Instaurare | Spring 2017 by Christendom College

Instaurare The Christendom College Quarterly Magazine

SPRING 2017

Healthcare Crusaders ALUMNI NURSING FA I R FA X H O S P I TA L BACK TO LIFE

Lifting People out of Poverty in Portland | The Power of Stained Glass Windows The Cost of Rejecting Federal Funding | From Christendom to Dream Job to Convent

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VOLUME 25 | NUMBER 1 | SPRING 2017 Published three times yearly by the Christendom College Marketing Office. Executive Editor: Tom McFadden Managing Editor & Design/Layout: Niall O’Donnell Photos: Zachary Smith, Niall O’Donnell, Sarah Ziegler, Tamlyn Sheng, Bernadette Rohan, Sister Kieran Foley, FSE, Cameron Delaﬂeur Contributors: Zachary Smith, John Ciskanik, Robyn Lee, Elizabeth Lev Christendom College 134 Christendom Drive, Front Royal, VA 22630 800.877.5456 | christendom.edu Copyright © 2017. Permission to reprint in whole or in part is hereby granted, provided the following credit line is used: “Reprinted by permission from INSTAURARE, the quarterly magazine of Christendom College (christendom.edu).” SUBSCRIPTION FREE UPON REQUEST. Instaurare magazine (pronounced “in-sta-rar-ay”) receives its name from the Latin in the college’s motto, “Instaurare Omnia in Christo” or “To Restore All Things in Christ.” Christendom College does not discriminate against any applicant or student on the basis of race, sex, color, or national origin.

CHRISTENDOM COLLEGE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

ADVISORS TO THE BOARD

Donna Fitzpatrick Bethell, Chair Douglas Dewey, Vice Chair John Cecconi, Treasurer Robert Scrivener ’81, Secretary Eugene D’Agostino Martin Boles Richard Esposito Richard R. Hough III Timothy O’Donnell, ex ofﬁcio Stephen O’Keefe ’93 Vincenzo La Ruffa Mary Beth Riordan Mark Swartzberg Thomas West Luanne Zurlo

Mary Ellen Bork Bernadette Casey-Smith Robert Crnkovich Philip Crotty John DeMatteo Robert P. George Daniel Gorman Joan Janaro Katherine McAvoy Rev. C. John McCloskey III John McNeice Joseph Melancon Rev. Robert Morey Robert Mylod Hon. James Nicholson Rev. George W. Rutler Mark Ryland Rev. William Saunders Hon. Rick Santorum Owen Smith Marjorie Teetor David Vicinanzo George Weigel Thomas Young Eugene Zurlo

ON THE COVER

Alumni nurses, L-R: Anne-Marie King ’03, Joseph Norton ’10, and Joelle Jansen ’03. See story on page 26.

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“Christendom College is really at the forefront of the new evangelization. It’s forming a generation of students to be clear thinkers, and to be equipped—in the middle of a secular culture—to bear witness to the truth.”

– Dr. Ryan T. Anderson SENIOR RESEARCH FELLOW AT THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION Dr. Anderson delivered a lecture to the Christendom community on January 30, speaking on “‘Marriage Equality’: Religious Freedom or a ‘License to Discriminate.’” The talk, which delved into the United States’ controversial redeﬁnition of marriage, provided listeners with strong, logical arguments for traditional marriage to utilize in the public square.

Inside This Issue 26

Healthcare Crusaders Alumni influence society through working in the healthcare system at Northern Virginia’s largest hospital.

Lifting People out of Poverty in Portland Alumna Molly O’Donnell is working at Catholic Charities in Portland to get people back on their feet, training them to be financially responsible.

The Power of Stained Glass Windows Popular speaker and author Elizabeth Lev delves into the history and beauty behind one of Christianity’s greatest architectural gifts.

From the President

A Call to Greatness: Campaign Update

Benefactor Finds Joy in Christendom

News in Brief

America’s Pastime Returns

Photos: From The Chronicler

The Cost of Rejecting Federal Funding

Debate at Yale

Bringing Love to the Homeless

In the Classroom: Apologetics & the New Evangelization

My Winding Road to Being a Bride of Christ

Furthering Catholic Higher Education

Classmates: Alumni News

MacIntyre and the Catastrophe in Moral Philosophy

SPRING 2017

Leadership & Renewal FROM THE DESK OF COLLEGE PRESIDENT DR. TIMOTHY O’DONNELL

Welcome to this spring issue of Instaurare. In this issue, you will find ongoing evidence of Christendom College’s leadership in the renewal of Catholic higher education as shown especially in our outstanding students and the fine work of our graduates. I am also happy to share with you the news of our continuing progress on our comprehensive campaign and our efforts to build our new Chapel of Christ the King. Key to this effort has been the procurement of several exquisite stained glass windows, which truly are the glory of Gothic architecture. These windows will make this building magnificently beautiful and fill it with a profound sense of Catholic culture and tradition. Be sure to look at some of the glass highlights in this issue and think of possible family members and friends who can join in a mutual dedication.

“Together, through the grace of God, we are accomplishing great things for our Church and our country.”

The Christ the King Chapel will be a striking symbol at the forefront of our campus and a stunning, visible reminder of the fruitful union of faith and reason, which both have a common source in Almighty God. Through our outstanding Catholic education and this glorious monument in stone and glass, we will proclaim before the whole world that Christ alone is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Together, through the grace of God, we are accomplishing great things for our Church and our country. Yours in the Heart of Christ,

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A Call to Greatness |

A Call to Greatness THE CAMPAIGN FOR CHRISTENDOM COLLEGE

U P D A T E

THE CAMPAIGN FOR CHRISTENDOM COLLEGE

The college is boldly moving forward in faith with a $40 million comprehensive campaign that will be completed in 2018 to mark its 40th anniversary.

$13.5 Million CHRIST THE KING PROJECT

$13.5 Million ENDOWMENT FUND

$13 Million ANNUAL FUND

campaign.christendom.edu

Campaign Progress $ 3 1 ,8 6 4 ,5 0 0 o f $ 4 0 M I L L I O N rais e d 80%

SPRING 2017

THE CAMPAIGN FOR CHRISTENDOM COLLEGE

Reaching the One

True Light

A Call to Greatness |

THE POWER OF STAINED GLASS WINDOWS By Elizabeth Lev

hen in 1135, Abbot Suger of St. Denis installed the prototype of a rose window in stained glass in the western façade of his church, he felt the work was so beautiful it required verse to describe it. “Noble is the work,” the proud sponsor wrote, “but the work which shines here so nobly should lighten the hearts so that, through true lights they can reach the one true light, where Christ is the true door…” From the completion of that architectural milestone, the art of stained glass grew to fulfill an ever-increasing role in beautifying sacred spaces, inspiring architectural achievement and transporting the faithful to God. In the ancient world, colored glass had enjoyed great prestige for both its delicacy and light-reflecting quality. Phoenicians and Egyptians limited their use of glass to smaller luxury objects, but the Romans developed glass tiles in myriad colors that would form the glittering mosaic surfaces of the most opulent bath complexes and villas. Appreciative of the tremendous potential of colored glass to evoke transcendence, the early Christians perfected glass mosaics to embellish their most prestigious churches, from the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna to the splendid St. Mary Major in Rome.

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The fall of the Roman Empire shattered the colored glass industry and only slowly did the art resurface, ultimately reaching its zenith in the splendid windows of Gothic cathedrals. Here, beauty stimulated architectural innovation and vice versa. As the creativity of the glass makers grew to develop more complex colors, from reds produced from copper or the mysterious “Chartres blue,” and artists could compose more intricate yet comprehensible iconographies, the engineers and architects of the cathedrals found more inventive ways to give more room to these great expanses of light and color. Frequently, stained glass is considered the Bible of the illiterate, but the complexity of the programs required a far more advanced capacity to understand salvation history than found in today’s audiences. Medieval art, wrote historian Emile Male, “is first and foremost a sacred writing of which every artist must learn the characters.” Viewers were equally versed in this visual alphabet. The stories of saints with their special attributes or the histories of the Old and New Testament were so familiar that virtually any child in the day would have understood that

This article features samples of the stunning Munich-school stained glass windows that will provide a beautiful setting for prayer in the new Christ the King Chapel.

