St. Bernard's Magazine - Vol. 62, No. 2

M A R

2 0 2 1

V O L

6 2

N O . 2

ST. BERNARD'S MAGAZINE

A NEW MODEL OF SPERANZA: GRADUATE FORMATION: A

EDUCATION

AS

ACCOMPANIMENT

REFLECTION ON

HOPE

COMMUNITY DURING PANDEMIC TIMES: RUBLEV’S

WISDOM

www.stbernards.edu

Inside This Issue

Rochester Campus:

120 French Road Rochester, NY 14618 (585) 271-3657

3

Letter from the President

Albany Campus:

4

Welcome to Bishop Fisher;

40 North Main Ave

Faculty & Staff Highlights

Albany, NY 12203 (518) 453–6760

5

Graduation 2021

Administration & Staff:

6

Speranza: A Reflection on Hope

8

A New Model of Graduate

Stephen Loughlin, Ph.D. | President Matthew Kuhner, Ph.D. | Academic Dean Anthony Coleman, Ph.D. | Director of

Formation: Education as

Albany Campus Marco Stango, Ph.D. | Manager of

Accompaniment

Albany Campus Matt Brown | Director of Admissions

10

Community during Pandemic Times:

& Financial Aid Sophia Zdanowski | Director of

Rublev’s Wisdom

Development & Registrar/Assistant to the Dean Kelly Brunacini | Executive Assistant to the President Thomas Kubus | Finance & HR Manager Caterina Lucke | Administrative

12

New Student Spotlight

14

Wills & Bequests

15

Giving Tiers

Assistant at Albany Campus Bernadette & Mike Bobrowski | Marketing & Communications Coordinators Pat Sweeney | Facilities Manager Abigail Fallon | Academic Assistant

Follow us! @StBernardsSTM

St. Bernard's Magazine is a publication of St. Bernard's School of Theology and Ministry

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT STEPHEN J. LOUGHLIN

A

lthough

COVID-19

to

Held the 46th Otto Shults Lecture online on December 10th

which we at St. Bernard’s have been able to share

featuring the nationally known and respected theologian,

the

Dr. Jessica Murdoch, from Villanova University. The title of

many

and

has

diverse

impacted

gifts

the

with

degree

which

God

has

graced us, nevertheless with your support we:

her presentation was “Are Souls Worth Saving? Zeal as a Profession of Hope”

Continue to teach our students by way of Zoom and Canvas,

our

learning

management

system

(both

of

which were made possible by your generous support: Thank you!)

Positioned

Dr. Charles Hughes Huff

first

of

year

teaching

at

St.

well to succeed in his

Bernard's.

Not

only

is

he

greatly enjoyed and respected by our students, but he has started a podcast titled, “Particular Good.” Look for this

Have welcomed into our classes those studying for lay ministry

and

Diocese

of

the

permanent

Buffalo!

anticipation

to

We

diaconate

look

establishing

a

forward campus

in

from with

the

great

Buffalo

on

the 1st floor of the Catholic Center, and, when live classes can safely resume, to begin teaching there!

Assistant

Professor

of

as

our

Eagerly await the establishment of an online campus store for St. Bernard’s that will include branded gear, memorabilia, and many other items.

Stay tuned for further

details by way of our Wednesday email announcements. If you do not receive these weekly announcements

Have hired new faculty and staff:

Dr. Anthony Coleman

soon on our website!

containing all the latest news from St. Bernard’s, you can new

Historical

Director

Theology

and

at

sign up to do so here: bit.ly/WednesdayEmails

our

Albany Campus

Dr. Marco Stango Assistant

Professor

as of

Campus

Philosophy

Manager at

our

Albany

We pray that we might be found worthy not only of these graces

Campus

Mr. Tom Kubus as Finance and HR Manager Mrs. Kelly Brunacini as Executive Assistant

We to

Have experienced continued growth of our four new certificate

programs

(Catholicism

Philosophy,

Catholic

Catechetical

at

but St.

also

of

Bernard’s

your

continued

continue

to

and

stand

generous ready,

support.

willing

Leadership),

as

well

and

Fine

Arts,

Bioethics, as

growth

we

remember

you,

our

supporters,

in

our

daily

morning

prayer at the School. We wish you a most Happy Easter.

and on

the

outpacing

our

Sincerely,

national market Have

seen

enrollment

almost

double,

enrollment figures for the past ten years!

Continue

to

offer

and

able to respond to the huge challenges facing the Dioceses we serve and the Church herself. During this Lenten season,

the President

Catholic

As you can see, God continues to bless us abundantly.

and

our

monthly

online

with Wine” and “Theology and Culture”

series

“Words

Stephen J. Loughlin, Ph.D. President

3

WELCOME TO BISHOP FISHER! St. Bernard’s would like to congratulate Bishop Michael Fisher – or Bishop Mike, according to his preference! – on being installed as the 15th Bishop of the Diocese of Buffalo on January 15, 2021. The administration, faculty, and staff greatly look forward to working closely with Bishop Mike as they assist him in providing theological and ministerial formation for students preparing for lay and diaconal ministry in his Diocese. As Bishop Mike’s episcopal ministry begins, the School offers fervent prayer that the Lord will render his labors fruitful, most especially as he takes up the role as principal teacher in the Diocese of Buffalo: “Bishops are preachers of the faith, who lead new disciples to Christ, and they are authentic teachers, that is, teachers endowed with the authority of Christ, who preach to the people committed to them the faith they must believe and put into practice, and by the light of the Holy Spirit illustrate that faith” (Lumen Gentium,

§25).

