CatholicTrojan Prayer. Hope. Courage. Trust.
Summer 2019
Becoming Catholic P5
The Call to Lead P10
Finding God in Community P19
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CATHOLIC TROJAN CONTRIBUTORS Editor: Abbie Brucelo is the Director of Marketing at OSP CCC.
Writers: Matt Hanisch ’19 is a graduate of USC School of Cinematic Arts. Anthony Heim is a Campus Minister at OSP CCC. Brian Russell is the Campaign Director at OSP CCC.
Sr. Kathy Schneider, ODN, is a member of the Order of the Company of Mary Our Lady and Spiritual Mentoring Program coordinator at OSP CCC. Rosie Shawver, MDiv, is the Director of Campus Ministry at OSP CCC. Tricia Tembreull is a Campus Minister at OSP CCC.
About the Cover: Fr. Richard and Deacon Paul both celebrated their 10th year of ordination this past May and June, respectively. The Catholic Trojan community is deeply grateful for their guidance and incredible witness to the faith.
STAY IN TOUCH WITH OSP CCC VISIT US ONLINE CATHOLICTROJAN.ORG
@USCCarusoCatholicCenter
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MISSION STATEMENT
Our vision is to invite the USC community into a transforming relationship with Christ and one another, empowered to make a lasting impact on the world.
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@USCCatholic
Nick Borquez ’20 and Becky Tapanes ’21 serve during an Alternative Spring Break mission trip in Tijuana, Mexico.
IN THIS ISSUE
OSP CCC STAFF
5 Becoming Catholic:
Fr. Richard Sunwoo Pastor Abbie Brucelo Director of Marketing & Public Relations Jamie Cappetta President Yvette Cardona Business Manager Anthony Heim Campus Minister
My RCIA Journey
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ESTEEM: The Call to Lead Dedication of Our Lady of Mercy Chapel
11 Finding God in Community:
Catholic Women’s Residence
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Campaign Update
OSP CCC Staff
Fr. Joe Kim, OFM Conv. Campus Minister Rudy Lowe Manager of Operations & Hospitality Andrew Mountin Director of Worship Xochitl Nisbet Database Manager Dcn. Paul Pesqueira Parish Deacon
Rose Ramirez Executive Assistant to Fr. Richard Brian Russell Campaign Director Rosie Shawver, MDiv Director of Campus Ministry Tricia Tembreull Campus Minister
844 West 32nd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90007 Phone: 213-516-3959 info@catholictrojan.org Follow us online: catholictrojan.org Disclaimer: Catholic Trojan is published twice a year for our alumni, parents and friends. Opinions expressed in this newsletter do not necessarily reflect those of the entire USC Caruso Catholic Center community.
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F r o m t h e Pa s t o r ’ s D e s k Dear Catholic Trojan Family in Christ, This has been an incredible spring for us here at Our Savior Parish and USC Caruso Catholic Center as we both witness to God’s great mercy and have participated in God’s salvific work! I was reminded this Easter that God meets us right where we are; in every situation and circumstance, in our joyous celebrations of life and our call to love. We encounter Him in our sacraments, in the scriptures, and grow closer to Him in prayer. We experience his love and mercy in confession and on retreats! We’ve also found him by our side through the storms and rough waters of our lives—when we frantically, desperately search for hope and meaning in our trials, disappointments, and difficulties. How our God makes himself known! Yet, our God loves us too much to leave us where he found us. He lovingly encourages us to live for more! He called Peter forth from the boat to walk on the water and calls out to each of us. Every Catholic Trojan is called to “take courage” and “be not afraid.” We are called to step out from temporal safety—our places of comfort—and come to Jesus in faith, who is LIFE! Our lives are much more than the “small boats” or “vessels” we resign them to be, to be tossed about by the waves and storms of our experiences and relationships. We were created for more—we ARE more! We get a small glimpse of this “more” when we serve others both locally and abroad. In humility, we discover how God uses us—faults and all—so that others may encounter Him and dream bigger dreams. Within these pages, I am certain that you will discover how God is working here in the lives of our students—how our God is known and how we are called to more. I hope to see you all again in the fall!
