Chaplain

An alumnus of George Mason, Father Peter was ordained a priest in 1989 (this is his 30th anniversary year!).  After five years in different parishes, he served as the chaplain at Marymount University, and then at his alma mater of GMU.  He came to JMU the summer of 2016, and quickly realized that "GO Dukes...begins with GOD!"  He is a consecrated full member of Youth Apostles, loves the Redskins, and loves to cook (especially Italian food!).  Most especially he loves being a priest and being a small part of helping others grow in their faith and experiencing the depth of God's love for them.  You can often find Father Peter cheering on the Dukes at basketball games, handing out free hot dogs at tailgates, and walking around campus catching Pokemon.  Please say hi if you see him on campus or around the 'burg!  

 

Director of Campus Ministry

Austin Farinholt ('11)
O: (540) 434-7360 
jmuccmdirector@gmail.com

Austin Farinholt is a graduate from James Madison University, earning his B.A. in Communication Studies in 2011. He met his wife, Clair, right here at the CCM House while they were both students. After graduating, Austin worked in fundraising, spending most of his time working in different capacities for the Diocese of Richmond. After years of fundraising, Austin transitioned to full-time ministry for a Catholic parish, hosting and producing a weekly podcast (The Vici Mundum Show) and training small group leaders. He and his wife are excited to raise their family of 5 children in the Shenandoah Valley surrounded by a great Catholic community here at CCM. Austin deeply loves Jesus and loves when a student walks through the doors to discuss the faith.

Director of Development

Erica Panasiewicz ('13)
O: (540) 434-7360 
jmuccmdevelopment@gmail.com

A graduate of JMU herself, Erica began serving the CCM community as the Director of Development in April of 2015.  She studied Communication and Religion while at JMU, but she found her true home within the walls of the CCM House (and she still hasn't left!).  She loves connecting with alumni, parents, community members, and students, and sharing the excitement that is going on in our ministry.  When she isn't running around CCM or meeting with donors, Erica can be found baking cakes and celebrating birthdays, inviting everyone over for deck night, having real-talk with students on her big green chair, or with her nose in a travel book trying to figure out her next adventure.  Her main goal in her ministry is to ensure that CCM will continue to serve as a home for any student who needs it.  
 

Interim Coordinator of Campus Ministry

Joan Zimmerman
zimmerman.c.joan@gmail.com

Joan is excited and honored to serve the CCM community as the Campus Ministry Intern. She is a recent graduate of Christopher Newport University with a degree in Environmental Biology. During her time at CNU, she was involved in Catholic Campus Ministries and served as the Faith Formation Coordinator as well as the Small Group Coordinator. She is also an alumna of Alpha Sigma Alpha. During her time here she is hoping to aid the ministry in all areas and get to know the students. "CCM has given me so much in my college years, without it, I am not sure where I would be today. It has helped me, inspired me, and challenged me in my faith. I only hope to do the same for the students here." In her free time, she enjoys photography, reading, thrift shopping and being outdoors. 
 

Faculty Adviser

John Bowers
bowersjc@jmu.edu 

Dr. Bowers is an assistant professor in the JMU Computer Science Department. When not teaching, he can generally be found Nerf sword fighting with his 3 kids, cycling, drinking espressos, screeching out Irish tunes on the violin, or discussing St. Thomas Aquinas and the finer points of scholastic metaphysics. He also loves Gregorian chant and praying the hours (and leads one of the weekly 8am morning prayer meetings). Next time you’re on East Campus, feel free to stop by his office hours (which can be found at johncbowers.com) to chat. His office is on the second floor of ISAT/CS, room 217.