Instaurare | Spring 2019 by Christendom College

Instaurare The C hristendom College M agazine

S P R I NG 2019

MA K I N G

America’s Future BRI G H TE R

Student “Strongholds” Build Greater Community | Interview with Christ the King Chapel Architect Bringing Christendom to College Campuses | Alumni Parent Sees Lasting Impact of Christendom Education

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VOLUME 27 | NUMBER 1 | SPRING 2019 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, Christiana Fedoryka Contributors: Zachary Smith, Adam Wilson, Niall O’Donnell Christendom College 134 Christendom Drive, Front Royal, VA 22630 540.636.2900 | christendom.edu Copyright © 2019. Permission to reprint in whole or in part is hereby granted, provided the following credit line is used: “Reprinted by permission from Instaurare, the official 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 sex, race, color, age, national origin, religion, disability, genetic information, marital status, pregnancy or veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.

CHRISTENDOM COLLEGE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

ADVISORS TO THE BOARD

Mr. Guy Amisano Sr. Mrs. Donna Bethell (Vice Chairman) Mr. Martin R. Boles Mr. John Cecconi Mr. Robert Crnkovich (Treasurer) Mr. Gene D’Agostino (Secretary) Mr. Timothy Halisky ’01 Mrs. Karla Hester ’99 Mr. Richard Hough Dr. Timothy T. O’Donnell (ex ofﬁcio) Mr. Stephen O’Keefe ’93 (Chairman) Mr. Mark Swartzberg Mr. Thomas C. West Jr. Ms. Luanne D. Zurlo

Mrs. Mary Ellen Bork Mrs. Bernadette Casey-Smith Dr. Philip Crotty Mr. John De Matteo Dr. Robert P. George Mr. Daniel Gorman Mrs. Joan Janaro Mrs. Katherine McAvoy Mr. John McNeice Mr. Joseph Melancon Rev. Robert Morey Mr. Robert Mylod The Honorable James Nicholson Mrs. Mary Beth Riordan Rev. George W. Rutler Mr. Mark Ryland The Honorable Rick Santorum Rev. William Saunders Mr. Robert Scrivener ’81 Mr. Owen Smith Mrs. Marjorie Teetor Mr. David Vicinanzo Mr. George Weigel Mr. Thomas Young Mr. Eugene Zurlo

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“Dr. Warren Carroll, an innovative and fearless educational genius, started Christendom College, determined that it should never ever receive any federal grants. Unfunded, it should have died at birth, but instead has grown and succeeded and ﬂourished to attain its present unassailable position as the most Catholic College in the whole wide world.” – FR. SEAMUS O’KIELTY 1930 - 2019 Over a thousand family, friends, alumni, and students gathered to attend the funeral Mass of Fr. James P. O’Kielty, longtime assistant college chaplain, on February 22. Fr. O’Kielty, who served as a missionary, Navy chaplain, and assistant chaplain at Christendom, died after receiving last rites on February 18, 2019. Fr. O’Kielty was well-loved and known for his great wit and humor, as well as the reverence with which he celebrated the sacraments.

Inside This Issue 6

Making America’s Future Brighter Christendom alumni in DC are working to bring the True, the Good, and the Beautiful back to the forefront of American public discourse.

A Powerful Inﬂuence An alumni parent sees the lasting impact of a Christendom education on his children.

Bringing Christendom to College Campuses Christendom’s education helps prepare the kind of Catholic leaders needed for campus ministry, with alumni now taking up the noble task of evangelizing college students across the U.S.

From the President

Christ the King Chapel Update

Uplifting Verticality: Interview with James O’Brien

Building Greater Community

Photo Album

News in Brief

Summer 2019

In the Classroom

Classmates: Alumni News

Omnia in Christo: The Sacraments as Cultural Embodiments of Mercy

Watch the funeral Mass, eulogy, homily, and burial at christendom.edu/tube. SPRING 2019

FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT DR. TIMOTHY O’DONNELL

The Auhenic Ligh of our Caholic Faih As we move forward in the new year and begin final preparations for the building

“We need to see, really see, the splendor of our humanity! For as Saint Irenaeus said: ‘the glory of God is man fully alive.’”

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of our new Christ the King Chapel, our hearts are filled with gratitude and hope for the future. The mission of our common educational apostolate has become more important than ever given the cultural decline that we are all witnessing and experiencing. The pursuit of an arduous good—wisdom—requires great sacrifice. Our course of studies, in which the Church’s wisdom brings into a harmonious relationship the truths of faith and reason, is precisely what is needed most today! So many are wringing their hands about the state of the Church, but this new year gives us all a chance and an opportunity to get to work. Caritas Christi compulsi. The love of Christ compels us! (2 Corinthians 5:14) Because Christ entered our world, our lives are filled with meaning and purpose—our bodies and what we do with them are important; our relationships with one another matter; our work and our mission here at Christendom College matter; our life of the mind matters—all because truth matters. As Dr. Carroll would often remind us: “Truth exists. The Incarnation happened.” It is because of these truths that universities were fashioned ex corde Ecclesiae ... out of the heart of the Church. Here, as you know, we seek to educate the whole person intellectually, spiritually, and morally. We need to strive for greatness. The world everywhere is turning to idols and so many don’t even know the most basic truths of our holy Faith and the most basic truths discovered by reason.

The supernatural vision, which the Faith gives, has been lost. Thus, the stunningly beautiful vision of the transcendent horizon has been lost, and our modern culture has been captured by a dictatorship of relativism, which eventually leads to despair. The authentic light of our Catholic faith shines ever more brightly in the surrounding darkness. The time has now come to courageously follow our Lord—not an idea, an abstract thought in theology class, a concept, or an event, but a God who took on human flesh to bring us hope. He is one who attended weddings and who in His first miracle at Cana sought only to increase our joy. He is one who eats, drinks, speaks, and lovingly exhorts sinners and those who sit in darkness to love as He loves. He is one who weeps at funerals and who has experienced heart-wrenching agony and abandonment. He has shared all of our experiences and shows us as a divine teacher that these experiences are important. The way we treat one another is important. We need to see, really see, the splendor of our humanity! For as Saint Irenaeus said: “the glory of God is man fully alive.” Through our educational apostolate we are seeking to be fully alive by living with and in the One who said “I came that they may have life and have it to the full.” Together let us continue to move forward boldly in faith to help heal this beautiful yet broken world of ours by forming a new generation of young leaders who will seek “to restore all things in Christ.” Together we can continue to accomplish great things for His greater glory! Praised be Jesus Christ!