THE CAMPAIGN FOR CHRISTENDOM COLLEGE

SPRING 2017

A Call to Greatness |

EXCLUSIVE FIRST LOOK

The north transept of the cross-shaped Christ the King Chapel will feature this beautifully restored window of the Nativity. A majestic 13-by-24, this window was crafted by the famous F.X. Zettler Studio of Munich, Bavaria, and is an excellent example of this studioâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lush, pictorial style. The unsurpassed quality of their work prompted Pope Pius IX to award them a gold medal in 1870 and King Ludwig II to recognize them with the title of Royal Bavarian Art Institute for Pictorial Painting on Glass in 1873. This window was originally crafted for Incarnation Church in Philadelphia in 1923. Now, after 94 years, this window will undergo a comprehensive restoration, completely disassembling and cleaning each of the many thousands of pieces of colored and hand painted glass to then be reassembled with all new leading. Rescuing this important work of Catholic art will guarantee its survival for another century in the new Chirst the King Chapel.

THE CAMPAIGN FOR CHRISTENDOM COLLEGE

A Call to Greatness |

Our Lady’s Chapel behind the main altar will feature four windows representing the key moments in Our Lady’s life. The windows will be restored after recovery from the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Chester, Pa. Pictured above (left and center) are two of the windows featuring the Annunciation and Coronation. The main chapel will feature eight entirely new aisle windows in the Munich style depicting saints chosen by the generous benefactor sponsoring the window. Featured above (right) is a rendering of a planned St. John Paul the Great window.

a figure holding a palm frond was a martyr. The sleeping Jesse with a tree growing out of his side was well known as an image establishing the royal ancestry of Christ. The richness of the decoration, with its jewel tones and lacy patterns, reflected the dense tapestry of histories—prophets, kings, martyrs, and saints—that intertwined with the Divine plan of salvation. Stained glass windows were indeed a poor man’s Bible, an illuminated manuscript for the public, not locked away in a prince’s treasure room, but open and available for all. From the outside, a Gothic church looks dark, but inside it glows. Instead of bright sunshine pouring in, light is filtered through a prism of color. This interiority, which reflects the human soul and the quiet of prayer, transforms the vast decorative cycles of stained glass into what thirteenthcentury Dominican preacher Vincent de Beauvais would have described as the Speculum Maius or the “Great Mirror.” In it, the faithful found reflected a sort of compendium of all things—mirrors of nature, instruction, morals, and history. After the long absence of the natural world in Byzantine art, the created world returned in stained glass, where

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seasons, animals, plants, and human labor become part of the transcendent beauty of the space. The faithful, gazing at the Bible stories paired into typologies, deepened their understanding of sacraments and salvation. The examples of saints, from the glorious martyrs, peacefully glowing in their quatrefoil frames, to the holy lives of a St. Nicholas or a St. Martin or a St. Anthony shine forth as models of how to order one’s life to be able to join that radiant fold. And in the extensive programs proceeding from bay to bay, from apse to façade, decorative program becomes an unravelling of human history from the beginning of creation to the universal destiny of all humanity. The Renaissance preferred painting to stained glass, although some remarkable examples remain, such as the 44 windows left in Brunelleschi’s masterpiece of the Florentine cathedral. The Baroque, however, eschewed stained glass entirely and, gradually, this extraordinary creative outlet was forgotten. The loss of numerous beautiful windows to war and revolutions was perhaps what galvanized both Europe and the United States to take a renewed interest in the art.

Symbols of Hope & Inspirations for Prayer

A Call to Greatness |

The new Christ the King Chapel will feature more than 50 stained glass windows, including a series of windows recovered and restored from other churches: eight aisle windows restored from the current chapel and eight brand new aisle windows. Additionally, 28 exquisite diamond-pattern colored-glass clerestory windows will fill the chapel with heavenly light.

The south transept will feature a stunning window of the Resurrection matching the size of the Nativity window. View more windows at campaign.christendom.edu.

American Louis Comfort Tiffany and the British Arts and Crafts movement at the end of the 19th century rediscovered the techniques and aesthetics of stained glass. Where Tiffany’s designs were more secular, Edward Burn Jones’ and William Morris’ Crafts movement embraced arts like stained glass to reconnect the intellectual act of design to the manual act of craftsmanship and to combat against the anti-aesthetic, antiformal, and sensationalist trends of Modern art. This newfound appreciation for stained glass opened a door to a new approach to spirituality as a medium of great transcendent power, that also demanded careful and organized design. As the artistic revolutionaries who railed against perceived constraints of design and decorum began to age, stained glass for sacred space became a challenge that captivated these giants of color and sensation. Thanks to Fr. Marie-Alain Couturier, O.P., himself a designer of stained glass, Henri Matisse, after a lifetime of avoiding sacred subject matter, produced his first Christian masterpiece in the windows of the Rosary Chapel in Venice. Marc Chagall, a Jewish artist, spent much of his final years producing stained

THE CAMPAIGN FOR CHRISTENDOM COLLEGE

You can remember your loved ones in perpetuity by dedicating one of the windows, which will each include a special honorary inscription. Every day, for many generations to come, students will be praying for you and your loved ones–arguably, until the Lord comes again! To learn more about window dedication opportunities, please contact Vice President for Advancement Paul Jalsevac at 540-5519171 or pjalsevac@christendom.edu or visit campaign.christendom.edu.

glass of religious subjects for both secular and sacred spaces, illuminating Jewish, Protestant, and Catholic interiors. He wrote, “for me a stained-glass window is a transparent partition between my heart and the heart of the world.” Chagall’s words can perhaps offer a clue to explain the extraordinary universality of stained glass. It helps to dismantle the heavy masonry man erects against the spiritual world, and allows the beauty of light to enter the soul. Elizabeth Lev teaches art and architecture courses for the Christendom College Junior Semester in Rome. After earning degrees from the University of Chicago and the University of Bologna, Lev became a denizen of Rome in 1997, giving tours of the city while also teaching art history for Duquesne University. With her dynamic and engaging speaking skills, Lev is now a highly sought tour guide, teacher, and public speaker. She has presented TED talks, and has appeared on ABC’s Nightline and the Today Show.

SPRING 2017

THE CAMPAIGN FOR CHRISTENDOM COLLEGE

Active Bystander

A Call to Greatness |

BENEFACTOR FINDS JOY IN CHRISTENDOM

hen asked about his early involvement with Christendom College, Dr. John Ward of Pittsburgh confessed modestly that “as a bystander, I contributed what I could.” Though a “bystander,” Ward was no stranger to service and activity throughout his life. Born in Pittsburgh just months before the 1929 market crash, Ward served in the United States Army in the aftermath of the Second World War. Military service brought him to San Francisco’s St. Francis Hospital, where he did his pathology internship and then residency in the mid-1960s.

Dr. John Ward, circa 1950

“

Giving to a school like Christendom is an honor and one of the primary joys I get out of life.

”

Ultimately, Ward’s love for family and his native Pittsburgh beckoned him home. He is quick to recall the memory of the great Perry Como and Bobby Vinton—both neighborhood fellows—which undoubtedly explains Ward’s lingering affection for ballroom dancing and for playing the piano.

Later, Ward joined a local chapter of the Christian Commonwealth Institute, through which he became acquainted with some early Christendom College leaders, including William Marshner and the late L. Brent Bozell.

With a growing and successful pathology practice, his concern for the impact of the ’60s generation on his local Catholic parish and on national Catholic universities compelled him to act. He first began by giving pro-life presentations to parish groups and local social organizations.

About that time, he recognized a link between the “wateringdown of Catholicism in the pulpit” that he observed and the infamous Land O’ Lakes-inspired rebellion on numerous Catholic college campuses. Concerned that “many schools suffered from the lost zeal in their priests or nuns,” Ward concluded sadly, “I thought Catholic colleges were dying out.”

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A Call to Greatness |

His strong interest in the work of Bozell motivated this “bystander” to investigate and then join the dynamic work of Dr. Warren Carroll and his newly founded Christendom College. Ward considers it an honor to have served a term on the College’s Board of Directors during its critical, formative years.

After his board service, he remained a loyal and generous supporter of the college for over 35 years, and has remained instrumental in helping Christendom achieve its strategic goals. Ever active, Ward took up golf at age 60 and plays every Wednesday—“though not very well,” he quips. When asked what encouragement he would give to those inspired by Christendom’s mission and by the impact of its alumni on the culture, Ward smiled and said, “giving to a school like Christendom is an honor and one of the primary joys I get out of life.” In 2012, Ward generously arranged a combined gift of both cash and a Charitable Lead Trust planned gift to benefit Christendom’s privately funded financial aid fund, now called The Freedom Fund. For more information about including Christendom in your estate plans, please contact John Ciskanik at 540-551-9160 or ciskanik@christendom.edu.