Rev. Richard Sunwoo
Fr. Richard baptizes USC Trojans football Safety, Jordan McMillan ’22 at Easter Vigil.
Share Your Memories
Catholic Trojan Memories What’s your Catholic Trojan memory? We’re looking to gather favorite memories (written, photos, or videos) from all Catholic Trojans/ USC Newmanites across the decades. Whether you graduated in 2019 or 1959, we would be delighted if you could send us photos or a noteworthy story of your experience with the Catholic/Newman Center and Our Savior Church at USC. We hope to share your memories with our wider alumni community by featuring them on our website, social media, and in our newsletters.
submit your story catholictrojan.org/memories Abigail Brucelo abigail@catholictrojan.org 213.516.3959
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This Easter, I had the enormous privilege of being confirmed in the Catholic faith, and receiving the Eucharist with a group of kind, funny, and devout converts. It’s astounding how God transformed my spiritual life in only two years, taking me from a place of doubt and desolation to receiving me into His universal Church. He has given me the most incredible friendships at the Catholic Center, and these people became my entry point into Catholicism.
becoming c atholic at usc: BY CLAIRE ROBERTSON ’20
My RCIA Journey
Nearly two years ago, I transferred to USC for my sophomore year of college. I looked forward to joining a choir, adding a major or minor, and getting involved with a
sorority. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that I’d become a Roman Catholic.
Although I thrived in this community, not once did I ever feel pressure to get involved. The students and staff at the CC drew me in with their abiding trust in Jesus Christ, and their passion for sharing God’s presence in their lives. I fell in love with the Catholic Center, and came to every speaker and worship night that fit into my schedule.
involved with RCIA and spiritual direction, that curiosity turned into conviction of the truth of Catholic teaching. Through the people Jesus has placed in my life, He has guided me towards a deep desire for the Eucharist. For months, I went to daily and Sunday Mass without receiving communion, and I longed to experience greater unity with Christ. Adoration became my refuge, my source of serenity and encouragement when it felt like I had no idea what I was doing. Nowhere felt more like home than in a pew before a monstrance, resting in the True Presence of our God who loves us more than we can ever know. I knew I was Catholic when I couldn’t imagine my life without the Eucharist at the heart of it.
Adoration became my refuge, my source of serenity and encouragement when it felt like I had no idea what I was doing.
After attending countless Bible studies, CC events, and Masses, I still had questions about the faith. A friend of mine told me about her life-changing RCIA experience, and encouraged me to try it out. I decided to join, telling my friends and family that I was just sating my curiosity, not converting. Once I got
I am so grateful to God for calling me home. He has given me so much in the Catholic faith: authentic friendship, opportunities to give back, and true community. Yet, the greatest gift I received from RCIA and the Catholic Church is Jesus’ relationship with us in the Eucharist.
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ES TEEM: THE CALL TO LEAD Catholic Trojan graduating seniors pose in front of “The Bean” at Millennium Park in Chicago. pictured: back L to R: Stephen Reilly, Julian Gomez, Jose Miguel Alvarado, Joseph Bustamante, Matt Hansich, front L to R: Manika Tolentino, Kat Vidal-Cueva, Melissa Brito, Angela Villamizar, Valerie Ojeda, Cristina Garcia.
REFLECTION BY MATT HANISCH ’19
Senior year can be a busy time for all of us at USC, and I was no exception. I felt myself being increasingly weighed down by projects and homework, and I noticed I had started to prioritize those assignments over my faith and the Church. I wanted some sort of anchor to hold me to the Church in the midst of such a tumultuous senior year. ESTEEM (Engaging Students to Enliven the Ecclesial Mission) was that anchor for me. ESTEEM is similar to a bible study or Matt Hanisch ’19 with parents other small faith group, except instead of the bible, we study a different topic before Baccalaureate Mass presented by a speaker each week. Sometimes there would be powerpoint presentations, pamphlets, or activities, but all of the presentations focus on part of the faith relevant to our lives as graduating seniors entering the world after college.