Ch rist t h e Ki ng Chapel U pdate

Architect’s rendering of the Christ the King Chapel floor plan.

STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS GIVE “OK” TO PROCEED WITH FIRST STEPS ON CHAPEL In thanksgiving to God and the college’s loyal family of generous benefactors, having now raised the necessary funds to build the glorious new Gothic Christ the King Chapel, the college community is eager to begin the 16-19-month building process. At Christendom, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is the source and summit of our Catholic academic community. Every day, classes and activities cease near mid-day for students, professors, and staff to come together and worship the Lord. With ground officially broken, the Chapel project is moving forward with several milestones recently accomplished. The important Storm Water Management Plan was recently approved by the Virginia Department of Environmental Qual-

ity. This crucial step enabled the local government, Warren County, to issue pre-approval of the site plan in order for the college to commence with initial pre-construction site work for the new Chapel. “We are standing on the threshold of this momentous project in our college history thanks to the grace of God and the thousands of generous benefactors who continue to support Christendom College,” says vice president for advancement Paul Jalsevac. “Together, we are building a glorious chapel that will help generations of young Catholics continue to worship the source of all truth, Jesus Christ.”

c h r is te n d o m.e d u / c h a pe l >

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uplifting verticality A N I N T E R V I E W W I T H J A M E S H E N RY O ’ B R I E N James Henry O’Brien is lead architect for the new Christ the King Chapel. He is president at O’Brien & Keane, a full-service architecture firm in Virginia, offering more than 20 years of experience in building design, interior design, and land planning services. Specializing in school and traditional Catholic church architecture, the firm is dedicated to creating designs that make a definitive statement, while reflecting the timeless heritage of traditional architecture. O’Brien enjoys all aspects of being an architect: the creative design phases, working out details, and collaborating with their engineering and construction partners. He says that the greatest joy is crossing the finish line with his clients, knowing that they have achieved their goals as a team, and can take the victory lap together.

Where do you draw your inspiration from as an architect? It’s so inspiring to consider the rich heritage upon which we have to build. When visiting old churches and cathedrals, or studying photographs and drawings in the architectural history books, I think about how others have addressed certain architectural challenges, and how those solutions might pertain to our projects. Often, an architectural expression we might find can be reimagined and translated into our own language. You worked on Christendom’s library. Can you tell us about that experience? It was amazing to have a wonderful new client, a new building type to explore, and such a fantastic site. One of the things 4

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that really stands out about working with the college is how close-knit and personally invested everyone is, so “getting to know” Christendom was a real joy. There’s really no such thing as a great project without an engaged and passionate client, so we had that ingredient in abundance. When you begin a design for a Catholic church, do you have a different approach than, say, a library or other hall? We know from scripture that God will meet us wherever we are, but what happens when we build a place specifically for that purpose? Constructing the Domus Dei et Domus Eccleasiae is a prayerful business: to design a building one has to get to know the Client, after all. Of course, the program always remains the same; we can count on the sacred liturgy and rites

y James O’Brien with staff at their offices in Arlington, Virginia.

What are you most excited about in the designs for the Christ the King Chapel? At this point, it’s hard to single out any particular element or feature. We’ve worked to make it one unified building, inside and out, so everything is interdependent. I would say the most important things about the design are the interior proportions, which offer an uplifting verticality, and the clerestory windows, through which the filtered daylight from above will provide a feeling of transcendence. The success of the design is dependent on these two things.

James O’Brien at an ancient font while studying architecture in Pompeii.

that the structure will serve. Therefore, we are free from having to become familiar with all of that, and can focus instead on creating the place, the environment, and the expression. There are certain overarching things of which to remain mindful while the design is first underway. First is the idea of progressive solemnity, establishing the hierarchy of the building. We need also to consider how the space can be formed to lift up one’s spirit, and detailed to create a place apart from the ordinary. And then—unique, I believe, to church design—being beautiful is enough reason for the inclusion of a detail or material in the design, using Creation to glorify the Creator.

What do you think other people should know about the new Christ the King Chapel? Everyone should know that the design has been a tremendous team effort, under the leadership of College President Dr. Timothy O’Donnell. He has a clear vision of what the building should be, and everyone else involved has contributed enormously to develop the idea into what will be built. VP for Operations Mike Foeckler has worked tirelessly to move the project forward. I’m so proud of the architects in our office, particularly my partner, Joe DeVylder, who has been a crucial collaborator every step of the way. It’s a privilege to have a part in this project. I love how the dedication name of the Chapel—Christ the King—is a reminder that this endeavor is all about building a part of His Kingdom here on earth. We’ll have to stay prayerfully focused on that fact as we work through the construction phase, and remain supportive of all of the team members. When I look back on other church construction projects, it’s amazing to see how everyone senses the higher purpose at stake, and brings their best efforts to bear. SPRING 2019

MAKIN G

Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Future BRIG HT E R

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Christendom Alumni in DC Work to Bring the True, the Good, and the Beautiful Back to the Forefront of American Public Discourse

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Above all, I'm thankful that my education is rooted in history and truth, not shifting political trends. The digital world provides us with more information every day, but I am thankful every day for the skills to sort through it and put it into a meaningful context.

Interior of Capitol’s rotunda.

Fast-paced. Ever-changing. The most

important issues discussed and debated daily. Washington, DC, seems to be the center of everything these days, with Twitter erupting at a rate that is almost impossible to manage. Within this menagerie of clashing ideologies, Christendom alumni work daily to bring the True, the Good, and the Beautiful back to the forefront of American public discourse. Although the fight is an uphill one on the Hill, Christendom alumni are more than willing to enter the fray because they know, like Pope Benedict XVI said, that they were “not made for comfort, they were made for greatness.” With a spirit of perseverance and a drive to “restore all things in Christ,” Christendom alumni are impacting our Nation’s Capital in so many ways, in a myriad of positions. From breaking the news in journalism, to impacting public policy through think tanks, to being the chief of staff for a congresswoman, Christendom alumni are everywhere in DC. “One man can make a difference,” as Christendom founder Dr. Warren Carroll famously said, and these alumni are doing just that. Charlie Spiering ’08 is one alumnus in DC who has gotten quite a bit of attention over the past few years, as the senior White House correspondent for Breitbart News. From coverage in The New Yorker to The Washington Post, Spiering has been noted as a respectful, unwavering correspondent, who is not afraid to ask the tough questions and hold presidents accountable—no matter what side of the aisle they are on.

