Aquinas Way
the
news from aquinas institute of theology A Graduate School of Theology and Ministry in the Dominican tradition
december, 2019
Letter from the President Dear Friends, Today begins my fifth month as President of Aquinas Institute of Theology. I am grateful for the warm welcome I have received since my arrival in St. Louis in July, after serving at Barry University in Miami for over twenty years. Part of the world-wide Order of Preachers, and built on the great Dominican intellectual tradition, Aquinas Institute’s mission is to educate the next generation of men and women to minister, to teach and to lead the Church. For almost a hundred years, Aquinas Institute has sent our graduates into the world to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ in word and deed. While our school faces some challenges, as do most theology and ministry graduate schools, I am hopeful about its future. I am especially heartened and impressed by the commitment to and love for Aquinas which so many people have shared with me. This Fall has been a busy and fruitful time. Working closely with our Board of Trustees and our Leadership Team, and a group of dedicated supporters, I am proud of what we have accomplished, and there are many initiatives underway. Of particular note is the launch of the Aquinas Scholars Program which offers fully funded, merit-based scholarships to
lay students. We are grateful to the donors who have made these scholarships possible. Please help us spread the word to potential candidates for the great opportunity. We need your help to continue to fulfill our important mission, and on behalf of the Aquinas community, I thank you for your support. I have had the opportunity to meet with many friends and supporters of Aquinas Institute and hope to meet with many more of you in the coming months. If you would like to set up an appointment for a call or a meeting, please contact me at wedig@ai.edu. Be assured that the Dominicans keep you and your family in our prayers. In Christ and St. Dominic, Rev. Mark E. Wedig, O.P., Ph.D. President now accepting applications for fall 2020
the
scholars
Application Deadline: January 28, 2020 for more information: admissions@ai.edu
Installation of the 10th President of Aquinas Institute On Saturday, September 14, 2019, over two hundred and fifty friends and supporters of Aquinas Institute of Theology gathered at St. Pius V Catholic Church for the Installation of Fr. Mark E. Wedig, O.P., Ph.D. as Aquinas Institute’s tenth president. Fr. James Marchionda, O.P., Prior Provincial of the Province of St. Albert the Great, presided at the formal Installation ceremony. Guests were welcomed by members of the Aquinas community including Mr. Dave Wenzel, Chair of the Aquinas Board of Trustees, Dr. Rhodora Beaton, Associate Professor of Liturgical and Sacramental Theology, and Aquinas students, Ms. Addison Tenorio and Brother Christopher Johnson, O.P. Fr. Vivian Boland, O.P., Socius to the Master of the Order for Fraternal Life and Formation, and noted author and scholar delivered a Keynote Address entitled, Creating and Redeeming: Aquinas on the Theological Significance of Teaching and Learning. A celebration luncheon was held after the Installation at Aquinas Institute. Over fifty friends and family members traveled to St. Louis from around the country to celebrate with Fr. Mark. Fr. Mark is a Dominican friar of the US Southern Province of St. Martin de Porres. Prior to his presidency at Aquinas Institute, Fr. Mark spent over twenty years at Barry University in Miami, Florida where he served as Chair of the Department of Theology and Philosophy, a Professor of Theology and Associate Dean for Graduate Studies in the College of Arts and Sciences. 2
from left to right: Fr. Mark Wedig, O.P., Fr. James Marchionda, O.P., Prior Provincial, Province of St. Albert the Great, and Fr. Tom Condon, O.P., Prior Provincial, Province of St. Martin de Porres.
Fr. Mark Wedig, O.P. and family.
Fr. Michael Mascari, O.P., Academic Dean, and Fr. Mark Wedig, O.P., President.
Click Here to read the Keynote Address given by Fr. Vivian Boland, O.P. To read Fr. Mark’s Bio Click Here
25TH ANNIVERSARY
GREAT PREACHER AWARD
AQUINAS INSTITUTE OF THEOLOGY
On November 7, 2019, the Feast of All Saints of the Order of Preachers, Aquinas Institute of Theology presented the Great Preacher Award to Dominican friar, Fr. Charles Bouchard, Senior Director, Theology & Sponsorship at the Catholic Health Association of the United States (CHA), and Fr. Craig Holway, Pastor of St. Joan of Arc parish in St. Louis. Established 25 years ago, the Great Preacher Award honors preachers who proclaim, in word and deed, the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the coming and presence of the reign of God. Over 350 people attended the dinner to honor Fr. Charlie and Fr. Craig and to support Aquinas Institute. The funds raised at this event are used to support our internationally recognized preaching program and your donation directly assists us in preparing the next generation of men and women who, like our esteemed honorees, will go forth and preach the Gospel in word and deed.
top left: Award recipient, Fr. Charles Bouchard, O.P., preaching during evening prayer. top right: Fr. Craig Holway with his award. above: Fr. Charlie Bouchard, O.P., Fr. James Marchionda, O.P., Prior Provincial, Province of St. Albert the Great, Fr. Craig Holway, Fr. Tom Condon, O.P., Prior Provincial, Province of St. Martin de Porres, and Fr. Mark Wedig, O.P., President.
