Washington Theological Union 2007-2008 Academic Year Highlights

 

The past academic year at Washington Theological Union was blessed with prolific contributions from faculty members, staff and students. WTU also hosted a number of distinguished scholars and speakers while receiving considerable accolades for the contributions of some of its own scholars.

The Administration at WTU likes to recognize the collaborative and individual efforts of so many members of WTU's community by recognizing these accomplishments on the website and at events throughout the year. WTU is truly a very blessed institution and as you read further you will discover the remarkable members of our wonderful, close knit community.

Washington Theological Union Events

Throughout the 2007-2008 academic year WTU hosted a number of events. Furthermore, many of the faculty members, staff and students participated in noteworthy events as representatives of WTU. The following are some of the highlights of this academic year:

• Fr. Gustavo Gutierrez OP, world renowned Professor of Theology at the University of Notre Dame, accepted our faculty’s annual Sophia Award on November 17th. Fr. Gutierrez spoke in the Degheri Reading Room of the O'Toole Library and took time to answer questions from faculty members and students in attendance.

• WTU received final accreditation for its new Doctorate of Ministry in Christian Spirituality degree by ATS. WTU is now enrolling students for the upcoming fall semester.

• WTU’s Offices of Enrollment and of Student Life launched Theology on Tap at WTU; Young adults from across the three local dioceses joined our own students to listen to artist Br. Michael McGrath, OSFS and Dr. Larry LeNoir. Look for future speaking engagements in the upcoming semester.

• WTU's Arts for Theology and Ministry Program sponsored two significant exhibitions: The Body of Christ, a national juried exhibition sponsored by the Washington Theological Consortium Arts Group, and Miserere Mei Deus, an exhibition of portraits of victims of human rights abuses by painter Tom Block and Amnesty International

• WTU staff members Fr. Gene Hemrick and Will Heaton ran the Washington DC area Cherry Blossom Ten Miler, raising over $24,000 for the 1st Annual Cherry Blossom Challenge. The donations were used for technology upgrades including the launch of WTU's new web site!
This fall Dr. Ed McCormack will captain a team of WTU students, faculty and staff to run the Army Ten Miler on October 5th.)

• Robert Mickens, Rome Correspondent for The Tablet, stayed at WTU during Pope Benedict’s DC trip. He presented an insightful lecture detailing his extensive experience as a Vatican reporter and columnist for the Tablet. The Connelly Chapel of Holy Wisdom was filled with interested readers and supporters. .

• Steven Bell, CSP, WTU ’08 cantored for the Papal Mass at Nationals Stadium on April 17th

• On May 2nd Dr. Doris Donnelly, professor of theology at John Carroll University, gave an inspiring address at WTU's Commencement Ceremony. Photos of Commencement and a copy of Rev. Peter Hill's CSsR valedictory speech can be read on our web site also.

Lectures and Speaking Appearances

WTU has the great fortune to call numerous leading scholars members of its faculty. These faculty members travel throughout the United States and the world lecturing on topics pertaining to their expertise and evangelizing as they practice their faith. The list below certainly shows the active involvement our faculty members and staff have in the greater community.

 

International Lectures, Conferences

• Rev. Joseph Mindling, OFM Cap, co-directed a program July & August 2008 in central Italy for 18 student friars on the history and spirituality of the Capuchin Reform

• Catherine Halvey-Goodwin traveled to Amazonas, Brazil to hold meetings on hunger & land related issues among poor indigenous communities; assisted the Human Rights Center of the Archdiocese

• Rev. Joe Wimmer OSA and Dr. Theresa Koernke IHM led In the Footsteps of St. Paul, a pilgrimage to Turkey and Greece in May 2008 for WTU students and friends

• Sr. Ilia Delio OSF traveled in May and June 2008 to: Taiwan to be the keynote speaker at the Assembly of Poor Clares of the Oceanic region, Singapore to give workshop/retreat on her book, Humility of God, and Canterbury, England to teach at the Franciscan International Study Centre

• Rev. Leopold Glueckert O Carm traveled to India to give lectures on the Origins of the Carmelite Rule in May 2008

• Dr. Angela Senander presented To Vote or Not to Vote: Catholic Political Responsibility at Election Time in the United States at the international conference "Responsibility, God and Society: Theological Ethics in Dialogue" at Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium on May 6, 2008; traveled to Rome, Italy for the U.S. Catholic Higher Education in a Global Context, June 15-19, 2008, sponsored by Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities

• Sr. Patricia A. Parachini, SNJM gave two presentations for the Middle East Cancer Consortium (MECC) meeting held in Larnaca, Cyprus May 30 - June 1, 200: Communication about Spiritual Issues with Families of the Seriously Ill and The Involvement of the Spiritual Care Member of the Treatment Team. This was the fourth time since 2005 that MECC invited Sr. Pat to participate as a presenter

• Dr. Patrick Ellis created a series of silk banners for the visual environment at the International Women, Faith and Development Summit to End Global Poverty hosted by Madeline Albright at the Washington National Cathedral

• Rev. James A. Wallace CSsR
-attended the bi-annual meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark of the Societas Homiletica, an international group of teachers of preaching that brings in participants from Europe, America, Africa, and Asia
- Will teach a one week course in preaching at the American seminary at the University of Louvain, Belgium, in September 2008

• Rev. Joseph Mindling, OFM Cap will conduct a Tour of the Holy Land for the new Permanent Deacons of the Archdiocese of Washington and their wives in July 2008

Br. Daniel Horan, OFM traveled to England to deliver his paper titled, "'Those Going Among the Saracens and Other Nonbelievers': Thomas Merton and Franciscan Inter religious Dialogue," at the 7th General meeting of The Thomas Merton Society of Great Britain and Ireland in Oakham, UK (5 April 2008).

