1. Art and Diseño

FALL 2014 Vol. XL, No. 3
The Newsletter of the Association
of Catholic Colleges and Universities
In This Issue...
Faith Development: There’s an App for
That
By Paula Moore, associate vice president for communications, ACCU
I
magine a student between classes, resting on a sunny patch of grass, eyes closed and
ear buds in. You might think she was listening to the latest tune from Onerepublic.
But at The Catholic University of America, the student is just as likely to be listening
to a homily from that week’s Mass.
The Office of Campus Ministry at CUA recently debuted a new app that enables
students to find faith resources through their smart phones and tablets. In addition to
daily Mass readings and motivational thoughts, the app offers a calendar of campus
ministry events; links to Busted Halo, the website for young adults; contact information
for student ministers; and more.
CUA is not alone in taking this path to digital devotion. Across Catholic higher
education, colleges and universities are building apps to help students and others
engage with their faith.
Oftentimes, the idea of developing a Catholic-focused app originates with
campus ministry. Rev. Justin Ross, OFM Conv., associate chaplain for liturgy and
worship at CUA, says the idea to develop the app there came from the pastoral staff
in campus ministry, who know that students often turn first to phones and tablets for
communication and information gathering.
“We wanted to put resources at their fingertips, so that with a few clicks, they’d
be able to find the information they’re looking for within the app,” he explains. “The
whole idea originated out of a desire to meet students where they are and help them
have easier access to resources that already exist.”
Continued on page 2
Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Carlo
Maria Viganò on today’s culture
p7
Rome Seminar participants
reflect on unique experience
President’s Letter 3
ACCU Announcements 5
Five Challenges to Today’s Youth 7
Reflections on the 2014 Rome Seminar 10
The City of Rome and Catholic Education 12
p 10
Conferences and Events 14
Religious Liberty Update 15
Campus Notes 17
Peace & Justice Initiatives 20
CRS Student Ambassadors 22
Points of Interest 23
Student Ambassadors bring
CRS mission to campuses
p 22
F A LL 2 0 1 4
Associ a tion of Ca tholic Colleges a nd Univer sities
Faith Development in the Palm of Your Hands
Continued from page 1
The result is the “Faith Finder” app for the nearby
Altoona/Johnstown Diocese. The university reports that
students spent months writing the code and testing the app
that enables a smart phone user to
conveniently find churches in the
Altoona/Johnstown Diocese by
distance, Mass time, and confession
time. The app officially launched
in July 2013, and its popularity
and number of users quickly grew.
The app was so successful that
the nearby Greensburg Diocese
subsequently contacted Wetklow
to ask about developing a similar
app; modifications to the original
product enabled inclusion of the
adjacent diocese.
A desire to make information readily available to
students also drove the University of Notre Dame to develop
its “ND Daily Faith” app, launched in August 2013.
“Campus ministry had struggled for some time with how
to create a place where students could easily access a list of all
of the faith-based events on campus,” recalls Kate Morgan,
associate director of communications, Office of Campus
Ministry at Notre Dame. “We considered adding another
web page to our own website or developing a microsite for
this purpose, but we questioned whether or not it would be
considered ‘just another website’ to our students. Instead,
we chose to develop a smart phone app for students with a
user-friendly interface and a back-end content management
system that could be quickly and easily updated.
“Now, instead of searching various websites for dates
and times of upcoming faith-based events on campus,
students can easily search ND Daily Faith for events related
to prayer, lectures and discussions, faith-sharing groups,
service, retreats and music,” Morgan concludes.
Hitting Their Mark
Aside from counting the number of downloads, it can be
difficult to measure the effectiveness of Catholic missionrelated apps.
Schulman says that Santa Clara’s app was designed to
help individuals make personal or professional decisions,
and anecdotal evidence shows that it is being used for just
that purpose. “One of our student workers recently told us
that she introduced the app to a friend who was trying to
make a decision about a relationship and that using the app
changed her mind about the right thing to do,” she notes.
But Schulman adds that the success of the app shows
itself in other ways, too. For instance, the Center was
surprised to learn that the app has been useful in groups,
such as classes and workshops. “The SCU orientation team
used the app with all incoming students to work through a
case about academic integrity, [and] our director of character
education used it with a group of visiting principals.”
Advances in technology may provide app developers
with other means of gauging success. At Notre Dame,
Morgan notes that campus ministry is currently working
with the app developer to glean data about user habits
such as how often a user opens the app and what they are
experiencing in real time, she explains. “Up until now, we
have only been able to track downloads, so we are hopeful
that this improvement will allow us to further determine our
success and better engage our users.”
Ultimately, the success of apps designed to help users grow
their faith really comes down to one factor. As Ross of CUA
notes, “The end goal is for students to find it a useful tool to help
them to continue to grow in their friendship with Jesus.”
Faith on the Go
Other Catholic colleges and universities that have developed
faith-related apps have done so by leveraging existing
strengths to fill a need beyond that of the immediate campus
community. The Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at
Santa Clara University drew upon its interdisciplinary
nature to develop “Making an Ethical Decision,” an app to
help anyone engage in ethical problem solving.
“One of the first activities of the Center when it was founded
in 1986 was to bring together a group of faculty to develop ‘A
Framework for Ethical Decision Making,’ a step-by-step guide
to considering difficult choices using classical approaches from
the ethics tradition,” explains Miriam Schulman, associate
director of the Markkula Center. “The Framework has been on
our website since it went up in 1996, and it has been viewed
more than 1 million times. When apps became popular, the
Framework seemed to lend itself well to that medium, and we
hoped it would allow us to reach out to more people, particularly
young people who are so active on mobile devices.”
Mobile devices also cater to people on the go. That’s
what Dan Wetklow, professor of computer science at Saint
Francis University in Pennsylvania, realized while traveling
and looking for a Mass to attend. He didn’t have time to
browse individual websites for times and locations, and the
idea for developing an app was born. He shared the idea with
colleagues, who responded enthusiastically and identified
two Saint Francis students to help build the application.
www.accunet.org
2
Back to table of contents
f A LL 2 0 1 4
Associ a tion of Ca tholic Colleges a nd Universities
President’s L e t te r
Reshaping the Narrative
Harnessing the hope that resides on all our campuses, we can refresh the story of higher education
A
t the Association of Catholic
dynamic new leaders, ground broken on
Colleges and Universities, the “back
state-of-the-art facilities, and even tales of
to school” season has gotten off
financial rebound and recovery. Did you
to an encouraging start. As the collective
know, for instance, that of the nine U.S.
voice of Catholic higher education in the
colleges and universities upgraded by
United States, we take special efforts to
Moody’s Investors Service recently, three
help the media (and by extension, their
are Catholic institutions?
readers) better understand just what makes
Stories such as that come to light
our sector so distinctive. So we’ve found it
regularly; we collect them nearly every
rewarding over the last few weeks to field
day. And more are out there, too. The
multiple calls from a variety of reporters—
reason why we are regularly able to
representing The Chronicle of Higher
provide reporters with a compelling
Education, The Wall Street Journal, National
portrait of our sector is that our member
Catholic Reporter, Our Sunday Visitor, and
institutions work with us to respond in a
other publications—seeking to understand Michael Galligan-Stierle, Ph.D. coordinated, targeted way when we ask
our Catholic colleges and universities just a
for assistance. It tells me that Catholic
little better.
colleges and universities are able to tell
The focus of each story differed, of
their individual stories in a powerful way,
course, running the gamut from the latest
and in so doing, collectively provide the
accommodation to the Affordable Care Act
pieces of a vibrant mosaic.
(see page 15 for more on that subject), how
college professors integrate faith into the
Moving the Needle
classroom, immigration issues, and even
That pulsating portrayal of Catholic higher
one story examining the future of Catholic
education is not just a feel-good story. It
higher education. Some of the questions we
is essential that we recast the narrative
were posed prompted us to refer the reporter
surrounding higher education—and to
to one of our member campuses doing
some extent, the specific world of Catholic
extraordinary things in a particular area,
higher education. I can remember a
such as the ongoing efforts by Dominican
time (not that long ago) when the only
University (IL) and Marygrove College to
time reporters wanted to talk with me
address the needs of undocumented students
was when a controversial speaker was
seeking a college education.
invited to one of our member campuses
Reaching out to our campuses,
or an LGBT student group was denied
particularly small- to medium-sized Catholic
university funding. We are in a different
colleges, also helped us affirm the good path
on which Catholic higher education is placed. To be sure, we era now, one in which the understanding of what it means
know we have institutions facing financial constraints, as well to be a Catholic university has more dimension and depth
as challenges related to succession planning and engagement to it. Granted, the story examining the future of Catholic
with the culture. It is true that some of our members are higher education has yet to be published, and it could
experiencing declining enrollments, stagnant endowments, grossly misrepresent our sector. But I have to feel that
and executive turnover. But we also see the signs of hope:
Continued on page 4
“It is essential
that we recast
the narrative
surrounding
higher
education...”
www.accunet.org
3
Back to table of contents
F A LL 2 0 1 4
Associ a tion of Ca tholic Colleges a nd Univer sities
Strengthening Our Collective Voice
Continued from page 3
he affirmed the power of actions. When we say that love is
“more in actions than in words,” he explained, this is because
“love always gives life, it makes things grow.”