In addition to ESTEEM, the Catholic Center’s Executive Mentorship Program gives USC students the chance to be mentored by executives whose professional and personal experience have made them leaders in their spheres of influence. The program holds at its core Catholic teachings about ethics and morality and aims to empower our young adults in the following areas:
The various presentations and group discussions helped me realize that there is not only a place for young adults in the Church, but a need. If we are the Body of Christ, it is our responsibility to fill that body with youth and vitality. I learned that the Church will always be a part of me, so why not use that gift to its fullest potential?
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
New York, New York
Send Me! a lt e r n at i v e spring break 2019
So many other students felt the same way I did. At USC and then in Chicago at the Capstone Conference, I found like-minded people searching for their place in the Church just like I was. We might have different ways of going about it, but we’re all working toward the same goal. I hope that I can continue to find these kinds of people in my own life as I explore my faith after graduation, but more importantly, I hope that the Church community as a whole can recognize the value and potential of these members. ESTEEM helped me see that potential in myself, and I look forward to sharing it with the rest of the Church.
• Sense of personal worth
• Capacity to make positive choices
• Empathy and awareness for others
• Activism in community contribution • Commitment to school attendance • Prosocial engagement
right photo: Jaime Lee ’06, JD ’09 speaks at an executive mentorship event help at the Jonathan Club in DTLA.
Tijuana, Mexico
TRICIA TEMBREULL, CAMPUS MINISTER
With sweat dripping and no makeup masking God’s creation, USC students labored and listened to the Lord at five Alternative Spring Break locations this spring. Christ healed personal and spiritual wounds as our Peru medical missionaries cared for young and old, providing medical assistance far beyond their abilities. The wisdom of the Holy Spirit flourished in our female Trojans as they opened themselves to their vocation and discovered a variety of religious communities in New York. God broke down walls around our student’s hearts as they demolished a kitchen in the Dominican Republic and dug trenches to lay a foundation for a home in Tijuana. However, each mission site quickly learned that going on a mission is less about what you do, and more about what you allow God to do in you. Throughout the week, without the attachments of the world interrupting their day, students took time to love God, one another, and themselves (Matthew 22:34-40). They served, laughed, prayed, embraced silence and listened, savored meals, journaled, and allowed
it to all sink beyond the surface and penetrate their souls. There is a comfort that fills you when you have conversations about love (and what it really is), life and vocational discernment, global injustices, poverty, and where we see or fail to see God in it all with authentic community. Returning home, I realized these conversations took place at every mission site during an evening retreat based on our annual theme, “Live Love.” As C.S. Lewis wrote on The Four Loves, “To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken.” I can attest, our Catholic Trojans were vulnerable, allowing their hearts to be broken in restorative ways. I think our ASB Missions this spring can be summed up in the words of a little boy at Tia Tatiana school in the Dominican Republic. He hugged one of our missionaries as we were leaving and said, “I really needed your love today.” That pretty much defines our mission. Someone needed our love and we answered God’s call by saying, “Send me!”
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“From the first time I stepped into the church I felt like it was a very special place of Catholic worship. I hope the Chapel can be a place where students and others can go for peaceful reflection on their lives, their faith in God and the role God plays in everything we do.”
Artist Margaret Lazzari painted the murals adorned on the walls of the chapel. Lazzari is a Professor of Art at the University of Southern California Roski School of Art and Design. Her works are also included in several public collections, including the Cathedral Collection of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
–Anonymous benefactor
"Mercy is the
beating heart of the Gospel” –Pope Francis
Dedication of Our Lady of Mercy Chapel OUR SAVIOR CHURCH | MARCH 24, 2019
As students enter the Marian Chapel carrying their burdens, their anxieties and their doubts, we hope they leave knowing the healing, loving and gentle embrace of our Mother Mary. Our prayer is that Mary’s fiat, her yes to God, becomes an inspiration and example for our students’ own spiritual fiat.
