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.
15
Non-profit Org. US Postage Paid 120 French Road | Rochester, NY 14618
Rochester, NY Permit No. 699
Stay tuned for our first-ever online store, launching soon! You can sign up to be notified here: bit.ly/SBSTMOnlineStore
Giving
Please give using the enclosed envelope, or visit stbernards.edu/