National Conferences, Travel in the United States

• Dr. Kathleen Brown represented WTU as co-sponsor of Working in the Vineyard of the Lord, A National Symposium on Lay Ecclesial Ministry, Collegeville, MN; also attending were Rev. James Corriden, Dr. Angela Senander, Pat Lenoir and several WTU alumni

• Rev. Kevin O’Neil CSsR conducted a Parish Mission at St. Pius X Parish, Norfolk, VA; March 10-14

• Rev.. Kevin O’Neil, CSsR presented “It’s Not Just Me and Jesus” at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Cincinnati, OH; February 29

• Dr. Angela Senander
- presented "Catholic Scandal in the Public Square" at the New Wineskins Conference for Catholic Moral Theologians;
- presented "An Identity Crisis in the Church: A Challenge for Catholic Individuals and Institutions in U.S. Public Life" at the College Theology Society Annual Convention, June 1, 2008

• Rev. James A. Wallace CSsR
-lectured at Clergy Study Week for the Diocese of San Jose
-conducted a communications workshop for Redemptorist seminarians in Oconomowoc, WI in storytelling, oral interpretation skills and readers theatre
-conducted preaching formation seminar with Dr. Richard Stern for the permanent deacons of Diocese of Evansville (IN) at St. Meinrad's School of Theology
- led sessions for the Permanent Deacons of Savannah, GA with Dr. Lawrence Madden, S.J., head of the Georgetown Center for Liturgy

• WTU sponsored Theology Breakfasts at Daylesford Abbey in Paoli, PA. Lectures were given by Dr. Edward McCormack, Rev. Kevin O’Neil CSsR, Dr. Theresa Koernke IHM, and Br. Michael McGrath OSFS

• WTU, through the Center for Ministry & Public Life, joined the Catholic Peacebuilding Network initiative and co-sponsored two conferences on the Future of Catholic Peace Building. Catherine Halvey Goodwin was the respondent at the first conference held at Catholic University on April 7, 2008; she was also a respondent on the international panel with human rights focus and Dr. Angela Senander moderated two sessions at the second conference held at U of Notre Dame, April 13-15, 2008

• Rev. James A. Coriden delivered "Enduring Parishes, Emerging Ministries" for the 5th annual James H. Provost Memorial Lecture sponsored by Catholic University of America’s School of Canon Law

• WTU faculty attended the Catholic Theological Society of America Convention, June 8-11, 2008 in Miami, FL were: Rev. James Coriden, Dr. Anne E. McLaughlin RSM, Rev. Kevin O’Neil CSsR, Sr. Patricia A. Parachini, SNJM, Dr. Angela Senander and Rev. Russell Murray OFM

• Rev. John Burkhard OFM Conv was invited as a guest professor to teach this summer at St. John’s University, Collegeville, MN

• Dr. Lawrence LeNoir will continue his work with the Conventual Franciscans this summer in their 800th anniversary celebration of the founding of the order. Dr. LeNoir has been in charge of the third phase of their Sacro Convento experience in which the entire membership of the Order in North America are gathering on seven separate occasions to reflect on the OFM Conventual constitutions, re energize their lives as Franciscans and plan for the future

• Sr. Patricia A. Parachini, SNJM will give a workshop presentation on July 10, 2008, in Portland, OR at a gathering of the U.S.-Ontario Province of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary entitled, Following Jesus from Death to Life

Local Lectures, Conferences

• Dr. Patrick Ellis, Arts Program Director, spoke about the Union’s vision of the role of arts in ministry and theological education at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, Providence Hospital, Epiphany Episcopal Church, Aldersgate United Methodist Church and Trinity University over the past academic year

• WTU Registrar Deacon Bart Merella gave a series of liturgical tutorials spring 2007 for candidates to be ordained as permanent deacons for the Washington Archdiocese

• Dr. Angela Senander
-presented Catholic Social Teaching at Georgetown University, November 12, 2007
-presented Catholic Scandal in the Public Square at Woodstock Theological Center, Washington, DC where she was a Visiting Fellow at Woodstock for Fall 2007
-presented Living Catholic Social Teaching as Citizen and Consumer for the Center for Social Justice Alternative Spring Break on Worker Justice at Georgetown University, March 6
-presented the 4-part lecture series Icons of Catholic Social Teaching at St. Elizabeth Parish, Rockville, MD, April 3, 10, 24 and May 1, 2008

