Instaurare | Fall 2009

The Christendom College Quarterly Magazine

Vol. XVII, No. III Fall 2009

Inside this issue...

Bishop Loverde Offers Opening Mass - pg 3

Graduate School Sends Forth Students - pg 6

New Equestrian Program Now Available - pg 13

Welcome Class of 2013

Summer Programs Great Success - pg 14

From the President Dear Friends and Benefactors of Christendom College, I would very much like to share with you several of the thoughts I shared with our students and faculty at the opening of our academic year this fall: As you are all very aware, we are living in dark, challenging, and difficult times. And because of this, it is important for us to reflect on the astounding fact that your presence here at Christendom College is part of a plan – indeed, part of a Divine plan. In so many areas, it appears we have lost our way. The great Catholic historian Christopher Dawson once wrote, “It is the religious impulse which supplies the cohesive force which unifies a society and a culture…A society which has lost its religion sooner or later becomes a society which has lost its culture” (Progress and Religion, 1929).

Secular ideologies of skepticism and materialism are tearing apart our modern world. Our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI has referred to this as “the dictatorship of relativism.” Together, we stand at Christendom College with the Holy Father in opposition to this ideological dictatorship that destroys the very possibility of true freedom. As a Catholic liberal arts college, Christendom College’s essential task is to place students through its academic program on the path to Christian wisdom. This path is a lifelong pursuit, for here we are all learners. We pursue together a wisdom born from contemplation and love of both natural and Divinely revealed truths.

Here, the Catholic intellectual traditions of fides et ratio are brought together in a fruitful synthesis. The truths discovered by classical Greco-Roman civilization are here united to the truth of reason, humanized and perfected by the Faith. Such a great light as Plato, writing in the Symposium, ardently sought for that “nature which is beauty: absolute, separate, simple, and everlasting.” Aristotle, the master of those who know, also united to that quest the search for the authentic life of true virtue. Both these great lights from the classical past find their fulfillment, completion and unity in the intellectual household of the Catholic Faith brought to us by Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Our motto “to restore all things in Christ” is not about returning to some ideal past that never existed, but rather about examining the treasury of the past in order to see how the power of the Gospel can purify and elevate man by rejecting what is contrary to his dignity and all those things that debase him. Therefore, by pursuing wisdom elevated and perfected by the power of the Gospel, we can chart a course and become a vital part of the Holy Father’s call for a new evangelization.

How is this new evangelization to be achieved? Following the lead of Pope John Paul II, I would like to hold up for you the radiant example of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati. He died from polio on July 4, 1925, at the age of 24. John Paul II beatified him in 1990. The pontiff referred to him specifically as “a model for young people.”

At the Mass of his beatification, the Pope said, “His lay vocation was realized through multiple political and social engagements in a society

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Timothy T. O’Donnell, STD, KGCHS

in total flux, which was indifferent and even hostile to the Church….

All that it takes is a glance, however brief, at the life of Pier Giorgio Frassati to understand how he knew to answer Jesus Christ: it was the answer of a ‘modern’ youth, open to cultural problems, to sports, to social questions, to the true values of life and at the same time of a man who believed deeply, nursed by the Gospel message, with a solid and coherent character, passionate in the service of his brothers and burning with a bold charity. Pier Giorgio was of a fascinating joy, a joy which overcame so many difficulties in his life, because youth is always a time of testing one’s strength.”

Despite the fact that he was surrounded by a world very much like our own, absorbed with self-seeking and pleasure, and despite the fact that he came from a very wealthy family, Blessed Pier Giorgio sought to reach out consistently to those who were poor and needy, both spiritually and physically. He joined the apostleship of prayer, the company of the most Blessed Sacrament, which promoted Eucharistic adoration. He was also part of Catholic Action, Milites Mariae, and was filled with joy in his work. He wanted all his friends and the people he encountered to share in this joy that came from this encounter with Christ, just as today Christ beckons anew to each one of you. He once wrote to a close friend: “How unfortunate are those who live without faith! To live without the faith, without this heritage to defend, without this truth to uphold by a struggle at every instance, is no longer to live but to waste one’s life! For us, it is not permitted to ‘just manage’; to live is our duty!

A truce then with all melancholia, let us lift up our hearts and go forward, always, for the triumph of Christ in the world!”

We have an outstanding faculty and staff here to help strengthen you on the way as you pursue the arduous good of liberal education, seeking wisdom, a wisdom that many in our world have passionately rejected. In vital support of this noble pursuit, God has given us wonderful priests in Fr. Gee, Fr. William, and Fr. O’Kielty.

Let us all open our minds and hearts to the Holy Spirit, as Bishop Loverde exhorted us at the opening Mass of the Holy Spirit. With the sacraments so close here at the very heart and center of our campus, I urge you to seize the day and enter into this life fully and completely.

So many things are available here for you spiritually: frequent confession, rosary, the recitation of the Divine Office, daily Mass, and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Take full advantage of this great grace while you are here.

Remember you are not here just to do to the possible, for anyone can do that! You have been placed here to do what the world screams is impossible: that is, to grow in wisdom, knowledge, virtue, and grace before God and man in imitation of Jesus Christ. You have been given a great gift and you are free.

Let us together follow the advice of the great Saint Augustine as Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati did and listen to the great Augustine, whose voice still reaches us down through the ages: “choose wisely the object of your love and then love with all your heart.” Do that and together we will have a great year! Praised be to Jesus Christ!

Cover Story

College Welcomes Class of 2013 and Begins New Year with Oath of Fidelity

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Christendom College welcomed 109 new students hailing from 30 states, as well as England, Ireland, Mexico, and Canada on August 21, filling out a student body of 389.

“Despite this rough economic time, our students know that you can’t put a price tag on a Christendom education,” Director of Admissions Tom McFadden said. “Our retention rates are holding strong and our recruitment efforts are working.”

This year’s freshman class boasts a male-to-female ratio of 51:49, an uncommon ratio for liberal arts colleges that often have trouble recruiting men.

“I think people are really starting to hear more and more about the value of a liberal arts education,” McFadden said. “Occupational training is leaving people high and dry when markets freeze-up, and you need to be able to adapt, to write, and think. Studying the liberal arts equips you to do just that. And when you throw in the moral integrity that is strengthened by the formation our students receive— the caliber of our students when they leave is something rare and extremely marketable.”

The academic year was officially launched on August 23, with Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde celebrating the Mass of the Holy Spirit. In the College chapel, he witnessed every member of the faculty take the Oath of Fidelity to the Holy Father and the teaching authority of the Church. Christendom is one of a few Catholic colleges whose entire faculty voluntarily takes this oath annually.

“I think this year is going to be one filled with much grace,” College President Dr. Timothy O’Donnell said. “The Year of the Priest will be an opportunity to give thanks to all who have been called to that vital vocation, as well as an opportunity for the young men at our college to reflect upon and admire the priesthood and perhaps, as many of

Tomas and Caroline Fuertes are the new Rome Program Directors.

Dr. O’Donnell leads the faculty in the Oath of Fidelity to the Church. our alumni have done, respond to God’s call.”

As an act of thanksgiving and solidarity during the Year of the Priest, the College has begun compiling a spiritual bouquet for Pope Benedict XVI. Contributions to the bouquet can be made by anyone via Christendom’s website.

O’Donnell will be traveling to Rome in the spring to visit with the students participating in Christendom’s Junior Semester in Rome Program and to meet with a number of the College’s friends and supporters in the Curia. At that time, he hopes to present the spiritual bouquet to Pope Benedict [see related article on page 9].

The Rome Program is thriving and has welcomed two new directors, Tomas and Caroline Fuertes. The Fuertes, who spent four years studying in Rome, have a wealth of experience and knowledge to see NEW YEAR page 4

Ben and Heather Akers were the Rome Program Directors from 2005-09.

