Instaurare | Summer 2004

NSTAURARE

INSTAURARE

The The Christendom Christendom College College Update Update Instaurare (vt. to restore, strengthen, renew)

July 2004 Volume XII, Number II

INSIDE THIS ISSUE...

2004 President’s Charge – page 2

Spring Break Missionaries page 3

Alumni Graduate Law School page 6

Making Green for Christendom page 8

Classics Students Receive Awards – page 3 Rome Students Meet Saint’s Daughter – page 6 Alumna Aimee Norris Dies of Cancer – page 7 Prof. Patrick Duffy Retires From Teaching – page 8

Bishop Welsh, Nellie Gray Tell Graduates to Embrace Life College Graduates Largest Class in History; Sends Forth 77 to Restore All Things in Christ

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On May 15, Christendom ended its 27th academic year by conferring 76 Bachelor of Arts degrees and one Associate of Arts Degree on its graduating class of 2004. Attending Commencement as honored guests were His Excellency Bishop Thomas J. Welsh (ret.) and Miss Nellie Gray.

The weekend began with a Baccalaureate Mass celebrated

by Bishop Welsh on Friday. In his homily Bishop Welsh exhorted the graduates to accept the Holy Father’s invitation to communicate with the Blessed Mother by reciting the Rosary and meditating on its beautiful mysteries.

“You tell your numerous grandchildren – or for you priests and religious, your parishioners and students – that when you were here in Camelot, John Paul II was truly your Pope and that it was he who turned you on to the Rosary, the very one who gave us the Mysteries of Light,” he said.

His Excellency charged the congregation to heed the see GRADUATION, page 4

Marine reservist John O’Brien (with his son Jack) was scheduled to graduate in 2002 but was called up to serve in the Iraqi War.

Mary Wathen and Christen Tedrow were among the 77 students who graduated on May 15, 2004.

held for the past nine years. During Heisler’s tenure, new student applications increased over 100%; new student enrollments increased over 50%; Freshman SAT averages rose 77 points; and the total college grew 71%.

thrilled to have him in this new position.”

College Welcomes McFadden as New Director of Admissions Thomas L. McFadden, Jr, ‘90, recently assumed the newly created position of Director of Admissions and Marketing for the College.

He replaces Paul L. Heisler ‘90, who stepped down from his position as Director of Admissions which he had

Christendom College 134 Christendom Drive Front Royal, VA 22630

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Of the change, College President Timothy T. O’Donnell said, “Tom’s hiring is a critical component for the College’s newly reconfigured administrative layout. As we enter a new phase of our college’s history, I am confident that Tom’s leadership abilities will help Christendom to continue to provide one of the best liberal arts educations in the nation. He conveys a clear vision of how to improve both enrollment and marketing strategies and demonstrates excellent managerial skills. We are

With more than 12 years of administrative and managerial experience, McFadden most recently has served as the College Relations Officer at Christendom. Since 2000, he has played an integral role in the development and maintenance of Christendom’s image building process, which included acting as the liaison to the College’s 1300 alumni.

After earning a Bachelor of Arts from Christendom in 1990, McFadden worked as an Assistant General Manager for a large Washington, DC, area restaurant see MCFADDEN, page 7 Non Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 6445 Merrifield, VA 22081

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INSTAURARE, July 2004

President’s Charge to Graduates of 2004

Yours is a truly close class despite the tremendous variety within your ranks (as you are well aware of ). The Class of 2004 has achieved many things. You will go down in the history of Christendom College as pioneers, the first Junior class to study in Rome; and despite some difficulties and challenges, including the out break of war in Iraq, you succeeded. Having been in the caput mundi, you now not only have apologetical arguments in hand, you have seen, and you have experienced, the one, holy, Catholic, apostolic, and, as Vatican I tells us, Roman Church.

Certain things will never be mere names to you anymore: San Pietro, San Giovanni Laterano, Santa Maria Maggiore, San Clemente, Santa Cecilia, Santa Agnese, San Calisto all are now experienced as real places, names of real people who did real things; names which flow off the tongue and are stored in the heart; names which possess and recall the glory of our Catholic patrimony. You have seen first hand in Rome what you learned in your classes in Front Royal, what men of Faith have done, and Timothy T. O’Donnell, STD, KCeHS what the Faith can do to form a culture. You have seen the triumph of Faith symbolized in the bronze ball and cross standing proud and erect, free flowing in the open air, set gloriously atop a pagan obelisk–once the glory of ancient Rome. I’m sure there are also memories of the purity and the clarity of a chilled white Roman wine from the Castelli, shimmering in the golden sunlight on some roof or hill on a late Saturday afternoon. These memories are important too!

As I reflected on what to say to you in this charge, after speaking directly to most of you in the exit interviews, I recalled the words of the great St. Bernard, who when speaking to one of his monks concerning spiritual perfection said the following, “In this world nothing is either lasting or stable, but even more especially it is said of man, that he never remains in the same state.” It is necessary then for a man either to advance, or to go backward.

I know that each one of you deeply loves our Lord. As He said to us quite candidly, “Sine Me potestatis facere nihil – Without Me you can do nothing.” As you leave here and set forth upon the great course of life, and it is a great course indeed, you must be with Him. As you have learned, first at home, then at Christendom, and then in Rome, He wants, more than words can express, to be with each one of you on your journey, for it is a journey to bring you back to Him. One of the things that make Rome so remarkable is the incredible number of churches.

Our Lord truly is Emmanuel, “God with us,” for He is tabernacled everywhere in that city. Late at night you can sense the beating of that Eucharistic heart which is the quiet, gentle, silent, life-blood that runs through that city; just as during your years here on our campus, you experienced the Eucharistic heart of our Lord and King abiding right in the center of our campus.