FACULTY & STAFF HIGHLIGHTS Last fall St. Bernard’s was blessed to add two new members to our faculty and administration:

It is with delight that our community welcomes

Dr. Anthony Coleman as both

Director of the Albany Campus and Assistant Professor of Historical Theology.

Dr. Coleman is a native of Braintree, Massachusetts, and earned his B.A. in Theology from St. Anselm College. He went on to earn his M.A. in Theology and Ph.D. in Systematic Theology with a minor in Historical Theology from Boston College. From 2013 to 2017 he served as Assistant, then Associate Professor of Theology at St. Gregory's University in Shawnee, Oklahoma, and has also enjoyed positions at St. Joseph’s College of Maine and Anna Maria College in Paxton, Massachusetts. He is the author of Lactantius the Theologian (2017) and editor of Leisure and Labor: the Liberal Arts in Catholic Higher Education (2020). Dr. Coleman's scholarly areas of specialization are Latin Patristic and Medieval Theology, but his wider interests extend to the contributions of the Catholic intellectual tradition to theology, philosophy, art, music, and literature. He has taught a wide array of courses in theology, philosophy, and the great books. Though he is quick to engage in mental activity, he suffers greatly from inertia in relation to physical activity. He enjoys wine, but not cycling. He lives happily in Mechanicville, NY, with his wife and three children - soon to be four, Deo gratias.

4

We also welcomed

Dr. Marco Stango as both Campus Manager at our Albany

Campus and Assistant Professor of Catholic Philosophy. A native of Italy, Dr. Stango completed his graduate studies in philosophy at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart of Milan, Italy, and the University of Macerata, Italy. Before coming to St. Bernard's, he was Assistant Professor of Philosophy at DeSales University in Allentown, PA, and also worked for other universities in the U.S. and Chile. He has articles published in various academic journals, including International Philosophical Quarterly, Proceedings of the American Catholic Philosophical Association, The Heythrop Journal, Idealistic Studies, and Transactions of the Charles S. Peirce Society. He is interested in the Catholic philosophical tradition, the history of philosophy, and all topics lying at the intersection of metaphysics and anthropology.

40 TH ANNUAL COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY: YOU’RE INVITED! Our 40th Annual Commencement Ceremony will take place on

May 7th, 2021,

at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Rochester, NY! This Commencement Ceremony will be remarkable for several reasons. (1) We will celebrate 40 years of continual theological and ministerial service to the Church – what a gift it is to carry on such an esteemed legacy during these trying days, wherein our mission is so greatly needed! (2) We will feature the largest number of graduates in decades, representing all four of the upstate New York Dioceses in which we operate – Rochester, Albany, Syracuse, and Buffalo – and all four of the degree programs we offer. In fact, we are celebrating our first graduates from Buffalo and our first graduates from our newest degree program, the Master of Arts in Catholic Philosophy! (3) Finally, we will welcome

Mother Agnes Mary Donovan,

S.V., Superior General of the Sisters of Life and former Chair of the Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious (CMSWR), as Commencement speaker. Mother Agnes will help us reflect more deeply upon our work, our study, and our service, as well as share with us the blessing of a life lived in celebration, cultivation, and protection of the gift of life.

We are thrilled to invite you to join us in celebrating our esteemed Class of 2021! Every person graduating this year has put in a tremendous amount of work under less-than-ideal pandemic conditions – may they never underestimate their accomplishment. While the Ceremony will not be open to the public for in-person attendance, we are pleased to stream the event via Facebook live and record it for later viewing. Follow us on social media and be sure to subscribe to our e-mail announcements (available for sign up here: bit.ly/WednesdayEmails) to receive further information about this event. May participating in such a joyful occasion increase our faith, hope, and love during these tumultuous times.

We look forward to highlighting several Class of 2021 graduates in the Fall issue of the St. Bernard’s Magazine – stay tuned!

5

Christian hope is not born out of the promise of an abstract ideal of human self-redemption, but out of a present fact, the encounter with Christ alive and at work in His Church.

SPERANZA: A REFLECTION ON HOPE

I

MARCO STANGO But maybe the case of charity is less clear. Do I love my wife,

f we pause for a second and think about the way we live

today, about how the Western person lives nowadays, it would

my

seem plausible to say that the virtue of hope is absent from the

remind

parents,

scenario. We should stand outside of grocery stores, schools, and

something

maybe even churches to hand out flyers containing the words,

fought). I already feel the cynical eyes of some harbinger of doom

“Hope wanted”

us

my

neighbor,

rightly easy

that

or

myself?

loving

(Romano

oneself

automatic,

and

not

is

Guardini

difficult

at

all

-

used

not

something

to

at

all

to

be

identifying

who insinuates that no, I am not able to love. And yet, against all

image should be printed on the flyer). Even though not exactly

cynicism, if you ask me seriously, I have to respond that yes, I love

like the Nietzschean madman at the market who affirmed "God is

my wife for real and I am faithful to her, in spite of being aware of

dead, and we have killed him," we would nevertheless be induced

my

to think that in our world hope, if not truly dead, has at least been

‘eccentricities,’

and

kidnapped and held captive.

chaste

should

(I

leave

to

you

to

determine

what

many

deficiencies

than

it

in

and spite

be

of of

(note

her, my

the

well…

eye

let’s

being

devious

call

them

sometimes

cunning

of

less

written

language: the eye, not I…).

I already hear an objection. "Why do you take it out on hope?