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As Ward watched members of his own extended family struggle with keeping the Faith, Christendom was “a light on the horizon.” He gratefully notes its “students’ saint-like” enthusiasm, which gives him confidence in the college as “a hope for change.”

C hr ist the King C ha pe l H I

G H L I

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Commanding Tower The Christ the King Chapel was listed as one of “10 Beautiful Churches in the Works” by The Christian Review, which is writing a series on the revival of sacred architecture in America. The new Christ the King Chapel will feature a commanding Gothic tower, over 130 feet high. This will be well over 50 feet taller than the current chapel steeple. The tower will be very prominent as drivers pass by on Interstate 66, directly to the south of campus. The new chapel will serve as a symbol of faith to both the local and national community. It will be a symbol of what Christendom College is, and where it is going, and of the fact that fidelity and truth will always be central at Christendom College. For information about Christ the King Chapel dedication opportunities, including stained glass, windows, altars, and bells, please contact Paul Jalsevac at 540-5519171 or pjalsevac@christendom.edu or visit campaign. christendom.edu.

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N E WS

BRIE F Planned Parenthood Clinic Closes Planned Parenthood’s abortion clinic in Silver Spring, Maryland, closed its doors in March after losing its lease due to continued protests from pro-life activists. Christendom College’s studentrun Shield of Roses pro-life group was among these activists, showing up to prayerfully protest and counsel women at the clinic every Saturday morning for the past year.

Aquinas on Studiousness

Taking on the Temples Acclaimed art historian and author Elizabeth Lev delivered a lecture to the college community on March 20 titled “Taking on the Temples: The Development of Christian Sacred Space in St. John Lateran.” Combining fascinating facts and charming wit, Lev delved into the history of one of the Church’s first great basilicas and the theological thought behind the construction of the church.

In February, theology chair for the University of Saint Mary of the Lake Dr. Matthew Levering presented the annual St. Thomas Aquinas Lecture. In his lecture, titled “Aquinas on Studiousness,” Levering explained how studiousness is significant for the Christian moral life.

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March for Women “Pro-life group aims to disrupt march.” That

was the way The Washington Post described the actions of Christendom students Colleen McCrum, Rachel Wiener, and others who attended the Women’s March on Washington, D.C., this past January. They were among thousands who had descended on the Nation’s Capital for the March, which had billed itself as aiming to promote a society that supported human and women’s rights. “Pro-life groups were the first to ask for partnership with the Women’s March. We were turned away and asked not to attend. Students for Life, and other pro-life groups, saw this as an opportunity to be a strong witness to life,” said Wiener, when asked why she felt it was important to attend the March.

ESOLEN ON CHRISTENDOM

midst the encroaching secularized atmosphere that is affecting Catholic colleges, world-renowned author and college professor Anthony Esolen still sees hope for Catholic higher education. In particular, he sees Christendom College as part of the solution. “The first time I visited Christendom…I thought that I would learn for the first time what a genuinely Catholic college was like. I did, but I learned something else too, something I never expected. I learned what a college is like,” he wrote in his new book, Out of the Ashes. “Christendom College in Front Royal, Virginia, is a small school of about four hundred [and seventy-five] students, bravely and cheerfully Catholic and unapologetic in its commitment to the liberal arts,” writes Esolen, who teaches at Providence College. “There is a course of study shared by everyone. Professors and students eat lunch together every day, the same food, at the same tables, during an hour when no classes or appointments are scheduled. They hear the daily announcements together. They pray together—for classes are also not scheduled during the hour for daily Mass.” Esolen summarizes the entire educational experience by focusing on the sense of community found at Christendom.

Top to bottom: Students take over the lead of the march with a pro-life sign; senior Colleen McCrum shares her pro-life beliefs with the press; students gather at the steps of the Supreme Court Building.

“If you go to Christendom, you are ushered into a genuine community in every sense of the word. People know one another, care for one another, laugh or quarrel or celebrate with one another, study the same thousands of years of history, art, poetry, philosophy, theology, and science, get to know one another’s families, and set down roots in that humble place at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains. There is a ring of the sane and the salutary around it, and though every professor and student is a sinner, their eyes look to the hills whence cometh their help,” concludes Esolen.

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One Person Can Make a Difference LIFTING PEOPLE OUT OF POVERTY IN PORTLAND

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Basic financial skills are generally not taught in high school, and rarely in college. This has led to such staggering statistics as 57% of Americans not being able to handle a $500 emergency without using a credit card or borrowing from family or friends; and a generation of “baby boomers” who are not prepared for a secure retirement. This significant, global problem was one that alumna Molly O’Donnell encountered in Portland, Ore., in her work at Catholic Charities. A 1985 Christendom College graduate with a major in history, Molly joined Catholic Charities Oregon in 2009 after raising her four sons and holding a variety of jobs in nonprofit development. Molly was hired to administer a cash-assistance program for employees of Providence Health & Services who were in emergency need. While the program had noble intentions, Molly quickly saw that the assistance did not empower clients to make a change in their financial lives but, rather, was more like a band-aid approach, helping people out of the immediate emergency, but not providing tools to ensure that crisis didn’t follow upon crisis.

t can be said that many people don’t know what to do with their finances. If this were not the case, there would not be a whole aisle at bookstores dedicated to financial planning, and people such as Dave Ramsey would not have such a “cult following.” For many people, not knowing how to plan financially can send them spiraling into debt, and can keep them from realizing their dreams.

“We quickly learned that poverty exists on many levels and that it really didn’t matter how much money one made but, rather, their understanding of basic money management skills. If a person is making poor decisions with money, it only takes one life event like an illness, loss of a job, divorce, or death in the family to live in perpetual crisis or be spiraled into crisis,” she said. After a few months of fund administration, Molly recommended to the oversight committee and the Board of Catholic Charities that they combine financial literacy education and personal financial coaching with the emergency assistance. “Our hope was to truly move people out of poverty and up the economic ladder, thus fulfilling our mission of lasting solutions to poverty. By providing these tools, we were providing hope that there is another way to live. I saw, and continue to see, this as an extension of the mission that became ingrained in me during my years at Christendom–to be that light of Christ’s hope in the world.” As the Director of this new initiative for Catholic Charities Oregon, Molly set about preparing to build the strongest

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“

I have been able to fulfill... the mission that was formed in me during my years at Christendom, that one person can make a difference and that we [are] to go out into the world and be that light of Christ.

”

oﬃce possible by doing what many others do: learning the principles of financial planning herself. While Molly had a strong financial foundation, she wanted to know more about the science of financial planning, in order to better teach it to others. To this end, she turned to Dave Ramsey, one of America’s leading financial planning experts, and traveled to Nashville, Tennessee, to learn from him and to take his “Financial Peace University” course. She quickly found that her background in development and the critical thinking skills she learned at Christendom gave her an edge in learning the secrets to financial planning. Armed with this new financial knowledge and the heart of a teacher, Molly returned to Oregon confident that she and her team could help change people’s lives for the better, one person at a time. Molly quickly got to work designing, implementing, and managing the financial literacy program for Catholic Charities Oregon. Through her efforts, approximately 400 people a year have been served since 2010. Those who come to class and participate in financial coaching range from the truly impoverished to local community members, as well as employees at Catholic Charities and other organizations.All of them are learning how to properly manage their finances and get their lives on track to a brighter financial future. Molly is also working within local Catholic parishes to help those who are preparing for marriage and those who are seeking financial assistance from the pastors. Over the course of seven years, the oﬃce of Financial Wellness Services has successfully empowered people to achieve and maintain a healthy financial perspective and lifestyle. Starting this year, Molly is now directing these services from the Family Success Center, a centralized 14

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location where clients who reach out to Catholic Charities for help, whether for crisis pregnancy support, refugee resettlement, or 5 ll ’ 8 housing assistance, are given the Molly O’Donne financial education they need to grow in financial capability, increase their savings accounts, and realize their dreams for the future. Through the oﬃce and Molly’s efforts to help the lives of others, Catholic Charities Oregon is now looked to as an innovator in financial education, and is held up as a “shining star” by the rest of Catholic Charities, according to Jane Stenson, senior director for poverty reduction strategies for Catholic Charities USA. Molly is realizing her own dream through the incredible success of the program—the dream to help others become confident in their lives and realize their own dreams for the future. All of this comes from an incredible giving spirit, and an authentic desire to “feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and welcome the stranger.” “My education at Christendom taught me how to think and how to put that thought into action. I have always had the desire to help others and through my work at Catholic Charities, I have been able to fulfill that desire, and the mission that was formed in me during my years at Christendom, that one person can make a difference and that we were to go out into the world and be that light of Christ,” she said.