Aquinas Institute would like to express our sincere gratitude to all those who attended and supported the Great Preacher Award. Special thanks to our Committee Chair, Dr. Dan O’Brien and committee members, and our sponsors: Ascension, Mercy, Don and Nancy Ross, Catholic Health Association, Dr. Philip Boyle, Dr. Dan O’Brien and SSM Health. At the dinner, Fr. Craig reminded us that “all is gift” and Fr. Charlie called us to work together to build the Kingdom of God in the here and now. Our world desperately needs preachers who, like these two fine men, offer a word of hope by sharing the Good News of God’s love and mercy. 3
“Better to illuminate than merely to shine...”
— Thomas Aquinas
In the spirit of our patron, St. Thomas Aquinas, the Dominican saint and doctor of the Church, Aquinas Institute of Theology is pleased to announce
the
scholars
Merit-based scholarships for a Master’s degree in theology or pastoral ministry Full tuition, books, housing stipend, and work-study opportunities
now accepting applications for fall 2020 Application Deadline: January 28, 2020
for more information: admissions@ai.edu
Student Profile Dominican Student Brother Adrian McCaffery, O.P. Br. Adrian is a solemnly professed friar from the Central Province currently studying at Aquinas Institute. Born in South Bend, Indiana, to a family with a Notre Dame legacy, Br. Adrian made his own way (much to his family’s initial shock) and declined his admittance to Notre Dame to attend a diocesean seminary. It was during that initial period of study and discernment that Br. Adrian met Fr. Fabian a, Dominican friar, who was serving as teacher and priest in Winona, Minnesota. That encounter stayed with Br. Adrian as he discerned out of the diocesan seminary and attended Catholic University of America (CUA). After completing his undergraduate studies, he entered the Dominican novitiate for a short time but wasn’t yet ready to make a long-term commitment and left to pursue a graduate degree in classical languages. Upon completion of his graduate studies, he still felt called to the Dominican way of life and re-entered the Order. When asked about how Aquinas has helped form him as a preacher, Br. Adrian spoke of having developed a ‘boldness’ in his encounters with ‘the other’ which has grown from being better equipped to interact with those who do not believe in the same way as he does. He feels that it is the job of the Dominicans (and also very Thomistic) to give someone the benefit of the doubt and to give credence and thoughtfulness to their arguments, whether or not they believe the
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same thing that you do. Br. Adrian also feels that his study has given him a better ability to discern and read different contexts — something that is essential to preaching. Br. Adrian speaks of preaching as “manuduction,” that is, bringing someone along and guiding them by the hand, as exemplified by St. Dominic. Currently, Br. Adrian is teaching Latin at Saint Louis University. In the Spring, he will also begin working at a local parish. When he is not preaching, teaching, or studying, Br. Adrian likes watching movies and tv with the community (he is anxiously awaiting season three of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) or traveling. An avid reader, Br. Adrian’s favorite reading topic is Icelandic Sagas. If Icelandic Sagas are not your cup of tea, he also suggests Muriel Sparks. Sparks was a Catholic and Scottish author whom Br. Adrian considers his ‘spiritual mother.’ Br. Adrian is concurrently working on his Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Theology at Aquinas and his Ph.D. in Philosophy at Saint Louis University. In May 2021, Br. Adrian will be ordained to the priesthood and in May 2022, he will defend his thesis and receive his Ph.D. In the future, Br. Adrian hopes to be able to return to Aquinas to teach.
Alumni Profile an interview with
Grace Burnworth, 2016, MAPS Why did you decide to study Theology/Ministry? I have always been involved in ministry opportunities on the side. After working in a variety of other things, I realized it was the thing that I wanted to be at the center of my life instead of an extracurricular.