What actions can we take, as a community, to further
reshape our narrative? Each program that strengthens our
connection to Catholic identity, that helps our students
affirm their faith development, or that brings us closer to
firm financial footing contributes to our progress. We cannot
expect to project a rock star persona, but we can project our
collective voice to those who are willing to listen.
I hope that you will join us for the 2015 ACCU Annual
Meeting, when we will explore this very issue and discuss
how we can harness the hope and vitality that exists on every
one of our campuses to confront today’s challenges. Our
goal is to instill in our attendees a reinvigorated spirit, ready
to help tell the extraordinary story of today’s Catholic higher
education.
having a major news outlet pursue such a piece is itself an
achievement, an acknowledgement that our community has
value and distinction.
Though it would be unfair and inaccurate to compare
our sector to the controversy-riddled cloud that hung over
the Roman Catholic Church for a decade, we can take
a lesson from the turnaround effected by Pope Francis.
Vatican commentator Gerard O’Connell declared the pope
nothing short of “a godsend to the Catholic Church and to
the Vatican. Prior to his election, the Vatican was bogged
down with a negative image in the world’s eyes, due to
scandals and blunders….It was in freefall.”
John Allen agreed, observing the remarkable shift in
public opinion: “The dominant narrative about the Catholic
Church today is ‘rock star pope takes the world by storm.’ If
that’s not a revolution, at least at the level of perception, then
we have never seen one.”
How has he done it? Through a hundred small actions—
from where he lives to who he embraces. Indeed, these
actions have the effect of speaking through a metaphorical
megaphone, amplifying the wisdom and grace that we
expect of a pontiff. Earlier this summer, when Pope Francis
reflected on the meaning and message of God’s love for us,
—Michael Galligan-Stierle, Ph.D.
about update
Update is the free quarterly newsletter of the
Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities,
with an international distribution to more than 4,000
electronic subscribers. Issues are published in the winter,
spring, summer, and fall. Individuals may receive an
automatic electronic notification of each new issue by
e-mailing Paula Moore at [email protected].
If you would like to unsubscribe from Update, please
contact ACCU at [email protected] with the subject line
“Unsubscribe.”
an issue of Update, please submit them to pmoore@
accunet.org. Please observe the following deadlines for
article submission:
Winter Issue: November 21, 2014
Spring Issue: February 20, 2015
Summer Issue: May 22, 2015
For further guidelines on article submission, please
visit ACCU’s website.
Submissions
If you have a news item pertaining to Catholic higher
education mission that you would like included in
www.accunet.org
4
Back to table of contents
f A LL 2 0 1 4
Associ a tion of Ca tholic Colleges a nd Universities
accu Anno u ncements
Website Boasts Updated Features
Save the Date: 2015 ACCU Annual Meeting
The ACCU website now offers several expanded resources:
• The Centers and Institutes database has been updated
to include more than 1,000 innovative centers at
Catholic colleges and universities. These institutes
organize and facilitate research, service, and
scholarly exploration of topics important to Catholic
higher education. The national database housed on
the ACCU website helps policy makers, researchers,
journalists, funders, and others locate services and
experts relevant to a range of interests. The list
reveals the extraordinary scholarly contributions that
Catholic colleges and universities make beyond the
classroom.
• A revised President’s Page now includes material
from ACCU President Michael Galligan-Stierle’s
recent on-campus
presentations,
as
well as links to
recent news stories
that have quoted the
association head.
• A streamlined
map
of
U.S.
Catholic colleges
and
universities
is now online,
combining views
of Eastern and
Western
United
States, and featuring
direct links to
each institution’s
website.
Catholic higher education has always had a distinctive
outlook, drawing upon its faith tradition, its commitment to
engage the culture, and its role as a prophetic voice. Today,
when headlines paint a bleak picture of higher education,
with tales of imposed rating systems, strained finances, and
turnover at the top, our sector can interject a unique voice.
Be sure to mark your calendar for January 31–February
2, 2015, and join ACCU as we seek to reshape the national
narrative. Join us to explore ways to harness the hope and
vitality of our students, confront today’s problems, and
nurture tomorrow’s leaders in the spirit of Pope Francis.
Attend the 2015 ACCU Annual Meeting and come away
reinvigorated, with an informed heart and an inspired mind.
More information is available on the ACCU website;
registration will be opening later this fall.
New Journal of Catholic Higher Education
The newest edition of the peer-reviewed Journal of Catholic
Higher Education is coming soon, and promises new research
and insights into Catholic college and university identity.
The summer 2014 issue will include articles on student
perceptions of Catholic identity on campus, the effectiveness
of peer ministry in contributing to a student’s faith
development, and more.
An article written by researchers at DePaul University
looks at the effectiveness of Catholic campus leadership
programs. The authors note, “As at most institutions,
developing the next generation of leaders is important, but
this is especially true at a Catholic institution whose mission
is to develop citizens who focus on social justice with a
particular interest in serving the poor and marginalized.”
ACCU member campuses each receive copies of the
journal at no cost, with distribution to the president’s office
and the campus library. Additional information is available
at www.accunet.org/JCHE.
ACCU hopes you find these resources to be useful, and
welcomes suggestions for further updates.
www.accunet.org
5
Back to table of contents
F A LL 2 0 1 4
Associ a tion of Ca tholic Colleges a nd Univer sities
New Roster of Study USA Students Announced
The Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities welcomes students from the Northern Ireland Study USA program
for the 2014–15 academic year. The following institutions have generously offered a tuition scholarship to these 25 students
for one year of study:
Albertus Magnus College (CT)
Kirsty Brown
Alvernia University (PA)
Niamh Callaghan
Bellarmine University (KY)
Adam Graham
Carlow University (PA)
Malachy McKenna
Clarke University (IA)
Patrick Campbell
College of Saint Benedict (MN)
Stephanie Jemphrey
College of St. Scholastica (MN)
Amy Davidson
DeSales University (PA)
Lauren Patrick
D’Youville College (NY)
Nicola Woods
Edgewood College (WI)
Aidan Quinn
Immaculata University (PA)
Fiona McParland
John Carroll University (OH)
Ryan Dempsey
La Roche College (PA)
David McKerr
Loyola University Chicago (IL)
Mary Stewart
Madonna University (MI)
Liam Morgan
Manhattan College (NY)
Clare Walls
Marymount University (VA)
Shawn Morrow
Neumann University (PA)
Emma McStay
Regis University (CO)
Caroline Black
Saint Bonaventure University (NY)
Ashley-Kate McCann
Saint John’s University (MN)
Steven O’Neill
Saint Leo University (FL)
Gemma Gibson
Saint Vincent College (PA )
Patrick Conway
Spalding University (KY)
Lynsey Doyle
University of St. Thomas (TX)
Conor Dowling
In addition, ten students from ACCU
institutions accepted tuition scholarships
from colleges and universities in
Northern Ireland for a semester of study
during the 2014–15 academic year. This
year’s Irish American Scholars are:
Allison D’Angelo, Cabrini College
Amy Farrell, Saint Bonaventure
University
Maddie Friend, Edgewood College
Elizabeth Gatten, Bellarmine University
Brianna Prince, King’s College
Alexander Schwartz, Saint Vincent
College
Nicole Sensenbrenner, Edgewood
College
Katherine Thesing, Bellarmine
University
Maria Turner, Saint Anselm College
Sabine Wakim, Saint Bonaventure
University
We like leaders . . . and followers!
Follow ACCU on Twitter and stay up to date on association
news and events.
Plus, ACCU follows all its member campuses on
Twitter—and happily retweets Catholic missionrelated posts. Be sure your mission office, campus
ministry, public affairs, and other offices connect with
us!
Join the conversation—follow ACCU @CatholicHighrEd
www.accunet.org
6
Back to table of contents
F A LL 2 0 1 4
Associ a tion of Ca tholic Colleges a nd Univer sities
Swimming Against the Tide: Five Challenges to Youth
Last spring, the Center for Catholic Education and FaithBased Leadership at Fordham University welcomed Apostolic
Nuncio Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò to the 20th Annual
Catholic Education Executive Leadership Dinner. Following
is an excerpt of the archbishop’s remarks.
geology, was a Catholic bishop; and Georges Lemaitre, who
formulated the Big Bang theory, was a Belgian priest and
well acquainted with Albert Einstein.
Many of our students labor under the assumption that
since faith and science are contradictory, and science is truth,
then faith must be a fantasy. There is considerable evidence
today from the world’s leading physicists and biologists that
shows precisely the opposite. On this particular subject I
recently had the opportunity to participate in a conference
at the University of Notre Dame, where distinguished
professors especially competent in the history of science
made evident the great contributions of Churchmen to the
progress of the sciences. In view of this relation of faith and
W
e know well that Catholic education is more needed
today in our culture than at any other time. Our
young people are facing challenges of secularism,
materialism, and relativism as never before. A recent study
(the PEW Forum’s Religious Landscape) has shown that
the rate of unbelief among our young people is increasing
at 1 percent per year—having moved from 25 percent to 35
percent declared unbelievers in only ten years. If we continue
at this rate, we will have more unbelievers than believers
among our young people in just 15 years.