AMERICA’S PASTIME RETURNS A

merica’s pastime is back at Christendom. Following a three-year hiatus, the Christendom Crusaders finally returned to the baseball diamond in March, expanding the college’s diverse athletic offerings and giving students further opportunities to compete at the collegiate level.

“I’ve been passionate about baseball my whole life and I’m so excited to see America’s Pastime back at Christendom,” says athletic director Patrick Quest. “We have an eager, talented team of young guys who have been working hard, and a strong coaching staff led by skipper Coach Dale Brown, teaching and practicing various aspects of the game. We all look forward to seeing the team play this season and the program grow stronger in seasons to come.” The Crusaders are proudly part of the 2017 USCAA men’s baseball league with a three-man coaching staff ready to lead the team to success this season. The student body’s enthusiasm for the return of baseball has translated to an 18-man roster of seniors, juniors, sophomores, and freshmen, all eager for a shot at playing college baseball. “I’ve played baseball most of my life, but didn’t expect to be able to continue playing during college,” says sophomore John Sullivan. “Now that Christendom once again has a team, I can continue pursuing this passion of mine next to my studies.” The Crusaders play their home games at the local, beautiful Bing Crosby Stadium, which was home to their victory in the Eastern States Baseball Championship in 2012.

SPRING 2017

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FROM

The Chronicler {christendom.edu/chronicler}

Students enjoy a trip to nearby historic Harper’s Ferry in West Virginia—a town known for its hiking, historic shops, and incredible views.

Dorm Wars Regatta Competition, with competitors racing across the Shenandoah River—right in Christendom’s backyard.

Dorm Wars victors: team Scotland won the Olympicthemed multifaceted competition this year.

Snow doesn’t stop students from prayerfully protesting the evil of abortion at Planned Parenthood.

Spring weather brings Dr. Brendan McGuire’s history class outside.

Juniors in Rome enjoy their new backyard: St. Peter’s Square.

Athletes named to the 2017 USCAA’s All-American team for great achievements on the basketball court and their outstanding GPAs of 3.0 or higher.

Junior Michael Mazarra and sophomore Jeana Morgan compete in the annual Swing and Waltz competition.

2016-17 Crusader Basketball.

10. 2016-17 Lady Crusader Basketball. 11. College President Dr. Timothy O’Donnell leads everyone in song at the annual St. Patrick’s Day festivities. 14

12. Dancing at St. Patrick’s Day. 13. Annual St. Joseph’s Day procession before the celebratory Italian dinner. 14. Director for English programming for Vatican Radio Dr. Sean-Patrick Lovett gives a talk to students about how to be missionaries. 15. Students chat with alumnus Fr. Zachary Akers, FSSP, at the annual Discernment Weekend. 16. On a mission: 20% of the college’s student body went on a mission trip during spring break.

Christendom College’s The Chronicler is an online publication appearing weekly on Fridays throughout the academic year. Written and photographed by students, The Chronicler provides a glimpse into life as a student at Christendom. Find out more and sign up to be notified when a new issue appears at christendom.edu/chronicler.

For more pics, follow us on Instagram!

@christendomcollege

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The Cost of Rejecting Federal Funding IN ITS RESOLVE FOR INDEPENDENCE, CHRISTENDOM’S EDUCATION IS DISTINCTLY AMERICAN—BUT THERE’S A COST TO ITS INDEPENDENCE

merica is built on the notion of freedom and the respect for individual conscience. It is upon this heritage that Dr.

Warren Carroll made a bold, prophetic choice 40 years ago: Christendom College would not then, and would not ever, seek nor accept federal funds. By not accepting federal loans or grants, Christendom chose to sacrifice millions in federal aid every year. Millions that other colleges and universities rely on to function and enroll students. Millions that must, as a result, be made up for through other means—namely, generous donations.

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The Federal Impact on a College’s Budget Federal funds cover 25% of the average college budget. Christendom College donors replace over 2.3 million in federal funds.

GOVERNMENT HAND-OUTS CHRISTENDOM BENEFACTORS

Every student who attends a college that accepts federal funding brings with him $4,720 in federal funds, or $18,880 over his four years. That accounts for over 25% of a college or university’s budget. At Christendom, that 25% ($2.3 millon) is supplied entirely by its generous benefactors.

Why make this choice, then? Carroll believed that the federal government would find ways to encroach on education, and force schools like Christendom to teach things that run contrary to Catholic teaching. That is something that Carroll would not, and could not, allow— particularly after witnessing the debacle known as the Land O’ Lakes Conference.

the students relied on federal grants and loans to attend the college. The case eventually went all the way to the Supreme Court, which ruled against Grove City and claimed that the college would be subject to Title IX if students used federal grants to attend it. Grove City, as a result, chose to no longer allow students to accept federal grants, and created its own private loans and grants system.

Now, 40 years later, his vision has come true. In recent years, the enlarging of Title IX and its statements on equality, in particular, has increased the threat of demands on federally-funded colleges that would run against the teachings of the Magisterium to which Christendom is absolutely loyal. On the other hand, other Christian colleges do accept federal funding. So, what is the issue for Christendom?

The government tried its best to force itself into the educational system of Grove City, violating its liberty. It has yet to try and do the same at Christendom, but such a history is a reminder of why Christendom will not accept federal funding, and must utilize its own loans and grants system. There is no such thing as “a little bureaucracy”—if Christendom were to open the doors, all of it would flood in. One has only to look at today’s political landscape to see the problems this could cause.

Christendom, thankfully, has never had to face challenges from the government as to how it runs itself as an educational institution. Grove City College, a Christian liberal arts college in Pennsylvania, was not so lucky. In 1978, the college made a bold move and did not sign a Title IX compliance, which would, in effect, give the government bureaucratic control over the institution. The government, in turn, threatened to pull federal funding from Grove City. Since it already didn’t accept federal funding, this seemed to be a hollow threat—until they realized that a quarter of

Instead, Christendom continues to take a distinctly American position, one of private independence in its educational mission. Yet, there is a cost to this independence. In a study by CollegeBoard, the average student receives $4,720 in federal loans each year for college use. This means that every student who attends a college that accepts federal funding brings with him $4,720 in federal funds, or $18,880 over his four years. For a college the size of Christendom, if it opted to accept federal funds, it would mean that it would add about $2.3 million each

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year to its cash intake. That’s a lot of money that the college is giving up each year in the name of independence and freedom. Many other American colleges and universities have operating budgets soaring into the hundreds of millions. If these schools were to stop accepting federal loan money, they would suddenly lose upwards of 25% of their operating budget. On top of the lack of money coming in through the federal government’s loan program, Christendom has to give out approximately that same amount to its students through its unique loan and grant program. So, in short, the college is losing out on bringing in $2.3 million a year and has had to create and maintain a loan program to replace those funds. But there is good news. Thanks to the generous benefactors of Christendom College, the college is able to raise the much-needed funds each year that go toward the annual fund. Knowing that Christendom gives students money through its private loan system, and that it does not get any money from the federal government, is what inspires friends to be so generous. They understand that Christendom has to raise enough money to account for not taking in $2.3 million in federal money and for giving out $2 million in loans. As a result, Christendom needs donations more than many other schools do.

As the shape of American higher education changes, Christendom stands at the forefront of an educational experience that is free from the interference and bureaucracy of the federal government, believing that the federal government does not belong in education at all. For nearly 40 years, generous benefactors have kept this vision alive for Christendom and its students. The college needs them if this dream is to continue. As Dr. Carroll famously said, “one man can make a difference.” With the continued help of one person after another, Christendom’s distinctly American form of Catholic education can endure for years to come.