Why did you choose Aquinas? When I went to tour Aquinas, I was welcomed and felt that it was a place that wasn’t solely about teaching the Gospel, but about living it. I felt immediately that I was in a place where proposing Jesus Christ to one another was the focus and learning surrounded that. I wanted to be a part of this place.
Tell us about your current job and your other activities. I am a Senior Theology Teacher at St. John Vianney High School, a Marianist, all boys high school in St. Louis. In addition I serve on the Campus Ministry Team and as Assistant Swim Coach. I am also the Head Swim Coach at Incarnate Word Academy (St. Louis)
How do you understand yourself as Preacher?
Recent Faculty Publications Rhodora Beaton: “Between the Center and the Margins: Young Catholics, ‘Sorta-Catholics,’ and Baptismal Identity” in “Sacramental Theology: Theory and Practice from Multiple Perspectives,” edited by Bruce Morrill, special issue, Religions 10, no. 9 (2019). Connections: A Lectionary Commentary for Preaching and Worship, Westminster John Knox Press (forthcoming). Stewart Clem: “Still Human: A Thomistic Analysis of ‘Persistent Vegetative State,’” Studies in Christian Ethics, Vol. 32, No. 1 (Feb. 2019): 46-55. Hsin-hsin Huang: “A God Who Loves Us,” The Presbyterian Outlook, August 23, 2019. “What Do You Want Me to Do for You”, The New Messenger, Issue 169, June, 2019 (in Mandarin).
The Aquinas Way
I view my mission as teacher as a role in preaching. I view my job as an opportunity to propose Jesus Christ and form his disciples in a classroom.
preaching the gospel in word and deed
Any favorite classes or faculty at Aquinas?
“St. Dominic formed an order of preachers. It is not
Fr. Don Goergen, O.P. really impacted my understanding of Christology. I not only learned about Christology, but about excellent teaching methods in theology. I employ a lot of his questioning and discussion-based methods in my classroom.
what we do. It is who we are. Mission is not what we
Do you have a favorite Dominican saint?
age, we can no longer speak. We are preachers even
Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati is MY MAN. Big fan. He’s so relatable and cool. I mean, who free climbs in the Alps? He does. Casual.
do. It is who we are. And if that is clear, everything will just follow. We are preachers even when we are not preaching. We are preachers even if in our old if we are not ordained. We are preachers even if we are sick. We are preachers even if we are doing serious research alone in our rooms. We are
Do you have a favorite or special memory of your time at Aquinas Institute? Basically, any class that I got to spend with my peers is a favorite memory. We are all close to this day and look back with gratitude on our times learning together.
To hear more from Grace, or from other alumni,
CLICK HERE to view our new video “The Aquinas Way.”
preachers when we are helping the less privileged. We are preachers. That is our identity.” — Fr. Gerard Timoner, O.P., Master of the Order of Preachers Fr. Gerard Francisco Timoner, O.P., was elected Master of the Order of Preachers, the 88th successor to St. Dominic on July 13, 2019 at the General Chapter in Vietnam. Fr. Gerard is a son of the Province of the Philippines and the first Asian Master of the Order.
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Notes & Noteworthy Dr. F. Javier Orozco, O.S.F., a member of the Aquinas Board of Trustees, was elected the president of the National Catholic Association of Diocesan Directors of Hispanic Ministry (NCADDHM) at the 2019 annual meeting. Brother John Steilberg, O.P. has been appointed Executive Director of Operations and Institutional Effectiveness. Brother John comes to Aquinas from Fenwick High School in Chicago. With appreciation to Bob Berkowitz, President of Multivision Productions, Aquinas Institute has produced a video entitled “The Aquinas Way” that beautifully explains our mission and programs. In October, two members of the Aquinas Institute faculty, Fr. Gregory Heille, O.P. and Sr. Sara Fairbanks, O.P. participated in the Dominican
Preaching Network Colloquium on “Passing the Torch,” in Adrian, Michigan. Fr. Greg and Sr. Sara joined 55 Dominican Sisters, Nuns, Friars, Laity, Associates, and friends to join in conversation about passing the torch of preaching. Several Aquinas alumni and former faculty were in attendance, as well. Dr. Ann Garrido, another Aquinas faculty member and alumna, presented “Listening between Generations and Genders: Listening across Differences.” The Dominican Preaching Network is a global collaboration of Aquinas Institute of Theology, the Institute for Pastoral Homiletics in Dusseldorf, Germany and the Institute of Preaching in Quezon City, Philippines. The next global Colloquium on “Preaching in the City and in the World” will be held in Manila on 7–10 October 2020. Keynote speakers will be Gerard Timoner, O.P., and Margaret Mace, O.P. See https://dpnop.org. Sr. Juliet Mousseau, R.S.C.J. is currently on a sabbatical year with her community, the Religious of the Sacred Heart, in preparation for her final profession in Rome on January 26, 2020.