As St. John Paul II and Pope Benedict affirmed, a decline
of religion and belief leads to an increase in materialism
and ethical relativism. This will have significant negative
consequences for the next generation of students—and the
culture they will create. Though our young people are very
good-willed and have a desire to help others and to be of
service, their good hearts need ideas and ideals that will help
guide and affirm them in the faith, ethics, justice, service,
and leadership.
It is not my intention here to emphasize the negative
or to exaggerate the challenges you face. I point to the
cultural situation of our young people only because they
are so influenced by it—not only in traditional media, but
also in new media and instant communication. If Catholic
schools and catechism programs do not play a major role
in stemming the tide of these negative developments, our
children will face even greater significant challenges to
maintain their faith, morals, and ideals.
In light of all this, I am now asking that you come
together as colleagues in education to discuss creative
solutions to help your students face five significant challenges
from today’s culture:
1. The challenge of the false dichotomy between faith
and reason, particularly the false dichotomy between faith
and science. The Church has always provided a remarkable
synthesis between faith, reason, and the natural sciences.
Nicolaus Copernicus, the founder of heliocentrism, was
a minor cleric in the Church. Gregor Mendel, the founder
of genetics, was an Augustinian monk and abbot; Nicholas
Steno, the father of contemporary stratigraphy and
www.accunet.org
Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò
science, I ask you to find resources that give this evidence to
students in an accessible and interesting way.
2. The challenge of moral relativism, particularly the
loss of virtue and principles within our culture. Since the
time of St. Augustine, the Church provided a remarkable
synthesis of virtue, principles, and the natural law, which
formed the basis of contemporary individual and social
ethics. Unfortunately, these great foundations of ethics—
conscience, virtue, and principles—have been summarily
ignored, and replaced with a harms-benefits calculus of
utilitarianism, and because of this, our young people are left
without an interior foundation for ethics.
3. The challenge of suffering and evil. So many of our
young people today are sensitized to suffering not only in
Continued on page 8
7
Back to table of contents
F A LL 2 0 1 4
Associ a tion of Ca tholic Colleges a nd Univer sities
Contemporary Culture Challenges Students
Continued from page 7
Today our young people face increasing economic
disparity both nationally and internationally, and must fight
a cultural elitism and privilege that makes them indifferent
to the plight of the poor.
I do not have the answer on how to address these five
major cultural challenges in our educational institutions,
the traditional media, the new media, or even the public
square. I do know, however, that there are scholars within
the Catholic Church who are responding to these challenges,
and there are new movements that are trying to make
these contemporary responses accessible and available to
educators like yourselves.
their own lives, but in the lives of their friends and even the
world. Like every other generation, they ask themselves,
“Why would a good and loving God allow this suffering?
Why did He create us in an imperfect world?” The Church
has provided throughout the centuries, a response to this
question, by integrating the themes of human freedom and
love. It reveals how love requires freedom, and how freedom
opens the possibility of unloving and evil actions. It has used
the teachings of St. Paul to show how humility, compassion,
virtue, and interdependence can arise out of suffering, and
how these four qualities form the pathway to love. Yet these
profound answers are being covered over by a culture of
immediate gratification, entitlement, and hyper-indulgence.
Our children are frequently surprised and even shocked
by suffering, because they do not expect it and they are not
prepared to find the good in it.
4. The challenge of the culture of death. St. John Paul
II articulated this challenge within the context of abortion,
active euthanasia, and capital punishment. But the Church
has been concerned with it throughout its existence,
particularly to defend the life and liberty of every human
being, and particularly the weak, marginalized, vulnerable,
and defenseless. St. John Paul II did not do anything unusual;
he simply took the principles of intrinsic dignity, inalienable
rights formulated by the Church throughout its history,
and applied them to the unborn, the elderly, the disabled,
and capital criminals. He realized that if these principles are
ignored in life issues, they are likely to be ignored in every
other issue, leading ultimately to the culture of death—which
is blind to the inherent goodness, lovability, and mystery of
every human being.
5. The challenge of social injustice and globalization. St.
Augustine established the fundamental principle of social
justice in his work, Free Choice of the Will, by showing that
justice is higher than the positive law, and when the positive
law contradicts the dictates of justice, it is unjust, and no
unjust law need be obeyed. This principle has been quoted
by virtually every major political thinker, including Thomas
Jefferson, Martin Luther King, and Gandhi, and has inspired
major social encyclicals from Rerum Novarum of Pope Leo
XIII (1891) to the present day, in the Apostolic Letter of
Pope Francis, The Joy of the Gospel.
www.accunet.org
I ask you in all humility
to come together around
the theme of the New
Evangelization to respond to
these cultural challenges.
I know how much you already give of yourselves to
meet the many needs of our young people, and so I ask you
in all humility to come together around the theme of the
New Evangelization to respond to these cultural challenges.
Let us investigate the resources that are available, share those
resources with one another, help one another to implement
them, and use our collective creativity to make them
interesting so that our young people can be transformed
into the men and women Christ called them to be. This will
enable them to become effective leaders within the culture
and light for the world.
8
Back to table of contents
Save THE Date
2015 ACCU ANNUAL MEETING
FORMING A NEW GENERATION
January 31–February 2, 2015 | Ritz-Carlton, Washington, DC
Catholic higher education has always had a distinctive outlook, drawing upon its faith
tradition, its commitment to engage the culture, and its role as a prophetic voice.
Today, when headlines paint a bleak picture of higher
education, with tales of imposed rating systems, strained
finances, and turnover at the top, our sector can interject
a unique voice.
Join the Association of Catholic Colleges and
Universities, January 31–February 2, 2015, as we seek
to reshape the national narrative. We will explore ways
to harness the hope and vitality of our campuses to
confront today’s problems and nurture tomorrow’s
leaders, in the spirit of Pope Francis. Attend the 2015
ACCU Annual Meeting and come away reinvigorated,
with an informed heart and an inspired mind.
Follow us for meeting updates
@CatholicHighrEd
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS INCLUDE:
• Chris Lowney, author of Pope Francis: Why He Leads
the Way He Leads
• Thomas McBride, Keefer Professor of Humanities
at Beloit College, and co-author of The Mindset Lists of
American History: From Typewriters to Text Messages,
What Ten Generations of Americans Think is Normal
• Rev. Richard Fragomeni, Professor of Liturgy and
Preaching, Catholic Theological Union and
DePaul University
MORE INFORMATION: WWW.ACCUNET.ORG
F A LL 2 0 1 4
Associ a tion of Ca tholic Colleges a nd Univer sities
Reflections on the 2014 Rome Seminar
By Candace Introcaso, CDP, president, La Roche College
In describing its annual Rome Seminar, the Association
of Catholic Colleges and Universities (ACCU) promises
participants from Catholic colleges and universities “a
firsthand opportunity to explore the intellectual and spiritual
legacy of the Catholic Church in order to strengthen and
promote the mission of Catholic higher education in the
United States.” The promotional material goes on to note
that the “seminar offers a unique look at the Vatican and an
inspiring experience of the Eternal City’s spiritual treasures.
Included are in-depth conversations with key representatives
within the Holy See and Rome’s pontifical universities.”
Participants in the 2014 ACCU Rome Seminar pose for a photo
following lunch at the residence of the U.S. Ambassador to the
Holy See, Ken Hackett.
The 2014 Rome Seminar delivered on these promises
splendidly. But it went on to deliver so much more.
I attended the seminar with two La Roche College
colleagues: Kathryn Jolley, vice chair of the board of trustees;
and Kathy Kozdemba, special counsel for strategic initiatives
and board secretary. We came to the seminar with different
backgrounds and perspectives, but we left with the same,
very special, gift—a renewed appreciation for Catholic
higher education and the roles we can play at this very
exciting moment in the history of the Church.
Months later, we continue to talk about the experiences
of the Rome Seminar and its outcomes: personal and
spiritual nourishment, and a deepened understanding that
we are part of a faith tradition that is universal and diverse.
The insight I personally gained in Rome, about the
depth and breadth of the Catholic faith tradition, has helped
www.accunet.org
me think about what I can do to offer La Roche College
something that our world needs so desperately: a sense of
purpose and stability. The insights from the Rome Seminar
will have a lasting impact on me and, I hope, on my campus
community for years to come.
We came to the seminar with
different backgrounds and
perspectives, but we left with
the same, very special, gift—a
renewed appreciation for
Catholic higher education...
As a woman religious from the United States, I must
admit to mixed feelings about travelling to Rome to meet
with Vatican officials. Other sisters from the United States
had not fared so well lately in their own meetings with the
Curia, and this had greatly concerned me. However, as a
sister president of a Catholic college, and as a member of
the ACCU Board of Directors, I wanted to remain open and
receptive to what I would hear, in the spirit modeled by the
leadership of U.S. woman religious.