Are you suggesting that faith and charity are kept in greater

I remember a hilarious and profound episode that occurred to

consideration?" Maybe not, but please, let me tell what I see.

a married couple. She is Catholic; he isn’t. But he accompanies

Let’s

exist?

her to Sunday Mass, maybe more out of courtesy than interest.

"Certainly, He does!" some will say with the unshakeable certainty

take

She prays and participates actively; he follows what is said and

of faith and with perfect knowledge of the Mass schedule that,

done, and listens, carefully (more attentively than what I often do,

depending on the initial of your last name, determines when you

as will be made clear in a second). One Sunday, the liturgy was

can go to Mass (this is the practice of faith in Covid times).

the Gospel of Matthew: "Everyone who looks at a woman with lust

Someone else will add, "I pray to Him every morning and every

has

night" – or even better, if he sometimes reads St. Paul, he will

hearing these words, he turned toward her and said, "Hey, is what

know

that

faith

the

–

faith

right

in

God,

answer

is,

"I

of

course.

pray

to

Does

Him

God

always,

already

committed

adultery

with

her

in

his

heart."

After

without

the priest just said true?" and she responded, "Yes, of course it’s

ceasing!" And even those who do not pray to God as they should

true!" "Ah, in this case, I have already committed adultery five or

or those who pray to God but do not believe in the Church - the

six times since we entered the church this morning." And yet – and

disillusioned of the Church (I have many dear friends who refer to

this is the moral of the story –

he loves her, he loves her truly!

themselves as ‘disillusioned of the Church'), or those who are not even at ease with pronouncing the word ‘God’, etc. In short, even

I hope you’ll also grant me that, besides my wife, I also love my

these acknowledge, in spite of everything, even in an extremely

parents.

implicit

teenager (one of my professors in college used to say that the

and

confused

way,

that

the

answer

to

their

need

for

I

love

them

more

now

than

when

I

was

a

kid

or

a

happiness must exist - an answer that is infinitely different from

words

those things such as power, sex, money, and success that, despite

meditating on this comment). And what should we say of the love

promising

adults.

I

can’t

stop

neighbor, but if there were a child alone in the street crying and screaming that he wants his mom, I would argue that ninety-nine

existence of the Mystery as the response to the deepest questions

percent of human beings would stop and try to help him (the same

of my heart – then I believe in God too. But please stop with this

professor in college used to say that, "There is a lot of good.

idea of going to church." Alas, one cannot win them all. In any

People are capable of good, we need to recognize this." And let

case, James Baldwin already put it best when he wrote:

me add this, that when we do not help our neighbor, the hole left

is

what

you

say

–

frustrating

for

the

God

up

words

told

in

end

are

for one’s neighbor? Let’s say this: I don’t know if we truly love our

faith

always

‘mother’

our

"If

insistently,

and

innermost aspiration. A dear non-believing friend of mine once me,

happiness

‘father’

believing

in

by this lack of charity is filled not necessarily by hatred, but more Richard: 'You know I don’t believe in God, Grandmama.'

Mother: 'You don’t know what you talking about. Ain't no

way possible for you not to believe in God. It ain’t up to you.'

Richard: 'Who’s it up to then?'

Mother: 'It’s up to the life in you – the life in you. That knows where it comes from, that believes in God.'

6

often by fear and laziness. Consider this: the road that takes us away from heaven is usually not that of a terrible evil – blind hatred, horror, violence, etc. – but that of fear and laziness which, alas, just like hatred, horror, and violence, prevent us from seizing the opportunity to do and receive the good). If Jesus is right when He

assures

us

that

"whatever

you

did

for

one

of

these

least

brothers of Mine, you did for Me" (Matthew 25:40), then it means that, for better or worse, we do have a little love for Him.

Hope is the certainty of our belonging to Someone else, Christ, together with the persuasion that Christ, center of the cosmos and history, will bring to completion in us the work He has started.

What about hope? Who is capable of hope today? What signs do

we

have?

Isn’t

absentee? "But

maybe

wait

a

hope,

minute,"

as

I

some

was

will

saying,

say,

"You

the

our

belonging

to

Someone

else,

Christ,

together

with

the

great

persuasion that Christ, center of the cosmos and history, will

that

bring to completion in us the work He has started (Philippians

claim

despite everything, there are faith and charity, but then you say

1:6).

that there are no examples of hope? What do you do then with the

necessary to the other two sisters – faith and charity – to be

hope in a better world, in progress, in a new government, in the

what they are. While I was discussing with my boss some of the

betterment

ideas that eventually ended up in this piece, he commented in

of

society,

in

the

new

opportunities

brought

by

It

is

this

hope

that,

as

Charles

technology?" There! That’s exactly the point. We all live today, for

his typically direct style: "I

better

Person." So, let’s sum it up in this way:

or

worse

–

including

Christians

–

within

a

culture

that

induces us to place our hope not in God, but in our I – an "I" that

would

Péguy

simply

say

reminds

that

us,

hope

is

is

a

our hope is Christ

resurrected and alive among us.

betters itself, that does not discriminate, that makes projects, and above all that technologizes the world and life and eliminates from

And why should we be interested at all in this hope, this

them its most unpleasant aspects. Much has been said and written

mysterious hope in God, rather than in the hardy hope of the

on

have

technologized globalized world? I would respond with another

declared that our epoch is not anymore an epoch of ‘ideologies.’

question: who deep inside his heart would not desire precisely

the

‘end

of

the

grand

narratives,’

and

similarly

many

our epoch still finds the idea of progress the source of its energy, However, when we say this we tend to forget, I believe, that

this hope? Who does not desire to discover that the mystery at the origin of all reality is a loving Father and Friend, capable

a progress that is first of all technological, which has now turned

and

the world into a globalized reality. From what do we expect to

biblical and proverbial plate of lentils – even when the plate of

receive the fulfillment of all our aspirations, our salvation? In what

lentils is something supremely serious and desirable, such as

do we put our trust? We believe that the most striking feature of

greater social justice or a vaccine to save millions of lives.

our epoch is scientific-technological progress, to the point that when the globalized world has been severely and dramatically hit

solicitous?