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Due to the nature of the job, Spiering works hard, and can be found frequently remarking on the news of the day or breaking it on Twitter. At the White House, Spiering asks questions during public press briefings with the White House press secretary or during conferences with the President. Behind the scenes, Spiering can be found communicating with the President’s staff and other sources to try to get answers about the news and issues of the day. “Every President makes promises to voters during an election, so a key part of my job is to hold that President accountable when he takes office,” says Spiering. “The President should also answer questions about issues that Americans care about. It's an awesome responsibility and one that allows you to witness history firsthand.” When asked how he was able to find his current success in journalism, Spiering immediately turned to his Christendom education as a huge factor. “My education taught me how to read, write, and think critically, skills that are essential for a journalist,” says Spiering. “Above all, I’m thankful that my education is rooted in history and truth, not shifting political trends. The digital world provides us with more information every day, but I am thankful every day for the skills to sort through it and put it into a meaningful context.” Monica Burke ’17 sees her education in the liberal arts as crucial to her success as well. Like Spiering, she frequently

L-R: Charlie Spiering, Monica Burke, and Cyrus Artz.

watches the news, but, rather than breaking it, she writes op-eds and more about key policy issues for The Heritage Foundation. Burke is a research assistant in the DeVos Center for Religion and Civil Society at Heritage—a position that demands flexibility but also high use of the intellectual framework she honed at Christendom. On some days, Burke can be found attending meetings on Capitol Hill to discuss policy solutions, while on other days she is working within Heritage to host public events on policy issues. Her favorite tasks, however, involve writing op-eds and doing media interviews with radio and television outlets to explain Heritage’s policy recommendations to the public. Burke

has a lot on her plate and relies on everything she learned at Christendom—from the education to the community—to successfully get through her day. “I draw from my experience at Christendom every single day in my work at The Heritage Foundation,” says Burke. “The college provided me with an intellectual framework that can enlighten public policy debates. As a philosophy major, I frequently rely upon my Thomistic foundations to think clearly about emerging issues such as gender ideology, reproductive technologies, and physician-assisted suicide. Moreover, over the course of my four years at Christendom, I formed deep and lasting relationships that have continued into my post-graduate

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life. The friends and mentors that I encountered at Christendom are my ‘north star’ in my personal and professional life, and I thank God for them every day.” Burke’s work at Heritage brings her into contact with countless people daily, from important lawmakers to nonprofit heads looking to make a difference in the pursuit of pro-life causes and more. No matter whom she encounters, Burke strives to share her Faith and her mission, impacting all those around her as a result. “Every day I have the unique privilege of bringing Christ to the most influential think tank in the nation,” says Burke. “Though my role is small, I believe that God can multiply our

working to protect and strengthen the founding principles of America ensures my fellow graduates retain the religious freedom they need to do so in their own professions.

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efforts, and that He can work through me to restore truth to our law and culture. Christendom College equipped me to think well about politics and to aspire to civic virtue. It imparted to me a sense of purpose that informs my whole life, not just my job.” That privilege of bringing Christ into DC is one that all alumni in the Nation’s Capital share, no matter where they work. Alumnus Cyrus Artz ’07 has that responsibility within the halls of Congress, as the chief of staff for U.S. Representative Virginia Foxx of North Carolina. In his role, Artz manages the operations of the representative’s Washington, DC, office and her two offices in North Carolina. He also ensures that legislative, communication, and casework departments deliver

I believe that God can multiply our efforts, and that He can work through me to restore truth to our law and culture.

on the congresswoman’s priorities and that her staff provides excellent constituent service. If his position sounds like it brings with it a lot of responsibilities, it does—but, Artz would not have it any other way. “My work provides an opportunity to work on behalf of the people of North Carolina and the nation on many of the issues that matter most,” says Artz. “It allows me to be a voice for the moral and conservative principles I believe in, particularly on pro-life issues. All of us are called to evangelize and assist in restoring all things in Christ, and working to protect and strengthen the founding principles of America ensures my fellow graduates retain the religious freedom they need to do so in their own professions.” Artz has been working with Foxx since 2013, honing his skills and growing more successful each year. He has steadily risen through the ranks, first as her policy advisor, then her legislative director, before serving as her chief of staff. Artz turns to his faith and his education as “north stars” for everything he does, just like Burke and Spiering. “My Christendom education gave me crucial tools to be successful in Washington, DC,” says Artz. “Most importantly, it instilled a foundation in the Catholic faith and sound political principles that enable me to maintain those values and exercise appropriate judgment in a challenging secular environment. In addition, the courses in political theory and economics, along with other liberal arts subjects, prepared me for high-level discussions and debates on the issues facing our government.

Left: Monica Burke is interviewed on EWTN News Nightly. Above: Charlie Spiering on the cover of The New York Times Magazine. Below: Cyrus Artz returns to campus to share his experience with students.

Finally, the instruction in writing and how to carry oneself professionally gave me an edge when competing for positions and fulfilling challenging responsibilities.” Spiering, Burke, and Artz are working in a divided time, where their values and viewpoints are contested daily. And yet, they are not alone in their fight to “restore all things.” Matt Hadro ’07 is the press secretary for the U.S. House of Representatives; Abby Wilkinson ’18 is the programs manager for the James Wilson Institute; and Colleen Harmon ’13 is the program associate for the Young Leaders Program at the Heritage Foundation. Washington, DC, may be filled with division and uncertainty, but these alumni are making a difference daily—as journalists, writers, chiefs of staff, researchers, and more. They are using their voices to promote Catholic values and defend the common good. In a time when every word is scrutinized, their words are integral to changing the public discourse for the better. Rather than settling for comfort, they are striving for greatness, making America’s future a brighter one for us all. SPRING 2019

A powerful Influence Alumni Parent Sees Lasting Impact of Christendom Education

“

I want to enable families who have financial challenges, like mine did all those years ago, to be able to choose Christendom for their children so they will be able to benefit spirituality and educationally.