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Students Host Conservative Lecture in Downtown DC

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Author and architect Philip Bess delivered a fascinating lecture on “New Urbanism” to over 100 young conservative professionals and students on August 4 at the District Chophouse in Washington, DC. Bess, a Professor of Architecture and the Director of Graduate Studies at the University of Notre Dame School of Architecture, examined the philosophical foundations of architecture, relating Aristotelian and Thomistic natural law principles to traditional urban design.

Bess explained that Athens, Jerusalem, and Rome were the foundation for traditional urban architecture. Athens taught that the good life is the life of moral and intellectual excellence and that a good city makes such a life possible for its citizens. Jerusalem taught that a city’s excellence is measured by the care it exhibits for its weakest members, while Rome taught that a city’s beauty is warranted by and represents its greatness.

“This ancient view of cities, though it acknowledged the central role of commerce, was essentially moral and aesthetic,” Bess said. “Today’s common wisdom is different; it views the city as governed by personal market forces and devotes little thought to the good life and to what relations cities might have to the good life.”

New Year... share with the program’s participants. “I am profoundly excited to reengage the beating heart of the Church and guide those who are to encounter it for the first time,” Tomas Fuertes said.

Tomas, a graduate of The Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas, spent four years living in the center of Rome, immersed in the rich history and Italian culture. Caroline, who studied Bioethics at Regina Apostolorum, will work alongside her husband as Associate Director.

The Fuertes are replacing Christendom alumni Ben and Heather Akers who served as Rome Program Directors for the past four years. Under their direction, Christendom’s Semester in Rome Program achieved great stability and received glowing reviews from participants. Ben, who earned his BA from

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Bess’ lecture demonstrated that part of restoring society is restoring the physical and aesthetic part of society through good architecture.

Event organizer and recent Christendom graduate Peter Donohue said that the lecture had double the anticipated turnout.

“The leadership exhibited by our students in organizing such a successful event was outstanding, and reflects the depth of their convictions,” Christendom College Professor Bracy Bersnak said. “Truly, Christendom students are living out the Christendom motto—to restore all things in Christ—in Washington, DC.” Generous funding for the event was provided by the Intercollegiate Studies Institute (ISI), which has given much attention to Christendom students over the years by providing grants for lectures. ISI has also given scholarships and fellowships to Christendom students, including recent graduate James Tillman, who won a $10,000 essay contest and attended the prestigious ISI Honors Fellowship.

The lecture was co-sponsored by Conservatism on Tap, a group of young, conservative professionals in the DC area, and the Cincinnatus League, a student group at Christencontinued from page 3 Christendom, his MA from Christendom’s Graduate School, and a License in Sacred Theology in dogmatic theology from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas, is now the Director of the Denver Archdiocese’s Catholic Biblical and Catechetical schools.

A number of distinguished guests will be speaking to students this academic year, including former Swiss Guard, author, and entrepreneur Andreas Widmer, and awardwinning teacher Dr. Paul Voss. Look to www.christendom.edu for more information about these and other lectures, which are open to the public.

Looking forward to the 2010 commencement exercises, Human Life International’s Fr. Tom Euteneuer will be honored along with author, educator, and defender of the unborn Dr. Charles Rice.

Author and architect Philip Bess delivered a lecture on “New Urbanism.” dom College that seeks to provide a forum for discussion of conservative ideas and principles.

The lecture can be downloaded at Christendom’s website on iTunes U.

Christendom Press Has New Catalog and Website – 20% Off Christendom Press has released a new catalog for the Fall/Winter 2009-10 season and is offering its titles at a 20% discount if ordered online.

Some of its best known books are by Christendom College Founding President Dr. Warren H. Carroll and the late Fr. Stanley Jaki, and other titles are available by many other authors, including Fr. George Rutler, Mark Shea, Thomas Storck, Fr. William Most, and Dr. William May. Christendom Press is dedicated to the defense of Christian society and the renewal of Catholic intellectual life. The press offers works grounded in a traditional consideration of the liberal arts and the relationship between faith, reason, and culture.

Go to www.christendompress.com or call 800.621.2736 for more information.

Graduate School Welcomes Reverend Mark Pilon Back to Faculty

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It is with great joy and enthusiasm that the Christendom Graduate School welcomes back Associate Professor of Theology, Rev. Mark Pilon, STD. Fr. Pilon previously taught at the Graduate School from 1978 to 1992, when it was the Notre Dame Catechetical Institute. Fr. Pilon was also an Associate Professor of Theology at Christendom College (undergraduate) from 1987 until 1990.

A native of Detroit, MI, Fr. Pilon was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Arlington on November 29, 1975. In addition to holding an STL in Moral Theology from the Lateran University’s John Paul II Institute and an STD from the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, Fr. Pilon also has degrees in English and Educational Administration.

Fr. Pilon taught high school English in Detroit, MI, and Alexandria, VA, from 19661970. He was an Assistant Publisher and Contributing Editor of Triumph magazine from 1970-1975, and in 1969 was one of the founders of the Christian Commonwealth Summer Institute in El Escorial, Spain, a program he also administered for several years before his ordination. In 1975, the summer program became the Kairos Summer Institute, and Fr. Pilon taught theology for the Institute for several summers until it ceased operations in 1986. After ordination in 1975, Fr. Pilon taught religion at Arlington’s Bishop O’Connell High School from 1977 to 1985, and was appointed chaplain and vice principal in 1981, a post that he held for four years. In addition to teaching at the Notre Dame Institute and Christendom College, Fr. Pilon was also a visiting professor at Catholic University of America’s School of Education in 1978. Fr. Pilon has served as Associate Professor of Systematic Theology for the past nine years at Mt. St. Mary Seminary, and was the Theology Department Chairman for the Seminary from 2004-2009.

Christendom President Dr. Timothy O’Donnell is delighted that Fr. Pilon will be returning to teach at Christendom’s graduate school this fall. “Fr. Pilon is a great teacher and has been a great friend and supporter of Christendom College over the years,” he noted. “We welcome him back to our graduate school faculty with joy. I know he will make a great contribution to our program’s academic excellence in service to the Church.”

Fr. Pilon also serves as a Parochial Vicar at St. Raymond of Peñafort in Fairfax Station, VA, and has written extensively in the fields of systematic and moral theology. Some of his works include The Church: A Commentary on Lumen Gentium (Kairos Publications, 1984), Magnum Mysterium: The Dignity of Marriage and the Family (Kairos, 1985), and Pastors and Stability in Office (Homiletic and Pastoral Review, May 2006). He also has translated two of the major theological works of the Spanish scholar, Fr. Candido Pozo, SJ; A Commentary on the Credo of the People of God (Franciscan Herald Press, 1984), an excellent commentary on the latest Creed of the Catholic Church; and Theology of the Beyond, Fr. Pozo’s opus magnum and a masterful contribution to the field of eschatology.

This lengthy work is being published by Alba

Fr. Mark Pilon is once again teaching Theology at the Graduate School this semester.

Press and is due out this fall. Fr. Pilon is an active member of the Fellowship of Catholic Scholars.

Current and retired IBM employees are encouraged to look into IBM’s company’s generous matching grants program, which facilitates the donation of valuable computer equipment to Christendom each year.

printers, monitors, and projectors,” according to Director of Computer Services Doug Briggs. “These gifts enable us to implement technology solutions across campus that would otherwise be beyond our reach.”

“Over the years, gifts from IBM employees have enabled us to acquire high quality desktop, laptop, and server computers, as well as

Donations made prior to the end of December are subject to a 3-to-1 match for current IBM employees, and 1.5-to-1 for retirees.

Adjunct Professor of Theology Mary Stanford, MTS, recently delivered a talk on the feminine soul as part of the Dating and Relationships series for the Young Adult Ministry of the Diocese of Arlington, VA. She also taught an intensive Theology of the Body summer course designed for the deaconate candidates of the diocese of Tulsa, OK. Along with many professors from Catholic colleges and universities around the country, Christendom professors Thomas Stanford

and Patrick Keats of the Department of English Language and Literature attended separate week-long summer conferences hosted

by Robert Royal’s Faith & Reason Institute.