Our

heart

desires

infinitely

more

than

the

Our heart desires the birthright; it desires to hope in a God who is Father.

by an unforeseen pandemic, our reaction has not been just surprise I’d like to conclude with the story of an Italian priest, a

but that specific discomfort that comes from the perception of a contradiction, the perception of something as impossible: "Wait, we have all this science and technology and we also have the virus?

How

is

this

reminding

us

that

hopeless

mantra).

possible?"

‘Science We

is

are

(The real’ still

many read

signs to

dealing

outside

me

like

with

a

houses sort

of

deep-seated

discomfort. All this is the result of a great historical change which, starting with the Modern Age, has determined that rejection of Christian culture known as secularism. As Fabrice Hadjadj notices:

missionary in Brazil, Fr. Pigi Bernareggi, who has recently died.

Born from a wealthy family from Milano and still in his twenties, he one day found himself committed to becoming a priest in Brazil, without having given any thought to either the priesthood or

Brazil

and

instead

betting

everything,

everything,

on

the

encounter with Christ, on the hope in Him. During a moment of silence and prayer on vacation with friends in Italy, the priest through whom Pigi had rediscovered his faith, Fr. Luigi Giussani, broke the silence and asked him, "Listen, ever thought about becoming a priest in Brazil? Think about that." Utterly stunned,

Secularization has not only produced a rejection of cult, but also a radical transformation of culture; it has

he slept on it, or better yet, did not sleep and thought about it all night. The following morning during breakfast he sat next to Fr. Giussani, who asked him, "So, have you thought about it?

What then?", and Pigi responded: "Yes, I have thought about it, and I have nothing against it." Fr. Pigi died in January, after an

determined not only the denial of the Eternal, but

also

the

refusal

of

a

certain

way

to

incredibly adventurous and fruitful life as a diocesan priest in Belo Horizonte. Let’s pray that, like Pigi, we also learn to say "Yes" to the Church, to Christ, to hope in Him; to say, with

understand

time

and

history.

The

hope

of

a

gladness and gratitude, "I have nothing against it."

Christian is of divine origin; the hope of the globalized

world

is

placed

entirely

in

the

power of our technological hands.

Christian hope is not born out of the promise of an abstract ideal of human self-redemption, but out of a present fact, the encounter with Christ alive and at work in His Church. Hope is the certainty of

7

Education as Accompaniment: A New Model of Graduate Formation WHY SHOULD A STUDENT’S INVESTMENT BE LIMITED TO JUST A FEW YEARS, ESPECIALLY WITHIN DISCIPLINES THAT ENCOURAGE – REQUIRE! – CONTINUAL GROWTH AND FORMATION? The last twelve months have occasioned much

dispute; at St. Bernard’s it has brought untold

reflection

the

blessings

and

administration,

discernment

of

our

alumni.

that such a model does not attend concretely

back to basics in different ways (how do I wash

to

my hands? – how do I interact with my friends?

education and formation stop at graduation?

– how do I safely obtain basic goods?), and it

Certainly

has

lament

in

the

of

many

Nevertheless, upon reflection it is remarkable

different

staff

so

St.

no

and

to

Bernard’s. The pandemic has thrown everyone

been

faculty,

among

world

of

theological education.

continuing

education

not!

the

We

hear

absence

and

formation.

many

of

of

our

ongoing,

Do

alumni

structured

study in their lives after graduation. For them, an

One of the basic questions asked at St. Bernard’s has been, quite simply, what

ongoing

education

accompaniment

would

be

more

of

theological

useful

than

the

current finite transitory model.

are our students looking for, and what do they need? The jarring disruption of

Further, our alumni in the priesthood,

the pandemic enabled us to both assess

the

our usual answers to this question and look

creatively

prayer,

beyond

continual

students,

and

them.

Our

conversations

with

constant

dialogue

will

hearts:

fresh

experience

to

this

point,

St.

Bernard’s

together

such

an

a

number

sources,

text

or

of

educational

media-based.

As

excellent as these sources often are, they

of

rarely

reach

the

depth

and

breadth of engagement offered by a graduate course.

educational

Finally, the very study of theology itself places

model tracks the typical approach in graduate

an

higher education: the student attends to their

throughout

coursework

Clairvaux, often reflected on theology as the

either they

on

intensively

a

full-time

graduate

unfolding received

and

in

for or

a

number

part-time

hopes

implementing

throughout

the

of

of

years,

basis,

and

continuously

the

education

remainder

of

their

lives. That this model is successful is beyond 8

piece

from

theological and ministerial learning.