There have been difficulties and there will continue to be difficulties that will follow you in life. Always and everywhere remain faithful to the Mass, and to our Lord, present in the Holy Eucharist, daily whenever it is possible. When He gave us that loving command, “Do this in remembrance of me,” was there ever a command that was so diligently obeyed throughout Christendom? As one author put it, “For century after century, spreading slowly to every continent and country and among every race on earth, this action has been done in every conceivable human circumstance; for every conceivable human need, from infancy and before it, to extreme old age, and after it; from the pinnacles of earthly greatness, to the refuge of fugitives in the caves and dens of the earth, men have found no better thing to do. For kings at their crowning; for criminals going to the scaffold; for armies in triumph; for a bride and bride groom in a little country church. For the proclamation of a dogma or a good crop of wheat; for the wisdom of the parliament of a mighty nation or for a sick old woman who is afraid to die. For a school boy sitting in examination, or for Columbus as he is setting out to discover America. Because the Turks were at the gates of Vienna. For the settlement of a strike or for a son for a barren women.

While the lion roared in nearby amphitheaters, along the beach at Dunkirk, while the hiss and sighs in the thick June grass come faintly through the windows of a church. Reverently by an old monk on the 50th anniversary of his vows; fervently by an exiled dissent who has hewed timber all day in a prison camp; gorgeously at the canonization of Joan of Arc. One could fill many pages with the reasons why men have done this and not tell a hundredth part of them. (Dom Gregory Dix, The Shape of the Liturgy). The Mass, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, no matter where you or what you are doing, be faithful to the Mass!

I leave you with one final story. This past January, Cathy and I traveled to Phoenix for the 30th anniversary celebration of the Miles Jesu Community. One morning I went down to the dining room in the hotel for an early breakfast, tired from my travels. A small and unassuming man came and sat down at the table with me. I saw that he was oriental and I also noted the gold chain with the attached Pectoral Cross.

We greeted each other and introduced ourselves. His name was Lawrence Kai, the Archbishop of Thare-Nonseng, in the the Archdiocese of Thailand. I wondered what

it would be like to be a bishop of a tiny Catholic community surrounded by a sea of Buddhism. What was his story? How did he come to be baptized? How did it happen that among all his people he become a Catholic? That morning Archbishop Kai told us his story.

As a young boy only 12 years old Lawrence Kai was already recognized as a brilliant young seminarian, destined for great things because of his abilities. He entered the seminary at this young age because he already knew that above everything else he wanted to be a priest of Jesus Christ and he wanted to be able to celebrate the Mass.

In the late 1930’s and early 1940’s there was a savage Buddhist persecution of Catholics in Thailand. When the persecution broke out the seminary was closed and Lawrence Kai was sent to a state school. One day, the headmaster of the state school called Lawrence into a windowless room, alone. He acknowledged Lawrence’s aptitude and talents, and promised him a full scholarship all the way through university with a top government post guaranteed at the end of his studies. All Lawrence needed to do was one small thing. Young Lawrence asked what that was. The Headmaster responded, “ You must renounce your belief in Christ, and worship Buddha,” to which Lawrence responded, “I can’t do that.” The Headmaster got up, walked over and turned off the lights, filling the room with darkness. He grabbed Lawrence by his hair, dragged him over to the wall, smashed his face against the wall and yelled at him to “renounce Christ”. The boy responded “I cannot do that.” In a rage, the headmaster repeatedly smashed his head into the wall over and over, screaming at him in the darkness to “renounce Christ.” The boy remained unmoved, bloody. He was taken out of the room, and stood outside in front of the other students. News was brought from a neighboring village that some had been killed for their Christian faith. A loaded pistol was cocked and then shoved in his mouth. The headmaster said he would count to three and then pull the trigger, unless Lawrence agreed to renounce Christ, publicly. The Headmaster counted out loud, “one, two...” but for some reason could not bring himself to say, “three.” For some strange reason young Lawrence was spared that day. “The light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not overcome it.” Eventually Lawrence was able to resume his studies, was ordained a priest of Jesus Christ and celebrated the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, the great desire and longing of his heart.

What a man! What a grace! And this was the man with whom I had shared breakfast!

You never would have known. He was so simple, so humble, so beautiful. What a witness! That heroic example cannot be forgotten. I don’t want to forget. I don’t want anyone at Christendom to forget. There are many in our world still living today just like him.

As I said goodbye to him that day he gave me a Cross, which I will place in our Chapel in back next to the Papal Chalice. In the center of the cross is a little golden disk, which contains relics of the seven blessed Martyrs of Thailand, who were beatified by John Paul II. Among them were several small children, a catachist who kept teaching them despite the persecutions, and a young nun.

My charge to you today: always and everywhere, no matter where you are, no matter what work you are doing, be faithful to the Mass, and faithful to our Lord in the Eucharist. If you do so, you will do great things for Him, for He also said, “Qui manet in Me et Ego in eo hic fert fructum multum – He who remains in me and I in him will bare much fruit.” May you go forth today in the power of the Faith, in Christ Jesus our Lord, knowing you are followed everywhere by our love, by our affection and with our prayers; knowing that we are always united in the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus.

Praised be Jesus Christ!

Library to be Dedicated on October 9, 2004 Archbishop Edwin F. O’Brien, Archbishop of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, will bless and dedicate Christendom’s new 40,000 sq. ft. St. John the Evangelist Library on October 9, 2004.

Current plans for the event include a Mass of Thanksgiving, a Blessing of the Library and Papal Bust, catered food and beverages in the Library, and the performance of an original orchestra piece, composed and directed by Christendom’s own Dr. Kurt Poterack. The piece will be dedicated to St. John the Evangelist, the patron of the library.

Invitational information will be available in the near future.

Look to www.christendom.edu for the most up-to-date news and information.

