3/11/2010
Magic can teach transformation, says priest
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| Magic can teach transformation, says priest |
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Clarice Keating
EUGENE — As a seminarian 19 years ago, Dominican Father Daniel Rolland ministered for a time at the University of Oregon’s St. Thomas More Newman Center.
Today he is back, learning by doing in his first pastorship.
With his “sparkling personality, cheerful attitude and willingness to always see the positive side of things,” Father Rolland fit in from day one, said Betty Goeckel, the parish’s development director.
“Each pastor brings different gifts to the Newman Center, and we embrace the new pastor with open arms,” Goeckel said.
There is also the magic. It’s something Father Rolland has loved since he was a little boy — the wonder and mystery of the practice.
When he was young, though, magic was about power. As he grew older, however, he discovered that it was really about letting go and trusting in God.
“I learned ultimately that God is the true source of every wonder and everything that makes us go ‘wow,’” he said.
Located halfway between the Pacific Ocean and the Cascades, in the broad Willamette Valley, Eugene has an “enchanted forest” quality. It is known as the “Athens of the West” because of the University of Oregon.
And Father Rolland hopes to add to the magic of the town.
“I definitely have my own bag of tricks, which can make ministry a bit more exciting and new,” he said. “As a priest who is also a magician, I see ‘magic’ as a metaphor for transformation, for wonder and awe, and for the amazing things that happen in our lives.”
That magic reminds him that dreams can come true and life is full of surprises and, like other art forms, it can be used to convey a message.
With 16 years of priesthood experience, 13 of those years in campus ministry, Father Rolland has cared for the souls of many young adults.
He can blow a bubble, and instead of popping, he grabs it and it turns into a solid ball.
“We are God’s bubbles, each containing the breath of our creator,” he said. “People in the world think we are like bubbles, and we pop out of existence when we die. With God we never pop out of existence.”
At the age of 21 after three years of college, Father Rolland entered the Dominican order. He was ordained in 1993. Since then, the places he has served include Santa Venetia, Calif., the University of Arizona at Tucson, Arizona State University in Tempe and Salt Lake City.
After being in the service of providence for 12 years, Father Rolland petitioned to take a yearlong sabbatical to hone his magic ministry by studying with professional performers. The request was granted, so Father Rolland traveled to a Las Vegas school where he met Eugene Burger, a famous magician.
Burger said Father Rolland’s most important skill in the world of magic is his ability to listen.
“He genuinely loves people, and I think that shows in his preaching and in his magic,” Burger said.
The priest also worked with another famous magician, Jeff McBride, who points out that performance is often used in healing arts, or as a form of storytelling. Laughter is very therapeutic, he said.
After the sabbatical, Father Rolland toured with his magic and message around the United States. His presentations include card, silk and paper, and mind reading tricks — no slicing or dicing in the tricks though. He is part of the Fellowship of Christian Magicians, a group that shows there are many ways to share the gospel.
At home, the priest and parish staff members are concentrating on making the Newman Center a place that helps young adults make the transition into college, a home away from home.
University of Oregon junior Katie Sinner said the pastor’s style of ministry is a “breath of fresh air,” and the parish peer ministers Christy Austin and Rocio Petersen said he keeps them on their toes.
“He relates well to the issues in the student community and he is very understanding of student needs and concerns,” said Sidran Olson, junior.
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