The conferences, which took place at the University of Notre Dame and Belmont Abbey College, afforded the invitees opportunities to study and discuss many of the great works and ideas of the Catholic liberal arts tradition and their place in the curricula of Catholic colleges and universities in the United States.

Adjunct Professor of Theology Mrs. Mary Stanford.

Dr. Thomas Stanford and Dr. Patrick Keats.

IBM Matching Grants Program Update

Stanfords and Keats Stay Active in Summer

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Graduate School Sends Out Students to Bring Renewal to Culture

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On Saturday, August 1, the Christendom Graduate School awarded the Master of Arts degree in Theological Studies to 12 graduates, two of whom also received the Advanced Apostolic Catechetical Diploma, the highest ecclesiastical award in catechetics.

A Baccalaureate Mass was celebrated by Rev. Paul deLadurantaye, professor of theology at the Graduate School and Secretary for Education, Secretary for Sacred Liturgy, and Judge of the Tribunal for the Diocese of Arlington.

Following the graduation Mass, Christendom President Dr. Timothy O’Donnell awarded the degrees while Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Steven Snyder and Graduate School Dean Dr. Kristin Burns assisted.

Noëlle Hiester, who graduated summa cum laude, delivered the Graduate’s Address.

Among the graduating class of 2009 were two Christendom College alumni, a lawyer, two accountants, two high-ranking military officers, a newly-ordained Catholic priest, and at least two converts to the Faith.

Heather Akers received a BA in Philosophy from Christendom College in 1998 and served for the past four years as co-director (with her husband Ben) of Christendom College’s Rome Program. The Akers now reside in Denver, Colorado.

Sabatino Carnazzo, another alumnus of

Christendom College, is the founding director of the Institute of Catholic Culture, which offers adult education seminars in Catholic history, philosophy, and theology throughout the Northern Virginia area. Carnazzo is also a lecturer in Sacred Scripture and Sacred Liturgy for the Catholic Diocese of Tulsa, the Oklahoma Diaconal Formation School, and the Missionaries of Charity Novitiate Formation Program. Sabatino and his wife, Linda, reside in Front Royal with their two small children.

Rev. Joseph Eddy, O. de M., was ordained to the priesthood as a priest of the Order of Mercy on August 16, 2008. He currently serves as associate pastor at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle in St. Petersburg, FL. Fr. Eddy is one of the first graduates with the new concentration in Theology of the Consecrated Life, having attended the Vita Consecrata Institute for several summers.

Carolyn Fanning, CPA, is the president and founder of Planned Giving Solutions, Inc. in Alexandria, VA. She holds BBA and MBA degrees from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

Jon Fidero earned his BA in Philosophy from Ave Maria University in Naples, FL, then served for the past several years as Coordinator of Youth Ministry at St. John the Baptist Parish in Front Royal. He now serves as the Dean of Students in a Catholic School in New Mexico.

On August 1, twelve students graduated from Christendom’s Notre Dame Graduate School.

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Noëlle Hiester delivered the Graduate’s Address.

Peter Hickman works in the Office of Policy for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in Washington, DC. He and his wife, Marjorie, have served as Natural Family Planning teachers for the Diocese of Arlington for the past 18 years, and Peter has served as a Religious Emblem Counselor for the Arlington Catholic Committee on Scouting and Campfire since 2000. Hickman is also a volunteer catechist at St. Thomas More Cathedral in Arlington.

Noëlle Hiester holds a Masters in Business Administration from the Franciscan University of Steubenville. Prior to beginning her graduate studies at Christendom, she worked as an accountant, and she is now the Assistant Director of Religious Education at St. Bernadette Parish in Springfield, VA. She plans to become certified in the Catechesis of

College Welcomes Flagg as Newest Member of Advancement Team

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Tim Flagg recently joined the staff of the College’s Advancement and Development Office as its Philanthropy Officer.

“During this difficult economy, let me emphasize that Christendom doesn’t need your money-—but our students do,” says Vice President of Advancement John Ciskanik. “President O’Donnell and I have been so gratified by the increase in interest in Christendom in 2009, we felt compelled to add a position in the Advancement Office. With Tim joining us, the Advancement team will not ‘retrench’ but rather will work to further distinguish Christendom College as the best value in Catholic higher education today.”

As one of the members of the Advancement Team, Flagg says that people sometimes misunderstand what his specific role is. “Some

people have the wrong idea and think that my job is to go out and try to get money out of people. That’s not it, though. I love helping people, and anyone who gives to Christendom does too. I consider myself a tool for our donors. When someone gives to Christendom, they are telling us that they want to restore all things in Christ, that they agree with our mission and want to align themselves with a vision that is much bigger than themselves. They want to support a noble cause that will not only help mankind, but in essence, give greater glory to God.” He says that he has met many of Christendom’s benefactors, and he is constantly amazed by the fact that so many of them seem to understand the unique character of Christendom College.

GRADUATE SCHOOL... the Good Shepherd Montessori program.

Nicholas Kostyk, who earned a BA in Philosophy from Benedictine University in Lisle, IL, resides in Chicago and plans to pursue further graduate studies in theology and to become a professor of theology.

Phillip McDonald was Vice President of Operations and Vice President of Product Development for the world’s leading provider of project and contract management training.

He also worked for 15 years in construction litigation as a practicing attorney, and as an expert witness and litigation consultant. Before going to law school, McDonald taught Social Studies and English, and he has recently returned to the classroom as a US and World History teacher at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic School in Vienna, VA. He hopes to teach religion in a diocesan school in the future.

Christopher Payne recently retired from the United States Army after a distinguished twenty-year career including multiple tours with joint commands, special operations forces, and intelligence community agencies.

He holds an MS from the National Defense Intelligence College and now works as a Senior Associate with Hurt, Norton & Associates, Inc. in Washington, DC. He is very active in his parish community and in teaching Natural Family Planning.

James Tabor is a graduate of the US Coast Guard Academy and has recently retired as US Coast Guard Commander after 20 years of service, most of it on Coast Guard cutters at sea. He and his family now reside in Deep River, CT, where he has started to put his degree to work in his parish, teaching CCD and adult education, starting a youth group and initiating 40 Hours Adoration.

Ronald Young came to the Christendom Graduate School from Quebec, Canada, where he had previously earned a BA in Liberal Arts from Concordia University in Montreal and a DEC in Commerce from Ste. Anne de Bellevue in Quebec. He is a teacher now living with his family in Ontario.

“We are exceedingly proud of this group of graduates,” said Graduate Dean Dr. Kristin Burns. “They were superb students and are on fire with apostolic zeal.”

The Christendom Graduate School offers a Master of Arts degree in Theological Studies with concentrations in Catechetics, Systematic Theology, Consecrated Life, and Moral Theology, as well as the Basic and Advanced Apostolic Catechetical Diploma. Students can take select courses online and those who are not interested in pursuing a master’s degree can instead earn certificates in dogmatic theology, moral theology, catechetics, consecrated life, and Scriptural studies.

“Recently, during the executive briefing given to our President’s Council donors, it was mentioned that a very talented and promising high school senior was $3,000 short in being able to attend Christendom. The next day, at a reception unveiling plans for Christendom’s future, three of our donors took it upon themselves to raise the $3,000 needed to allow the student to attend Christendom. I was astounded by the impromptu generosity and eagerness of these beautiful people.”

Although Flagg is new to the Christendom staff, he is no stranger to the College. “My four sisters and I grew up knowing Dr. and Mrs. Carroll. It’s inspiring to me to see how Dr. Carroll’s vision for an orthodox college has been realized.” He and his sister, Holly, were among the first 16 students at Seton School in Manassas started by Anne Carroll.

Flagg and his wife, Annette, who have been married for 21 years, live in Bedford, VA, and are the proud parents of five children.