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INSTAURARE, July 2004

Welcome to the Jungle: Christendom Student Missionary Activities on the Rise

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For many college students, planning for Spring Break includes calls to airlines and reservations at hotels in Cancun, Daytona Beach, or Palm Springs. They eagerly look forward to a week-long exercise in indulgence, spending quality time thinking about themselves and pursuing their own pleasures. The approach to Spring Break at Christendom is, naturally, very different. This year as in the past several years, Christendom students’ thoughts turned not to the sand and palm trees of plush beach resorts, but to the deep mosquito-infested jungles of Brazil and the Dominican Republic.

For the fifth consecutive year the College sent the students in its missionary program to some of the poorest regions in the Americas. One group of 28 (26 students and two religious) went to the Arlington Diocese’s mission territory of Banica in the Dominican Republic. A second group of 19 (18 students and one priest) pioneered the school’s first visit to Goiania, Brazil. These were the tenth and eleventh mission trips sponsored by the College.

Under the direction of Dean of Student Life J. Michael Brown, Christendom established its mission program in the summer of 2000. Dean Brown sought a way to help the students use their holiday time in service by acting as ambassadors for Christ. The missionaries first aided then-resident priest Fr. Patrick Posey in the initial development of the mission in Banica. The missionary territory includes the Church of St. Francis in Banica, the Church of St. Joseph in nearby Pedro Santana, and over 72 villages called campos that stretch for miles over the mountains in the center of the island of Hispaniola.

From that time the College has formed a bond with the people of the campos.

The students in the Dominican Republic stayed in the small town of Banica, which lies on the border with Haiti. Despite their poverty, local families invited students to live with them during their stay, thus allowing students to see what life was like from the Dominicans’ own perspective.

While in Banica, the students built chapels for outlying villages, made pews, and brought food, clothes, and toys to more distant and poor villages. The students also accompanied Fr. Gee, the current resident priest, as he celebrated the monthly Masses in remote villages.

Joining the students on the trip were Fr. Joseph Mary Brown ‘85 and Brother Marie Dominique, both of the Community of St. John. Their presence and direction was a spiritual boon both to the students and the locals. “ They tr uly helped us to keep a spiritual perspective on all we were doing,” large group of Christendom students annually spend their Spring Break vacations in missionary said sophomore A territory, such as the Dominican Republic or Brazil. This past Spring Break, twenty-six students went Michele Win- to the Arlington Diocese’s mission located in Banica, Dominican Republic. slow. “Their daily necessary to alleviate some of the sufferings of the reflections, along with the spiritual direction, helped us poorest of the poor in the villages surrounding Goiania to focus on the fact that we are so lucky, living in the and they spent time visiting the sick at the mission’s lap of luxury, while so many others are in need of their cancer ward. ‘daily bread.’”

For over eighty years this area had been without a priest, and the majority of the people have a very simple faith.

“The work of building chapels in the outlying villages greatly elevated the people’s faith and sense of dignity,” said Jacob Meza, a junior from Virginia. “We hope the seeds of Charity and Faith we planted will bear fruit in the future.”

The history of success in the Dominican Republic inspired Dean Brown to extend the College’s missionary efforts to Goiania, in the heart of Brazil. Christendom alumnus Fr. Basil Nortz ‘86, Prior of the Canons Regular of the Holy Cross, led this inaugural trip. During their stay, the student missionaries had an opportunity to talk about the “spirit” of Easter on the mission’s local radio and television show. Through their activities, the students learned the true meaning of performing the “corporal works of mercy.” They brought supplies

Christendom Students Awarded Highest Classics Awards Ten Christendom College students took the National Greek Exam this past Spring. Nationwide, over 1500 students participated in this academic competition.

Eight out of the ten Christendom students received national awards, a proportion far higher than at most other institutions. The National Greek Exam is administered by the American Classical League and for over a century has been a means of assessing and recognizing excellence in Classical languages.

Sophomores Arthur Dhanagom and Cara Whitaker received Merit awards on the Intermediate Exam, while Sophomore Michele Winslow and Junior Sergio Yona

received High Honors. On the Advanced Prose Exam, Junior Mike McSheffrey received a Merit Award and Sophomores Michael Fogarty and John Zoscak were awarded High Honors.

Of special note, Class of 2004 Valedictorian Andrew Hayes won Highest Honors on the Advanced Prose Exam. This award reflects the highest score that a student can attain on the exam, short of a perfect score.

This recognition by the American Classical League places Hayes nationally among fewer than a dozen other students.

2004 Classical Studies Academic Exam Winners: (l to r) Michael McSheffrey, John Zoscak, Sergio Yona, Cara Whitaker, Arthur Dhanagom, Michele Winslow, Andrew Hayes, and Michael Fogarty.

Also in Classical Studies news, Sophomore Justin Stover was selected in an undergraduate competition to become an Intercollegiate Studies Institute Western Civilization fellow. From an applicant pool of about 300 competitors, Stover was chosen to attend Oriel College, Oxford University this Summer to participate in ISI’s interdisciplinary seminar. Additionally, Chairman of the Classical Studies Department Dr. William Fahey will be accompanying Stover to England as he has been selected for a second year to be an ISI Western Civilization faculty member.

“The work was both challenging and demanding. Our students were tested on a daily basis,” said Brown.

“They were greatly moved by the severe poverty they witnessed in Goiania. Our students had such positive, life-changing experiences that most now want to do additional mission work.”

The Christendom faculty and student body regularly hold fund-raising events to help finance the mission trips. The money not only pays for transportation and lodging for the missionaries, but it helps buy seed, livestock, and materials for the chapels. This year the College raised $50,000 for the mission fund over a period of five months.

Currently nine students have devoted six weeks out of their summer to continue building chapels for the people of Banica. They would like to see the people there have a chapel where they may give worship to God. Another group of eight young men plans on returning to Banica in the fall to spend nine more days working on the chapel project.

