and I know that it will cause feelings of dislocation and losswithin our community," Michael wrote in an e-mail to the Catholic community Nov. 4, adding that he is currently working to ensure "that the life of the Catholic community here may continue to be a vibrant one.

"I would be remiss if I did not thank you-the Brandeis students-who have been such a precious source of richness in my life," he wrote. "I hope that I have returned the gift."

Michael, who has held the position since 1997, is widely credited for his efforts to bring together those of different faiths both on campus and in the larger Boston community during his time here.

Michael's approaching departure has left some Catholic students worried about the future of their community here, but they said they understand his departure is for the greater good.

"Many of us feel a great sense of loss and sadness that such a great friend and leader is departing," Catholic Student Organization President Jonathan Sham '06 said. "However, we know that he is following God's call and will be serving many more in his new position," at a 1,500-member Boston parish.

Michael said he is working with the Archdiocesan Office of Campus Ministry to find a replacement.

"I am already arranging for visiting priests to offer Mass here on Sunday evenings next semester," he said. Mass will be offered once a week, down from the four weekly services currently offered, Michael said.

Anny Jones '06, a coordinator for the Catholic Student Organization, said that while she is concerned about the "profound transition" the community will face as a result of Michael's reassignment, she is confident they will remain strong.

"Father Michael ... has been our shepherd and we his flock," Jones said. "The nature of Father Michael's ministry has been and continues to be an extraordinary instance of virtue" and will continue to be a reflection of his work after his departure, she said.

University administrators are "concerned about and committed to" sustaining the Catholic community through the period of transition, Michael said.

Dean of Student Life Rick Sawyer wrote in an e-mail to the Justice that Michael "is doing what is absolutely needed to ensure that services are going to be provided during the transition period," such as looking into hiring a part-time priest, but noted that all plans are tentative.

But the situation is not completely in the administration's hands.

"When it comes to Catholic ministry on campus, it is a joint effort with the appropriate persons in the Boston Archdiocese and our community," Sawyer said.

Michael's departure reflects the shortage of parish priests, Catholic student Dana Sawitz said. "It's disappointing, but in the same respect it's very much a reality of what's going on in the Church right now."

Michael joined the Brandeis community in 1997 after working in Catholic-Jewish relations for the Boston Archdiocese. "One of the factors in my favor in the judgment of the [hiring] committee seems to have been my work in interfaith relations," Michael said.

Sham said Michael has been a leader for hundreds of Catholic students and has "promoted understanding and respect between people of different faiths."

Michael described religious life at Brandeis as "rich and diverse" and said that his hope for the Catholic community has been that it maintain a strong sense of faith while preserving open communication with other religions.

"It has always been my goal that the Catholic community should be rooted in its Catholic identity-should be unambiguously Catholic-without becoming a closed insular community," he said.

Michael contributed "in important ways to religious life on campus, as well as inter-religious dialogue," University President Jehuda Reinharz said. Reinharz also recalled one of his fondest memories of the Chaplain: Michael helping to trim the Christmas tree in the Shapiro Campus Center Atrium.

"Being a Catholic priest is not an automatic ticket to respect on this campus," Michael said. "You have to earn respect, and it's a hard process. I hope that I have risen to the occasion, but that is for others to say, not me.