Our Lady of Guadalupe Exhibit BY ANTHONY HEIM, CAMPUS MINISTER
This past spring, student artists of USC and Art Division were invited to submit original works for a group exhibition to be held at the USC Caruso Catholic Center, entitled Virgen de Guadalupe. Participating artists were invited to consider the Virgin of Guadalupe as a sacred religious icon in contemporary contexts and dialogues. One entry submitted by USC graduate student Mayra Moran, presented the Virgin of Guadalupe as a present-day migrant. “We’ve heard so much lately, about
the struggle that migrants are facing, and I’ve been thinking a lot about the situation at the border. I felt that I should represent the Virgin as a migrant mother; strong, courageous, protecting her child,” Moran explained. The exhibition was on display at the Catholic Center, Lounge 111 from January 18-March 28. Presented by the USC Caruso Catholic Center in partnership with LA Art Division. Curated by Carlo Tuason and Anthony Heim.
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In order to respond to this need, Sister Kathy Schneider, the residence director, and Rosie Shawver, the Catholic Center’s director of campus ministry, have developed a program that aims to provide the conditions necessary to fulfill the project’s mission. Women who live in the house commit themselves to this program. Residents are paired with a spiritual mentor who accompanies them on their spiritual journey. They are able to participate in various personal and communal prayer opportunities through the residence and the Catholic Center. In order to develop a vibrant community experience, house meetings and community brunches are offered where each can converse on the many topics that affect their lives. Never forgetting the wider community, students are also expected to participate in service opportunities through the Center.
“I knew that this was going to be a tough last year for me and I knew I needed my faith to keep me strong and figured the Catholic Women’s House would be a good place to be.” –Hope G.
BY SR. KATHY SCHNEIDER, ODN
This academic year saw the beginning of a new collaborative endeavor between the USC Caruso Catholic Center and the Company of Mary Our Lady—the opening of the Catholic Women’s Residence. The house has room for nine women and is a short 10-minute walk from campus.
Finding God In Community:
C ATHOLIC WOMEN’S RESIDENCE The mission of the residence is to provide a place where young women studying at USC can grow in their Catholic faith, discern God’s will in their lives and experience community living with other students who have the same faith values. The founding of the residence was a response to expressed desires of many women at the Catholic Center who wanted an environment where they could grow in their faith and be surrounded by like-minded students who shared their values.
The principal goal of the Catholic Women’s Residence is to form women attuned to the movements of the Spirit in their lives through a deepened knowledge and practice of discernment and decision making. The experience of living in the community will assist them in the development of a spiritual toolbox that enables them to navigate the ups and downs of life. In short, it is to help each become a more faith-filled Catholic ready to serve God’s people in whatever way He has called her.
“I grew in my faith, met wonderful individuals, and I feel like I am a lot closer to God. Living in community at the Catholic Women’s House helped me to not feel homesick, and it helped me do well in school.” –Joann C.
“Being so closely connected to the Catholic Center makes it so much easier as a college student to practice your faith. The Women’s House is amazing, and so is the community.” –Elizabeth I.
We believe in the well-being and empowerment of women, especially the Catholic Trojan women we serve. Our women’s small groups offer opportunities for women to build capacity and confidence through scripture-based reflection, devotionals and special help with Endow’s small group study guides. Through the women’s small groups, our students find positive friendships and peer support to address their personal life stage challenges. Katherine Meeks, Executive Director of Endow (pictured next to Fr. Richard), shares her story at a USC Caruso Catholic Center Executive Mentorship event.