“One of the many fruits of these trips, for students, faculty, clerics and the indigenous people involved, is the understanding of the Catholic Church’s ‘universality,’” Brown said. “There are no language, class, or cultural barriers amongst Catholics. We are all brothers and sisters in Christ.”

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Managing Editor, Layout, Design: Tom McFadden Copy Editor: Kathleen Blum Christendom College 134 Christendom Drive, Front Royal, VA 22630 (800) 877-5456 ~ www.christendom.edu Copyright © 2004. Permission to reprint in whole or in part is hereby granted, provided the following credit line is used: “Reprinted by permission from INSTAURARE, the quarterly newsletter of Christendom College (www.christendom.edu).” SUBSCRIPTION FREE UPON REQUEST.

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the universe, and have found that its name is love,” he concluded.

words of Pope John Paul II’s Urbi et Orbi speech of this Easter.

‘The future is in God’s hands and so are you. Do whatever He tells you! Take heed all of you who have at heart mankind’s future!

Take heed men and women of good will! May the culture of life and love render vain the logic of death. May trust once more give breath to the life of peoples. If our future is one, it is the task and duty of all to build it with patient and painstaking far-sightedness. Shall Valedictorian Andrew Hayes. we all not say Amen,” he concluded.

Bishop Welsh was installed in 1974 as the founding bishop of the Diocese of Arlington, VA. Nine years later, he was selected by the Holy Father to be the Second Bishop of the Diocese of Allentown, PA. During his time in the Diocese of Arlington, Bishop Welsh was instrumental in helping Christendom College founder Warren H. Carroll obtain the land on which the current College campus rests.

Miss March for Life Nellie Gray.

After the beautiful Mass, family and friends of the graduating seniors attended a festive dinner held in the St. Lawrence Commons and prepared by College Chef Ron Steckman and his staff.

The dinner is a long-standing College tradition and a favorite event of students, their parents, and the Christendom faculty and staff. After exchanges of toasts between students and some of the eminent guests, student leaders Bryan Hadro and Jeff Sciscilo presented the Senior Class gift Student Achievement Award Winner Tom Cole. of appreciation to the College: a $15,330 check for the Senior Gift Endowment Fund. This fund supplements College scholarships to meritorious students after their freshmen year.

The Commencement exercises began on Saturday after lunch.

Mike Powell, from Front Royal, VA, gave the Salutatorian Address. He stated that Graduation is a time to look back on what the class of 2004 had learned in their education and to look forward to what that education will mean in Salutatorian Michael Powell. their lives ahead.

“How could we delineate the sunburst of truths that flow from Dr. Carroll’s famous fiveword summary, ‘Truth exists; the Incarnation happened,’” he said. “Anyone here today who might not yet understand need only look in our eyes, and they will see the peace of those who have been given the conviction of God’s truth in an age of doubt.

They will see the joy of those who have followed the Angelic Doctor in the search for the secret of Bishop Welsh receives an Honorary Doctorate.

real babies! But don’t just talk, get married and have babies, lots of them, and in that order!”

Following this address, Dr. O’Donnell awarded Miss Nellie Gray, President of the March for Life, Christendom’s Pro Deo et Patria Medal for Distinguished Service to God and Country.

Matt Akers ‘03, President of the Christendom College Alumni Association, then presented the Student Achievement Award to Tom Cole in recognition of his extraordinary enthusiasm and participation in College events throughout his four years at Christendom.

In her remarks, Miss Gray spoke of her experience in the pro-life movement for the past 32 years.

She examined the Papal encyclical Casti Connubii, written in 1930

by Pope Pius XI, which enumerated the founding principles for the March for Life.

Valedictorian Andrew Hayes, from Newark, OH, spoke next. He encouraged the audience to appreciate the grace and joy of Christ.

“Those who hold the reigns of government should not forget that it is the duty of public authority by appropriate laws and sanctions to defend the lives of the innocent, among whom we must mention in the first place infants hidden in the mother’s womb.

And if the public magistrates not only do not defend them, but by their laws and ordinances betray them to death at the hands of doctors or of others, let them remember that God is the Judge and Avenger of innocent blood which cries from earth to Heaven.”

“That joy,” he said, “defines the Christian because it manifests his purpose and supports him along the way. It is the root of things, their deepest cause.

Dominic Luckey poses with h Today, therefore, I wish to remind William Luckey. you of the inseparable connection between wisdom – the knowledge of the deepest causes of reality – and joy.”

The day’s next honoree was Bishop Thomas Welsh on whom Dr. O’Donnell conferred an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters.

In his address to the largest graduating class in the College’s history, Bishop Welsh exhorted the students to go out into society and use their hard-earned knowledge to change society; to fill the earth and subdue it.

“Your four years have flown; you are older and have learned a lot.

I expect you are a bit scared, and rightly so. But be of good cheer.

Of all the young people graduating from college this spring, few are as well prepared as you to test your wings of Faith and Reason,” began Bishop Welsh.

“You are going into a world that denies the principle of non-contradiction, a world that has cut itself loose from its moorings.

A long time ago, Pilate asked, ‘Truth, what is truth?’ Recently Justice Anthony Kennedy has answered equivalently, ‘Whatever you want it to be.’ We have killed so many millions of babies and contracepted so many, many more. Western civilization is now seemingly made up of old people busy at pet stores, celebrating earth day. We uproot babies and plant trees,” he stated.

“The world celebrates Earth Day. Let your ‘earth’ days begin with the reflection that God is creator of all things and that we are stewards, to use and not abuse any creature. When people talk about baby whales you talk about

The Class of Hayes reminded his fellow classmates of the inseparable connection between wisdom and joy: that wisdom is an end unto itself, and should be sought for its own sake.