“I want our donors to be at ease when I call and visit them,” he says. “I see our donors as family members and I hope they will see me that way too. I believe I’m here at Christendom because of Our Blessed Mother. I love her. Before every call I make and every visit I make, I ask her to open the hearts and minds of the good people I’m interacting with, and to allow me to be a conduit of grace. The Holy Spirit moves as He will so I claim no credit when someone gives to Christendom. Instead, I thank Mary and praise God for inspiring one more soul to join our noble cause to restore all things in Christ.”

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Political Science Department Creates Catholic Political Leaders

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“The Department of Political Science and Economics is unique because it has a philosophical foundation, and avoids the sterile, unprincipled, positivistic and merely mathematical approach to politics and economics,” Political Science and Economics Professor Dr. William Luckey recently noted. “We also endeavor to produce Catholic leaders in the very important spheres of politics and economics.”

“We have been very successful in this,” Department Chairman Dr. Bernard Way says. “There are a lot of alumni in public policy positions—several who work in the military in a civilian capacity, others work on Capitol Hill, others work in special interest organizations like the American Life League, the National Rifle Association, and the Beckett Fund—to name a few.”

The Political Science and Economics Department aims to teach students exactly what the nation’s founders’ original intentions were: a limited government with moral responsibility that rests with the individual.

“This comports with Catholic social teachings,” Way says. “The individual is to be guided by natural law and therefore is morally responsible for his actions. And you never want the government to be the source of moral responsibility.”

The Department’s faculty are dynamic leaders in their fields. Way is well-known in conservative circles of Washington, DC, and uses his connections to bring congressmen and other political leaders to campus to speak. Luckey holds advanced degrees in economics, politics, and business and is currently pursuing a Masters in Theological Studies. He is a sought-after speaker at economic conferences. Professor P. Bracy Bersnak is the newest addition to the faculty. He is a young scholar with expertise in modern European history, conservatism in America, and modern political thought.

All these professors teach under the guiding light of the Faith. “We understand what the Magisterium teaches and what the social encyclicals teach us with regard to the public sector,” Way says.

The Political Science and Economics core

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Political Science Professors Bernard Way, William Luckey, and P. Bracy Bersnak. curriculum, which all Christendom stu- The Practica student takes the same Ameridents take, is comprised of two courses. can Government courses and the same ecoThe first, Principles of Political Theory, nomics courses, but instead of the two poacquaints the students with the serious litical theory courses, because the program thought of political philosophers through- is oriented to political action, the student out the ages who have influenced the de- takes a three-credit Practica course, in velopment of political and legal systems. A which the student attends lectures by malarge portion of that course is spent on St. jor political practitioners. The student then Thomas, in an attempt to show the student does a six-credit summer internship in a the Catholic and natural law approach to political, economic, or business organizapolitics. In addition, the course, because it tion. By doing this the student gains valucovers all the major thinkers, gives the stu- able experience in the field of his choice dent an idea of how the world got where it and contacts to begin a political or busiis today politically. ness career. A thesis is also required of the Practica student. The other courses in the The second course, Social Teachings of the major, for either program, may be taken at Church, gives the student an overall view the choice of the student from the fields of what the Church teaches in various the department covers: political theory, political, cultural, and economic spheres, economics, law, and international relawith a special focus on current problems as tions. elucidated in the documents of Vatican II and Pope John Paul II. “This type of program, because it has a core, makes sure the students have a founda“These courses give each Christendom stu- tional knowledge, prior to specialization,” dent, political science major or not, a well- Luckey says. “This makes them more effecrounded understanding of politics and his tive than students in other colleges who are duties as a Catholic in the world,” Luckey allowed to take whatever they like.” says.

“Modern political science, as taught by The Political Science major is composed of other universities, studies how governtwo programs—theory and Practica. In the ment can be a more positive force,” Way theory program, the student is required to says. “Here, we are trying to teach just the take two American government courses, opposite – that man is the positive force American Political Thought and the Amer- blessed and created by God with certain ican Government institutions courses. Also talents and abilities. In solidarity, man required are two upper division courses in works together, but in order for him to do political theory and Microeconomics and that, he has to be wedded in the direction Macroeconomics, plus the Senior thesis. of God.”

Students Spend Summer Interning to Restore All Things in Christ

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This summer, several Christendom students applied skills and lessons they have learned at Christendom in internships with a variety of respected organizations and politicians. Students worked with, among other conservative or Catholic groups, the Family Research Council, the Institute for World Politics, and National Right to Life, and with political figures such as Sen. Mel Martinez (R-FL), Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC), and a State Senator from New Jersey.

Students filled a variety of roles in legislation, research and development, and worked as general interns. Cyrus Artz, a senior, believes that many skills he acquired at Christendom enabled him to excel in his internship for National Right to Life this summer.

“I know the preparation I received at Christendom really aided me in my ability to perform my tasks at the National Right to Life, and I think that I was able to get a lot more out of my internship than the average student,” he said.

Christendom offers a real advantage to students hoping to find internships because of its proximity to Washington, DC. Students usually find positions through faculty connections and word-of-mouth from fellow students. Senior Brad Thrasher, who interned with Artz at National Right to Life, believes that the connections he made were beneficial.

“Working down in DC gave me an opportunity to meet students from other Catholic colleges like Franciscan University of Steubenville and the University of Dallas, and build relationships with them that strengthened my sense of a wider Catholic community and, hopefully, will help me with my work in the future.”

Another senior, Brian Gallagher, who spent his summer interning for Representative Patrick McHenry (R-NC), found his experience to be both educational and encouraging.

“There were many energized young people in Washington this summer and it was a lot of fun getting to know them, debating with them, and taking advantage of the beautiful city.”

All of the students involved returned to Christendom with a strong desire to continue their work in the future and encouraged other students to take advantage of internship opportunities.

To these students, an internship was not only a chance to strengthen a resume or meet other young people who shared their views, but was also an opportunity to heed the call of the College’s mission to work “to restore all things in Christ.” According to Kelsey McCrum, a sophomore intern, working at National Right to Life gave her a worthwhile way to spend her summer. “I may not have done exciting work at every moment, but I did what I could to help them save lives, and

the necessity of making that effort is something I learned at home and has been reinforced in me every day at Christendom.”

Other Christendom students who did internships this summer include Naomi Anderson, Krystle Schuetz, and Heather Calio at the Institute for World Politics; Tara Jackson and Peter Donohue at Family Research Council; Emily Jaroma at the office of Senator Mel Martinez (R-FL); Tyler Lowe with Bay Buchanan at The American Cause; Jozef Schutzman with AGIS, LLC; and Chris Dayton at the office of New Jersey State Senator Sean Kean (R).

Spiritual Bouquet to Be Given to Pope

On August 1, Christendom extended an open invitation to join in contributing to a spiritual bouquet—a list of prayers offered or to be offered—to Pope Benedict XVI as an act of thanksgiving and solidarity during the Year of the Priest. College President Dr. Timothy O’Donnell plans to personally deliver a card enumerating the prayers to Benedict in the spring.

“Without the priesthood we would all spiritually starve,” O’Donnell said. “They make Jesus available to us in the Eucharist and through the sacraments. Because it is the Year of the Priest and Pope Benedict is our great high priest—the sovereign pontiff—it would be fitting to unite ourselves in a special way to the Holy Father and to his intentions.”

O’Donnell will be traveling to Rome in the spring to visit with the students participating in Christendom’s Junior Semester in Rome Program and to meet with a number of the College’s friends and supporters in the Curia.

At that time he hopes to present the spiritual bouquet to Pope Benedict.

O’Donnell personally presented a spiritual bouquet to Pope Benedict in 2005 when he was newly elected, but this is the first time the college has invited all friends of Christendom College to contribute to the spiritual bouquet.

Emily Jaroma, Chris Dayton, Krystle Schuetz, Brad Thrasher, and Kelsey McCrum were some of the students who did internships over the summer.

Contributions to the spiritual bouquet may be made on the College’s website or by calling 800.877.5456 ext. 1239 or emailing Mrs. Podlinsek at rpodlinsek@christendom.edu.