Thank you to all the benefactors of Christendom College who keep the college independent from federal bureaucracy and stipulations. To find out more about the Freedom Fund or how you can support Catholic higher education, free from reliance on the federal goverment, visit: CHRISTENDOM.EDU/FREEDOM

SPRING 2017

D E B AT E AT YA L E STUDENTS DEBATE IVY LEAGUE SCHOOL’S PARTY OF THE RIGHT

embers of the college’s ChesterBelloc Debate Society arrived at a snow-covered campus in New Haven, Connecticut, early in March. It was their first trip to Yale University, the alma mater of their theology professor, Dr. Eric Jenislawski. The trip was inspired by the participation of Jenislawski and two members of the college’s debate society in an annual debate hosted by Yale’s Party of Students pose for a photo at Sterling Memorial Library at Yale. the Right in Washington, D.C. Following the annual debate, Yale’s Party of the Right invited Christendom to debate their team—an opportunity honored guests, and had no shortage of questions and ideas that excited junior Michael Mazzara. to bounce off of Christendom’s liberally-educated minds. Since their group includes members both religious and “Being a member of the Chester-Belloc Debate Society, and secular, the topic of God arose a number of times, leading being invited to attend one of the Party of the Right’s debates to the two groups working through their different thinking at Yale was a spectacular opportunity,” says Mazzara. “Just processes to argue about the soul, being, morality, and even getting the chance to visit Yale and meet their people was God Himself. great, but having been invited by them to join them for a The students left Yale with an even greater love for the debate was flattering. Having gone through it, I definitely education they are receiving from Christendom, and how their have a better appreciation for what I have at Christendom time in the Chester-Belloc Debate Society is helping to prepare than I have ever before.” them to speak and argue confidently for their ideas and beliefs. During the debate, Christendom students found the Yale “I could not be more proud of what I’m receiving here, and students incredibly welcoming and engaging, and also of the people I get to receive it with, especially after visiting intellectually versatile. The debate proved to be very lively, Yale. They may have their history, but we have the Truth as every member of Chester-Belloc who attended spoke. here,” concluded Mazzara. The Party of the Right treated the Christendom students as

Christendom College’s parliamentary-style debate society, the Chester-Belloc Debate Society, was founded by students in 2007, under the direction of Christendom theology professor Dr. Eric Jenislawski. Jenislawski, who had been elected to join Yale’s debate society while an undergraduate, wanted to give the students the opportunity to sharpen their intellects and provide practice in extemporaneous speaking. The society hosts seven debates per semester, open to the whole college community.

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BRINGING LOVE TO THE HOMELESS

hile other college students spend their weekends catching up on sleep or doing their laundry, a group of Christendom students can be found in the nearby Washington, D.C., metropolitan area doing something incredible: sacrificing their time to help the homeless. This group of students, dubbed Mother Teresa’s Children, travels to D.C. almost every Sunday to minister to the homeless in Franklin Square through both tangible and intangible means. Born out of the spirit of the college’s 2015-16 “10,000 Acts of Kindness Campaign,” the club was started by junior Bridget Gaffney in the spring of 2016, and has been impacting lives ever since.

“The idea of Mother Teresa’s Children is centered on a quote of hers: ‘the worst poverty in the world is the feeling of being unloved and unwanted,’” says sophomore Henry Love, who now leads the club. “Our main goal as a club, as a result, is to spend time with people, being joyful with them, and praying with them. We are out there in D.C., talking with people who are used to being ignored, and spending time with them in a significant way. While there’s no immediate solution to the homeless problem, showing them love like we are is a great place to start.”

SPRING 2017

In the Classroom HIGHLIGHTING A COURSE FROM OUR RICH CURRICULUM

Theology 302: Apologetics and the New Evangelization By Dr. Matthew A. Tsakanikas

Jesus said to them, "Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old." MT 13:42

hristendom College was only one year old when Pope St. John Paul the Great took his seat upon the throne of Saint Peter (1978), when this modern saint began restoring all things in Christ. Quashing for 27 years the false parallel magisteriums that had whipped up the raging sea waters after the Second Vatican Council, Pope John Paul’s Magisterium guided and tutored the college from infancy to maturity. He brought to completion the authoritative interpretation of the Second Vatican Council, navigating many stormy waters and anchoring Christendom in safer harbor between the pillars of our Eucharistic Lord and true devotion to Mary (along with the faith and intellectual power to defend the harbor). With continued special devotion to the successor of Saint Peter, Christendom’s THEO 302 Apologetics continues this important work of educating students to assist all peoples and nations to tie their ships to the true Church in the tradition of Catholic liberal arts in higher education. 24

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Theology 302, the capstone of the theology core curriculum, draws upon the wealth of the entire liberal arts core and lays the strongest possible foundation. Obedient to the Lord, it draws upon the treasure of what is new and what is old (MT 13:42) to train students navigating the stormy seas of mass culture and feigned neutrality toward Christian culture. It lays a foundation that seeks to equip students for dialogue with a Post Modern world, many confused walking dead whose cold hearts can become warm through the Way, the Truth, and the Life. To bring them, and many wounded Catholics, back to life, the first three weeks of class are spent with the most important question: which worldview makes more sense? As witnessed in the writings of Sr. Lúcia of Fatima, the consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary came late and we suffer the consequences. Russia did spread its errors throughout the world as our Lady of Fatima foretold. Marxist atheism flows through American culture: deceitful media reports, the Berkeley riots, the Women’s March are only the most recent evidence earlier this year. Christian culture is making a great stand with our Lady’s help. Still, Darwinian evolution—taken into a standard atheistic framework—is alive and well, and these deadly frameworks

Dr. Matthew Tsakanikas in the classroom.

still control their host victims and institutions. For this reason, the first three weeks of THEO 302 focus on a correct Christian anthropology. We cannot bring poisoned minds to the truth that Jesus is God and substantially present in the Eucharist for our salvation without first swimming in the dangerous salty seas of atheistic evolution to pull out its drowning victims.

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Christendom students are on the cutting edge of the New Evangelization in Theology 302: Apologetics.

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For this reason we dive into the old of Saint Augustine’s “On the Literal Meaning of Genesis.” We swim with chapters in Cardinal Schonborn’s book Chance or Purpose? We come up for air with the new in Joseph Ratzinger’s apologetics in Introduction to Christianity (“Faith in God Today”). We find super-oxygenated air and hold our breath rescuing weak swimmers with the old of Aquinas’ Summa Contra Gentiles

(Book 4, Question 11) to find that life means intelligence and zoe (immortal life), before it means bios (mortal body). Reginald Garrigou-LaGrange teaches us about causality and Aquinas’ Five Proofs. We use the recent hard work of biologists like MNSU’s Daniel Toma to show the fossil record moving to higher forms of knowledge and interiority, not just survival of the fittest. We update our language to speak with modern physics by reading excerpts of Robert Spitzer’s New Proofs for the Existence of God. We finally apply the best of the old and the new to today’s false theories and know the importance of historical and cultural context. Christendom students are on the cutting edge of the New Evangelization in Theology 302: Apologetics, and that’s just the first three weeks of this class in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Front Royal, Virginia. Dr. Matthew A. Tsakanikas ’95 is an assistant professor of theology at Christendom College and a graduate of Rome’s Pontificio Istituto Giovanni Paolo II. He serves as an academic dean for permanent diaconate formation, teaches at seminaries, has been a ghost-writer for Catholic leaders, and is a diocesan director for the new evangelization.

SPRING 2017

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Healthcare Crusaders ALUMNI NURSING FA I R FA X H O S P I TA L BACK TO LIFE

ne of the greatest kindnesses known to man is the gift of healing. Every day, in the world’s hospitals, this kindness is revealed time and again, as ordinary people help others to become well again. For many Christendom alumni, the gift of healing has become their calling as they work in the medical field. Alumni have utilized their broad liberal arts education to gain entrance to medical and nursing schools across the country, such as Neill Mollard ’97, who is a cardiothoracic anesthesiologist, and former classmates physical therapist Joe Soos ’93 and dentist Sam Aronhime ’93. But nursing seems to be a more popular field for many Christendom alumni. They are able to graduate with their liberal arts degree and enter accelerated nursing programs to earn their bachelor’s of science in nursing degrees in just 12 or 15 months. Pictured Left, alumni nurses: Joelle Jansen ’03, Patrick Vander Woude ’05, Joseph Norton ’10, and Anne-Marie King ’03. SPRING 2017

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I believe that the instruction I received from Christendom College in the higher sciences of theology and philosophy cast a new light on the physical world for me. Healthcare is a wonderful field for a Catholic with my education.