Much to my surprise, I found the conversations with
Curia officials, for the most part, to be warm and engaging.
I sensed a genuine desire on their part to nurture a mutually
beneficial relationship between the Vatican and American
colleges and universities. ACCU leadership has cultivated
these relationships for years, and it was evident that
significant inroads have been made, resulting in a genuine
spirit of trust that seemed to permeate our meetings and
discussions at the Vatican.
I returned from Rome with insights and ideas for
strengthening my own college’s Catholic identity. While
this was not my first visit to Rome, it was my first since the
election of Pope Francis. The excitement around this pope
is palpable. We could feel it in almost every meeting with
Vatican dignitaries, in our interactions with other visitors to
Rome, and in casual conversations with residents of the city.
10
Back to table of contents
F A LL 2 0 1 4
Associ a tion of Ca tholic Colleges a nd Univer sities
Archbishop Jean-Louis Brugues, OP (center), prefect, gives the
Rome Seminar attendees a tour of the Vatican Library.
As a non-Catholic alumna of La Roche, Kathryn
Jolley found the preparatory readings for the seminar to
be a source of deep understanding of the Church and the
Vatican. She was particularly inspired by our group’s private
Mass at the tomb of St. Peter under St. Peter’s Basilica; the
retreat at Subiaco, the breathtaking mountaintop monastery
where St. Benedict formed his first monastic community;
and our private tour and Mass in the humble rooms of St.
Ignatius of Loyola, the first Superior General of the Jesuits.
In her professional life, Kathryn is an interior designer, so
she quickly became enthralled with the beauty of the art and
architecture found literally on every corner in Rome.
www.accunet.org
As a retired media executive, Kathy Kozdemba was
impressed with the level and depth of discussions among the
ACCU seminar participants, as well as the impressive stories
All photos by Paula Moore, © ACCU 2014
As educators, we can learn much from the charisma of
Pope Francis and how he draws people to him and to his
message. He tells us, and shows us, how to reach out to the
many students who come to our campuses with a mixed
experience—or no experience—of what today’s Church can
offer them. Pope Francis’s message of mercy and forgiveness
and his focus on the social gospel, especially advocacy for the
poor, resonate with our socially conscious students and the
wider campus community.
On a personal level, the Rome Seminar renewed in me
the realization that I am part of an intellectual tradition that
is rich and purposeful. It has inspired me to explore how we
might revitalize the Catholic Intellectual Tradition on our
own campus, articulating it in new ways tied to the charism
of the founders of La Roche College, the Sisters of Divine
Providence. As this new academic year begins, we already
are beginning conversations about making God’s providence
visible through our advocacy for justice and a providential
presence with those who suffer or are marginalized.
Seminar attendees visited the monastery of St. Benedict in
Subiaco, which enshrines the cave (Sacro Speco) in which
St. Benedict lived as a hermit before he organized his first
monastic community.
each of us eagerly shared with Vatican officials about how we
already are fulfilling Pope Francis’ mission on our campuses
and in our communities. In addition, she appreciated (as
we all did) the input of the staff of the Lay Centre at Foyer
Unitas, who worked closely with us throughout the seminar,
providing meaningful insight into the history and workings
of the Vatican (as well as directions to the best family-owned
restaurants and gelato stands in Rome!).
A highlight of the week for Kathryn and Kathy was
their climb to the top of the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica, very
early on a Sunday morning. They own the bragging rights to
that rare experience—especially Kathryn, who has a fear of
heights! But they speak more softly, and reverently, about
the serenity of standing on the roof of the Vatican behind
the towering statues of the saints, looking down on an empty
St. Peter’s Square . . . while sipping a cappuccino. (Yes, the
Vatican thinks of everything—there is even a rooftop coffee
shop to help pilgrims savor their experience!)
In short, the ACCU Rome Seminar was an experience
that enriched our lives and energized our commitment to
Catholic education. It is an experience that I hope you and
your colleagues might consider in the future. It can be good
for your campus . . . and for your soul.
See more photos from the 2014 Rome Seminar on ACCU’s
Flickr photostream at https://www.flickr.com/photos/
catholichighered/.
11
Back to table of contents
F A LL 2 0 1 4
Associ a tion of Ca tholic Colleges a nd Univer sities
The City of Rome and Catholic Education
By David Dawson Vasquez, director, the Rome Center of the
Catholic University of America
F
or a Catholic liberal arts curriculum, all roads lead to
or from Rome, or pass through the city at one point or
another. The city looms large in the Western intellectual
tradition, shaping discourses on almost every topic: history,
art, politics, law, philosophy, literature, spirituality, and
theology. Any thorough treatment of these topics necessarily
involves a virtual exploration of the city.
The Catholic University of America (CUA), based in
Washington, DC, like many other American institutions,
has chosen to bring this virtual journey to life by bringing
students in contact with the city itself. Its main program in
Rome hosts about 50 students each semester—some from its
partner institution Loyola University Maryland—in a liberal
arts–based program. It also runs specialized programs for
its schools of architecture, law, and business. A main focus
of all of these is a study of the city itself, allowing the city’s
role in the development of thought to speak through its
monuments, art, and streets. The city becomes a central text
for the courses, and students learn to read it alongside other
primary texts, with secondary material to help them bring it
all together.
With this study of Rome’s contribution to the history of
Western thought and institutions, CUA also puts the student
in direct and sustained contact with the modern city. The
students are introduced to Italian food and customs through
organized meals, wine tastings, and cultural events. Every
student takes at least one Italian language class, and those who
want the full immersion experience have the opportunity to
live with Roman host families. Students also are encouraged
to devote some time each week to one of the community
service organizations partnered with CUA Rome.
A strong sense of Catholic identity arises from the
Rome experience. As students study the city, they come
into contact with the long legacy of Church history. They
learn about local saints and important ecclesial figures in
history, read their writings, walk the streets they walked,
and see the impact they still have today. During a daytrip
to Assisi, students study the life of St. Francis and see how
the artwork of the city reflects Franciscan ideas that have
become fundamental to the development of concepts of
beauty and city life. The program helps students participate
in local Church activities in Rome, as well as experience
events of the universal Church in the city. Students meet
with local Church officials as well as with other non-Catholic
Christian leaders in Rome. In addition, CUA is planning a
lecture series in Jewish-Christian dialogue to begin 2015.
www.accunet.org
As part of bringing the students into contact with the
broader life of the Church, CUA organizes educational
events related to significant happenings in Rome. During the
election of Pope Francis, class schedules were reorganized to
allow students to make the most of the time. There was also a
presentation on papal elections and on the impact of the new
papacy. This October, there will be a special lecture series on
the upcoming Extraordinary Synod of Bishops, looking at
the development of Church teaching on marriage and the
family and helping the students understand what is being
discussed at the synod.
Rome gives to the students an
experience of being Catholic
in the broad scope.
In the end, what do we hope that students will take
away from the semester? Along with the tremendous
personal growth that any study abroad program can give,
CUA assists the students in making connections between
the historical city and the contemporary city, so that they
see the ways the great legacy of Rome lives on in Western
ideals and institutions. They begin to see the Church as more
than an abstract concept. They come to see it as a concrete
community, shaped through the actions of real people, some
extraordinary and some quite ordinary. Through contact
with Vatican officials and visits they come to understand the
rather humble operation of universal Church governance
while they reflect on the theological principles of the papacy.
They see how the monuments, churches, art, and music of
the past take on a new vitality and relevance when connected
to the living legacy present today.
Rome gives to the students an experience of being
Catholic in the broad scope. CUA strives to create a
welcoming environment for all of its students—committed
Catholics, less-committed Catholics, other Christians, and
non-Christians alike—in which they can experience Rome
and the Catholic Church. They are invited to participate in
ecclesial activities, with the freedom to develop along their
12
Back to table of contents
F A LL 2 0 1 4
Associ a tion of Ca tholic Colleges a nd Univer sities
own spiritual journey. Through their time in Rome students
begin to see that the Catholic Christian throughout history
is passionately interested in beauty, in making the world a
better place, in dealing compassionately with shortcomings,
and with making the kingdom of God effective in the
present. They also gain some sense of how this passion is
shared by all Christians. They gain an appreciation of the
role of Christianity in the development of Western culture, a
significant theme in the papacy of Benedict XVI.
CUA hopes that all of its students gain an appreciation
of the great dream of Christianity—specifically Catholic
Christianity but shared in good part with other Christian
communities. This is a dream of a world that embraces
diversity and difference and lives this difference in a unity
of love that cultivates all that is best in human life, a world
in which the physical and spiritual goods of this world are
only enhanced as human life shares more intensely in the life
of the Triune God. The beauty of Italian landscapes, food,
art, and conversation becomes, it is hoped, a foretaste of the
realization of this dream.