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FAITH-BASED HEALTH & WELLNESS AT THE CATHOLIC CENTER BY ROSIE SHAWVER, MDIV, DIRECTOR OF CAMPUS MINISTRY
The Campaign for OSP CCC
Imagine yourself finding your academic stride at USC, training for a marathon, remaining active in your faith life, and having an active social life. Imagine yourself living and thriving at your fullest, mindbody-spirit. Alas, life isn’t always perfect and sometimes the path we project for ourselves finds us detouring into murky waters. Depression and anxiety are prevalent problems in colleges across the country, and USC is no exception. During college, students experience many firsts, including a new routine, friends, dealing with strangers as roommates, exposure to a new lifestyle and experiences. Students may struggle if they can’t manage these firsts. The USC Caruso Catholic Center desires all USC students to recognize their Godgiven dignity so that they can thrive and be who God created them to be. We are part of the solution of helping students manage anxiety, navigate through transitions, discern their vocations and relationships, including students’ relationship with Christ. The power of accompaniment, walking with someone towards Christ, like the disciples did on the road to Emmaus, combats isolation.
left Renee Boulware ’22 makes a new friend during the Puppies and Pie event before finals. right Cristina Garcia ’19 and spiritual mentor, Sr. Val Roxburgh, SND.
BY BRIAN RUSSELL, CAMPAIGN DIRECTOR
As we enter into the third year of the silent phase of our campaign, our Advisory Board, Campaign Steering Committee, and staff have helped us to raise $16.3M, halfway to our $30M campaign goal! Of this total, over $2M in commitments have been designated to grow our endowments. Our focus has been building our Catholic Trojan Family and developing new relationships with alumni, foundations, friends, and parents who have pledged their financial support to sustain Catholic life at USC. Students de-stress with yoga in Newman Hall.
The gentle, persistent and honest guidance of spiritual mentors is both needed and craved by young adults. This academic year, 91 students are in spiritual mentorship; an increase of 11% in just the last year. Due to the generosity of Kim Dalius, a Catholic Center parent ambassador and a parent of a current USC student, and her business Mental Minutes, we have launched a pilot program: Catholic Success Coaching. Through coaching she will address topics such as, self-esteem, relationships, and time and stress management. She will be leading students in one-on-ones, small group coaching and empowering students through a program called ‘coaches corner’ to be minisuccess coaches to their friends. We have also started a weekly yoga class, a stronger Catholic psychological referral list, and continued our finals event, Puppies and Pie, where students destress while petting puppies and eating pizza and pies. We at the Catholic Center are committed to helping students grow closer to Christ and to become who God created them to be through the care for the whole person, cura personalis, mind-body-soul.
" My connection to the Caruso Center started when my family and daughter, a USC student, attended the Center’s annual Tree Lighting celebration a couple of years ago. I was in awe of the wonderful atmosphere that the Caruso Center had built for their students and the community. It was brought to my attention the need to support students in faith-based health and wellness. With that in mind as a Success Coach and Mental Minutes Success Coaching owner, I created a pilot success coaching program last semester for the Catholic Center. The program offers students a professional counselor to discuss issues that are impeding their capacity to succeed in college. The turnout was amazing! Needless to say, the students were so grateful that the Caruso Center saw the need, acted on it and brought the resource to them and now will be implemented as a resource for this new academic year." –Kim Dalius, Success Coach, Mental Minutes.
Jose Miguel Alvarado ’19 shares his testimony with guests at the Valley Hunt Club event in Pasadena.
Due to the generosity of a few of our Catholic Trojan faithful, we were able to establish an endowment at USC (USC Caruso Catholic Center Endowment Fund 99-0313-1500) for the benefit of USC Caruso Catholic Center. This new endowment allows donors to add gifts of any size to help us build for the future. You can even designate gifts to this endowment in your will, trust or estate. We had three great campaign events this past year in Palos Verdes, at Big Canyon
right: left to right:
Jamie Cappetta, Greg Brakovich (host), Fr. Richard Sunwoo, Ron Lane at the Big Canyon Country Club, Newport Beach.
left: PV Campaign Event, Caption: Campaign event hosted by Dave and Teri Carpenter in Palos Verdes.