”

Members of the Akers family at the graduation of their eldest son, Ben. (L-R: Matthew ’03, Mary ’07, Jacob ’13, Ben ’98, Zachary ’05, and mother, Eileen.)

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Twenty-five years, six Christendom degrees,

four alumni marriages, 1 priest, and 22 grandchildren later, Dennis Akers of Woodbridge, Virginia, says he wants to help other Catholic families experience the same powerful influence Christendom has had on his own family. “I want to enable families who have financial challenges, like mine did all those years ago, to be able to choose Christendom for their children so they will be able to benefit spirituality and educationally,” says Akers, a prime example of the many parents dedicated to supporting Christendom. Akers recommends Christendom to any Catholic family he knows that is beginning to consider colleges, telling them how it has impacted and benefitted his family. In 1994, when Akers and his late wife, Eileen, were starting to look at college options for their eldest child, Benjamin, Christendom made it to the top of the list because faithful Catholic education was always a priority for their family. “We were aware of Christendom College in our diocese and its excellent reputation and adherence to authentic Catholic teachings,” Akers relates. “We knew of other families that had students at Christendom and were well pleased with the college. A few of the priests we knew were graduates of Christendom, too.” With five other children attending Catholic elementary and high schools, a college education seemed a daunting obstacle for the Akers family. For a while, they thought they had to send Benjamin to a public university due to costs, but they were “shocked and extremely disappointed about what was tolerated on those campuses.” They turned to Christendom

Akers family at recent beach vacation.

and the college was able to work with the them to make the finances work. “God always seemed to take care of us financially and we again trusted He would assist us as we sent our oldest to Christendom,” says Akers. After enrolling Benjamin at Christendom, the Akers family discovered exactly what they were looking for in an education for their children. “For our other children, Christendom easily became their first choice,” relates Akers. “Our children had great roommates and we got to meet and know other parents and families who also valued and appreciated the atmosphere, the faculty and curriculum, as well as the student activities and opportunities offered on campus.” The fruits of a Christendom education have continued well beyond the six commencement exercises that the Akers family attended. “My four married children met their spouses at Christendom and are raising their children in strong and loving Catholic families. My wife passed away eight years ago and I see her in many ways in my 6 children and 21 grandchildren (with the 22nd due soon),” he says. “In addition to my married children meeting their spouses at Christendom, they each have many friends they met at Christendom. They met lifelong friends who have the same values and love of the Church like they do

and are raising their children with the same love and devotion of the Catholic faith.” And most importantly for Akers: “All of my children are active in the Church and three even work for Catholic employers: Benjamin (a husband and father) is associate professor of theology and associate dean of the Augustine Institute; Sarah is director of human resources at FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students); and Zachary was ordained a priest and serves as director of development with the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP). Mary is faithfully raising her Catholic family as a dedicated wife and mother. Matthew and Jacob are both fathers and work as a law firm managing partner and a director of sales, respectively. I am so proud of the way each of them brings their faith and solid education to bear in their lives and vocations.” Akers is one of many parents of alumni who have decided to continue investing in the mission and students of Christendom College well past the graduation of their own children. “I am glad that I am able to support Christendom financially. Christendom is still only one of a few colleges that has not accepted any government funds, which is an additional reason to support the college. Looking to the future, I would not at all be surprised if some of my grandchildren attend Christendom,” Akers concludes.

GIV I NG DAY 2 0 1 9 Alumni, Parents, and Family: Show your love for your Christendom family by supporting current students through The Carroll Fund on April 30, 2019. Make a difference at ChristendomGivingDay.com or use the enclosed envelope now.

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Bringing Christendom to College Campuses According to a study released by

Georgetown University last year, more young Catholics are leaving the faith than ever before—more so than any other religion. In nearly every case, these young people make the intentional choice to leave Catholicism for a variety of reasons, especially in their teenage years. As a result, what happens in college is more important than ever, with the four years spent studying away from home often becoming the final chance to save a young person’s faith. Because of this, the work of campus ministries is crucial. Whether through Newman Centers, through a college’s student life office, or through FOCUS missionaries, the impact that faithful Catholics can have on the next generation at colleges and universities cannot be overstated. Christendom’s education helps prepare the kind of Catholic leaders needed for campus ministry, with alumni now taking up the noble task of evangelizing college students across the United States, including Andrew Cole ’98, Mary Schneider ’18, and Grant Freeman ’04. These alumni impact students on a very personal level, helping them in their journeys of faith. Each campus is different, as are their affiliate organizations, but Cole, Schneider,

and Freeman have something in common: a desire to “restore all things in Christ,” which gives them the drive to do all that they can to bring what they learned at Christendom to other college students. “I feel that I am bringing my Christendom perspective to other campuses by what I do every day, which is really applying the vision of Dr. Carroll when he founded Christendom College, ‘to restore all things in Christ,’” says Cole, who is director of campus ministry at Thomas More University. “With the intellectual training I have received from Christendom, I am able to give reliable spiritual counsel to students, faculty, and staff. I can say things based upon sound theology and philosophy that make sense, and they walk away with much more clarity.” Located close to Covington, Kentucky, Thomas More University is a Catholic liberal arts college and one of only 10 diocesan colleges in the United States. Cole was hired by Bishop Robert Foys, who serves as chancellor of the university, for the explicit purpose of increasing the Catholic identity of the university. “The vision of Dr. Carroll is happening in my work on campus: the restoration of Catholic identity, at the service of the Church,” says Cole. In his role, Cole recruits and directs campus ministry students for the Bishop Foys Ministry and Service Scholarship, which was created with the goal of changing the culture on campus. In addition to that work, Cole serves as a spiritual director on campus, oversees the RCIA program, and organizes the Thomas More University Annual Rosary Rally and the March

Top: Old Main building at Penn State University. Lower (L-R): Grant Freeman ’04, Mary Schneider ’18, Andrew Cole ’98.

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“

I still remember taking a step back in my senior year and realizing the beauty of all I had in my time at Christendom. It was in moments like those that I became determined to bring the lifegiving community at Christendom to others.