Dr. David Dawson (background, center) teaching students
onsite at the church of St. Ignatius Loyola. This session of
Liturgical Art and Architecture studied baroque church
architecture, the liturgy for which the space was originally
designed, and the way the space shapes the meaning of
worship. (Photo by Catino Foto Roma)
A Mission Officer Handbook:
Advancing Catholic Identity and University
Mission, Vol. I
on:
o
S
ing
m
o
e II
C
m
u
Vol
Edited by Michael Galligan-Stierle, Ph.D.
Published by the Association of Catholic Colleges
and Universities, this first volume of A Mission Officer
Handbook contains wisdom and insights from 40
authors on the role of the mission officer and effective
practices used at Catholic colleges and universities to
advance mission and identity.
A Mission Officer Handbook is available in paperback for $24.99
and electronically for $14.99. Order your copy today!
Visit the CreateSpace eStore: https://www.createspace.com/4610721
Visit Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IOD5ZJQ/
www.accunet.org
13
Back to table of contents
F A LL 2 0 1 4
Associ a tion of Ca tholic Colleges a nd Univer sities
Conferences & E v e n ts
November
Conference of Catholic Theological Institutions General
Assembly 2014
November 4–7
Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Nairobi, Kenya
Under the title “Impacts of Real Contexts in Doing Theology,”
several topics will be addressed, including how theological
institutions take into account such developments as changes
in theology promoted by Vatican II, social problems, and
digital communications.
Contact: [email protected]
http://cict-cocti.org/
especially those within the pastoral constitution, such as
human dignity, political structures, economic development,
and internationalization. Deadline for submitting proposals
for review is November 30, 2014.
http://bit.ly/NDCSTConference2015
May
National Religious Vocation Conference
November 6–10
Chicago Marriott O’Hare Hotel, IL
https://nrvc.net/download/2313/nrvc_2014_workshop_
brochure_4-3-14.pdf?view=true
Dorothy Day and the Church: Past, Present, and Future
May 13–15
University of Saint Francis, Fort Wayne, IN
This conference will explore Dorothy Day’s life, legacy,
and contemporary significance for the Church. Paper and
session proposals are welcomed from academics and others
familiar with the work of Dorothy Day. Visit dorothyday.
sf.edu for information.
Contact: [email protected]
http://www.sf.edu/sf/arts-sciences/dorothy-day/
January 2015
July
25th IFCU General Assembly
July 13–17
Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Australia
The theme of the IFCU 25th General Assembly is “Times
change. Values don’t.” Over five days, delegates will discuss,
analyze, and reflect on the challenges Catholic universities
face in today’s ever-changing world. Aligned to the General
Assembly will be a series of satellite events held in Melbourne,
which ACU is also hosting, including:
• AUSJAL General Assembly, July 6–7
• Jesuit Higher Education Conference, July 7–10
• Presidents’ Roundtable, July 11–12, focusing on the
theme of internationalization
2015 ACCU Annual Meeting
January 31–February 2
Washington, DC
Save the date!
Contact: [email protected] (202) 457-0650
February
Catholic Social Ministry Gathering Young Leaders
Initiative
February 8–11
Washington, DC
Contact: Lexie Bradley, [email protected]
(202) 457-0650, ext. 224
http://www.accunet.org/files/calendar/IFCU-2015Brochure.pdf
March
Joy & Hope: 50th Anniversary of Gaudium et Spes
March 22–24
University of Notre Dame, IN
The core purpose of the 50th Anniversary of Gaudium et
Spes conference is to explore thematic peace and justice issues
that have been addressed by modern Catholic social thought,
www.accunet.org
14
Back to table of contents
F A LL 2 0 1 4
Associ a tion of Ca tholic Colleges a nd Univer sities
Religious Liberty Concerns Remain for Catholic
Colleges and Universities
By David Baron, attorney in the labor and employment
practice of the law firm Hogan Lovells US LLP, and Joel
Buckman, attorney in the education practice of the same firm
N
umerous legal developments potentially bearing
on the religious identity of Catholic colleges and
universities have occurred in recent months and are
pending in various courts and federal agencies. This article
provides an overview of occurrences in two such areas: (1)
the pending consideration by the National Labor Relations
Board (NLRB or the Board) concerning its jurisdiction
over religious-affiliated colleges and universities, and (2)
advances related to religiously based objections to the socalled contraceptive mandate.
NLRB: Determining Religious Identity
In 1979, the U.S. Supreme Court held in NLRB v. Catholic
Bishop of Chicago that the Board does not have jurisdiction
over teachers at church-operated schools. On February 10,
2014, the NLRB chose a case involving Pacific Lutheran
University as a vehicle for interpreting Catholic Bishop.
In this case, a regional director for the NLRB asserted
jurisdiction over the university because the institution did
not impose—in the regional director’s opinion—sufficient
religious requirements on faculty and students or in other
aspects of university operations to be exempt from NLRB
authority. The Board invited briefs on the proper standard
for evaluating its jurisdiction under Catholic Bishop. (The
Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities [ACCU]
filed an amicus curiae brief in support of Pacific Lutheran.)
The NLRB is now considering at least three possible
“tests” for determining its jurisdiction over religiousaffiliated colleges and universities. First, the NLRB’s
current standard—the “substantial religious character”
test—requires Board officials to probe the institution’s
religious identity and determine whether the institution is
“sufficiently religious” to be exempt from NLRB jurisdiction.
The university, ACCU, and others have argued that this test
is unnecessarily intrusive and unconstitutionally entangles
the government in determining the institution’s religious
identity.
The second test before the Board has been proposed by
the AFL-CIO, which argues that regardless of an institution’s
religious affiliation, the NLRB should assert jurisdiction
over any faculty members who do not perform a religious
function. The university, ACCU, and others have opposed
this test on the grounds that it not only invites NLRB officials
to determine what constitutes a “religious function,” but also
contradicts the Supreme Court’s holding in Catholic Bishop
that once a school is deemed religious-affiliated, the Board
lacks jurisdiction over the relationship between the school
and its teachers.
The third test before the NLRB is the only test that any
U.S. court of law has adopted. In University of Great Falls
v. NLRB (2002), the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District
of Columbia Circuit held that under Catholic Bishop the
NLRB must decline jurisdiction over any institution that
holds itself out as a religious institution, is nonprofit, and
is religious-affiliated. Pacific Lutheran, ACCU, and others
have asked the Board to follow this bright-line test because it
obviates any need to probe an institution’s religious identity
and therefore does not raise First Amendment concerns.
Ultimately, the NLRB’s decision in Pacific Lutheran
University will delimit its own jurisdiction over religiousaffiliated educational institutions and may set the stage for
further review in federal court.
Affordable Care Act Provision
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA)
requires employer-sponsored health plans and their insurers
to make certain “preventive services” available without any
cost-sharing (a provision referred to as the “mandate”). The
ACA regulations include certain forms of contraception
and sterilization among these services. Pursuant to the ACA
regulations, plans sponsored by “religious employers” are
exempt from the mandate with respect to contraceptive
coverage, and plans sponsored by religiously affiliated
nonprofit organizations are eligible for a so-called
accommodation, allowing them to pass the obligation on
to their insurers or third-party administrators (TPAs). The
ACA regulations, however, require plans sponsored by other
kinds of employers—including for-profit employers—to
comply with the mandate. Two recent developments have
thrust the mandate again into the spotlight.
On June 30, 2014, the U.S. Supreme Court handed down
its much-anticipated decision in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby
Stores, Inc. That case presented the question of whether plans
Continued on page 16
www.accunet.org
15
Back to table of contents
F A LL 2 0 1 4
Associ a tion of Ca tholic Colleges a nd Univer sities
Parsing Out Developments in Religious Liberty Cases
Continued from page 15
sponsored by family-owned, for-profit corporations whose
owners hold sincere religious objections to certain forms
of contraception they consider abortifacients must provide
such services. In a 5–4 decision, the Court said no, because
the mandate violates the Religious Freedom Restoration Act
(RFRA). RFRA forbids the federal government from taking
an action that substantially burdens a person’s exercise
of religion unless that action is the least restrictive way to
achieve a compelling government interest.
The Court ruled that closely held for-profit corporations
qualify for RFRA protection and the mandate substantially
burdened these corporations’ exercise of religion to the
extent that the mandate applied to the contraceptives to
which the owners objected. The Court assumed (without
deciding) that the government has a compelling interest in
guaranteeing access to contraceptives, but concluded that
less restrictive methods could achieve that goal. The Court
cited the “accommodation” already offered to religiously
affiliated nonprofit organizations as an example of a less
restrictive method. Based on this suggestion, on August 27 the
government proposed rules extending the accommodation
to “closely held for-profit entities.” The government did not
define a “closely held for-profit entity” for this purpose and
solicited comments on how it should do so.