Country Club in Newport Beach, and at the Valley Hunt Club in Pasadena. Fr. Richard shared his vision for the future of USC Caruso Catholic Center and how the success of the campaign is crucial to the future growth and sustainability of Our Savior Parish. He even secured his first seven figure gift for our endowment from an anonymous donor! We hope you will join us in the coming months as we will host donor sponsored campaign events in West L.A. and San Francisco this fall as well as one in Las Vegas in the spring of 2020. Please join with us by making your commitment to the campaign as we strive to build our endowment and strengthen our annual fund to ensure that there will always be a home for our Catholic Trojans at USC. Contact Brian Russell at (213) 516-3969 or brussell@catholictrojan.org for more information about how you can help. All giving to USC Caruso Catholic Center & Our Savior Parish counts towards your giving at the University of Southern California. Thank you for your consideration for support!
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MAKING AN IMPACT
Ministry By The Numbers 2018-2019
s tudent s regis tered:
S tudent s in Small Groups
1:1 ment orship
rcia
Bishop Robert Barron, founder of global media ministry Word on Fire, speaks to the USC community about the synod of young adults, as a part of USC Caruso Catholic Center’s spring Savior Series.
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Catholic Trojans Fr. Matt Wheeler & Seminarian Justin Oh promote vocations during annual ADLA Basketball Tournament. L to R: Nina Gallegos, ’17, Justin Oh ’12, Fr. Matt Wheeler ’10, David Dela Cruz ’21.
SAVE THE DATE Seventh-Annual Our Savior Parish Anniversary Mass & Christmas Tree Lighting Saturday, December 14th 2019 Vigil Mass 4:30 pm Tree Lighting & Festivities 6 pm Students and alum volunteer with the Order of Malta at the Cathedral’s annual World Day of the Sick Healing Mass.
You are invited!
STAY CONNECTED
with the USC Caruso Catholic Center
BOARD OF ADVISORS Ex officio: Most Rev. Jose H. Gomez, Archbishop of Los Angeles Most Rev. Edward Wm. Clark, Auxiliary Bishop of Our Lady of the Angels Pastoral Region Rev. Richard Sunwoo, Pastor Board of Advisors: Board of Advisors Yvonne Bogdanovich Joseph Boskovich, Sr. ’75 ’77 Mark Caruso Rick Caruso, ’80 Board Chair James Childs, Jr. ’61 Thomas Condon Jacqueline Connor ’73 ’76 Michael Felix ’83 Lew Horne ’80 Laura Hosking ’81 John Hunter, Jr. ’76 Michelle Katnik ’88 Susan Leonis-Jensen
Zee Marzec ’67 ’72 Kathleen McCarthy Kostlan ’57 David Neal ’78 Nancy Novokmet ’83 Joel Ojeda, ’11 Dr. Willa Olsen ’58 ’62 Mary Pallares ’54 Larissa Purnell ’16 Joe Rich, Jr. Ed Roski, Jr. ’62 Emeritus Kevin Shannon ’81 Kevin White
Pastor Fr. Richard Sunwoo Sunday Mass Sundays at 10 am, 5 pm & 9 pm Daily Mass Monday through Friday at 12:10 pm and 5:30 pm Confessions Monday through Friday 4:30 pm–5:30 pm Eucharistic Adoration Monday through Friday 4:30 pm–5:30 pm For more information, please email info@catholictrojan.org or call: 213.516.3959
PR E SORT E D FIRST CL ASS U. S . P O S TAGE
PA I D
844 west thirty second street los angeles, california 90007 t 213.516.3959 info@catholictrojan.org catholictrojan.org
Prayer. Hope. Courage. Trust.
Students begin the day in prayer during the spring Catholic Trojan II Retreat at Mission San Luis Rey in Oceanside, CA.
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