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Speakers Examine Work of St. Paul During Annual Summer Institute

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“The phenomenon of cafeteria Catholics is real, widely accepted, and practiced,” Arlington Bishop Paul Loverde told over 200 attendees at Christendom College’s two-day conference entitled St. Paul: His Spiritual and Scriptural Contributions to the Church held on the campus June 26-27.

“We hear all the time, ‘I personally believe that abortion is wrong, but why should the Church tell me that my vote should be in accord with my faith’ or ‘Sure, for me marriage is the union of one man and one woman, but we should not impose this belief on others— we should not discriminate—live and let live.’ We hear all of this so often in our society, yet St. Paul clearly tells us that living as cafeteria Catholics is not in accord with being a member of Christ’s body nor does it deepen our spiritual growth.”

The conference welcomed attendees from as far as Seattle, WA, to hear not only from Bishop Loverde, but sought-after speakers Tim Staples, Mark Shea, and Timothy O’Donnell, as well as theology professors Eric Jenislawski and Sebastian Carnazzo.

Bishop Loverde explained during his Friday evening talk that it was St. Paul’s deep love of Christ and the Church, as well as his hope, that fueled his evangelical mission. Paul claimed to be a slave of Christ and this Christian slavery is no cringing and abject subjection. To be the slave of Christ is the way to perfect freedom, he said.

Internationally renowned Irish tenor Mark Forrest performed his popular “A Moment in Time” program following the bishop’s talk. Designed to facilitate reflection on one’s personal relationship with Jesus, the program included Eucharistic adoration, music, meditations, and quiet time for prayer.

Christendom College President Dr. Timothy O’Donnell launched Saturday with a spiritual and historical examination of Paul’s journey to Rome.

O’Donnell, who holds advanced degrees in both history and theology, explained that Paul had an ardent desire, as Apostle to the Gentiles, to visit Rome. In the Acts of the Apostles, God in fact guides Paul away from the east and to Rome.

“St. Paul’s trip to Macedonia was like a spiritual D-Day,” O’Donnell said. “This begins the whole movement of the preaching of the Gospel in a westward direction.”

O’Donnell said that we can learn much from St. Paul by examining not only the great risks he took in traveling to spread the Gospel as witnessed in Acts, but also the deep love of Christ that he displayed in his epistles.

Popular apologist and author of Nuts & Bolts: A Practical Guide for Explaining and Defending the Catholic Faith, Tim Staples delivered an address on St. Paul and justification. Staples highlighted the importance of context when reading Scripture. A lack of context can produce bad theology, he said.

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Dr. Timothy O’Donnell gave great insights into St. Paul’s journey to Rome.

“Folks, context! Tradition brings to us a context out of which the Scriptures arise and have their meaning, so that we can understand the words of Scripture. And of course, the Magisterium. We have Sacred Scripture as a gift from God through his Church and we have the Tradition and the Magisterium that interprets both,” he said.

Staples said that in the writings of St. Paul, he makes it very clear that not only is salvation a process, but justification is as well. “In Romans 5:1, justification is seen in the past tense, but do we have St. Paul talking about justification as future and contingent? Absolutely. And in multiple places.”

He explained that by looking at the context you can see that when St. Paul speaks about justification in the past tense he is referring to baptism and not to a person’s ultimate justification.

Irish Tenor Mark Forrest sang during adoration.

Bishop Paul Loverde opened the conference with a talk on St. Paul.

“There is no such thing as ‘no matter what you do sister, you’re going straight to heaven.’

Convert and Catholic apologist Tim Staples spoke on St. Paul and justification.

My friends, our theology should order us toward holiness and not be a source that the devil can play with and lead us in the other direction. Catholics, you got a wonderful theology and a fullness of the faith. It is a tremendous gift. Please, please, as one who did not have it and now enjoys it, please give it away,” he closed.

Following Staples’ address Bishop Loverde offered Mass and delivered the homily, which was then followed by a lunch.

Beginning the afternoon session, Christendom College Professor of Theology Eric Jen-

islawski spoke on the challenges facing modern Biblical interpretation.

“Modern methods of interpretation often yield results that either cannot be reconciled to the Catholic faith or are spiritually sterile, not so much heterodox, but useless for preaching, spiritual meditation, or theology,” he said.

“Biblical studies today could be described as ‘Christianity as reconstructed by a post-Christian generation of archaeologists.’”

Jenislawski proposed that St. Paul can help put things back together again. “If we want to overcome today’s crisis in Biblical interpretation we must renew ourselves in our Catholic tradition of Biblical interpretation and the foundation of that tradition is the writings of St. Paul,” he said.

“If we want to rejuvenate Biblical studies we need to make Biblical studies more Pauline.”

Christendom Theology professor Eric Jenislawski delved deep into the topic of Biblical interpretation.

In the next talk, Sebastian Carnazzo, a professor of theology at Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary, explained that it was essential to read the Acts of the Apostles in order to understand the epistles of St. Paul.

“Acts tells you the story behind the Pauline epistles,” he said. “If you want to understand the epistle to the Romans, you have to understand the history of the Church in Rome.

You have to understand that he is writing from Corinth. You have to understand what happened to him on that journey.”

Sebastian Carnazzo gave some insights into St. Paul as seen through the Acts of the Apostles.

Convert and author of many books, including By What Authority?: An Evangelical Discovers Catholic Tradition, Mark Shea brought the conference to a close examining St. Paul and his influence on evangelization and apologetics.

“When it comes to evangelism there is one commandment of Christ that all Christians are ready and eager to obey: Mark 1:44, ‘Go and tell no one,’” Shea quipped.

Shea explained that there are two popular schools of evangelizing: one which tells you to shout on the street corner, and the other that says, simply live your faith, also known as lifestyle evangelizing. Shea proposed that you had to do both.

Convert and author Mark Shea talked about St. Paul’s influence on evangelization.

“The faith never asks us to make a choice between incarnating the Faith and talking about the Faith. St. Paul never saw a difference be-

tween living the Faith and talking about the Faith and we shouldn’t either,” he said. “We live in a culture that is so post-protestant that the Gospel really is news again.”

Shea petitioned all to imitate Paul in his missionary fervor. “Paul was successful because he did what he was commissioned to do, and God does not command us to do something and then not give us the power to do it.”

All of the above talks can be ordered by contacting National Media Services at 540-6354181 or downloaded for free from Christendom on iTunesU.

Hear Exciting Talks at iTunes U Website

Christendom digitally records many of the lectures that take place throughout the year and uploads them to its iTunes site where anyone interested may download the various talks or music for free.

Currently, people may hear lectures from Dr. Timothy O’Donnell, Fr. James Schall, Dr. Warren Carroll, Francis Cardinal Arinze, Tim Staples, Dr. Scott Hahn, all of the talks from Christendom’s last four Summer Institutes, as well as all of the tracks from the Christendom choir’s four CDs – all for free!

Go to www.christendom.edu/itunes_u.shtml to listen to these faith-filled, educational talks and inspiring musical offerings.

INSTAURARE

Published quarterly by the Christendom College Admissions & Marketing Office.

Managing Editor: Tom McFadden Contributing Editor: Niall O’Donnell Copy Editor: Maria O’Brien Christendom College 134 Christendom Drive, Front Royal, VA 22630 800.877.5456 ~ www.christendom.edu Copyright © 2009. 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 magazine of Christendom College (www.christendom.edu).” SUBSCRIPTION FREE UPON REQUEST.

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Christendom’s Academic Program Demanding with Core Curriculum

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Studies at Christendom College are both demanding and exciting. In addition to its core curriculum of liberal studies, the College offers six carefully selected majors for students seeking the degree of Bachelor of Arts.

Students may major in History, Classical and Early Christian Studies, English Language and Literature, Philosophy, Theology, or Political Science and Economics. Students may also choose to minor in Math or Liturgical Music.

Christendom’s academic program is characterized by an exceptionally strong core curriculum, designed to provide the orderly, sequential presentation of fundamental principles of theology, philosophy, and

mathematical science along with the historical and literary knowledge which is foundational for an understanding of our civilization.