In Hobby Lobby, the Court did not decide that the
accommodation was the least restrictive method available
to the government—the standard imposed by RFRA. Many
religious organizations, including several Catholic colleges
and universities, have challenged the accommodation on
the grounds that to become eligible for the accommodation,
the organization must provide its insurer or TPA with a
certification that it is nonprofit, holds itself out as a religious
organization, and objects on religious grounds to providing
some or all contraceptive services. As a consequence of
that certification, the insurer or TPA must exclude the
objectionable services from the group plan or policy,
communicate to the employees that such contraceptives will
be made available at no cost, and separately pay, or arrange
for payment, for any such services used by plan enrollees (the
organization’s employees and their dependents), ostensibly
without passing the cost along to the objecting organization
or enrollees. Challengers have argued that by providing the
certification, they are effectively causing the contraceptives
to be provided, against their religious beliefs, albeit by
entities other than themselves.
Taking such arguments into account, the Supreme
Court has ordered that, pending appeal, two challengers
(the Little Sisters of the Poor and Wheaton College) may
opt out of the contraceptive mandate by providing written
notice of their objections to the U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services (HHS), rather than to their insurers
or TPAs and without any obligation that they identify their
insurers or TPAs. In light of those rulings, on August 27
federal agencies issued an interim final rule modifying the
existing accommodation to allow other eligible organizations
to take an alternative approach. The notice to HHS (or the
Department of Labor) must include the name and contact
information of the plan’s TPA or insurer. The agency will
then notify the insurer or TPA and describe its obligations
to provide the services to which the religiously affiliated
employer objects. While the interim final rule was effective
on August 27, the agencies are receiving written comments
until October 27.
While this issue continues to elicit strong reactions from
many groups, it is ultimately the Supreme Court that may
decide the matter.
2015 Catholic Campus Ministry Directors Conference
Who: Catholic College & University Campus Ministry Directors
When: Wednesday, January 7–Friday, January 9, 2015
Where: Tampa, FL at the DoubleTree Suites
Registration coming in October!
Questions? Contact Dennis Carr at (202) 457-0650 or [email protected]
www.accunet.org
16
Back to table of contents
F A LL 2 0 1 4
Associ a tion of Ca tholic Colleges a nd Univer sities
Campus NOTES
Catholic Women’s Colleges Fly High
The August 2014 edition of US Airways Magazine included
a spotlight on the Women’s College Coalition (WCC), and
profiled several Catholic institutions: Carlow University,
College of Saint Benedict, College of Saint Elizabeth, College
of Saint Mary (NE), and Mount St. Mary’s College (CA).
The WCC is dedicated to helping girls and women
thrive, and assists its 43 member colleges and universities
by “research sharing, admissions advocacy, and providing
opportunities for collaboration.” The following ACCU
members were highlighted by the WCC for their unique
programs:
Carlow University (PA): Named among Washington
Monthly’s top 20 “Best Bang for the Buck” private colleges,
Carlow offers an affordable, unique online program for
graduate students. The university offers eight online degrees
in management, education, and nursing through a program
that facilitates substantive interaction with other students
and faculty.
College of Saint Benedict (MN): With a 90 percent
retention rate, the College of St. Benedict boasts a vital,
caring community. A unique partnership with all-male St.
John’s University enables a single academic program, with
shared social and cultural opportunities.
College of Saint Elizabeth (NJ): Faculty and
administration emphasize that experiences outside the
www.accunet.org
The Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities
joins the Catholic higher education community in
honoring Dr. Norman C. Francis, president of Xavier
University of Louisiana, who recently announced his
retirement after 46 years at the institution. We salute
Dr. Francis—the nation’s longest-serving university
president—and invite you to listen to an interview with
NPR that he did last year, in which he discusses his life
and leadership.
In 2006, Dr. Norman
Francis received the
Presidential Medal of
Freedom award, the
nation’s highest honor
for any civilian. It
was presented to Dr.
Francis by President
George W. Bush.
(Photo by White House
Photo Office )
classroom are critical to educating the whole student.
The College of St. Elizabeth’s Center for Leadership
Development and the Geraldine Doyle Riordan Center for
Volunteerism and Service-Learning offer students yearround opportunities to engage in community service and
foster leadership skills.
College of Saint Mary (NE): Seeking to help women
thrive, the College of Saint Mary offers associate, bachelor’s,
master’s, and doctorate degrees with affordability in mind.
In fact, many programs have been restructured to reflect
significant student savings. The university also offers
“Mothers Living and Learning,” apartment-style campus
housing for single student mothers.
Mount St. Mary’s College (CA): Since its founding
in 1925, social justice and women’s issues have been
priorities at Mount St. Mary’s College. Students are able
to use the college’s location in Los Angeles as a “learning
lab” to collaborate with the film and television community,
including partnering with the Geena Davis Institute on
Gender in Media to create new advocacy programs.
17
Back to table of contents
f A LL 2 0 1 4
Associ a tion of Ca tholic Colleges a nd Universities
Saint Peter’s Leaders Make Spiritual Journey
Saint Peter’s University President Eugene J. Cornacchia, his
wife AnnMarie, and Rev. Michael Braden, SJ, vice president
for mission and ministry, joined alumni and friends for an
eight-day journey through Spain to walk “In the Footsteps of
Ignatius” in June.
“The places we visited
gave the group an opportunity
to experience St. Ignatius’ life
and spirituality and gain an
appreciation for what gave
birth to the Society of Jesus,”
said Gloria Mercurio, executive
director of alumni engagement,
who also attended the trip. “It
was enlightening in many ways
as we explored not only Jesuit
heritage, but the cultures of a
beautiful land.”
Participants
traveled
to experience the life of St.
Ignatius during his time in
Spain. Highlights included a
trip to Loyola to visit the 15th
century castle where Ignatius
was born; a tour of the Hospital
of Magdalene in St. Sebastian, where he stayed and healed
from wounds incurred at the battle of Pamplona; an
excursion to Manresa, the site where St. Ignatius arrived in
1522 and spent 10 months in a cave on retreat while writing
The Spiritual Exercises; and a visit to the Sacred Heart
Church, built by the Jesuits to hold the sword of St. Ignatius,
which he relinquished in the 1500s.
“It was wonderful for me to see how well and eagerly the
people on the trip embraced the early travels of St. Ignatius,”
said Fr. Braden. “Everyone had a wonderful time.” As an
added bonus, Fr. Braden celebrated two Masses during
the trip, one in the Conversion Chapel in the castle where
St. Ignatius was born and the other in a chapel within the
Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, where a statue of Our
Lady, created around 40 A.D., resides and was visited by St.
Ignatius.
Sisters of Mercy Legacy Drives Mercyhurst
Initiative
The urban education program at Erie, Pennsylvania’s Booker
T. Washington Center started like so many initiatives
at Mercyhurst University, rooted in the university’s
commitment to the mission of its founders, the Sisters of
Mercy, who believed that education should be available to
all who want to learn.
www.accunet.org
Taking higher education into the inner city to reach
students short on resources—from transportation to
babysitting services—was risky at best. But four years since
its inception, the program has grown from 13 students
to more than 60. Even greater validation came last May
when the program graduated its inaugural class of 10, each
of whom walked away with an associate degree and the
prospect of a good job. Totally unexpected was the desire of
all these graduates to pursue bachelor’s degrees.
“By keeping programs affordable and creating jobfocused certificates, we hope to optimize opportunities for
our citizens to further their education and achieve gainful
employment, all of which serves to strengthen neighborhoods
and build community,” said Mercyhurst President Thomas
J. Gamble.
Illustrated Bibles Help Saint Leo U. Celebrate
Benedictine Roots
To help commemorate its 125th anniversary in 2014, Saint
Leo University has had on loan facsimile reproductions of
two volumes of The Saint John’s Bible.
The handwritten, illuminated texts were placed for
public viewing in the lobby of the university’s Daniel A.
Cannon Memorial Library at its campus in central Florida.
The title The Saint John’s Bible refers to Saint John’s Abbey
and University in Minnesota, fellow Benedictine institutions
that commissioned this work of art and Biblical scholarship.
Only 299 editions were created, and a full edition spans
seven volumes.
The two volumes that have been at Saint Leo are the
Pentateuch, the first five books of the Old Testament; and
Gospels and Acts from the New Testament. The volumes are
being shared during the year with Saint Leo’s neighboring
18
Back to table of contents
F A LL 2 0 1 4
Associ a tion of Ca tholic Colleges a nd Univer sities
Benedictine communities and forbearers, the Saint Leo
Abbey and the Benedictine Sisters of Florida. Additionally,
the university is planning other activities during its
November Founders Week to commemorate its anniversary.
Walsh Joins Program in Support of FirstGeneration Students
Walsh University has joined the national online community
I’m First, founded by the Center for Student Opportunity
to provide resources and
support for students who
are the first in their family
to attend college.
This new partnership
reinforces Walsh’s found­
ing mission to provide
a high-quality, valuesbased education to all
who seek it, regardless
of financial limitations.
Today, 46 percent of
Walsh
students
are
first-generation college
students. As a partner,
Walsh University will
be included in the I’m
First Guide to College,
with access to the
organization’s resources for those who advise firstgeneration students.
“First generation students are not always aware of
all the resources available to them and often, the college
application process can be confusing and intimidating,”
said Walsh’s vice president for enrollment management
Brett Freshour “This new partnership will reinforce and
support our existing efforts to make a college degree
accessible to anyone who seeks it.”