Up

lay

ongoing

accompaniment of ongoing formation

on the impact of the past, but provides continually

and

require

their life into the form of Christ. Many

and formation that does not simply rely

a

all

view towards the constant shaping of

with

students are looking for education and formation that lasts a lifetime – an education and

diaconate,

ministry

formation in differing degrees, with a

colleagues brought a new answer to our minds

permanent

ecclesial

emphasis

continual

on

life.

pursuit

knowledge

of

dynamic

Our

of

God

accompaniment

patron,

St.

authentic, (integre

Bernard

or

of

complete

cognoscere):

a

knowledge of God that is driven by love, and a

knowledge

love.

of

God

that

leads

to

deeper

Only

by

a

continual

knowledge

exchange

throughout

the

of

love

duration

and

of

our

of the Christian faith. creates

an

organic for

Further, this initiative

pathway

our

of

graduates

continuing

lives will we run the race to final communion

formation

that

have

with God most effectively.

become priests, permanent deacons, and lay ecclesial ministers. We are also delighted to extend this initiative not only to those who will

With this conviction in our hearts, St. Bernard’s administration,

faculty,

and

staff

set

out

to

discover how we might bring something new to

our

goal

model

of

of

education

providing

formation. announce

We the

and

continuing

are

thrilled

path

we

and

have

achieve

our

education

and

grateful

chosen

to

to

take

graduate from this point forward, but also to

anyone who has graduated with a Master’s degree, regardless of graduation year, is automatically eligible to audit graduate courses for the remainder of their lives at the previously mentioned discount. all alumni of St. Bernard’s –

towards the completion of this goal:

It Every

student

Master’s

who

degree

St.

our

with

a

foster

Bernard’s

is

persons

graduates

from

is

great

hope

that

even

more

vigorous

an

grow

of

and

acknowledge

that

true Christian formation concludes only in our

for

heavenly home, when we will safely arrive at

With

this

expenses

–

an

initiative

associated

85% in

discount.

place,

with

a

the

Master’s

full union with the triune God. If this is so, the conclusion

degree are no longer an investment that

and

will

really

bear

fruit

for

a

few

concentrated

of

of

every

be

an

every

course,

learning end

–

luminous

beginning

in

knowledge

and

education

formational

will

provide

accompaniment

and

throughout the entirety of

enrichment

one’s life.

inauguration

ever

of

of

every

experience

it

years only; now, the upfront investment theological

We

community

knowledge

courses for the remainder of their life, each

together.

in

will

love

$55

God

to

initiative

automatically eligible to audit graduate

only

of

seeking

this

is

also

of

this

the

more

deeper

love.

innovative

degree,

can

never

new

and

perfect May model

the of

education bring us all into deeper communion with

the

One

who

One

who

“makes

sits

all

upon

things

the

new”

throne,

the

(Revelation

21:5).

This is precisely the new model that we think students want and need: matriculation into a graduate degree at St. Bernard’s now means lifelong access to an almost endless variety of structured theological and ministerial experiences, all with the characteristic breadth and depth of engagement our students have come to expect at St. Bernard’s. our

Starting

this

Fall

2021 ,

the

esteemed

community of St. Bernard’s alumni will now be able past

to

draw

together

courses,

but

to

celebrate

present

not

just

educational

experiences as well. All general courses will be available both

to

those

questions,

alumni

as

electives

topics,

or

part that

of

this

consider

contemporary

initiative, specific concerns,

and those core courses that address the heart

One audited course per academic year (Fall-Spring-

Excluded are a small percentage of our courses that

Summer semesters); credit students will receive priority

are either addressed to specific populations or have

for in-person attendance when available.

registration based on the professor’s discretion.

9

Rublev’s Wisdom COMMUNITY DURING PANDEMIC TIMES

Historians and minstrels will necessarily tell

One way for me to capture this time is to

the tale of 2020 A.D. through the lens of the

share my family’s experience.

Covid-19 pandemic - the pandemic that has

is from the greater Baltimore (MD) area, and

affected us at the most unanticipated micro

my

and

Wilmington (DE) area.

macro

levels.

What

I

have

found

incredibly interesting about this time can be seen

in

the

very

word

itself.

"Pandemic"

comes from the Greek words pan (“all”) and

ē

d mos (“people”).

family

married,

is

currently

we

that

area

in

the

greater

When we were first

decided

Lancaster, Pennsylvania. choose

My wife, Julia,

for

to

live

outside

Not only did we its

beauty

(and

This tells us that there is

Pennsylvania Dutch food traditions), but also

community even in this isolative experience.

because it had historical significance for our

All

families.

of us are experiencing this.

community

of

Covid-19

sufferers, and survivors.

We are a

quarantiners,

We find in the word

We will ever be grateful that our

first Sunday Mass as husband and wife, as well

as

a

date

night

at

an

old

fashioned

the very thing we feel has been taken from

dinner dance, were in the same parish that

Ian Buterbaugh, LCSW-C

us. In this deeper sense of understanding,

Julia’s Mimi and Pop were married.

Icon by Andrei Rublev, ca 1410

we

begin

control

to

we

find

have

an

lost.

alternative We

have

to

the

regained

some semblance of this knowing that we are in this together and will reminisce in unison.

Most especially, this pandemic has provided us

a

clear

forward:

roadmap

for

remembering

our

lives

that

moving

we

are

intrinsically ordered to be in communion with 10

one another.

We had just begun to establish some roots and to build community when we discovered we were going to be parents.

It would be

too difficult here to capture the joy we felt knowing we were about to embark on our greatest

journey:

to

welcome

the

physical

embodiment of our love and sacrament, and to experience the gift of participation in

God’s creative power. What I can capture

seen,” and to accept that even our greatest

here,

patriarchs “did not receive what had been

must never lose sight of the preciousness and beauty of community. This brings me

promised, but saw it and greeted it from

back to the end of my family’s current story.

afar

Having endured the entire life of our new

though,

is

the

immediately

pressing

need and desire to be closer to our families.