Christendom’s exploration of truth begins with a systematic exposition of the fundamentals of Catholic doctrine in the freshman year, followed by two courses in Sacred Scripture during the sophomore year. In conjunction with this, courses in the Thomistic philosophy of human nature, ethics, and metaphysics assist the student in using reason to understand the nature of reality and to illumine further the truths of Revelation.

An indispensable element in any sound education is learning to distinguish truth

The Core Curriculum at a Glance The following chart shows the place and sequence of the core curriculum upon which studies for the majors are based. Students taking part in the Junior Semester in Rome Program will also be required to take Italian, Art & Architecture, and Roman Perspectives.

Subject Matter Theology Philosophy English

Math & Poli-Sci

Language

History

Freshman Year

Fundamentals Literature Introduction to of Catholic of Western Philosophy Doctrine I Civilization I

Mathematics

Classical or Modern Language

Ancient and Biblical World

Freshman Year

Literature Fundamentals Philosophy of of Western of Catholic Human Nature Civilization II Doctrine II

Natural Science

Classical or Modern Language

The Formation of Christendom

Fall Semester

Spring Semester

Sophomore Year

Introduction to the Old Testament

Ethics

Literature of Western Civilization III

Principles of Political Theory

Classical or Modern Language

The Division of Christendom

Sophomore Year

Introduction to the New Testament

Metaphysics

Literature of Western Civilization IV

Social Teachings of the Church

Classical or Modern Language

Church and World in the Modern Age

Junior Year

Moral Theology

History of Ancient & Medieval Philosophy

Junior Year

Catholic Apologetics

History of Modern Philosophy

Fall Semester

Spring Semester

Fall Semester

Spring Semester

Senior Year Fall Semester

Senior Year Spring Semester

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Major and Electives

from error or distortion, and then to communicate truth accurately, effectively, and convincingly to others. Therefore, Christendom requires an introduction to the fundamental questions and methods of philosophy, the study of logic, mathematics and scientific thought, and training in the arts of discourse, along with at least four semesters of a foreign language.

The study of a foreign language, particularly of an inflected language such as Latin or Greek, leads the student to an understanding of the nature and structure of language as such, and hence to a true command of language.

Furthermore, foreign language study both enhances linguistic skills and enables the student to gain a fuller appreciation of the European roots of American culture, a purpose which is also served by four courses each in the great heritage of Western literature and the history of Western civilization.

The transformation of all history by the Incarnation makes a truly Christ-centered study of the past indispensable to any who would understand the present and shape the future. At Christendom such a study includes a four-semester chronological examination of the formation and disintegration of Christian culture from ancient times to the present. Moreover, to assist students going on to make history themselves, there are courses in political theory and the social teachings of the Church which provide a sound alternative to modern economic systems and ideologies.

The primary aim of Christendom College is of course academic, but intellectual formation is never severed from spiritual, social, and personal formation. Just as the different disciplines are integrated in the Christendom curriculum, so too that curriculum is integrated with the rest of the student’s life at Christendom College. Education is furthered not only in the classroom but also in the chapel, and at mealtime, in leisure time, and throughout the entire day as students converse with each other and with professors.

Christendom College is not merely a curriculum of courses: it is a season of life in which the whole man matures in wisdom, in virtue, and in ability–intellectually, morally, socially, and spiritually.

Royal Horseshoe Farm Offers Students New Equestrian Program

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Christendom is located in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, a part of the state that is sometimes known as “horse country.” In an effort to enhance its students’ college experience and to better take advantage of its beautiful surroundings, Christendom has made arrangements with a local horse farm to offer Christendom students discounted prices for their services. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Asper, the owners of the Royal Horseshoe Farm, are good friends of the College and have been very helpful in establishing this new opportunity for Christendom students to take part in an equestrian program.

Spring Program is in February, March, and April.

Each equestrian session lasts for about an hour and are normally scheduled on weekday evenings following dinner. Weekend riding opportunities are coordinated with specific student groups.

The Royal Horseshoe Farm is located just a few miles from campus and offers Christendom students special rates on scenic trail rides and riding lessons by certified instructors.

“I have heard from a number of students over the past couple of years who have been interested in either continuing their interest in horseback riding or who wish to learn for the first time,” says Admissions Director Tom McFadden. “Up to this point, we have not been able to meet their needs. Now, thanks to the Royal Horseshoe Farm and their willingness to offer this program to our students at an affordable cost, I think we will be better able to meet our students’ needs.”

The Fall Program includes riding in September, October, and November and the

The Farm offers Christendom students a variety of program options and teaches English

riding, Western riding, and some side saddle.

The Casual Option ($135 per semester) is designed for the student who wants to ride on an occasional basis. Group Rides are scheduled two times per month (6 per semester).

The first several sessions focus on the formation or enhancement of riding skills. Later sessions are trail rides or organized riding activities in an arena.

The Weekly Option ($250 per semester) is for the student who would like to work on riding skills, but only has a limited amount of time. Group sessions are scheduled weekly (12 per semester) and are under the direction of a certified instructor. Students will see steady progress in their riding skills and will learn about basic horse care.

The Focused Option ($495 per semester) is for the student who wants to accelerate the pace of improvement in his or her riding skills. Group Sessions will be smaller and there is more individualized training by a certified instructor. Sessions occur twice a week (any combination of week days or weekend days – 24 per semester). As much as possible, sessions will be tailored to the skill of the individual rider.

For more information about the Farm and the services it offers to Christendom College students (including horse boarding options) visit The Royal Horseshoe Farm website (www.royalhorseshoe.com).

Professors McGuire and Wunsch in High Demand Over Summer

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Christendom History professor Brendan McGuire and Philosophy professor Mark Wunsch had a busy summer on the lecture circuit.

First, on April 28, May 5, and May 12, they teamed up to deliver a lecture series entitled The Historical and Philosophical Roots of the Reformation in McLean, VA, at St. John the Beloved Catholic Parish. Then, they delivered another lecture series entitled Enlightenment & Revolution on August 4, 11, 18, and 25 at St. Veronica Catholic Church in Chantilly, VA. The Institute of Catholic Culture, directed by Christendom College graduate Sabatino Carnazzo, sponsored both of these events.

McGuire, a Christendom College graduate, also presented a lecture at the Immaculate

Heart of Mary Homeschool Conference in Chantilly, VA, on June 12, entitled, Signed with the Cross: The Story of the First Crusade.

Both Wunsch and McGuire also taught during the College’s “Experience Christendom” Summer Program.

Professors Brendan McGuire and Mark Wunsch had very active summers on the lecture circuit.

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High School Summer Programs Draw Record Number of Students

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Christendom’s Admissions Office organized two different summer programs for high school students over the summer—both of which were a resounding success. The College held three sessions of its ever-popular “Experience Christendom” Summer Program and two sessions of the newly created Latin Immersion Program, attracting over 125 students to its campus and giving them an opportunity to experience the unique educational opportunities offered by Christendom.

When Laura McGrath of Elk Grove, CA, boarded her plane to Virginia, she was not especially excited about spending a week at the “Experience Christendom” Summer Pro-

and played sports with us. Even in the short amount of time we spent there, the teachers learned our names, and came to know some of us fairly well.”

The program, which brought 103 students from across the United States, Canada, Spain, and Ireland to the Shenandoah Valley, was held in three different sessions.

“The program was packed full of incredibly fun and seemingly never-ending activities, and filled with and led by amazing people,” McGrath said. “By the end of the camp I was sure that I had experienced the best camp ever, and I could not wait to come back to the College for more.”

The Latin Immersion Program, now finished its second year, was offered in two different one-week sessions this summer, and according to Linnea McLaughlin of Los Angeles, CA, “It was the kind of thing you dream about.”

McLaughlin was one of 25 young Latinists who came from across the nation to take part in this unique program “The ability to come together with a bunch of Latin speakers in one place is something you

McGrath was so excited about coming back to campus that she actually decided to forgo her senior year of high school and she is now a member of this year’s freshman class.