“It is what is worthy and noble for its own sake, the truly liberal and liberating good, the highest among the higher things, and here, for four years, we have dedicated our lives to it. It has been an arduous good. It has been a worthy endeavor, for the prize is a worthy one,” he declared.

“Indeed, at Christendom, we have seen something of true civilization founded on wisdom, of true Catholic culture instantiated. We have lived as who we truly are – the subjects of Christ our King. We have been a community consciously seeking the highest things together.

Through the intercession of Mary, Seat of Senior Class President Jeff Sciscilo and Stud Wisdom, through the a check for $15,300 to Dr. O’Donnell. grace of a sacramental life, and the guidance of our professors, our pilgrimage here has come nearly to its end. Love Wisdom! Love one another! Love God! Let the fire kindled here in your hearts never die! May it give warmth to your hearth and home! May it kindle a burning zeal in your eyes!

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INSTAURARE, July 2004 May it be a blaze of glory in ultimate joy on the last day – when we shall meet again. Until then, farewell, and Godspeed,” he concluded.

The seventy-six undergraduates who received B.A. degrees were: Julie Abernethy, Glen Aitken, Linda Antunes, Elizabeth Ascik, Francis Avila, Quinn Beekwilder, Maria Brake, Lesly Bratt, Harrison Brehem, Sabatino Carnazzo, Thomas Cole, Jennifer Coleman, Christine Collins, Daniel Corey, Jason Crye, Jennifer Dent, Alexandra (Doylend) Klassen, Jamie Dresch, Michael Eidem, Kevin Fox, Grant Freeman, Bryan Hadro, John Halisky, Andrew Hayes, Elizabeth Hayles, Elizabeth (Hendricks) Lloyd, Sarah his father, Christendom Professor Hibl, Joshua Kacsir, Heidi Kalian, Anne Kopec, Stephen Kunath, Mary-Rose Lombard, Dominic Luckey, Alistair Maitland, Allana Marchand, Gerard Marrero, Bernadine Martell, Lauren McCool, Benjamin McMahon, Mary

Lesly Bratt ‘04 (in the bright blue) and family enjoy themselves at the reception after graduation.

Sr. Ana Silva, PCI, is one of many Pax Christi Institute sisters to have graduated from Christendom over the years.

Jenny Dent, Heidi Kalian, and Alex (Doylend) Klassen share a happy moment following graduation.

Hugh O’Donnell, Stacey Spring, Jeff Sciscilo, Sherry Spring, Ben McMahon, Shalon Spring, and Bryan Hadro.

Graduate John Halisky apologizes to Dean of Student Life Mike Brown for all of his indiscretions over the past four years.

Grant Freeman (without his green jacket) lets his brother Mike get a feel for the good life as a graduate.

Sr. Agnes Cousins and Fr. Christopher Pollard try to keep a low profile while being pictured with graduate Mary-Rose Lombard.

Dr. and Mrs. O’Donnell share a proud moment with their son Hugh - the 3rd O’Donnell child to graduate from Christendom.

f 2004 Mead, Jill Menke, Katharine Minick, John O’Brien, Hugh O’Donnell, Veronica Pelster, Marc Perrington, Audra Powderly, Michael Powell, Amy Quartararo, Amy Raab, Maria Reilander, Raymond Robertson II, Kathleen Rock, Beth Ross, David Rudmin, Teri Rusnak, Christina Sanderlin, Joseph Sayler, Claire Schafer, Jacinta Scheetz, Donna Schmidt, Dorothy Schneible, Jeffrey Sciscilo, Ana Silva, Kipp Slocum, Moira Stanton, Shannon Sutherland, Christen Tedrow, Lydia Thigpen, Patricia Thompson, Mary Wathen, William Weber, Mary Wise, Eric Wolpert, Mary Wolpert, Alaina Wozniak. One Associate of Arts degree was conferred on Anne (Fraser) Schmitt.

True Christendom College History Makers On May 15, Jacinta Scheetz became the first child of Christendom alumni to graduate from the College.

Jacinta is the eldest daughter of Ed and Loretta (Pincus) Scheetz, hailing from Montrose, CO. Ed attended Christendom from 1978-1980, while Loretta arrived on campus in 1979 and received her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1981.

Another historic moment came when Sarah Hibl graduated. Sarah is the seventh Hibl (there are 10) to graduate from Christendom. Since 1982, there has been a Hibl enrolled at the College: Laura ‘82-‘86, Chip ‘85-‘89, Katie ‘88-‘92, Kristy ‘92-‘97, Andy ‘94-‘99, Liz ‘95-‘99, and Sarah ‘98-‘04.

dent Body President Bryan Hadro present

Jacinta Scheetz is the first alumni child to graduate.

Sarah Hibl is the seventh Hibl child to graduate.

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Semester in Rome Students Experience Life in the Heart of Christendom

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Christendom’s “Semester in Rome” program is an experience of a lifetime for College Juniors. Each day brims with wonderful opportunities and experiences. Morning classes include Apologetics, Modern Philosophy, The Culture of Christendom, English Literature, and Italian.

The Italian classes are not only educational but amusing, as students make many comic errors along the way to a basic knowledge of this beautiful language.

Three times a week, students are treated to an Art and Architecture tour given by Christendom professor Dr. Douglas Flippen and his wife Maureen. These excellent tours enable students to see many of the significant artistic and architectural treasures of Rome, while whetting their appetite for further discovery on their own.

This past semester, students saw the Appian Way, Vatican City, the Catacombs, the Roman Forum, and everything in between. According to Junior Siobhan O’Connor, “each church, historic site, or work of art reminded us of the glory of our Faith in a concrete, unforgettable way. It was the culmination of the education we had previously received at Christendom.”

In addition to many weekend trips, the students were also granted three long weekends for further travel.