Graduates of the Leadership Academy have experienced
tremendous success: 98 percent graduate from high school
and 87 percent graduate from college. An added incentive:
All Porter-Billups Leadership Academy graduates who
successfully complete the program receive a scholarship and
are assured a spot at Regis University.
UDM to Award Catholic Education University
Grants to Catholic School Graduates
University of Detroit Mercy, in partnership with the
Archdiocese of Detroit, will award a new Catholic Education
University Grant of $5,000 annually for four years to qualified
graduating seniors who enroll at UDM and attended Catholic
schools from first grade through high school.
Students who graduated from a Catholic high school
and enroll at UDM will receive a $2,500 annual Catholic
Education University Grant for four years.
“University of Detroit Mercy is excited to support the
Archdiocese of Detroit Catholic schools with these new
university grants because they will help students continue
their Catholic education for four more years,” said UDM
President Antoine M. Garibaldi.
The respective grants of $20,000 and $10,000 will be
available to first-time, full-time students entering UDM in
fall 2015.
“The Archdiocese and University of Detroit Mercy have
been providing formation and educational opportunities
for our students independently for many years,” explained
Regis University Coach Teaches More than
Sports
NBC News in Denver recently spotlighted a worthy
leadership program at Regis University.
For 19 years, university head basketball coach Lonnie
Porter has run the Porter-Billups Leadership Academy for
at-risk youth in the Denver metro area. Porter founded
the academy, and teamed with Colorado basketball star
Chauncey Billups to create a free program that provides life
lessons that kids often don’t get in school, including conflict
resolution and communication skills. The goal is to give
them a path for success in college and beyond.
www.accunet.org
Brian M. Dougherty, superintendent of the Archdiocese of
Detroit schools. “The university’s commitment of $20,000
for four years for any student completing an entire Catholic
school education within the Archdiocese of Detroit increases
the possibility that we will retain the brightest students in the
region,” he added.
19
Back to table of contents
F A LL 2 0 1 4
Associ a tion of Ca tholic Colleges a nd Univer sities
Peace & Justice
Saint Louis U. Holds Prayer Vigils for Ferguson
The Saint Louis University community gathered at two
separate vigils (August 14 and August 24)
to pray for those affected by the tragedy
in Ferguson, Missouri, located just 12
miles from SLU’s campus.
Hundreds of students, faculty, and
staff joined SLU President Fred Pestello,
who emphasized the need for prayer and
dialogue for all in the community. SLU
also hosted over 100 educators from
across St. Louis for “Teaching Ferguson,”
a dialogue to help educators teaching
pre-K through higher education talk
with their students about the tragedy.
The event was hosted by SLU’s College
of Education and Public Service and the
College of Arts and Sciences.
SLU’s Paul Stark, SJ (center), vice president
for mission and ministry, speaks with Rev.
Elston McCowan, pastor of Star Grace
Missionary Baptist Church, who led the vigil in prayer, and
Rev. Rodrick K. Burton, pastor of New Northside Missionary
Baptist Church, who offered a reflection.
Benedictine U. President Earns Diversity Award
President William J. Carroll of Benedictine University in
Illinois has been named a recipient of the INSIGHT Into
Diversity Visionary Award, which recognizes individuals
who have made significant contributions to diversity in
higher education and who have made an indelible mark
in broadening diversity and inclusion at their college or
university.
The award acknowledges Carroll for his “vision,
dedication, and long-term commitment to diversity and
inclusion.” During his tenure at Benedictine, Carroll founded
the annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast,
established free degree programs for first responders and the
Illinois unemployed, formed partnerships with universities
in Asia, and has been a leading architect in making
Benedictine University one of the most diverse campuses in
the country as recognized by U.S. News & World Report.
www.accunet.org
initiatives
In 2004, Benedictine formed partnerships with
Shenyang University of Technology and Shenyang Jianzhu
University to offer Benedictine master’s degree programs in
China.
Other initiatives include launching an Interfaith
Cooperation Committee to ensure campus religious
diversity while remaining faithful to the university’s Catholic
and Benedictine heritage, and spending the 2013–14
academic year in cooperation with Interfaith Youth Core,
which assessed campus interreligious diversity with a survey
and focus groups of faculty, staff, and students, providing
recommendations that will serve as the core of a new
interreligious diversity plan.
St. Thomas Aquinas College Receives Recycling
Award
In a ceremony on June 1, 2014, St. Thomas Aquinas College
received the 2014 Rockland Recycles Award, presented by
the Rockland County Solid Waste Management Authority.
The award was presented in conjunction with 5th Annual
Rockland Environmental Day.
Each year the Rockland County Solid Waste Management
Authority recognizes excellence in recycling and waste
prevention/reduction programs. The goal is to highlight the
successes of organizations, agencies, businesses, institutions,
schools, and government entities that go beyond the norm
to advance recycling
and waste prevention/
reduction and to make
these examples available
to others who may use
them as models.
“The college con­
tinues to make efforts
to reduce its carbon
footprint,” said Margaret
Fitzpatrick,
president
of St. Thomas Aquinas.
“As an institution,
20
Sr. MaryAnn Summa and Dr. Margaret
Fitzpatrick
Back to table of contents
F A LL 2 0 1 4
Associ a tion of Ca tholic Colleges a nd Univer sities
we understand that the sooner we implement strategies
to reduce our waste and educate our community on the
environmental impacts of doing so, the greater the chance of
improving the situation for future generations of students.”
Ignatian Solidarity Network
Delegation to El Salvador
Hosts
U.S.
During the 25th anniversary year of the Jesuit Martyrs of El
Salvador, 46 U.S. delegates traveled to El Salvador this past
July. Participants explored the lives of the six Jesuits and two
lay women murdered at the Jesuit university in San Salvador,
El Salvador on November 16, 1989, as well as current human
rights issues facing El Salvador. Delegates included high school teachers and
administrators; university faculty, staff, and alumni; and
parish priests and parishioners. Collectively, they represented
28 Jesuit institutions. The delegation was sponsored by the
Ignatian Solidarity Network (ISN) and coordinated incountry by Christians for Peace in El Salvador (CRISPAZ),
a faith-based organization dedicated to building bridges of
solidarity between communities in the United States and El
Salvador.
“Our time in El Salvador will serve as an opportunity
for our entire network to renew its commitment to
contemplative work for social justice grounded in faith,”
said Christopher Kerr, executive director of the ISN, before
embarking on the trip. “I am so excited for the inspiration
and energy the delegates will bring back to their communities
across the United States.”
Delegation participants planned to meet with a
wide array of individuals while in El Salvador, including
community members, NGO leaders, and Jesuits. Reflection,
opportunities for prayer, and the celebration of the Eucharist
were daily components of the experience, including a
closing liturgy on the Feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola. During
the experience, delegates sought to develop methods for
engaging their local community and the larger Ignatian
network through online reflections and the Ignatian Family
Teach-In for Justice, a national social justice conference
sponsored by ISN, which will take place in Washington, DC,
on November 15–17, 2014.
Student ‘Dreamers’ and Loyola University staff at the press
conference
The milestone came nearly two years after Loyola
Stritch became the first medical school to amend its
admissions policies to include qualified students who
have received Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
(DACA) status and are legally recognized U.S. residents.
“Our social justice tradition called us to take a
leadership role in offering educational opportunities to
underserved groups, including qualified applicants with
DACA status. We also believe that the mission to train a
talented and diverse physician workforce should motivate
other medical schools to do the same. The opportunities
are now much greater than the barriers,” said Linda
Brubaker, MD, MS, dean and chief diversity officer.
For Johana Mejias and six of her classmates, a oncelocked door that stood between them and their dream of
serving others as a physician has been opened. “Today,
what was once just a dream starts to become a reality. I
find myself as part of Loyola Stritch, a loving, professional,
and courageous institution that believed in my ability to
one day become a successful practicing physician,” said
Mejias. Loyola U. Chicago Welcomes ‘Dreamers’
Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine
welcomed its Class of 2018 in August—160 new students
who will spend the next four years working to achieve their
dream of becoming physicians. Adding to the historic day
was the presence of seven “DREAMers” in the class. www.accunet.org
21
ACCU has launched a new blog offering resources
and news for faculty, administrators, and students at
Catholic colleges and universities who want to promote
social justice using the Catholic Social Teaching
themes as their guide. Visit ACCU Peace and Justice
at www.accupj.wordpress.com. To subscribe to ACCU’s
monthly peace and justice newsletter, please contact
Lexie Bradley at [email protected].
Back to table of contents
F A LL 2 0 1 4
Associ a tion of Ca tholic Colleges a nd Univer sities
CRS Student Ambassadors: Informed Action for Justice
By Elena Giannella, fourth-year student at Villanova
University and summer 2014 Peace & Justice intern at the
Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities
“C
ome and wake us from our sleeping, so our
hearts cannot ignore all your people lost and
broken, all your children at our door,” sang
over 250 students, faculty, staff, parishioners, Catholic Relief
Services (CRS) staff, and visitors in St. Thomas of Villanova
Church during the Interfaith Vigil for Solidarity with Syria’s
Refugees in November 2013.