Students had the opportunity to canoe on the Shenandoah River during the programs. gram, but ultimately was surprised by what she found.

“I was a little worried about some of the rules, and thought that perhaps things might be a little more boring than exciting at the program,” McGrath said. “However, those thoughts were quickly reversed.”

Taught by Christendom’s own faculty, students at the summer programs spent each morning taking classes in philosophy, literature, history, and theology. Mass, community rosary, and Benediction were also part of the daily schedule.

“The intimate relationship between teachers, students, priests, and staff surprised me,” said William Hegedusich of Helotes, TX. “Teachers ate lunch with students, went on hikes,

Professor Dobreff helps the students learn to speak, write, and think in Latin. don’t expect to find in 21st century America,” McLaughlin said. “It was an experience that not only improved our Latin, but also built new relationships, strengthened our faith, and increased our knowledge.”

Students were taught by today’s leaders in Latin immersion: Christendom College Classics Professor Dr. Mark Clark, Latin Immersion Instructor for 15 years Jim Dobreff from Sweden, and Dr. David Morgan of Furman University, whose Morgan Lexicon is well known to all those wishing to achieve fluency in Latin.

“The teachers were phenomenal,” McLaughlin said. “They had a true understanding of students and the way they learn, and helped us find joy in learning through the interactive, humorous way they taught.”

College President Dr. Timothy O’Donnell had the students over to his historic barn where he led and them in an Irish sing-a-long. The evening concluded with a good old-fashioned barn dance.

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Participants in both programs experienced more than Latin classes and immersion. They were able to take advantage of the College’s beautiful scenic location and spend time on the Shenandoah River, in the Blue Ridge Mountains, and enjoy time spent with members of the faculty and staff at their homes.

lege is right for you is to visit,” says McFadden. “And spending an entire week living the life of a Christendom College student is very eye-opening for our program participants each year. Year after year, we hear back from the students who say that their time spent on campus was the best time of their lives. It’s rewarding being involved in such extraordinary programs that change lives forever.”

Students learned how to Contra Dance.

“These programs routinely change lives,” Director of Admissions Tom McFadden said.

“Sometimes just a week of authentic Catholic classes and culture is enough to show students that there is a better way of life out there than what our current culture offers.”

Jonah Selner of Burnsville, MN, was glad to see that there were other people his age who were serious about their faith who also had “vibrant personalities.”

“The camp encouraged me in my spiritual

Students came from across the US, Spain, Ireland, and Canada. life, to go above and beyond what I normally would have done,” Selner said.

Garianne Seawright of Winter Park, FL, had a similar experience. “I was shocked to find that I was not living my faith to the fullest and I am grateful that I was given the tools to do so in the future. This camp gave me new goals for my faith and my academic career,” she said.

Peter Deucher of Vass, NC, appreciated receiving much personalized attention during the Latin program. The classes were often divided into smaller groups, to accommodate the different levels of proficiency among the students. “At the beginning of the week they blew us away with Latin, but by the second day they started to break it down and make sure we understood. The teachers were fantastic,” he said.

Participation in the Latin summer program grew 50 percent from last year and further growth is expected next year.

“There’s a lot of interest out there and what we’re doing here at Christendom with Latin is totally unique,” said Program Director Dr. Mark Clark. “Go anywhere in the world to learn a language and it will be taught by total immersion. There is no doubt that our students went away with new understanding of Latin and a new found desire to write, speak, and read it at working speeds.”

Elizabeth Del Curto of Oakdale, CA, was surprised at how much Latin she was able to understand. “Now, when I’m driving down the street, I’m able to think in Latin about common surroundings. I feel that I now have a stronger foundation in the language. This program helped me understand the importance of thinking in Latin rather than translating Latin into English.”

Allie Crafton, Rebecca Ellefson, and Ginny Colgan became fast friends during the summer program.

“These students will have a huge head start in Latin, if they come to Christendom—and quite a few of them do,” Clark said. “This taste of Christendom’s strong Classics program, fun social life, and vibrant spirituality is quite attractive to today’s Catholic youth.”

Dates for next summer’s programs have not been set at this time, but plans are underway

Students went hiking on Skyline Drive. to have four one-week “Experience Christendom” Summer Program sessions and two one-week Latin Immersion Program sessions.

Special discounts will be offered to students wishing to return to the Latin Program next summer and financial assistance will be available to current high school juniors interested in attending any of the “Experience Christendom” sessions. For more information, please refer to www.christendom.edu.

“One of the best ways to determine if a col-

Dancing is a favorite activity: The Virginia Reel.

The Latin Immersion Program held two sessions this summer.

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President’s Council Members Enjoy Weekend in the Shenandoah

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Each summer, College President Dr. Timothy O’Donnell invites loyal members of the President’s Council Donor Society to campus to show his appreciation for their financial support for the College at the Annual President’s Council Awards Dinner. The President’s Council is an organization of Christendom

VP of Operations Mike Foeckler explains the College’s plans for the future of its campus. friends dedicated to the advancement of the College through financial and personal involvement.

This year, in an effort to give the benefactors a more in-depth understanding of the College, an inaugural President’s Council Visit Weekend was organized and held June 26-28.

In addition to the President’s Council Awards Dinner, the Visit Weekend featured new opportunities for benefactors to meet other key members of the administration, mingle with

fellow benefactors, and understand how their gifts were benefiting the current students.

“I am so pleased that some of our closest friends and members of the President’s Council received an insider’s view of our vital mission,” remarked President O’Donnell. “Not only did each of my principal officers provide a personal report to this special group of supporters, but a panel of undergraduates followed with personal testimonies about the impact of Christendom on their lives.”

A 90-minute Executive Briefing was held on Friday afternoon and included reports from Vice Presidents John Ciskanik, Mike Foeckler, and Steve Snyder as well as from Directors Jesse Dorman and Tom McFadden. Benefactors learned about Student Life challenges, objectives of the Academics Office, Admissions Office achievements, and much more.

Christendom Sophomores Mary Hill, Matt Rensch, and James Wynn followed with inspired stories of the years leading up to college, of Christendom’s impact upon their lives, and of their hopes for the future.

on Saturday, Sustaining Members, Board Associates, and Founder’s Circle members of the President’s Council reconvened in the

Student Anna McShurley gave a testimonial about her experiences at Christendom College.

Dr. O’Donnell with Mr. Edward Ettner.

The participants were then treated to a lovely dinner in the library before taking part in the Summer Institute by listening to a talk delivered by Bishop Paul Loverde.

At the conclusion of the Summer Institute

Mr. and Mrs. Jack Murphy.

The highlight of the President’s Council Visit Weekend was the Awards dinner held in the lower level of the beautiful St. John the Evangelist library.

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Mr. and Mrs. Ray Anater.

St. John the Evangelist Library for a festive reception preceding the President’s Council Awards Dinner.

John Cuddeback Promoted to Full Professor

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Before moving to the formal part of the dinner program, all guests were treated to an extended report on the status and challenges of maintaining a 100-acre campus by Vice President Foeckler and an update on Christendom’s Campus Master Plan by Joseph Duggan, CLA. During the dinner, Dr. O’Donnell handed out awards to the donors in recognition of their loyal support and thanked them for their commitment to supporting Christendom’s educational apostolate.

Dr. John Cuddeback, who has taught at Christendom College since 1995, was recently appointed to the position of Full Professor in the Department of Philosophy.

Cuddeback graduated Summa Cum Laude from Christendom College in 1989, with a BA in Philosophy, and later attended the prestigious Catholic University of America School of Philosophy, where he received his PhD. Even in his early days as a teaching assistant at CUA, Cuddeback developed a reputation for being an extraordinarily fine teacher.

“John has an extremely engaging and effective teaching style,” says longtime colleague and Christendom College Academic Dean Patrick Keats. “He is a master at leading discussions and posing penetrating, thoughtprovoking questions. Through an effective use of humor and carefully-chosen examples, he inspires and captures the imagination of his students.”