• Dr. Joanne Cahoon
-taught Catholic Heart of Prayer for EPS;
-conducted a two-day retreat for the NCCL Province Leaders (National Conference of Catechetical Leaders) -did a parish mission during Lent 2008 for an RCIA group at St. Mary’s in Rockville, MD

• Sharon Litten is an instructor for the Archdiocese of Washington for the Hearts Aflame series for catechist certification in Southern Maryland; is Chaplain of the Day for Calvert Memorial Hospital

Awards, Honors, Grants, Appointments

• Former WTU Board member, Stephen E. Bepler, received Fordham University’s Founders Award

• Dr. Kathleen Brown was elected President of the Association of Graduate Programs in Ministry and assumed the presidency at the San Antonio meeting in February 2008, where she also gave two presentations on the importance of formation in our ministerial degree programs

• Dr. Angela Senander was awarded Theological Scholars Grant by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) for her research project titled, "An Identity Crisis in the Church: A Challenge for Catholic Individuals and Institutions in Public Life"; the grant enabled her to attend the U.S. Catholic Higher Education in a Global Context Conference in Rome, Italy, sponsored by Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities

• Rev. James A. Wallace CSsR: is working on Humanitas Foundation grant projects with three organizations to improve preaching:
- Aquinas Institute: a commentary on the USCCB publication Fulfilled in Your Hearing
- NCEA: a project centered around what do the laity consider good preaching which will result in set of DVDs that can be used in preaching formation programs\
-College of Preachers/Cathedral College in DC: a project to improve local preaching, beginning with a workshop from September 8-12, 2008 on Preaching Mark (entitled, On Your Mark) with John R. Donahue, SJ, noted biblical scholar

• Dr. Anne E. McLaughlin RSM was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Mount Saint Agnes Theological Center for Women

• Dr. Angela Senander: was elected to the committee for Women in Leadership in Theological Education at the June 2008 annual meeting of the Association of Theological Schools

• Dr. Joanne Cahoon: was elected to the Student Resources Advisory Committee at the June 2008 annual meeting of the Association of Theological Schools

WTU Faculty and Student Publishing

The faculty at WTU also publish quite often in the midst of their busy schedules. Below are some of the recent publications from this past academic year. Links to purchase some of the books listed are also provided.

Rev. James A. Wallace CSsR & Nancy de Flon co-edited All Your Waves Swept Over Me: Looking for God in Natural Disasters (Paulist Press)

• Sr. Ilia Delio OSF authored Christ in Evolution (Orbis) and co-authored Care for Creation
(St.Anthony Messenger Press)

• Rev. John Burkhard OFM Conv translated (from French to English) A Theological Journey:
Christian Faith and Human Salvation by Ghislain Lafont. OSB (Liturgical Press)

-Apostolicity Then and Now: An Ecumenical Church in a Postmodern World
Portuguese language edition released (Liturgical Press)

• Dr. Angela Senander: Forthcoming publication “When Pregnancy Hits Home: Recognizing the Need for Familial and Ecclesial Solidarity.” In Prophetic Witness: Catholic Women’s Strategies for Reform ed. Colleen Griffith for the Church in the 21st Century Series, Crossroad Publishing Company, 2008

• Marc Foley OCD authored A Season of Rebirth - Daily Meditations for Lent (New City Press) and Peace of Heart - Reflections on Choices in Daily Life (New City Press)

• Sr. Patricia A. Parachini, SNJM: article about Lay Preaching will be published in the August 2008 issue of Ministry and Liturgy, entitled, “Preaching in Many Voices.”

• Rev. Joseph Mindling, OFM Cap: article in the July 2008 issue of "The Bible Today" magazine on the Biblical roots of the "Catechism of the Catholic Church"

Rev. Kevin O’Neil CSsR:
Books:
- Translation of The Essential Moral Handbook: 2007
Manual Pratico de la Moral: Guia para a vida catolico. Co-authored with Rev. Peter Black. Translated by Maria Silvia Marauo Netto. Sao Paolo, Brazil: Editorio Santuario, 2007.

Pamphlets:
2008: The Seven Sorrows of Mary. Pamphlet. Liguori, MO: Liguori Publications. (forthcoming)
Articles:
2008: Living the Fifth Commandment. Liguorian. Volume 96 (March 2008)
2007: "What's God Got to Do with It? Natural Disasters and Moral Agency." Chapter in All Your Waves Swept over Me: Looking for God in Natural Disasters. Edited by James Wallace and Nancy de Flon. New York: Paulist Press.

Br. Daniel Horan, OFM:

-article published in America vol. 196 (18 June 2007) titled, "Dating God: A Young Friar's Experience of Solitude."

- article published in The Cord vol. 57 (July/September 2007) titled, "Light and Love: Robert Grosseteste and John Duns Scotus on the How and Why of Creation."

- series of photographs published in the July 2008 issue of St. Anthony Messenger.  The photo essay accompanied the article, "Francis House: A Refuge for Those Living with HIV/AIDS."