These words from the hymn “God of Day, God of
Darkness” centered attendees around the call for each
person to engage with the cause of justice in their everyday
lives. The hymn accompanied the portion of the vigil during
which attendees were invited to “text to donate” to CRS
refugee relief funds. Villanova University CRS Student
Ambassadors led this gathering after a week of advocacy,
prayer, and fundraising to aid refugees of the Syrian civil war.
Ambassadors, CRS officials, and university administrators
spoke about the crisis and reflected on
the importance of faith in responding to
it.
The vigil took place during a Week of
Solidarity, when Villanova CRS Student
Ambassadors were stationed around
main areas of campus, encouraging their
peers to write letters to congressional
representatives urging support of refugee
aid, collecting donations, and allowing
students to sign a banner expressing
support for Syrian refugees in both
English and Arabic.
These Villanova events were one
example of the efforts instigated and led
by CRS Student Ambassadors, which
Catholic Relief Services describes as “the
Photo by Trudy Pacella, Villanova University flagship program of CRS University
Engagement.” Every fall, CRS trains
students to understand the world’s poor and to educate
their peers on this issue and other injustices. CRS gives the
ambassadors the skills needed to mobilize their campus to
respond to these issues through advocacy and solidarity in
prayer and faith formation. Ambassadors can then initiate
events such as Villanova’s Interfaith Vigil for Solidarity
with Syria’s Refugees, guiding the campus dialogue to
reflect Catholic Social Teaching. Thirty-six ACCU member
institutions participate in the CRS Student Ambassador
program.
www.accunet.org
CRS Student Ambassadors reflect the value that the
agency places on advocacy as a vehicle to address the
root causes of poverty. “CRS believes that students have
the strength and unique position to effect systemic and
structural change. Being smart, young potential members of
the workforce, their voice is of special interest to legislators.
They are able to proclaim and call for justice in a way that
others cannot,” explains Peggy Jean Craig, CRS lead staff on
college and university outreach.
Ambassadors regularly send letters to congressmen and
visit congressional offices to call for more just action on issues
of global poverty. Ambassadors also facilitate massive letterwriting campaigns on campus. In April 2014, CRS Student
Ambassadors at Cabrini College supported a “Stand for
Freedom,” during which students stood for 24 hours to raise
awareness of slavery and human trafficking. Ambassadors
also urged students to write letters to their congressmen
supporting Senate Bill 75, an anti-trafficking bill aimed
to better protect victims, better prosecute offenders, and
combat the root causes of trafficking.
“CRS Ambassadors are able to affect this reality of
injustice by raising awareness in and around the university
community and by amplifying the voices of the poor and
marginalized through advocacy,” says Suzanne Toton,
coordinator for the Villanova CRS Partnership. Advocacy
“allows students to have a real relationship with CRS and
with the Church overseas,” she adds.
CRS also stresses the importance of simply engaging
college students in global issues and the effect that their
engagement has on Catholic charity leaders, who “find it
energizing to see that there are young people who care about
these issues and this reality,” says Toton.
CRS Student Ambassadors also have the unique ability
to respond to injustices informed by their faith and Catholic
Social Teaching. “The CRS Ambassador program allows
students to be more assertive agents for the common good,
and to become such agents in a way connected with their
faith tradition,” says Will Stehl, faculty adviser for Villanova’s
program.
“Ambassador actions—whether big events or smaller
ones—constantly remind the university that we are called
to respond to global suffering by the gospel and the social
teaching of the Catholic Church. CRS invites us to be part of
it, not just to play at it, to dabble, or volunteer. CRS invites
the university community and Student Ambassadors to be
part of significant efforts to effect change,” reflects Toton.
If you are interested in bringing CRS Student
Ambassadors program to your campus, contact university@
crs.org.
22
Back to table of contents
F A LL 2 0 1 4
Associ a tion of Ca tholic Colleges a nd Univer sities
Points O f
inter es t
Making Theology of the Body Accessible to servant leaders dedicated to building the kingdom of heaven
on earth today. In addition to recognizing an outstanding
Students
Thinking of introducing your students to the Theology of the
Body? Not sure where to start?
The Theology of the Body Evangelization Team
(TOBET) has announced a new course, “Theology of the
Body for University Students” (TOB-4-Us), that might
be useful. The program features national speaker Monica
Ashour in a series of videos that present the Theology of
the Body in a form that is relatable for college students.
Geared toward small group study, the program includes a
downloadable facilitator’s guide and discussion questions
that will spark productive conversations on important issues.
For more information and a free preview, visit
the website at www.tobet.org/tob4us, or contact Isaac
Cotherman at [email protected] or (469) 426-8355.
New Award for Student Servant Leadership
Do you know a student who, like St. Francis of Assisi,
answers God’s call to “rebuild the Church”? The San
Damiano Servant Leadership Award is an opportunity to
honor a dedicated, faithful, service-oriented young leader.
College juniors and seniors are eligible, and must
demonstrate a commitment to values of Catholic Social
Teaching, and to personal and communal faith life; service
to marginalized or impoverished populations; leadership
that
encourages
others to service; and
an ability to travel to
Washington, DC the
weekend of the award
ceremony.
Winners receive
a $500 scholarship;
recognition at the
Franciscan
Mission
Service’s World Care Benefit on May 1, 2015 in Washington,
DC (travel and accommodations provided); and two
meetings with individuals or organizations in the DC area
working in the area of social justice.
This award is organized by Franciscan Mission Service, a
Catholic nonprofit that facilitates opportunities for lay people
to serve in solidarity with marginalized populations around
the world. The San Damiano Servant Leadership Award is
being launched in conjunction with the organization’s 25th
anniversary as another way to encourage compassionate
www.accunet.org
young person for his or her work, the scholarship and
meetings in Washington, DC help encourage the winner to
continue in and deepen his or her commitment to service.
The student application can be found on the Franciscan
Mission Service website and is due November 11. Four
finalists will be announced in December, and the winner will
be notified in January.
Caritas in Communion
The Catholic Health Association has published a new book
that looks at issues related to Catholic identity.
Caritas in Communion:
Theological Foundations of
Catholic Health Care, begun as
a white paper commissioned
by the association, engaged
theologians, economists, public
policy experts, health care
executives, and sponsors in a
yearlong study of the changing
health care environment and
its impact on the Catholic
health ministry. The resulting
book by M. Therese Lysaught,
a moral theologian at Loyola
University, Chicago, explores
topics of Catholic identity,
the principle of cooperation,
and ministry implications of
for-profit business models on
the Catholic health ministry.
While written for Catholic
health care, the book’s
implications for Catholic identity in a pluralistic world
extend beyond this ministry to Catholic education and social
services as well.
Copies may be ordered at www.chausa.org/store. The
cost is $10 for CHA members and $25 for others.
23
Back to table of contents
The Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities
The Voice of Catholic Higher Education
Mission
The ASSOCIATION OF CATHOLIC COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES, founded in 1899, serves as the collective voice
of U.S. Catholic higher education. Through programs and services, the association strengthens and promotes the Catholic
identity and mission of its member institutions so that all associated with Catholic higher education can contribute to the
greater good of the world and the Church.
ACCU serves its member campuses in a number of timely and critical ways, helping foster vibrant Catholic identity at
member institutions, supporting cooperation among members, and responding to emerging member needs. We invite you
to explore our website—www.accunet.org—and discover what ACCU can do for you.
The Voice of Catholic Higher Education
• Representation of member colleges and universities
with the White House, the U.S. Department of
Education, and the Washington Higher Education
Secretariat
• Ongoing conversations with Church officials
• Regular interaction with local and national media,
both secular and religious
• Frequent communications on critical developments
related to Catholic higher education (members only)
A Platform for Networking and Exposure Among Peers
• Opportunities to connect and collaborate with
leaders of Catholic higher education institutions
through the ACCU Annual Meeting, Catholic
Mission Institute for New Presidents, and other
events
• Inclusion in online databases (members only)
• Access to mailing labels of member campuses
(members only)
• Publicity for job openings (members only)
Support for Catholic Mission and Identity
• Full-day conference devoted to helping mission
officers strengthen Catholic mission and identity on
campus (members only)
• Catholic mission and identity leadership formation
program for first- and second-year presidents
(members only)
• Opportunity to attend the Rome Seminar and
engage with key representatives within the Holy See
(members only)
• Materials on strengthening Catholic identity
• Consultations with national office staff on best
practices (members only)
Publications, Research, & Other Resources
• The peer-reviewed, semi-annual Journal of Catholic
Higher Education
• The quarterly electronic newsletter, Update
• A searchable database of promising practices to foster
an institution’s Catholic mission and identity in the
campus community
• Analyses of original
and secondary research
focused on Catholic
higher education
Follow us:
@CatholicHighrEd
If your campus is not a member of ACCU, visit www.accunet.org
or call (202) 457-0650 to learn how to apply for membership.