”

for Life trip. Another program he hosts is “Lunch with Padre” every Wednesday, where students have the opportunity to dine with priests and religious. At one of these lunches, a student met a priest and asked to go to Confession—an interaction that led to even more fruits going forward for him and his family. All of this was the fruit of “Lunch with Padre” and Cole’s ministry of presence on campus. “I am passionate about what I do because I enjoy being used by God to restore morality and holiness to the young generation,” relates Cole, whose eldest son, Harry, is a freshman at Christendom College. “I love seeing the decisive impact that one teaching conversation can have which changes lives in a radical and amazing way.” That person-to-person interaction is also at the heart of what Mary Schneider does on a daily basis, as she serves as a FOCUS missionary at Penn State. On campus, she works with campus ministry to meet students where they are and walk with them in their faith journeys. “As a missionary with the Fellowship of Catholic University Students, my role on college campuses is all about facilitating an encounter with Jesus Christ and His Church,” says Schneider. 16

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“This is what I spent four years striving for at Christendom, whether it was in the classroom learning the intellectual tradition of the Faith, or in the friendships I’ve formed around virtue and love in Christ. For me, I think I bring those four years with me in every encounter with a student. I still remember taking a step back in my senior year and realizing the beauty of all I had in my time at Christendom. It was in moments like those that I became determined to bring the life-giving community at Christendom to others.” Schneider is the latest Christendom graduate to join FOCUS, following in the footsteps of many other alumni, including FOCUS’ director of philanthropy Andy Day ’06 and senior director of human resources Sarah Akers ’00. Schneider loves her role because she gets to facilitate discussions about faith and about Christ on a daily basis with students, whether it’s at Bible studies, over cups of coffee, at sports games, or just walking around campus. “I’m passionate about this mission because I believe it is truly on the frontlines of evangelization,” says Schneider. “As a FOCUS missionary, it’s as simple as being the friend to remind you of what you were made for, why we’re all here, and

Top L-R: Mary Schneider with her students, Andrew Cole directs “Saints for Life” business meeting. Lower L-R: Grant Freeman leads men on a trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in Minnesota, Andrew Cole with students on spring retreat.

to challenge you to listen to what God is calling you to. We are striving to love these students in such a way that they will come to realize the Love of God pursuing their heart every day.” In her time at Christendom, Schneider learned the truths of the Catholic faith and how to bring them to others, both in the classroom and outside of it. Christ is at the very center of everything at the college, and that example enriched Schneider’s life. Bringing that same light to others became essential to her, leading to her current missionary work. Counseling students on spiritual and moral matters is an awesome responsibility that Cole and Schneider do not take lightly. Neither does Grant Freeman, who works as the assistant director of campus ministry at Purdue University. Freeman is in the heart of a more secular university, trying to impact the students there on a daily basis through the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Center on campus. Freeman joined the center almost five years ago, after serving as the director of campus ministry for Central Catholic High School in Lafayette, Indiana. In his role, Freeman provides students with a host of spiritual and social opportunities, along with training students in the art of evangelization. In all of his

tasks, Freeman relies on the foundation he got at Christendom to give him guidance in how to best reach college students. “The perspective that I took from Christendom, and have tried to plant here at Purdue, is that the Catholic faith does not limit our ability to engage the world but equips us to engage the world,” says Freeman. “We must immerse ourselves in Christ in order to restore all things in Christ. When Christ lives in us, we preach the good news wherever we go. I think it is by my own example of joy in faithfulness that I transmit the good news of the Faith.” Purdue is a gigantic university, so Freeman works hard to effectively communicate with student groups and other organizations to get the word out about the Catholic Center on campus. In his experience, students are hungry for a reason to stay with and grow in the faith, and the Catholic Center provides that outlet. “I am passionate about what I do because I see it as an opportunity to share with people something that they deeply desire and has been a treasured gift in my own life,” says Freeman. “When I speak to college students about the possible integration of all the different aspects of their life into a cohesive and shared way of living, their eyes open wide and their jaws drop. It is as if they had never heard of such a thing. The integrated life of the Catholic Faith and reason, with friendship as the catalyst, resonates with Purdue students.” Freeman was also instrumental in encouraging another aspect of Christendom at Purdue—a focus on the liberal arts. In 2017, Freeman worked with a professor to develop a history course, “Great Books and the Search for Meaning.” The course helped inspire the new “Transformative Texts” sequence of the College of Liberal Arts program, Cornerstone, which is one of the most popular offerings at Purdue. In the sequence, students learn the fundamentals of good writing, as well as basic research and presentation skills. “I am proud of my small role in a revitalization of the liberal arts at Purdue University,” remarks Freeman. Young people may be leaving the Faith, but there is no reason to lose hope—not when alumni like Cole, Schneider, and Freeman are striving every day to bring Christ to the next generation. As Dr. Carroll once chose to light a bright candle by founding Christendom College, rather than cursing the darkness, so too, these alumni, and many others, are bringing a light to campus after campus, brightening the entire world in the process.

SPRING 2019

Building Greater Community Strongholds Challenge Students to be Better In today’s culture, a sense of true

community has been lost. People communicate by text, meet via Skype, or “hang out” by playing video games online. People infrequently spend time with each other to talk, to hold each other accountable, and to help one another grow in faith. Christendom was founded to be not only an academic community, but also a community where students could thrive in a supportive environment and be known to others on campus—both faculty and students alike. The college recognized what was coming in the culture even in the 1970s and built its campus culture and way of life in a specific way. Today, the college fosters community through a great number of campus-wide events, from dining together during lunch, to engaging with each other at academic events, to praying with each other at daily Mass or at an abortion clinic. And yet, the college’s student life office is taking all this one step further by creating a new initiative on campus called “strongholds,” with

the intent to continue to build up a more authentic sense of community on campus. Strongholds combine mentoring from faculty and staff with student-run meetings dedicated to a particular saint or charism. This model took off when Dean of Students Tim Judge, Residence Director Tim Cook, and Philanthropy Officer David Costanzo sat down to brainstorm ways to challenge students to be more virtuous. The student life office officially launched strongholds last fall, with the concept quickly taking off. Now, 11 communities of three to twelve members, each with a faculty or staff mentor, exist across campus, striving to intentionally better foster community and growth in the spiritual life at Christendom. A patron saint and devotion are chosen by the members to form the groundwork of the particular stronghold’s character, as expressed in the stronghold’s vision statement.

L-R: Stronghold group, led by Literature Professor Dr. Thomas Stanford, meets in St. Kilian’s Cafe; Dean of Students Tim Judge addresses Strongholds.