We

moved

between

to

a

our and

challenge

and

after

that

families

Delaware

month

place

in

excitedly mission.

moving

to

was

right

in

Maryland

and

embraced

this

Just this

less

new

than land,

a we

welcomed our beautiful daughter, Joy, born just after Christmas. She was full term and healthy, body

but

was

fat.

small

We

and

had

followed

recommendation

to

very

the

little

doctor’s

self-quarantine

and

acknowledged

themselves

to

be

strangers and aliens on earth.” But my heart

daughter

was lifted in that even our great patriarchs

parenthood

“desire a better homeland, a heavenly one.”

isolation,

It reminded me that we must, especially in

needed

this

where there was “instant community.”

time,

and

in

our

own

little

moments,

two

month

are

called

according

to

His

would be easily doable. baptism and

her

as

our

official

presentation

Sunday, March 15th.

We looked to Joy’s close

to

the

to

quarantine

world,

set

for

Enter the pandemic. As

most of you audibly gasp, so did we when we began to hear of the impending lockdowns beginning on Friday, March 13th. We quickly called

our

pastor,

and

asked

for

a

simple

sight of eternal Beatitude. We must continue to strive for virtue, most especially fortitude.

In our efforts to overcome both internal and external adversities, we must focus on both the practical and the spiritual. It is

important

taking

you are not alone in the fear,

months is that anxiety,

depression,

anger,

breaks

care

routines; as

take

getting best

of

our

of

sleep;

focusing

on

and

other

least

Seeking equally

spiritual

as

Finding

nourishment

important and

taking

for

our

is

at

well-

advantage

When we are unable to

these virtually, as well as prayer and spiritual

time.

reading

significant

in

our

daily

routines

are

creative

casualties of this pandemic have been the

and deliberate means to maintain control

supports

and consistency in our lives.

on

for

comfort and coping, but for meaning and

provides

hope.

intellectual

We have been, and continue to be,

excellent

opportunities

excellent podcasts and virtual presentations

Lord’s true presence in the Eucharist.

in the Catholic world.

article,

one

of

the

first

Like Abraham and his descendants, we are looking out on the landscape of our world and our lives and understandably may have

counted

among

and

nourishment

and

this

be

spiritual

for

from the source and summit of our faith, our

readings from Mass was Hebrews 11:1-2, 11-19.

can

several

St. Bernard’s

restricted from our families and friends, and

writing

Our

greatest

sense

of

understanding

our

the Trinity. likeness from

of

the

We are made in the image and God

and

beginning

have

been

towards

ordered

communion.

This is what makes this time so difficult.

We

are living through an ongoing trauma, which

the

many

despair

through

forgiveness

It is in Hope that we will find

our eternal homeland.

"Faith sees what is.

In Time and in Eternity.

Hope sees what will be. In time for eternity. Hope sees what has not yet been and what will be. She loves what has not yet been and what will be."

- Charles Péguy, The Portal of

Most especially during these times, we Ian Buterbaugh,

and

It is vital

of

find these available in person, maintaining

While

say that finding and keeping community is a worthy fight. certainly

great solace and continue to look joyfully on

and

relied

that

cope.

more

only

say

and hope.

mental health concerns have risen during this

not

not

hardness

self-injurious

we

would

moving is the solution for everyone, I would

the use of alcohol or other substances to

and mental health.

that

I

this

beautiful

that we protect our hearts and minds from

relaxation,

and child abuse; and suicidal ideation and

most

While

have a

is fighting against our very nature.

muscle

Adoration will bear great fruit for our souls

the

we into

progressive

every opportunity for Mass, Confession, and

of

community.

that

integrate

in the perfect union of the Three Persons of

care

can;

God to

or

plenty

we

to

opportunity

reading,

manage

Some

This

intrinsic design for community can be found

emotions and symptoms; domestic violence

These

in

calming techniques like breathing exercises,

and

behavior.

move

by

Other important selfto

to

go

Julia

ourselves

bodies through eating healthy; maintaining

being.

to

of

watching,

are

preparing

we

to

grounding techniques; as well as avoiding

been significant increases in symptoms of

abuse

care

from

practices

anxiety and depressive disorders; of trauma substance

needed

and

this time throughout the country, there have

stress;

take

currently

we

During

isolation,

despair that you have experienced.

to

listening to the news.

exercising What I will simply say about the subsequent

that

relative that

move was not our original plan, but we are grateful

daily

baptism for Joy on Saturday, March 14th.

are

-

in

realized

in-laws, and 17 nieces and nephews.

who

during

quarantine

people

I

Him,

in God’s promise for our lives without losing

a

and

experiencing

time

order to be near her parents, 4 siblings, 4

Joy’s immune system.

that

Julia

and first

and

We must remain faithful, joyful, and hopeful

confidence

the

God works for good with those who love

the flu season to avoid unnecessary risk for

At the beginning of January 2020, we had full

far,

for

remember that “we know that in everything

purpose” (Romans 8:28).

I

thus

the Mystery of Hope

LCSW-C, is a Clinical Social Worker and Mental Health Therapist licensed in

Maryland and Pennsylvania.