Small groups visited Malta, Germany, Austria, Southern France, Switzerland, Paris, Padua, Venice, Sorrento, Capri, Positano, Naples, Sicily, Pompeii, Loretto, Tivoli, and Milan. All the students traveled together to Florence and Assisi at the midpoint of the semester. In Florence, they enjoyed visiting the museums, churches, and markets that have made the city famous. All of the students fell in love with Assisi, the enchanting little town on a hill that has a simple beauty and tangible holiness. Fr. Anthony Mastroeni gave a retreat for students in this most perfect of venues.

One particular noteworthy student trip was that taken by Trish Metzger, Christy Coy, and Mara Mirus to Magenta in Northern Italy. They went to visit the daughter of Saint Gianna Molla: Gianna Emanuela Molla.

On April 21, 1962, after a difficult pregnancy which she knew would endanger her life, Gianna Beretta Molla gave birth to a little girl. This birth would demand the greatest sacrifice from Gianna for, eight days later, she died from complications. Although she was leaving four children behind, she maintained a heroic faith in God’s Will with the words, “If you have to decide between me and the child, do not hesitate, I demand it, the child. Save it.”

their three surviving children present, Pope John Paul II proclaimed her a saint.

The Christendom trio had hoped to catch a glimpse of the surviving members of the Molla family.

They went first to the Molla’s church, where they were welcomed by the parish priest, Don Giuseppe. He took them to the cemetery where Gianna is buried. His sister and housekeeper, Rosanna, cooked them an Italian meal and then walked them to the Molla home. To their great surprise and delight, they were received by Gianna Emanuela Molla, the very daughter whom St. Gianna died to save. Gianna Emanuela now devotes herself to Christy Coy, Trish Metzger, Gianna Emanuela Molla, and Mara Mirus. Molla is the caring for her father, Pietro. daughter of the recently canonized saint, Gianna Beretta Molla.

“When the time came for us to catch our train back to Rome, we bade her farewell. Although she acted as if it were an honor for her to receive us, we knew that God had given us the far greater blessing of meeting such a holy and living image of love,” said Metzger.

Special occasions like this were certainly a most memorable part of the Rome semester. Another great blessing for the students was an audience with Cardinal Jan Schotte, President of the Labor Office of the Holy See, Secretary General Emeritus of the Synod of Bishops and an enthusiastic supporter of Christendom College.

He provided them with a fascinating and thorough explanation of the purpose and activity of the Synod of Bishops and gave great evidence of his sense of humor and warm hospitality. The students were also granted a personal Mass at the tomb of Saint Peter, a tour of the Vatican Mosaic Gallery and Workshop, and a visit to the Vatican Gardens. Of course, the highlight of any trip to Rome is seeing the Holy Father. The Christendom group attended a public audience with the Pope during Dr. O’Donnell’s visit to Rome in late March. The students also attended all of the Easter Triduum ceremonies at Saint Peter’s, which were all celebrated by or presided over by His Holiness.

On Sunday, May 16, with Gianna’s husband Pietro and

Without a doubt Saint Peter’s was the students’ favorite church in Rome. After taking both historical and artistic tours of this incredible basilica and attending daily and Sunday Masses there, the students came to love Saint Peter’s above all of the beautiful churches they

After ten years of faithful service at Christendom College, Mrs. Carolyn Leake, the College’s Purchasing Manager and Business Office Assistant, retired from

her work in the business office so that she could focus more of her attention on taking care of her grandson and elderly parents. Her last day of work was June 10.

Mrs. Carolyn Leake Retires From Paying the Bills

“All the people at Christendom are so kind,” she said.

“I think one of the things I’ll miss the most is working with the work-study students.”

had visited. There is a feeling of welcome and joy that any Catholic experiences as he steps into Saint Peter’s Piazza and Basilica and surveys the full splendor of this Catholic treasure. As Dr. O’Donnell said during his tour, Saint Peter’s is the “center of the material universe,” that opens her arms to receive native and pilgrim Catholics alike. The Christendom students would certainly attest to this fact. Perhaps this is why they spent their final day there, savoring their last moments in the Piazza and reminiscing about their unforgettable semester in the heart of Christendom. Their hearts were full of gratitude to Our Lord and Our Lady, first and foremost, but also to all those who made this extraordinary experience possible.

Alumni Graduate from Ave Maria Law School Five Christendom alumni graduated from Ave Maria Law School on May 16. Gabriel Young ‘01, his brother Christopher Young ‘97, Angela Pfister ‘98, Kevin Gerrity ‘99, and Andrea Hale ‘00. The Commencement speaker was Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.

This fall, four recent Christendom grads will enter the Law School as first year students: Matthew Akers ‘03, Joseph Sayler ‘04, Daniel McGuire ‘03, and Eric Wolpert ‘04.

Leake came to work at Christendom after recovering from a battle with cancer. Since then, she has devoted her time to her family and needy causes like Relay for Life, which donates its proceeds to cancer research.

After her experience with cancer she felt that God is now calling her to take care of her family: her nine-yearold grandson Jonathan Leake and parents Bradley and Lamerle Williams (eighty-eight and eighty-one years old respectively).

“I’m going to miss Christendom. Working here has given me a deep respect for the Catholic faith. If I were to ever pick a different faith it would be Catholic,” she stated. “My friends call me the Baptist Catholic.”

Mrs. Carolyn Leake, Business Office Lady extraordinaire, retired from her position as Purchasing Manager on June 10.

Christendom alumnus Gabriel Young ‘01 graduated from Ave Maria School of Law on May 16. Justice Clarence Thomas was the Commencement Speaker.