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Strongholds prepare us to embrace an attitude of service and sacrifice, both now and beyond our time at Christendom. 18

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Being part of a stronghold has been an amazing way for my friends and me to challenge one another in our relationships with Christ and with everyone with whom we interact.

“Strongholds not only motivate us to aspire to live lives of meaning and piety akin to those of Christ and the saints but provide us with a way to aid and encourage each other in times of temptation and hardship,” says sophomore Jacob Altmanshofer. “By inclining the students on campus to take the radical step to change and improve ourselves and our lives, strongholds prepare us to embrace an attitude of service and sacrifice, both now and beyond our time at Christendom.” Each hour-long strongholds meeting involves reading a spiritual work together, discussing the most valuable points, and collaborating to apply these points to everyday living. In this way, students can work together to grow closer to Christ and share His light with the rest of campus. Though strongholds are created under a faculty or staff mentor, the students themselves organize the meeting times. Each stronghold organizes acts of service to the campus throughout

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the semester, as well as arranging stronghold Masses once a week or praying Morning Prayer together. Strongholds also offer a way to come together with peers. “Being part of a stronghold has been an amazing way for my friends and me to challenge one another in our relationships with Christ and with everyone with whom we interact,” says sophomore Elizabeth Eller. “We are really able to be accountable for each other, and striving for virtue together brings us closer to one another. It’s something really unique and fruitful for us.” Life can be challenging, but no one should face their struggles on their own. Strongholds offer students a place to be themselves, encourage each other in virtue, and enjoy one another’s company. Saving the culture begins with one community at a time. Thanks to strongholds, this idea is being further fostered at Christendom, leading to a better sense of community on campus and beyond.

SPRING 2019

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P H OTO A L BU M

{c hristendom.edu/pictures} 1. The college cancelled classes and the entire student body attended the March for Life. 2. Annual Swing and Waltz Competition.

3. Fr. Zach Akers ’05 speaks with students during the annual Discernment Weekend. 4. Philosophy Professor Dr. John Cuddeback leads a discussion with students during a Thomistic Tuesdays luncheon. 13

5. Director of Career Development Kristin Stephens leads a discussion for women about healthy habits in college during an At the Well event. 6. The 2019 A Capella Competition featured some amazing performances. Check them out at christendom.edu/tube. 7. Senior Helena Briggs charges down the court. 8. Sophomore Luke Schultz flies through the air. 9. The “Christendom Crazies” cheer on their Crusaders. 10. 2018-19 Crusader Basketball.

11. 2018-19 Lady Crusader Basketball. 12. St. Patrick’s Day Festivities 2019. 13. St. Joseph’s Day Italian Feast. 14. Semester in Rome: On Tour at Sant’Ignazio di Loyola. 16

15. Alumnus Deacon Gerard-Marie Anthony ’02 gives a talk after leading a Ladumus Te Holy Hour. 16. Semester in Rome: Enjoying the Trevi Fountain.

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@christendomcollege SPRING 2019

NEWS

BRIEF ON MISSION Eighteen percent of Christendom’s student body, along with alumni and faculty, traveled across and outside the United States for the college’s annual spring break mission trips. Traveling to Peru, Honduras, the Dominican Republic, Malta, and Colorado, the students spent their spring breaks giving to others.

NEW BOOK

PRESIDENTS’ ROUNDTABLE

Graduate school professor Steven Weidenkopf ’s recent book, Timeless: A History of the Catholic Church, received praise in an article on the Imaginative Conservative as being a helpful tool in gaining an overview of the complex history of the Church.

Dr. Timothy O’Donnell welcomed 16 presidents of Catholic colleges and universities across America to campus for the latest Ex Corde Ecclesiae Presidents Roundtable. The Roundtable examined the challenges and opportunities facing Catholic institutions of higher education, giving the presidents the opportunity to reflect and assist one another in strengthening the Catholic identity of their respective institutions.

NEW PROFESSOR Author, playwright, and philosopher Dr. Daniel McInerny will join Christendom’s faculty this coming fall. McInerny, who is the author of The Difficult Good: A Thomistic Approach to Moral Conflict and Human Happiness, will be Christendom’s newest associate professor of philosophy, bringing his valuable knowledge to the student body.

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SHORT FILM

THOMISTIC TALK The Thomist editor Rev. Dominic Langevin, O.P. delivered the college’s annual St. Thomas Aquinas Lecture on February 4. The talk, titled “A Thomistic Understanding of the Moral Parameters of Sacramental Reception,” examined the importance of the moral life in a person’s ability to participate in the sacraments.

Alumnus Christopher Foley ’94 recently screened his new film about the life of Fr. Augustus Tolton, the first African-American priest ordained in the United States, in Nashville, Tennessee. The short film, titled Across, which covers the Tolton family’s escape from slavery, is a labor of love for Foley, who hopes the film’s message of faith, tolerance, and perseverance impacts both Catholics and non-Catholics alike.

LIGHT A CANDLE AND IT LASTS FOR A DAY. MAKE A DEDICATION AND IT LASTS FOR GENERATIONS. Honor your loved ones or enshrine your prayer intentions by dedicating sacred art in our new Christ the King Chapel. Through the Sacred Art Project, we seek to glorify the kingship of Christ by adorning His dwelling place with sacred art that reflects His majesty. The Project will feature new artwork and rescued traditional art crafted to reflect the timeless traditions of our Catholic Faith. The artwork will raise the hearts and minds of our academic community to Heaven for countless years to come. MAKE A SACRED ART DEDICATION TODAY

gi vi ng.c h r is te n d o m.e d u / s a cr e d - a r t- p ro j e c t SPRING 2019

SUMMER 2019

JOIN US ON CAMPUS 24

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T HE BEST WEEK EVER Experience Christendom this summer! This year will mark the 21st year of this wildly popular week, which boasts close to 3,500 alumni since 1999. Each year, hundreds of high school students spend a week on campus and describe the week as one of the best weeks of their lives. For rising high school seniors. 5 One-Week Sessions: June 9 – July 20

S UM MER C ON SORTIUM An exclusive event for members of the President’s Council and St. John Paul II Legacy Society, participants will accompany Joseph Pearce and Christendom professors on an intellectual and spiritual journey while enjoying excellent food and drink at beautiful locations around our picturesque Front Royal campus. This year’s topic: Reflecting on the Problem of Evil. July 12 – 14