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For alumni in the medical field living in Northern Virginia, working at Fairfax Hospital is certainly a matter of proximity. That fact does little to lessen the fascination that many alumni all work in this same hospital. By all being there, together, they are able to have a huge impact on the mentality of the patients, staff, and more. Philosophy major Joelle Jansen ’03 currently works as a nurse in the Medical Surgical Intensive Care Unit at Fairfax Hospital. She has been working at Fairfax since 2007. In today’s medical landscape, there are numerous ethical questions that have to be navigated, making working in the field a particularly diﬃcult task for Catholics. Her education in the Faith and in morals at Christendom is helping Jansen to navigate these pitfalls and truly help lives every day at the hospital, bringing Catholic moral principles to a place that is, sadly, often devoid of them in the modern era. “Having faith and morals is extremely important in this setting since I work with a critically ill patient population, many of whom will pass away no matter what we do,”

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says Jansen. “Regardless of the faith of the patient or their family, it is always important to advocate for the patient, and having an understanding of their basic human dignity is part of that. Many of our families are unprepared for this event, and my Faith has often allowed me to speak to them about what can happen with their family member. I believe that my education in philosophy helped me for this position, because it allows me to look at the picture of my patient’s health as a whole and helps me try to understand different patients’ beliefs about how they view their health and what they are or aren’t willing to do as it pertains to that.” Joseph Norton ’10 recently completed the highly ranked accelerated nursing program at George Mason University and now works with Jansen as a nurse on the same floor in the Medical Surgical Intensive Care Unit. Norton credits his philosophy degree for his ability to excel beyond his peers in nursing school and to successfully juggle working a full-time job, being a father of two, and going to nursing school.

"Liberally educated nurses make informed and responsible ethical choices and help shape the future of society as well as the nursing profession," says the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). In an effort to recruit and educate the next generation of nurses, there has been a bigger emphasis on the accelerated degree program for non-nursing students, which gives BSN degrees to students with non-nursing undergrad degrees after just 12-18 months of schooling. Though not new to nursing education, accelerated programs have proliferated over the past fifteen years, growing from just 31 programs to now 230 across the country, and many Christendom alumni have taken advantage of this opportunity to get into the nursing field. “Graduates of accelerated programs are prized by nurse employers who value the many layers of skill and education these graduates bring to the workplace,” says the AACN. “Employers report that these graduates are more mature, possess strong clinical skills, and are quick studies on the job.” And when it comes time to take the licensure exam, the NCLEXRN, students in accelerated programs are competitive, maintain high grade point averages, and almost always pass the exam on the first attempt.

“My decision to pursue nursing as a work vocation arose after I worked in public policy for three years,” says Norton. “I had gotten married and had two children when it struck my wife and me that I needed a more stable and promising career. The demand for nurses is growing dramatically. However, I did bring my education and upbringing to bear on the decision. As I was looking into new fields, I found a new love for the natural sciences, especially biology. I believe that the instruction I received from Christendom College in the higher sciences of theology and philosophy cast a new light on the physical world for me. Healthcare is a wonderful field for a Catholic with my education.” Nurse Anne-Marie (Jensen) King ’03 believes that her vocation to nursing is also a vital calling, and one that can truly help change the culture. Working in the Trauma Intensive Care Unit at Fairfax, she sees that many are sad, depressed, anxious, and living life without meaning. In such an environment, she is able to bring something they sorely need: hope in the face of Jesus Christ. “It’s amazing how many corporal and spiritual works of mercy a day at the hospital enables. The saying, ‘there are

no atheists in foxholes’ is often appropriate in the ICU too. It’s a privilege to be able to call a priest for a patient and be at the their bedside when they’re being anointed and knowing that you had a part in that,” says King. A few floors below her, Pat Vander Woude ’05 works in the Neuro Surgical Intensive Care Unit. A former helicopter pilot for the United States Marines, Vander Woude transitioned from the USMC into nursing only a few years ago, and is currently now working on becoming a nurse practitioner. The transition itself has been a smooth one, driven completely by Vander Woude’s belief that he is doing a great service to those in need. “My wife, Jill, went to nursing school after graduating from Christendom. She gave me the initial impression of what nursing was and also that there were many programs available for people who already had a college degree. I gradually became more interested in medicine during the later years of my nine and a half total years on active duty, ultimately formulating a plan to become a nurse practitioner. Having served on active duty as an USMC oﬃcer, I had access to the GI bill so I was able to obtain a bachelor’s in nursing,” says Vander Woude. “Becoming a nurse practitioner is important to me because it is a way for me to try to influence our society in a healthcare system that is becoming increasingly diﬃcult for Christians. I believe that I can help other families grow in health, while respecting their God-given rights as patients.” [Editor’s Note: Since the publishing of this article, Vander Woude has entered George Washington University’s nurse practitioner program full time.]

In a world filled with so much doubt and confusion, our society needs individuals willing to care for others and be Christ figures to them. Hospitals crucially need these people who can help others on one of the most personal levels known to man. These alumni are taking this obligation upon themselves, healing the sick and helping people pass from this life and into the next in some cases. Healing others is a privilege for all who undertake such a mission. The Christendom educational experience, both inside and outside the classroom, helps students discover this privilege, and have great success in fulfilling it.

SPRING 2017

My Winding Road to Being a Bride of Christ By Sr. Mary Mercy (Robyn Lee) ’02

AN ALUMNA’S PATH FROM CHRISTENDOM TO DREAM JOB TO CONVENT

am in the back of the church ready to walk down the aisle, Pachelbel’s Canon in D is playing softly, and everyone turns to look. I adjust my shawl, hold my ﬂowers up high and then I say a little prayer that I don’t fall ﬂat on my face in front of the entire church. Am I the blushing bride ready to meet my prince? Not this time. As the saying goes, always the bridesmaid, never the bride. This is my seventh time as a bridesmaid—five of those weddings were for my older sisters. As a single Catholic, I desired marriage, but I wasn’t ready yet.

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My desire for a holy vocation—whether it be marriage or religious life—was born in the domestic church. My family introduced me to the beauty of liturgical celebrations, Eucharistic adoration, the Rosary and Divine Mercy. Being brought up in a Catholic environment rooted me in the Catholic faith. Those roots began to grow and blossom during my college years. My four years at Christendom College had a major impact on my formation. It was there that I began to choose the Catholic faith for myself. Right on campus, Christendom has Mass, the opportunity for confession and Eucharistic adoration—every day! The college administration does not force students to engage in the Catholic culture, but there is an energy and life that invites students to enter into the graces that God is pouring forth. Professors show the beauty and richness of the Catholic faith and inspire students to

participate in the Sacraments and in campus activities. The Catholic culture at Christendom fostered lasting friendships, a zeal for apostolic life, and a desire for a deep prayer life. I learned to love the faith of my parents. It was in college that the faith became mine. I remember learning in Theology class that every time we receive the Eucharist, it washes away venial sin, strengthens our bond of charity, and protects us from committing future mortal sins. The professor then pointed out that there are two daily Masses at Christendom every day and we have ample opportunity to partake in these amazing graces. In my classes, I read St. John Paul II, G.K. Chesterton, and the Summa. I learned about great saints that I never heard of before. I studied Scripture and higher level philosophy and theology.

Sr. Mary Mercy, then Robyn Lee, appears on The Gist on the Catholic TV Network, discussing the experience of single Catholics.

Christendom College founder Dr. Warren Carroll often encouraged his students to rebuild all things in Christ. Tell the world that “Truth exists. The Incarnation happened.” After I graduated, I felt equipped to conquer the world. My apostolic zeal and strong family ties sent me back to Connecticut to continue to discern God’s will for my life. I got a “real job” and put my faith in action as an adult. After many blessings, wrong turns, victories, and falls, I found myself with my own home, good friends, and my dream job. I had it all, but for some reason it was not enough. I wanted more. There was an emptiness in my heart that I was trying to fill, but nothing in my life at that time would satisfy that inner longing. This emptiness and longing in my heart eventually motivated me to start praying for a spouse—but nothing was happening. I thought God was not listening, but little did I know He was answering my prayers, just not in the way I expected. It all started with an essay contest that CatholicMatch. com hosted. It was my job as managing editor of the CatholicMatch Institute to judge the essays. We asked members to describe how they discerned a vocation to marriage and how they were joyfully living out their faith until they meet “The One.” As the entries came flying in, I realized that I was faced with a great responsibility. How could I honestly judge these essays if I hadn’t discerned God’s path for my own life? I started to think: How do I discern a vocation anyway?