Events & Information Lecture: The Aquinas Lecture on Sunday, January 26, 2020. St. Francis Xavier College Church Ballroom, 3:00 pm: The Reformed Rites of Paul VI as Post-Holocaust Liturgy, Rev. Dennis McManus, Center for Jewish Civilization, Georgetown University.
We need your help spreading the word about Aquinas Institute and our programs! Do you know someone who would be
Website Launch: We are excited to announce that Aquinas Institute will
a good minister, a great preacher, an
launch a new website on the Feast of Thomas Aquinas, January 28, 2020.
excellent teacher or a future church
Volunteering: Interested in volunteering at Aquinas Institute? Please
leader? Please tell them about our
contact Erin Hammond at hammond@ai.edu
programs and about our fantastic
For more information: Aquinas Institute is a Catholic graduate
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Spread the Word!
Aquinas Scholars scholarships.
school of theology and ministry in the Dominican tradition. Our mission is
Send us their name and contact
to educate men and women to preach, to teach, to minster, and to lead.
information or suggest they contact
Learn More.
us at: admissions@ai.edu.
“And the Word was made flesh and made his dwelling among us.” john 1:14
During this season of light and hope, we are grateful to our many friends who faithfully support the mission of Aquinas Institute. We hope you will consider a year-end, tax-deductible contribution to the Aquinas Word and Deed Annual Fund to help us continue to prepare out students to go forth into the world preaching the Gospel in Word and Deed.
Please support the Aquinas Institute Word and Deed Annual Fund To donate online: ai.edu/annualfund For questions or additional information, contact Diane Henderson at henderson@ai.edu or 314.256.8856
board of trustees David Wenzel, Chair Thomas Condon, O.P., Vice-Chair Jennie Weiss Block, O.P. Bill Brinkmann Frank Esposito Craig George Steve Givens Elizabeth Ann Goodwin Samuel Hakeem, O.P. Lucie Huger Jennie D. Latta Sebastian Mahfood, O.P. James Marchionda, O.P. Mary Ellen O’Grady, O.P. F. Javier Orozco, O.F.S. Jorge Presmanes, O.P. Marcos Ramos, O.P. Darryl A. Ross Edward Ruane, O.P. Kevin Stephens, O.P. Barbara Thibodeau Rev. John Rogers Vien Mark E. Wedig, O.P. President Michael A. Mascari, O.P. Academic Dean and Vice-President Rhodora Beaton Faculty Representative
annual fund committee Darryl Ross Sr. Mary Ellen O’Grady, O.P. co-chairs Rhodora Beaton Marie Bone Fr. Thomas Condon, O.P. Frank Esposito Sr. Sara Fairbanks, O.P. Steve Givens Dee Joyner Paula Kaintz Amelia Blanton Hibner Fr. James Marchionda, O.P. Fr. Simon-Felix Michalski, O.P.
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“Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,”which means“God is with us.” matthew 1:23
The Christmas “O” Antiphons The Roman Church has been singing the “O” Antiphons since at least the eighth century. These antiphons accompany the Magnificat canticle of Evening Prayer from December 17-23. These antiphons use ancient biblical imagery drawn from the messianic hopes of the Old Testament to proclaim the coming Christ as the fulfillment not only of the Old Testament hopes, but the present ones as well. Their repeated use of the imperative “Come!” embodies the longing of all for the Divine Messiah. December 17 O Wisdom of our God Most High, guiding creation with power and love: come to teach us the path of knowledge! December 18 O Leader of the House of Israel, giver of the Law to Moses on Sinai: come to rescue us with your mighty power! December 19 O Root of Jesse’s stem, sign of God’s love for all his people: come to save us without delay!
December 21 O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice: come and shine on those who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death. December 22 O King of all nations and keystone of the Church: come and save man, whom you formed from the dust! December 23 O Emmanuel, our King and Giver of Law: come to save us, Lord our God!
December 20 O Key of David, opening the gates of God’s eternal Kingdom: come and free the prisoners of darkness!
On behalf of the Board of Trustees, and the Faculty and Staff of Aquinas Institute, we wish you and your family a blessed Christmas and a peaceful New Year.
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