7

INSTAURARE, July 2004

Alumna Aimee (Seibert) New Fund-Raising Efforts Add to Surplus Year fiscal year 2003 – 2004 proved to be a successful left the country and extended over many weeks. All Norris Dies of Cancer The one for Christendom College’s fund-raising efforts. Dr. involved are to be commended for their efforts. ParChristendom alumna Aimee G. Norris, 42, died on May 4, 2004.

Aimee was born in Eastchester, NY, the daughter of Walter J. and Gesuina Miranda Seibert. She attended Christendom in the mid-80s but did not graduate until 1995.

Aimee was diagnosed with cancer many years ago, and, believing the disease to be in remission, was surprised that it recurred after the birth of her youngest daughter in 2000. For four years Aimee fought for her life and was the subject of many prayers. In fact, during this past Lent, at 3pm each day, a contingent of Christendom students traveled to where Aimee was staying and prayed the Divine Mercy Chaplet for her intentions.

Surviving her are her husband; her parents; three daughters, Virginia Norris, Theresa Norris, and Rose Norris; a son, David Norris; a brother, Joseph Seibert; a sister, Theresa Carifa; and her paternal grandmother, Ruth Seibert.

A Mass of Christian burial was held on May 8 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Front Royal, VA, with alumnus Rev. Kevin Walsh serving as the main celebrant for the Mass.

Please pray for the repose of her soul and for the family she has left behind. May her soul and the souls of all of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Prof. Christopher Blum Translates Enlightening History in New Book History Department chairman Dr. Christopher O. Blum’s anthology of French Catholic political thought, Critics of the Enlightenment: Readings in the French Counter-Revolutionary Tradition, was recently published by ISI Books. After a preface by French political thinker Philippe Beneton and an introduction by Blum, the volume includes Blum’s translations of essays by six prominent French conservatives of the nineteenthcentury: François-René de Chateaubriand, Louis de Bonald, Joseph de Maistre, Frédéric Le Play, Emile Keller, and René de La Tour du Pin. While his intended audience is primarily students and teachers of conservative political thought, Blum believes that his subject matter will be appealing to anyone with an interest in European history. The most engaging piece of the collection is Chateaubriand’s pamphlet On Buonaparte and the Bourbons, which he wrote in Paris in 1814 to explain why the French should throw off the Corsican usurper and welcome back their ancient line of kings, ‘rulers whose paternal power was regulated by institutions, tempered by customs, softened and made excellent by time, like a generous wine born of the soil of the fatherland and ripened by the French sun.’

Chateaubriand, one of the leading French romantic writers, is universally reckoned one of the masters of French style.

The French critics of the Enlightenment, Blum writes in his introduction, ‘were champions of piety towards family and local customs, fidelity towards kings, solidarity towards fellow men, and loyalty towards the Church.’

The book can be purchased by going to www. isi.org or by calling (800) 526-7022.

O’Donnell’s Development team raised over $1,700,000, surpassing its target of $1,400,000. The surplus added $300,000 to the “rainy day” accounts, which had been seriously depleted in prior fiscal years as a result of the weak financial markets.

Many thanks to all who responded so generously!

This year has seen several new and extraordinary fund-raising efforts that bode well for the future of the College and indicate the good work of Christendom’s faculty and students.

John F. Ciskanik

For the second year consecutively, the graduating seniors have entered the ranks of alumni with a bang. Over 85% of the Class of 2004 made a gift to their Alma Mater at graduation. Their pledges, totalling nearly $16,000, are restricted to the Senior Gift Endowment Fund, a new account dedicated to supporting the College’s financial aid program. It is worth noting that the average levels of alumni support at American colleges and universities are in the 35% – 50% range with very few colleges above the 50% mark! The initial goal for the SGEF was $100,000 over a five-year campaign, but after only two years nearly half that amount has been raised.

Page three of this issue of Instaurare tells the story of the 2004 mission trips, in which 44 students were privileged to work in the Dominican Republic and Brazil. What it does not detail is the time of preparation and effort required to raise over $53,000 for not only transportation and lodging but for food and medical supplies for families in these poor communities. This was a labor of love and service that began long before any student

ticular thanks go to St. Louis Parish of Alexandria, VA, and to the many who sponsored Christendom missionary students.

A third new ‘fund-raising’ story highlights the extraordinary effort of Dean J. Michael Brown and his team, which raised the first installment towards a total $200,000+ needed to transform the O’Reilly Memorial Library into a new Student Center at the Front Royal campus. In this last fiscal year, nearly $100,000 was raised through advertising and ticket sales for the Christendom Players production of An Ideal Husband; through tournament sponsorships and players registration for our first annual President’s Invitational Golf Tournament; and through personal appeals.

Equally impressive is the excellent 70% response of the Class of 1993 in this inaugural year of the new Alumni Challenge Campaign which raised $24,500 for the College. Future funds raised through the Alumni Challenge will go to support the Student Center project.

Two years ago, only one of the four projects described above even existed. Today they are thriving efforts.

Clearly much good may result when good people work together with enthusiasm to provide for the Catholic education of their own children.

In closing, please mark your calendars and plan to join us for the October 9th festive dedication of the new St John the Evangelist Library. We will welcome to campus once again Archbishop Edwin O’Brien of the Military Ordinariate of the USA as honored guest.

John F. Ciskanik is Vice-President for Development and Planning.

Christendom Softball Team: Back (l to r) Coach Kevin Fox, Danielle Ampi, Jill Menke, Beth Thrun, Michele Fox, Megan Wickard, Jessica Manak, Coach Mary Wathen; Middle (l to r) Hat Girl Erin MacEgan, Kate Redmon, Maria Hepler, Stacey Spring, Emily Rose, Sharon Scanlon, Sarah Bruno, Rachel Lancour, Cathy Angelo.