Mother Shaun Vergauwen bestows her blessing on Sister Mary Mercy.

Being a reporter at heart, I talked to many sources. I asked seminarians: How did you know you were called to the priesthood? I asked sisters: How did you know you had a vocation? I asked veteran married couples: How did you know you were in love? How did you know that you finally met the one? So many married couples said, “You just know.” For those of us who are waiting to fall in love, that answer feels dissatisfying. I continued my quest until one afternoon a SPRING 2017

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I am grateful for the Catholic culture at Christendom College that has given so many the courage to take a leap, say yes, and give their selfless love daily as priests, nuns, sisters, brothers, and consecrated. good friend of mine asked if I had ever discerned religious life. Having considered it briefly in college, I told her, “That ship has sailed.” My future is being married with a bagillion kids, so religious life wouldn’t make me happy.” Little did I know that by trying to control every aspect of my future I was not completely open to God’s work. I thought, God, you can’t seriously be calling me to religious life now? After all these years? But with that question remaining on my heart, I had to find out. I didn’t want to wake up when I was 85 and wonder what my life would have been if I had just followed the desires of my heart. I wanted a clear answer. So, just like that friend you’ve had around for years, but never thought about dating, so was it for me with the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist. I had been spending time in their young professionals group for years. It just never occurred to me that I might be called to be one of them. But I liked being with the Sisters. They had a joy and happiness that I wanted. I went on a vocations retreat with the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist and asked: How do I know if I have a religious vocation? I wanted to know for sure before I made any sort of commitment. One of the sisters paused and calmly said to me: “You can sit on the side of the pool and wonder if the water is cold, but you are never going to know unless you jump in.” God was asking me to make that leap of faith. No, I wasn’t 100% sure, but I felt a desire for this life. So without knowing the perfect plan, I plunged into the water. As I reflect on my years of praying to know God’s will, I see all the times He was leading my heart. During that time of waiting, He was asking me to trust Him and he was

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preparing my heart to fall in love … with Him. When I finally made the commitment to discern with the Sisters, I came to know a happiness that I had never known before. All the desires and longings that I had were now being fulfilled—just not in the way I expected. During my time with the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist, I have come to know that God’s love is extravagant. I have a confidence in His love and a firmness that I am His beloved daughter. As God opens my heart, I also recognize a desire to know and experience more deeply the life of these Sisters. Right now I am a canonical novice with the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist. The Sisters have a nine-year engagement as they prepare for final vows. This is not a prolonged “getting to know you,” but it is an intense preparation for an extraordinary, lifelong union. God willing, I too will be a perpetually professed bride of Christ and on my wedding day I will say yes to a life of chastity, poverty, and obedience. Christ Himself will be my Spouse. Yes, “Truth exists. The Incarnation happened.” I am indebted to Dr. Warren Carroll for his words and inspiration that launched me on my own quest for Truth. I am grateful for the Catholic culture at Christendom College that has given so many the courage to take a leap, say yes, and give their selfless love daily as priests, nuns, sisters, brothers, and consecrated. Sister Mary Mercy Lee (Robyn Lee) ’02, one of Christendom’s 50 alumnae religious, is a canonical novice with the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist (fsecommunity.org). A version of this article was originally published by the CatholicMatch Institute (a partner of CatholicMatch.com), which provides resources to help single Catholics develop a strong foundation for marriage. Used with permission.

FURTHERING CATHOLIC HIGHER EDUCATION AT HOME & ABROAD

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he mission that the Church, with great hope, entrusts to Catholic Universities holds a cultural and religious meaning of vital importance because it concerns the very future of humanity.”

issues crucial to the state of Catholic higher education in America, the presidents showed mutual support for each other and their efforts to better follow the vision of Ex Corde Ecclesiae.

So Pope Saint John Paul II concluded his landmark 1990 Apostolic Constitution Ex Corde Ecclesiae, which boldly called for a renewal of Catholic higher education around the world. That heritage inspired Christendom

As a special guest, Bishop David O’Connell led the presidents in a spiritual reflection, encouraging those present to stay strong in the face of adversity and to make bold strides for Catholic higher education in America.

College President Dr. Timothy O’Donnell to establish the Ex Corde Ecclesiae Presidents’ Roundtable in 2013, as an opportunity for presidents of Catholic colleges and universities to come together to promote fellowship and to strengthen Catholic identity at their respective schools. That tradition continued February 3-5, as Christendom welcomed 20 presidents to its Front Royal campus for the third biennial Roundtable.

At the weekend’s close, each president signed a pledge to uphold Ex Corde Ecclesiae at their respective schools and to further the vision for Catholic higher education presented by John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI, and Pope Francis.

Over the weekend, the presidents discussed issues related to student life, the role of the faculty, and more. Over the course of the discussions about these and other

“The presidents were deeply impressed by the entire program of the meeting,” said O’Donnell. “I believe that the weekend will continue to be a source of inspiration and mutual prayer and cooperation as we continue to move forward with the noble task of seeking to renew authentic Catholic higher education in our country and abroad.”

SPRING 2017

Send your submissions to classmates@christendom.edu.

CLASSMATES Your Paper & Ink Alumni Social Network

1980s Mary (Kleinschmidt) Tichý ’87 is currently a stay-at-home mother and a private English tutor. She married Vladimír Tichý in 1996 and they live near his hometown of Tišnov, Czech Republic, for almost 23 years. They have four children: Elizabeth (19 yrs.), Dominik (17 yrs.), Klára (15 yrs.), David (13 yrs.). Vladimir works for K-Hartwall of Finland as a sales director for the Czech Republic working in territories including Eastern Europe, Balkan countries, and Russia. In June of last year, Rick ’90 and Maria (Miller) ’95 Ellis welcomed their sixth and seventh children, twins Emily and Isaac. The twins joined their four sisters and one brother, who were very excited when they learned that their prayers for twins, specifically a boy and a girl, were answered.

Mini reunion: Paul McCleary ’85, Brenda O’Reilly ’82, Tony Norris ’85, Molly O’Donnell ’85, and Ann Francis ’85 at the annual River Valley Festival in Front Royal, Viginia.

1990s

Andrew ’98 and Clare (Curley) Cole ’93 live in Burlington, Kentuky, with their seven children: Harry, Joseph, Miriam, Thomas More, John Paul, Gwendolyn, and Campion. The Coles enjoyed catching up with alumni at the Grill’n & Chill’n BBQ in Louisville this past summer. Andrew has been working as a director of campus ministry for the last year at Thomas More College, one of ten diocesan colleges in the nation. He was appointed by Kentucky’s governor, Matt Bevin, to the Commission on Volunteerism & Service in July of 2016, which approves and oversees AmeriCorps funding grants and performance for the Commonwealth. He directs a Bishop Roger J. Foys Service Campus Ministry Scholarship program as well and teaches a First-Year Student Course in Servant Leadership, a requirement of the scholarship. Francois Flippen ’99 is happy to announce that he passed all of his CPA exams. He is currently working on setting up a private practice in Front Royal, Va.

Sue (Peters) Francis, Amanda (Farinholt) McFadden, Dori (Greco) Rutherford, Carol (Bruns) Matt, and Anna (Harbaugh) Koch—all class of ’93—recently had a reunion in Front Royal.

Donald Prudlo ’99 made full professor of ancient & medieval history at Jacksonville State University in Alabama. He is also assistant professor of theology and church history at the Christendom Graduate School of Theology.

Liz (Hibl) Davis ’99 and her husband, Shawn, welcomed their fourth child, Martina Joy, on Ash Wednesday, March 1. Martina is getting plenty of love from older siblings Therese, JohnLazarus, and Victor.

Andrea (Jaramillo) Fricano ’99 and her family enjoyed a visit to the Equator in Quito, Ecuador.

2000s Tom and Audra (Powderly) Cole ’04 are happily residing in Marietta, Ga. with their daughter, Marie Therese. Tom is teaching at Holy Spirit Preparatory School in Atlanta, where he is in his first year there as the chair of the Theology department.

IN OUR PRAYERS: Mass is offered for the alumni on Sundays and all First Fridays. Remember that you can have Masses said for special intentions or friends and family! Contact Vince Criste for more info at vince.criste@christendom.edu.