Mr. Dan Gorman.

Department, and was the President of the Faculty Senate for three years. A strong supporter of Student Activities, he was the principal founder of the now-flourishing Contra Dance Group at Christendom.

Mr. and Mrs. Gene Wurster.

Besides his highly-regarded book Happiness: The Art of Friendship (Epic Publishing), currently being re-published, Cuddeback has also written a number of articles and presented lectures on subjects ranging from the practical to the scholarly. These subjects have included: the thought of St. Thomas Aquinas; the life of St. Dominic; the renewal of Catholic Culture; Christian Ethics; and the relationship between Thomistic Thought and Psychology. Two of his articles published in 2009 are “Law, Pinckaers, and the Definition of Ethics,” in the latest edition (Vol. 7, No.2) of Nova et Vetera, English Edition, and “A Free Culture: Living the Primacy of the For-Itself ” in The Human Person and a Culture of Freedom (CUA Press), ed. Peter Pagan.

Dr. Elizabeth Frauenhoffer.

Mr. and Mrs. Jim Kelly.

In addition to being a gifted and popular teacher, Cuddeback has served the College in other important ways. For five years, he served as the Head of the Philosophy

Dr. Eleanor Kelly.

The Honorable and Mrs. Wayne Cobb.

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Libraries Grow Collection Through Use of Electronic Resources

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The College libraries have been slowly building a collection of electronic resources to supplement the local print holdings of the St. John the Evangelist Library (Front Royal campus) and the St. Paul Library (Alexandria campus). In no way is this an attempt to divest the libraries of the printed word, rather, it is key to the collection development plan to acquire certain resources in electronic format, especially reference materials and journal articles. Reference materials are generally updated frequently, and the newest print editions are expensive and time-consuming to catalog.

In fact, many reference items are being re-tooled for the online environment, offering better and broader access to these materials.

Within the past academic year, the College has gained access to thousands of journal articles to aid students in their academic endeavors. The two main resources acquired this year are EBSCOhost’s Academic Search Complete and JSTOR. Academic Search Complete (ASC) pro-

vides access to more than 6,000 full-text journals with PDF articles which provide the students with all the pictures, charts, and graphics from the original articles.

allow. Anyone interested in donating funds for this purpose should contact Christendom’s Director of Development, Dr. Stephen Grundman, at 800.877.5456 ext. 1253.

JSTOR offers access to nearly 300 journals, with articles back to Volume 1, Issue 1 in most cases. “This is an incredible resource for the students,” says Andrew Armstrong, Director of the Libraries. “They can search and find full-text articles in minutes, rather than hours. Having JSTOR is like doubling our periodical collection without adding an inch of shelving.”

Access to JSTOR was made possible through the T. Fordtran & Louise T. Ellis Library Endowment Fund.

Thus far, the College has access to JSTOR’s Arts & Sciences Collections II & III. An additional five collections, as well as a supplemental collection are available as funds

Vice Chairman Mylod Inspired by College’s Deep Spirituality

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Christendom College’s Board of Directors is comprised of many talented and committed Catholic business men and women, including Vice Chairman of the Board, Robert Mylod.

Mylod first heard of Christendom College through longtime Board Member Robert Monahan. “After a vacation, my wife, Monica, and I swung by Christendom for a visit. There, we met Dr. O’Donnell. He gave us a tour and explained to us what was going on,” he says.

A graduate of St. John’s University, Mylod served for over three years as an officer in the US Navy. He served as President of Fannie Mae from 1982-84, is the former Chairman of Michigan National Corporation, and served as a board member of Visa, USA. Prior to this, he led the Federal National Mortgage Association, Advance Mortgage Company, and Citicorp (now Citigroup).

He currently serves as Co-Chairman of the National Advisory Board of the Cardinal Newman Society.

“We are very committed to nurturing educational experiences that will draw people

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Robert Mylod and his wife, Monica (back left), with some of their children and grandchildren. closer to the Lord,” Mylod says. “And this is on campus closer to the Lord and building a exactly what is happening on Christendom’s deep spirituality,” he says. campus.”

Originally from Brooklyn, NY, Mylod is Mylod continues to be inspired by what he married to the former Monica Manieri. They sees every time he returns to Christendom. have six children and 14 grandchildren and “There is a central focus of drawing all people reside in Manasquan, NJ.

Surprise Alumni Reunion Held in the Battlefields of War Torn Iraq

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When alumnus Marine Corps Captain Mike Hilleary ‘05 was deployed to Iraq, he knew that it was going to be hard to receive the sacraments on a regular basis. So, in April of 2009, when he heard that a priest was coming to town to offer Mass and hear confessions, he was very excited.

blessing and comfort for me in a not so pleasant place,” Hilleary says. “I encourage all Catholics to remember those in the military, especially the priests in the military archdiocese, and the

members of 2-8 Infantry Battalion—Fr. Peek’s unit—who were serving with me while in Iraq and should be returning home this month. They were always there when we needed them.”

“I hadn’t seen a priest in a long time,” recalls Hilleary, “due to a combination of our austere living environment and an extreme shortage of priests in the military. So, when I heard that there was a Catholic chaplain with the US Army battalion supporting my Marine advisor team on Basra Air Base, I searched him out. We talked for a while and he found out I was from the Northern Virginia area and the Arlington Diocese. He mentioned Christendom College and with a hint of sarcasm, I said, ‘Yeah, I think I’ve heard of it.’”

The priest was Christendom College alumnus Fr. Kevin Peek ’92, a priest of the Archdiocese of Atlanta who has been serving as a military chaplain in Iraq since 2008.

“I ran into Fr. Peek several times more over the next few months and was able to attend my first Mass in at least four months. It was a real

Alumni Captain Mike Hilleary ‘05 and Fr. Kevin Peek ‘92 came across each other at Camp Sa’ad - Basra, in Iraq. They are pictured holding the Spring 2009 issue of Instaurare.

Alumna Schmidt Changing the World, One Soul at a Time

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“Before I came to Christendom, I didn’t even know who Aristotle was,” Alumna Kateri Schmidt says. “Now I enjoy a sound philosophical background and the ability to discern what the truth is when encountering different theories and principles—and those are really important skills to have today!”

Schmidt, a native of Necedah, WI, describes her time on Capitol Hill as exciting, but she felt like there was something missing. “I wanted to do something that made an even greater impact on lives,” she says.

As the Diocesan Coordinator of Young Adult Ministry, Schmidt is responsible for organizing many enriching programs throughout the year, including the popular “Theology on Tap” speaker series, retreats for young adults, and various other events, both secular and religious.

So when fellow Alumna Mary Rose (Lombard) Verret told Schmidt that she was vacating her job as the Arlington Diocese’s Coordinator of Young Adult Ministry, it seemed like an excellent opportunity.

Schmidt applied for the position and was hired.

“We embrace the culture directly. We aim to meet young adults where they are: work, bars, lectures, etc., and in each of these places, we invite them to rediscover Christ.

Often times, all they need is to know that they are not alone—a loving God is there to help them with the job transition, or the broken engagement, or the spiritual dryness.

Through the sound guidance of the Catholic Church and her ministers, our programs have brought many young adults back to the faith.

We have also helped those already practicing to grow further. Just last week I received an e-mail from a glowing ‘revert’ saying that she is ‘so happy’ to have God in her life again and she previously had no idea just how happy one person could be! And I cannot imagine a more rewarding job!”

Upon graduating in 2005 with a BA in Political Science, Schmidt worked on Capitol Hill for a year and a half in Congressman Chris Smith’s (R-NJ) office.

“My employer was con“I think having a liberal fident that I would bring Alumna Kateri Schmidt ‘05. arts degree has been so integrity to the work place. She was very happy to know that I helpful to me,” she says. “It’s versatile and would be supportive of their pro-life ini- I think employers look for individuals who tiatives as well—they had had Christen- have both moral integrity and the ability to dom interns there in the past and really adapt to the various situations they encounter.” liked them.”

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