He began teaching Pastoral Care for St. Bernard’s in 2020, and

approximately one year ago, he and Dr. Kuhner engaged in exciting conversations about the

difficulty seeing the realization of all that

vision and mission of Dr. Loughlin and the entire St. Bernard’s community. What was most clear

God has promised us. For me, it was difficult

and salient from these conversations, beyond St. Bernard’s thoroughly joyful embrace and

to hear that “Faith is the realization of what

proclamation of Jesus Christ in and through Mother Church, was the deep and foundational

is hoped for and evidence of things not

sense of community that defines the character and identity of St. Bernard’s.

11

New Student Spotlight St. Bernard’s offers rich and dynamic graduate programs that encompass a unique community of students from all over the country. This past academic year we welcomed new students with varied backgrounds and experiences into our four Master’s programs and four certificates.

Their backgrounds and experiences provide a window into our classroom community, and although they have all come to St. Bernard’s for different reasons, they share a common zeal for learning and love for Christ:

Jennifer Higle Master of Arts in Catholic Philosophy, Distance Education A

novice

in

the

Society

of

Mary

(a

religious

order

located

in

Oregon

dedicated to the New Evangelization), Jennifer joined the Master of Arts in Catholic Philosophy degree via distance education. She decided to pursue graduate

studies

when

she

realized

that

she

would

need

a

strong

philosophical foundation in order to become an impactful missionary of the New Evangelization. She has found that the MACP is not only enriching her relationship with Jesus but is also giving her valuable tools to help answer the challenging questions asked in today’s society. The members of the Society of Mary lead an active missionary life and have found our distance education program can accommodate this active lifestyle, while also providing Jennifer an educational community of mission-oriented students.

Rick Burgess Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies, Permanent Diaconate Program, Diocese of Rochester “Some people get an angel in their dreams. I got an elbow,” Rick says about his call to the permanent diaconate. He and his wife were listening to a deacon deliver a homily at their parish when she elbowed him in the ribs and whispered that he should really consider this work. After a life-long successful career in the Navy, Rick found that his wife’s words kept coming back to him and

so

he

decided

to

begin

the

discernment

process

of

becoming

a

permanent deacon in the Diocese of Rochester. He appreciates the Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies program not only for the intellectual formation he is receiving, but also for the practical opportunities it provides - or as he puts it: “Read, Study, then Do.” He is excited to play an important role in the work of the Lord and His Church in Rochester.

12

Jonathan Molik Graduate Certificate in Pastoral Studies, Buffalo Campus As someone who has been involved in ministry in the Diocese of Buffalo for several years, Jonathan was searching for a school that could provide him the best opportunity to grow in his ability to serve and further his career goals. He was drawn to the Graduate Certificate in Pastoral Studies program because not only will it further his knowledge of theology, but it will teach him how to bring a pastoral approach to modern problems of the world. He hopes to devote his entire life to fostering a culture built on a foundation of love and faith.

Sarah Mancini-Goebert Certificate in Catechetical Leadership, Rochester Campus Sarah has spent her career in ministry, most recently as a Campus Minister at St. John Fisher College. She found that her job as a minister also involved work as a catechist teaching college students Catholicism and supporting them as they navigate academics, social challenges, and faith at a crucial time in their lives. She decided that there would never be a “right” time to go back to graduate school and found that the Certificate in Catechetical Leadership was a good introduction to graduate studies without the commitment of a full Master’s degree. Thus far she is certain that her courses at St. Bernard’s will help her better empower the young adults that she works with to become leaders for change.

Julie Lessin Master of Arts (Theological Studies), Albany Campus Julie graduated from Skidmore College with the goal of becoming a hospital or

hospice

chaplain.

opportunities

for

She

discussion

found and

that

deep

St.

Bernard’s

theological

classes

exploration

offered

her

so

she

that

could grow in the skills and confidence that she will need for her future career.

After she began the initial advising process with her academic advisor, she realized that the Master of Arts (Theological Studies) program would offer her the flexibility necessary to create the most valuable educational experience.

Her degree will concentrate specifically on pastoral theology, as she believes that “pastoral theology feels like the natural outward expression of the heart.”

If you are interested in any of our programs or individual courses, please don’t hesitate to contact the Director of Admissions & Financial Aid, Mr. Matt Brown, here: bit.ly/MattBrownSBSTM. Every one of our courses can be taken synchronously via Zoom so that no matter where you are located, you have direct access to quality theological, philosophical, and ministerial education.

If you would like to support the future of students like Jennifer, Rick, Jonathan, Sarah, and Julie please fill out this form (bit.ly/SBSTMGiving), and our Director of Development, Sophia Zdanowski, will be in touch with you!

13

Leaving A Legacy, Securing the Future The stories of our new students would not be possible without the generosity of benefactors who have left us planned endowed gifts. Charitable gifts help you meet your current philanthropic goals and extend your generosity well into the future. With the right planning, a gift can also protect your assets, provide for your family, and guarantee you and your spouse income for life. A charitable bequest through your will can make a significant impact that will cost you nothing in your lifetime.

There are many ways you can give to the future of St. Bernard’s and to our students while meeting your unique charitable goals and crafting the legacy that you would like to leave. If you are interested in exploring your options for planned giving, please contact our link:

bit.ly/SBSTMGiving.

Development Office

at the following

We are honored by the opportunity to work with you to develop a plan that

aligns with your personal, financial, and charitable goals - goals that we will work diligently to support.