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spoke on “Tolkien and the Battle of the Somme.” Sarah’s talk was “Music of Life: The Creation of Middle Earth.” They went with their second son, Jacob, and also saw parts of London, Oxford, and Loch Ness. Sarah Flamminio ’08 is currently in Poland on a Fulbright English Teaching Assistance grant. Rachel Fogarty ’09 and Brent Bennett are engaged to be married May 20, 2017, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Fort Wayne, Ind.

Sister Mary Jordan of the Holy Family, O.P. (Ida Friemoth) ’05 was recently appointed Novice Mistress for the monastery of cloistered Dominican nuns in Marbury, Ala. who sing Latin chant and keep Eucharistic Adoration and Perpetual Rosary (StJudeMonastery.org). Please keep her in your prayers.

Zac ’08 and Sadie (Bratt) ’13 Inman welcomed their first child, a daughter, Zoey Grace Therese, on January 19. She was 5 lb., 2 oz., and 19.5 inches long.

Christendom alumni are especially invited. If you are interested in attending, please e-mail David at dfrank@nds.edu. He would be happy to help you find lodging and to set aside some time to visit with you. David expects to serve as a deacon for one year, his final year of seminary, before being ordained a priest in June 2018. Sequoia Sierra ’12 owns a liturgical design company that makes all things textile: albs, stoles, habits, cassocks, vestments, altar linens, palls, etc. For more info, visit TheLiturgicalCo. com. In her other design work, she also offers bridal gowns and veils, communion dresses, confirmation dresses, and baptismal gowns. Mary Frank ’13 is enjoying her first year teaching as the lead tutor of second and third grade with the new CORE program at Holy Family Homeschool Apostolate in Covington, Louisiana. Elisabeth Willson ’16 and Joe Walsh ’15 got engaged last summer and are looking forward to their approaching wedding on June 17 in Staunton, Virginia. They plan to go to Fatima for the 100-year anniversary.

On January 14, 2017, Matthew Mazzocco ’09 was married to Lisa Ortega.

2010s Paul and Rachel (Williams) Pierce ’10 welcomed their first child. Evangeline Anne was born February 4, 2016, and is a very happy, healthy little girl. Connor Michael was born to Paul ’11 and Erin (Clark) ’12 Haislmaier on December 4, 2016. He weighed 9 lbs., 5 oz. He’s growing into a healthy, happy little boy.

Matthew Rose ’08 and Sarah (Daley) Rose ’08 were speakers at the annual Tolkien Seminar in Leeds, England, on July 3, 2016. Matthew

David Frank ’12 will be ordained to the transitional diaconate for the Archdiocese of New Orleans on Saturday, May 20, at St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans. The ordination and lunch reception are open to the public, but

Homecoming

0 1 7DATE SAVE2 THE 40 TH ANNIVERSARY ALUMNI CELEBRATION WEEKEND

OCTOBER 6-8, 2017

Bobby and Abigail (Reimel) Gripshover ’17 were married on February 25. Bobby is working at Geico and in less than a year has become one of their top-rated agents. Abigail is working as a freelance editor from home.

Join us on Facebook facebook.com/groups/cdomalumni

SPRING 2017

Taken from the college’s motto “Instaurare Omnia in Christo,” this section features an essay or excerpt from a recent paper or talk by one of Christendom’s distinguished faculty.

Omnia in Christo MacIntyre and the Catastrophe in Moral Philosophy By Joseph Brutto

lasdair MacIntyre is widely considered to be the world’s foremost living Catholic philosopher. Over nearly six decades of academic scholarship he has studied an enormous variety of subjects, including the mission of a Catholic university, the legacy of Enlightenment liberalism, and the political implications of Aristotle’s teaching on the virtues. His most famous work, After Virtue: A Study in Moral Theory, seeks to identify problematic features of contemporary morality and moral language. More specifically, the book investigates the history of ethics and morality from heroic times up to the present day. MacIntyre presents a narrative of moral decline, brought about by the failure of what he calls the Enlightenment project.

In order to better understand MacIntyre’s claims, it is important to know what motivates MacIntyre to write the book in the first place. He is concerned by what he takes to be the catastrophe in moral philosophy that took place roughly during the period we call the Enlightenment. The opening chapter asks us to imagine a fictional scenario (drawn heavily from the plot of Walter M. Miller, Jr.’s A Canticle for Leibowitz)1 in which a Know-Nothing political movement takes power, imprisons and executes scientists, and abolishes the teaching of science in schools and universities. MacIntyre then presents the hypothesis that moral theory in the late twentieth century is in the same state of disorder as the scientific theory of his doomsday scenario. Just as the figures in MacIntyre’s story possess fragments of scientific knowledge without actually doing science, so too in the present day we possess fragments of moral theory without a more comprehensive account of morality. 1. 2. 3.

The first half of After Virtue explains MacIntyre’s hypothesis in more detail. How is it that the language of morality came to experience such a crisis? The book begins to provide us with answers to these questions by examining the language of morality as it is used and understood at the present time. “The most striking feature of contemporary moral utterance,” MacIntyre tells us, “is that so much of it is used to express disagreements; and the most striking feature of the debates in which these disagreements are expressed is their interminable character.”2 In other words, the account of modern moral language presented in After Virtue takes its starting point in the observation that we use moral language primarily to express disagreement; and, furthermore, that these disagreements are seemingly never resolved because they are incapable of resolution. MacIntyre presents his reader with a number of competing moral arguments—covering such subjects as abortion, just war, and the welfare state—and in doing so he asks us to agree with him that we are bombarded with arguments of these sorts all the time. To take just one example, the issue of abortion: one argument appeals to rights in favor of the legality of abortion; another to the Golden Rule in favor of the immorality (although not necessarily the illegality) of abortion; and yet another to the continuity of a human life in favor of both the immorality and illegality of abortion.3 MacIntyre outlines these arguments in an effort to demonstrate their ubiquity—we hear arguments like these so often that they are considered commonplace and unremarkable. These arguments, MacIntyre tells us, are noteworthy because they are incommensurable. That is, each argument is logically valid in its own terms but proceeds from premises that cannot be weighed against competing arguments: premises that invoke the concept

Walter M. Miller, Jr., A Canticle for Leibowitz (New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 1959). Ibid., 6. Ibid., 6-7.

Instaurare

of rights and premises that invoke the concept of the unity of human life cannot be weighed or evaluated in terms of some shared standard. According to MacIntyre, we have no way of deciding which premises should provide the basis for a common debate. MacIntyre’s description of the character and use of modern moral language may seem familiar, but his account of how moral language has come to its present condition is unique. Recall once more the analogy of scientific collapse: just as science was destroyed in MacIntyre’s fictional world, so too was the coherence of moral language in our actual world. And just as the inhabitants of the fictional world possess only fragments of scientific understanding detached from their original context, so too do we possess only the fragments of morality and moral language detached from a context in which they were once at home. In my own research I attempt to understand MacIntyre’s response to the fragmented nature of moral language in the contemporary world. I have discovered that MacIntyre seeks to understand the original context in which many of our moral concepts first found their meaning. In doing so he comes to the conclusion that we are faced with only two options: embrace a Nietzschean relativism that explicitly rejects all moral meaning and content or embrace an Aristotelian-Thomistic understanding of morality that allows us to recover and reappropriate the context in which much of our moral language originally found its home. It is this second object that MacIntyre embraces, and his embrace of it serves as a timely reminder of the need to examine our Aristotelian-Thomistic heritage once more. Joseph Brutto holds a Ph.D. in political science from the University of Notre Dame. He teaches courses in political theory and Catholic social doctrine. His research focuses on contemporary applications of Aristotle’s philosophy like that found in the work of Alasdair MacIntyre.

STUDY ABROAD IN IRELAND

Cool List 2017 D O NE G A L, I R E LA N D

A Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience for College-Aged Students

July 21 - August 13, 2017 christendom.edu/ireland

Sen. Rick Santorum

Dr. Scott Hahn

Abp. Salvatore Cordileone

Mary Stanford

Dr. Timothy Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Donnell

Mary Beth Bonacci

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DAR E TO BE GRE AT 134 Christendom Drive Front Royal, VA 22630

Spain & Portugal

OCTOBER 13 - 22, 2017

Santiago de Compostela • Madrid • El Escorial • Toledo • Segovia • Salamanca • Avila • Fatima • Lisbon

Join EWTN Host and Christendom College President Dr. Timothy O’Donnell and his wife, Cathy, as they lead a pilgrimage to the holy sites of Spain and Portugal. For more information, contact Brenda Seelbach at 540-551-9189 or brenda.seelbach@christendom.edu.