MCFADDEN... chain. In 1994, he changed careers after being asked to revitalize the religious education program at a Virginia parish as its Director of Religious Education. In 1998, he earned his Master of Arts degree from the Notre Dame Graduate School (NDGS) of Christendom College. In 1999, after teaching part-time at the NDGS and acting as its Dean of the Summer Program, he moved to New Hampshire where he spent a year serving as Headmaster of a small independent elementary school.

Among his responsibilities as Director of Admissions and Marketing, McFadden will work closely with the President’s office and academic departments, analyzing statistics, strategies and trends at the College to improve recruitment techniques and enrollment as the College advances toward its goal of 450 students by the year 2010.

“Tom is an experienced and enthusiastic administrative professional who impresses us all with his ability to motivate and his adept managerial skills,” said Mark McShurley, Executive Vice President at the College. “We

Christendom BaseballTeam: Back (l to r) Coach Marc Perrington, Tim Storey, Daniel Delaney, Josh Bielinski, Ben McMahon, Mike Moore, Joey Miller; Front (l to r) Bryan Hadro, Christian Tappe, Zach Gossin, Pat VanderWoude, and Jeff Sciscilo.

from Page 1 welcome him to his new position and look forward to the many contributions he will undoubtedly continue to bring to our College. His experience and history of success in all of his past positions are very encouraging, and we believe he will do an extraordinary job here in the Admissions Office of Christendom College.”

Joining McFadden in the Admissions and Marketing Office are alumni Shalon Spring, Lesly Bratt, and Louis Massett. Meg McNeely ‘03, who has been running the College’s special events for the past 2 1/2 years will be leaving her position to marry Paul “Wonderboy” Jalsevac ‘03, on July 24. Her dedication, attention to detail, and incredible work ethic will be sorely missed.

8

INSTAURARE, July 2004

President’s Invitational Golf Tourney Raises $30,000 Christendom’s first President’s Invitational Golf Tournament on May 24 was a great success. Held at the beautiful Bull Run Golf Course in Haymarket, VA, the tournament bought together College alumni and friends and raised over $30,000 for a new Student Center on campus.

and a comfortable lounge; a coffee bar; offices for Student Life personnel; and the College bookstore.

Tournament organizer Dean J. Michael Brown said that the College hopes to raise $200,000 for the Student Center by the fall of 2005. The student body itself has committed to raising more than $60,000 for the project. The Center will house a mini-theater; a meeting place for student Dr. Timothy O’Donnell, Crisis Magazine publisher Deal Hudson, Christendom’s Board Chairman Donna Bethell, and Alan Myers came in 3rd in organizations and clubs; private study space; the First Annual President’s Invitational Golf Tournament. a common room featuring recreational games

With the format for play being best ball, the winning low score of 59 was achieved by Steve Clune, Francis Fusco, Will Waldron, and Fr. Joe Clarke. Jason Rader won the longest drive competition while Greg Drauch landed the closest to the pin contest. Golfers also had the chance to win a sleek convertible BMW if they made a hole-in-one on a particular par three hole.

Unfortunately, none of the 90 golfers was up to this particular challenge.

Venit, Vidit, Vicit: Patrick Duffy Bids Vale to Christendom

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As an Assistant Professor in the Classical and Early Christian Studies department, Professor Patrick Duffy has spent the last 15 years teaching Latin, Greek, Hebrew, and even Sanscrit to the students of Christendom.

During those year, he brought life to the so-called “dead” languages for many students.

In recent years Duffy has been living in New York City, commuting to Front Royal each Tuesday and returning to the Big Apple on Thursday. With all of those travel miles behind him, he and his wife Erin, also an educator, have decided to move to sunny Florida. There they will work together at a high school.

“I think I am going to become a professional beach comber,” jokes Duffy about his upcoming move. “I’ve always wanted to spend my time lounging on some sunny beach, sipping cool drinks and building sand castles.”

90s will not go without due recognition.

In May, the College announced that the department of Classical and Early Christian Studies has established a new scholarship in honor of its first chairman.

The Patrick J. Duffy Scholarship will be awarded to a Classics major or minor who displays qualities of excellence exemplified by Professor Duffy himself: breadth of human learning, understanding of and commitment to the place of the classical tradition in the Catholic Church, academic excellence, and a good nature and sense of humor.

The first recipient of the Duffy Scholarship is Michael McSheffrey ‘05. The fund is financed through monies raised by the faculty and alumni of the department.

Patrick Duffy truly came, saw, and conquered Christendom College.

Vale, farewell!

Duffy will be missed on campus and his heroic achievements in keeping the Classics alive at Christendom single-handedly Classical Studies Department Professor Patrick J. Duffy for a number of years in the early retires to Florida after 15 years at Christendom.

Good to the Last Drop: Coffee House 2004

The College’s annual variety show, Coffee House, showed the great diversity of talent found among Christendom students.

“I am so grateful to all of the participants and sponsors for helping to make this tournament such a great success,” said Brown. “Now, with the $30,000 in proceeds from the golf tournament, our target is a little closer.”

“It was such a great time,” said College President Dr. Timothy O’Donnell. “The weather was perfect and the course was spectacular. Mike Brown did a top-notch job of putting this tournament on. I’m already looking forward to next year.”

GOLF TOURNAMENT SPONSORS The Intercollegiate Studies Institute Northwestern Mutual Financial Network Schenck Foods, Inc The Law Office of Joseph F. Silek Bushman Engineering Dr. and Mrs. James Watson and Family Cavalier Services, Inc Joseph Williams and Family JK Moving & Storage, Inc. The Christendom Class of 1999 Lighthouse Underwriters Melvin and Marie Menke Lake Lithograph The Cecconi Family Jonathan Carlson Homebuilding Rappahannock Cellars Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Gorman O’Brien and Keane Architects The Archer Family Profin Advisory Group, Inc Novus CG Crisis Magazine AAA Women for Choice Crisis Pregnancy Center