WAYS TO MAKE A PLANNED GIFT:

1

2

3

ESTABLISHING AN ENDOWED FUND

GIFTS OF ASSETS: CASH, SECURITIES, RETIREMENT PLANS, LIFE INSURANCE, STOCK, PERSONAL PROPERTY

NAMING ST. BERNARD’S IN YOUR WILL

More than 95% of our students receive some form of financial support in order to complete their degree programs. Much of this support comes from one of our endowed scholarship funds that allow our working students with families to pursue a graduate degree without financial worry.

The simplest way to support our daily operations is through cash gifts. However, other assets can include stocks, bonds, and personal and real estate property. In fact, our Rochester campus is blessed with gifts of personal property such as stained-glass windows and rare book collections. These types of gifts can not only provide you with charitable deductions, but often offer additional tax savings

14

as well.

Establishing bequests to St. Bernard’s in your will can also help you obtain a charitable estate-tax deduction. With these gifts, you can be assured that your generosity will leave a legacy that will support our mission well into the future.

4

5

6

ESTABLISHING A DONOR-ADVISED FUND

PROTECT YOUR ASSESTS AND GIVE SIMULTANEOUSLY

GIFTS THAT PROVIDE YOU INCOME

Similar to charitable funds,

Grantor and Nongrantor

Income gifts such as gift annuities

establishing a donor-advised

Charitable Lead Trusts are estate-

and charitable remainder trusts

fund can help mitigate a number

and gift-planning devices that

can provide donors with an

of estate-planning concerns. It

allow you to direct gifts and

income stream and significant tax

can be established during your lifetime to provide specific and directed financial support for charitable organizations like St. Bernard’s. Having a fund

receive either a charitable deduction now for gifts made in

savings, while providing St. Bernard’s and our students with

subsequent years or a reduction in

vital long-term resources.

gift or estate taxes on property you wish to pass to heirs. St. Bernard’s benefits from your

streamlines your records for your charitable giving.

generosity, and you can have peace of mind that your family is provided for.

DONOR TIERS CISTERCIAN SOCIETY (1-99) The

ST. RENÉ GOUPIL SOCIETY (500-999)

St. René Goupil was a French Jesuit lay missionary who traveled to the Americas in 1640. He worked with St. Isaac Jogues,

Order of Cistercians was founded

who ordained him a priest to care for the

by our namesake, St. Bernard of Clairvaux,

sick and wounded in present-day New

in 1098. This monastic order follows the

York State. While traveling through the

Rule of St. Benedict and lives by the motto

state, he was captured, tortured, and

"ora et labora," prayer and work. Just as

murdered. He died uttering the Holy Name

the Cistercians employ the value of

of Jesus, becoming the first canonized

manual labor to deepen culture and

martyr in North America. Just like St. René,

community life, the gifts of the donors in

the generosity of the donors of this tier

this tier allow us to further our educational

allows us to profess the name of Jesus in

work.

all that we do.

ST. ELIZABETH ANN SETON SOCIETY ($5000-$9,999)

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton was born in New York City in 1774. Due to her husband’s tuberculosis, she moved to Italy where she was first introduced to Catholicism.

When she returned to America as a widow she converted to the Faith. She went on to found the first Catholic school

ST. JOHN NEUMANN SOCIETY (100-249)

St. John Neumann was born in Bohemia in 1811. He traveled to

New York where he was ordained a priest and was stationed in Buffalo. He was a fierce advocate for the poor and traveled, often on foot, to build churches and schools for German and Irish emigrant children. The charity of the donors in this tier

ST. KATERI TEKAKWITHA SOCIETY (1000-2499)

St. Kateri Tekakwitha was the

for girls in the nation and the first American congregation of religious sisters. She was the

daughter of a Mohawk chief in present

first American-born citizen to

day upstate New York. She lived during

be canonized a saint. The

a very tumultuous period of the 1600’s

charity of the donors in this tier

but was nevertheless a very diligent,

allow us to carry out St.

patient, and skilled worker. She is

Elizabeth Ann Seton’s zealous

known as the “Lily of the Mohawks” for

devotion to Catholic

her purity and devotion. We thank God

education.

for the devotion of the donors of this tier.

allows us to further the ministerial and pastoral work of St. John Neumann.

ST. ISAAC JOGUES SOCIETY (2500-5000)

St. Isaac Jogues was a French educator, Jesuit priest, and missionary

ST. MARIANNE COPE SOCIETY (250-499)

St. Marianne Cope’s family emigrated to Utica, New York, after which she joined the Sisters of Saint Francis in Syracuse. She “cheerfully accepted the work” of caring for leprosy patients in Hawaii and founded schools and homes for women and girls during her time there. The charity of the donors in this tier allow us to carry on God’s will in the cheerful spirit of St. Marianne Cope.

who traveled to the Americas in 1636.

He led a group of missionaries through present-day Canada and New York State with the sole goals of education and evangelization. He was captured and tortured but continued to baptize and minister to indigenous peoples and other prisoners throughout his captivity. He escaped, returned to missionary work, but was ultimately martyred. St. Isaac Jogues teaches us determination and selflessness in the pursuit of God’s work, which is made possible by the charity of the donors in this tier.

ST. BERNARD SOCIETY ($10,000+, PLEDGES, ESTATE AND SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION GIFTS)

St. Bernard of Clairvaux was an adviser of popes, defender of the faith, healer of schism, reformer of a monastic order, scripture scholar, theologian, and an eloquent preacher. Despite his unfailing dedication to the challenging public work to which God called him, he always treasured the virtue of the hidden monastic life.

Through the intercession of our namesake and the charity of the donors of this tier, we are able to carry on the zeal of St. Bernard in pursuit of our theological and ministerial mission.

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