V ITA CO N S E CRATA IN S T IT UT E ( VCI) Designed for priests and religious, VCI is a program of graduate-level studies that centers on various aspects of the theology of the consecrated life, as reflected in the mission and life of the Church. Co-sponsored by the Institute on Religious Life, it is an intense, yet rewarding, academic program. 2 Two-Week Sessions: July 1 – July 26

GRADUATE SC HOOL R ESIDENTIA L S UM MER SEMESTER Each summer, the graduate school moves to the Front Royal campus for a six-week residential semester. To engage in the higher theological studies and look upon the natural wonders of Virginia among like-minded individuals is a unique experience that nourishes the soul. June 22 – August 22

CL AS SIC AL LA N G UAGES IN STITUTE Co-presented with the Polis Institute, the Christendom Classical Languages Institute offers six-week introductory courses in Latin and ancient Greek. Each course covers the equivalent of a year-long introductory sequence at the college level. For all college-aged students. June 22 – August 22

In the Classroom HIGHLIGHTING A COURSE FROM OUR RICH CURRICULUM THESIS SEMINAR IN UNITED STATES HISTORY Dr. Dixie Dillon Lane

If you are a senior at Christendom

College, you can’t go a day without being asked, “What is your senior thesis on?” But in our Thesis Seminar in U.S. History this past fall, students asked each other, “What is your thesis question?” After all, as the students in the history department’s new thesis seminar courses know, history is all about questions. It is about trying to understand what changed—and what did not—over time, and why it matters. It is about questions and answers, and often about surprises. It is also about hard work. This past fall, five history thesis students learned all about the hard work of questioning as they each pursued their own questions in our American history thesis seminar. (The department also offers thesis seminars in European history.) Together, the students and their professor discussed American history, read each other’s work, improved their writing, and found solutions to common problems such as writer’s block.

Complementing the crucial but solitary work of research and writing with discussion makes student energy and ideas come to life. Out of our classroom discussions, students developed questions ranging from “How did college athletics become commercialized during the 20th century and how did this affect students?” to “How did the Hollywood blacklist really affect blacklisted screenwriters over time?” Using techniques of research, analysis, and argument, they then each wrote (and revised, and revised again!) a 30-page thesis answering their question. With each new question answered and new technique learned, our understanding of American history as a class broadened and deepened significantly. Thanks to their hard work, these five new historians—whether they become academics, homemakers, or dentists—are now ready to meet the political, social, cultural, and evangelical challenges of post-college life with well-formed historical consciences and critical but generous minds.

SPRING 2019

Send your submissions to classmates@c hristendom.edu.

CLASSMATES YO U R PA P E R & I N K A L U M N I S O C I A L N E T WO R K

1980s Gloria Falcao Dodd ‘87 was interviewed in the 2018 docudrama, Fatima: The Ultimate Mystery, which was released internationally in 2017 and is available online. She also has a chapter in the book The Spirit and the Church: Peter Damian Fehlner’s Franciscan Development of Vatican II on the Themes of the Holy Spirit, Mary, and the Church: A Festschrift, published in 2018. Hope Johnson ’86 published a book, Catholic Prayers for Children, which is now available for sale on Amazon, Etsy, and at select bookstores. The fully-illustrated hardcover book is the fruit of over 20 years of working with children in catechesis. Aimed at the 6-10-year-old child, the book explains what prayer is,

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introduces beloved Catholic prayers, and concludes with a resource on the history and traditions of our prayers. 1

1990s Timothy and Winifred (née Newcomb) Ehlinger ’96 are proud of their sons Ignatius and Marcellus Ehlinger, who performed in Saint John’s Drama Club’s production of A Christmas Carol. Mary Lou (née Foley) ’93 and Sean Loftus are proud of their five Irish dancers at Foley Academy of Irish Dance. Over the past nine months, they have progressed through the levels at competitions around the area, so that every dancer is already in the Novice category (in-

cluding 7-year-old Ryan) and three of the girls have received 1st places to move them up to the Prizewinner category in one or more dances. Next stop, the regional competition in December called Oireachtas. 2 Mary (née McFadden) Brand ’98 recently started promoting a French Catholic exchange program for youth that is based on Faith and shared values, with the goal of forming friendships and bolstering the faith of teens. She is in great need of Catholic families (Christendom alumni are perfect!) to host teens for three weeks this summer. Are you interested in sharing your Faith, opening your family to a great cultural experience, and forming life-long friendships? Contact Mary at mbrand@inspiredgateways.com for more information. www.inspiredgateways.us.

Jennifer (née Gordon) ’98 and Anthony Widhalm are proud to announce the arrival of Margaret Therese, born February 5. She was 7 lbs. and 20 in. Anthony Jr. (8), Gabriel (6), Evelyn (5), Brigid (3), and Bernadette (1) love their baby sister to pieces. 3

2000s Elizabeth (née Rice) Wallace ’05 started a new business, Postpartum Joyful. She’s been thrilled to support postpartum mothers after they welcome their new babies into the world in Northern Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley. She’s already supported alumni mothers, and alumna Olivia (née Hudson) Gossin ’06 designed her beautiful logo.

Jacinta (née Whittaker) Whiting ’05 and husband, Jeffrey, along with Alexander (4), Christopher (2), and baby Madeline (10mos.), are all doing well homeschooling and attending Sacred Heart of Jesus parish in Winchester, VA, and preparing to move to the country in White Post, VA. A new baby is expected this summer. 4 With gratitude to God, Sam and Katie (née Fitzpatrick) Phillips ’08 are excited to announce the birth of their fifth child, Charles Howard Phillips, who was born on March 2. 5 Ben Ferri ’08 recently received his Virginia Real Estate Brokerage license, and is now principal broker and owner of Inform Real Estate in Front Royal, VA. He and Nancy Briggs ’82 are working as a team and are especially interested in assisting Christendom alumni and families who wish to relocate to the area. www.informrealestate.com. REQUIESCAT IN PACE Brian Nysewander ’11 November 21, 1988 February 2, 2019

2010s Mary Harrington ’11 married 2nd Lt. Peter Norris on September 29, 2018, in Freeport, IL. Mary and Peter spent their honeymoon in Ireland and now reside in Las Vegas, NV. 6 Dominic and Katie (née McCoy) ’14 Gergen had their first babies on December 3, 2018— twins Cyprian Xavier and Caeli Frances. 7 Mary Gurtowski ’15, under the pen name Therese J. Roberts, published her fifth book, Act of Hope, now available on Amazon. Her small business, Handmade Catholic Shop, has shipped to all 50 United States, and now offers over 100 products, reaching sales records in the top 5% of sellers out of 2 million shops on Etsy. Mary also bought her first home in Irondale, AL, where she lives with her retriever rescue, Teddy. 8 Dominic Borchers ’16 is currently discerning the priesthood and is finishing up his first year as a Theology One student at St. Patrick Seminary in Menlo Park, CA. 9

Sarah Greydanus ’16 recently self-published her first book, Eyes of the Night Sky and Other Stories, a collection of 10 short stories in a variety of styles and tones. The book is available on Amazon. 10 Peter Tapsak ’17 and Clare McDermott ’18 got engaged December 27, 2018. 11 Robert and Abigail (née Reimel) Gripshover ’17 were proud to welcome their first baby, Stella Maris, on January 9. She weighed 8 lbs. 14 ounces. They are grateful to God for her safe delivery and for the abundance of love and prayers from family and friends. 12 Margaret Mary Lagarde ’17 and George Summers ’18 were married on January 5, in Richmond, VA. 13 John Paul Cook ’18 and Elizabeth Anderson ’18 got engaged on November 2, 2018, and plan to marry on June 1, 2019, in Illinois. 14 Josephine Brooks ’18 married 2nd Lt. Blaise Radel USMC on December 15, 2018, at St. William of York Catholic Church. 15

The daughter of Jennifer (née Gordon) ’98 and Anthony Widhalm, Bernadette (age 17 months), enjoyed reading the last issue of Instaurare.

SPECIAL REUNIONS PLANNED FOR THOSE WHO GRADUATED IN (OR ASSOCIATE WITH) THE CLASSES OF 1989, 1999, AND 2009! Questions? Contact the Alumni Office at 540-551-9180 or send email to classmates@christendom.edu. N.B. Homecoming is not being held Columbus Day weekend.

SPRING 2019

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 Th e Sacraments a s Cu ltura l Em b o d iments o f Merc y BY DR. OWEN VYNER

How do contemporary Westerners (an Octave). Far from existing as a mechaniview time today? To help understand the modern understanding of time it is essential to consider the notion of “boredom.” Interestingly, the English word boredom did not exist before the mid-eighteenth century. There were other words that approximated it, such as acedia, melancholy, ennui, yet none of these are the equivalent of what is meant by the experience of being “bored.” Boredom is a modern phenomenon. In particular, it enters human experience with the Industrial Revolution that effectively mechanized the appropriation of time. From this perspective, time then becomes empty, that is, something to be filled. Related to this is the sense of an existential restlessness and the corresponding need to escape from the drudgery of time. On the other hand, people also experience time’s unrelenting progress and the feeling of fragmentation and busy-ness through which time seems to exert a tyrannical hold over us. In St. Paul’s Letter to the Galatians, however, we see that time is not empty. Time is full. St Paul writes that in the fullness of time God sent his only Son (see 4:4). God has entered time to save us. The Christian participates in this time of salvation through the liturgy and the sacraments. When we enter into sacramental and liturgical time, past, present, and future do not become mutually exclusive. That is, they are not discrete, sequential, and disconnected moments. Instead, this time begins with the Cross and the sacramental invocation of the Blessed Trinity. This time can certainly be measured—there is a beginning and an end to the liturgy. Liturgical celebrations are bound to historical events and concrete times. For example, regarding the liturgy of the Passion of the Lord, the Missal states that the celebration should take place at three o’clock, the time that the synoptic Gospels record that Christ died (Matt 27:45-50, Mark 15:34-37, and Luke 23:44-46). However, sacramental time is not bound by the clock. One day can become three days (as in the Triduum) or eight days

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cal or empty reality, sacramental time—the encounter of human time and divine “time,” or eschatological time—becomes a mediator of salvation.

The second issue is the modern view of matter. I would describe modernity as essentially antisacramental or non-sacramental, especially in its approach to matter and bodiliness. This is actually a view expressed by Joseph Ratzinger in 1965: “The contemporary understanding of the world is functionalist: it sees things merely as things, as a function of human labor and accomplishment….” For the modern person, matter has a functional value. It is dependent upon one’s will and free choice in order to manipulate it and modify it according to a particular end. So too, for the modern person, the body has no meaning or signification beyond what I want it to mean or to be.

of matter. Water is not merely one oxygen atom bonded to two different hydrogen atoms. Water can symbolize death (the flood, the crossing of the Red Sea, Christ’s descent into the waters of baptism), yet it can also symbolize washing and cleansing such as in the story of Naaman the leper (cf. 2 Kings 5). Similarly, bread has a multiplicity of significations. It can certainly be a sign of sustenance (the manna in the desert), although it can also signify escape from death (cf. Exod 12:8). Finally, bread can operate as an image of unity through which those who participate in the one bread, who are many, become one (cf. 1 Cor 10:17). The Christian believes that God created the world—the divine architect has left his imprint, his signature, on this world. Furthermore, this creation originated from a superabundance of divine love. When one loves, nothing is plain, mono-significant, or meaningless. Everything has meaning, is rich, luminous, polyvalent and transparent to the beloved. The sacraments reconfigure the way that we perceive time and matter because they change time and matter. This reconfiguration does not just change them; it does something to us. We become changed. St. Augustine said, in his Confessions, and here he is speaking the words of Christ: “You will not change me into you, as food for your flesh; but you will be changed into me.” Thus, in a sense, through the sacraments we become transubstantiated. In addition to the substantial transformation of bread and wine, our being changes as well. We become assimilated into Christ, becoming his body in the communion of the Church.

In describing the modern secular mind as antior non-sacramental, I am arguing that from this This article appeared in Adoremus Bulletin, viewpoint matter is merely physical “stuff.” It Volume XXIII, No. 6 (May 2018). has no meaning and there is no sense in which one can look at matter and Dr. Owen Vyner is an assistant professor in see a world of meaning the Department of Theology. Prior to this he beyond it. On the other hand, consider a Catholic and sacramental understanding

was a lecturer at the John Paul II Institute for Marriage and Family (Melbourne, Australia). He specializes in theological anthropology and sacramental theology.

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