Chronicler
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Editor:
Tom McFadden
Managing Editor: Niall O'Donnell
Contributing Editors: Tom O'Connor,
Matt Hadro (Sports)
Contributing Photographer: Tom O'Connor
Issue:
December 10, 2007
Name: Troy Spring
Age: 20
Year: Freshman
From: Halletsville, TX
Major: Undecided
Any Hobbies? Playing the guitar, camping, fishing, hunting, sports
What's your favorite class or professor? It's hard to narrow it down to one class. It's really not just one class but all the classes together as a core that make the education here so great. Math and Philosophy focus on thinking in a structured pattern, helping the mind find the truth. History helps give life a purpose and perspective. Theology answers many of the questions about the Faith, from my own mind and from the world. In Literature you learn to express youself in writing and how the great minds of the past have done so. To me all these subjects combine to make one awesome experience.
Do you play any sports? Flag football and baseball, which is my favorite sport. I've played baseball since I was young and it's the only sport I've played competitively.
What is your favorite thing about Christendom College? The fact that every class I take is contributing to higher education that I will use all my life no matter what my career.
Why did you choose Christendom College? It felt like the best thing to do. Four of my five siblings have attended or currently attend the college; and based on what they said about it, I made my choice.
What do you plan to do after graduation? I am not totally sure. I'd love to teach or go into medicine, but I also love business and marketing. So we'll see. I continue to discern... sorting out my dreams and God's will for me.
Students Dance, Dance, Dance at the Contra Formal
Among Christendom’s many student groups is one devoted to Contra Dancing. Contra Dancing refers to several folk dance styles in which couples dance in two facing lines of indefinite length. Contra dances can be found around the world, though they are especially popular in the United States.
Students in the Contra Dancing group practice every Thursday evening throughout the semester. They also hold a Contra Formal to which they invite students, faculty, and staff.
This year’s Formal was held on Friday, November 30th in the Saint Lawrence Commons. The Commons was tastefully and elegantly decorated and festive refreshments were served. It was obvious that everyone who attended enjoyed themselves very much.
Getting Into Grad School
Dr. Mark Clark of the Classics Department was the guest speaker at the monthly Life On Tap. On Friday night, Dr. Clark spoke to a capacity crowd at the St. Kilian’s Café.
Professor Clark advised students on how they can effectively apply to prominent graduate schools, and attain successful internships. He outlined the crucial steps necessary for a good application and gave tips on essay writing. Selecting referrals was also a topic that he stressed, specifying how important a good recommendation can be when applying to the leading graduate schools.
Dr. Clark addressed the students on the proper preparation for the GRE and other post graduate tests. When he talked about the best ways to prepare, he mentioned his own 12-week study plan that he holds to be almost fail-proof. Professor Clark kept his audience laughing by relating stories about the effects of inadequate preparation for these important tests.
Professor Clark, who holds graduate degrees from Duke University and Columbia University, spoke briefly about the vast number of available internships and how Christendom graduates are especially sought after for their great education, and ability to think, and write well. He closed by offering to help the students in any way he can.
The night ended with free refreshments and live entertainment provided by a student band.
Open House to a Winter Wonder Land
The men of Christendom College were given the rare chance to visit the women’s dorms during the girl’s Open House this past Sunday. St. Catherine’s Hall and Blessed Margaret’s were open to male visitors from 2-5 p.m., while the girls of Campion Hall held their annual Campion Christmas Party at 8 p.m.
When the guys walked through the front doors of Campion hall Sunday night, they entered into a scene straight from The Polar Express, complete with the Polar Express itself traveling on train tracks through the main floor.
Guests were able to stop over at themed rooms such as: The Gumdrop Forest, Santa’s Toyshop, The Grinch’s Cave and even take a stroll down Candy Cane Lane. Throughout the night, the men were able to visit all three themed floors and enjoy cookies, candy, hot chocolate, and other refreshments provided by the ladies of Campion Hall.
The gentleman also became critics when it came time to judge the floors on their overall decor, and took care to stay anonymous when placing their vote! Ultimately the Christmas Party was a huge success, and all the men made sure to thank the ladies for all their hard work and creativity.
Seniors Spread Christmas Cheer
The seniors of Christendom College had a lot to look forward to this past week. The St. Lawrence Commons is traditionally decorated by the seniors the week before finals. They are then able to head over to Regina Coeli for the annual Senior Party.
The seniors were treated to a fine selection of beer and wine, with a night of socializing and music. Among those who made appearances were visiting alumna, faculty and staff. All present had a wonderful time, and look forward to their next group event… graduation!
Editor's Note: Although Christendom College is alcohol free campus, at official college events, those of legal age are allowed a regulated amount to drink.
In
honor of the 30th Anniversary of Christendom College
the Chronicler Online takes a peek into the past
of the college each week.
A Voice from the Past: the Spiritual Life of the College
In the fall of 1981, Fr. Edward J. Berbusse, S.J. joined the faculty of history and
theology, and was appointed Associate Chaplain, with the approval of then-Bishop of Arlington Thomas Welsh. Born in 1912, Fr. Berbusse became a Jesuit in 1932 and was ordained a priest in 1945. He resided on campus, and was always available for student guidance and daily Mass. He served Christendom for 10 years until he retired in 1991.
In 1983 Fr. Berbusse wrote:
“The spiritual life of Christendom College centers about the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass
which is offered on class days at 11:30 A.M.; each Saturday, there is a Mass in honor of Our Lady at 9:30 A.M.; and on Sunday the Mass is offered at 10 A.M. Weekday Masses are offered in the small but devotional chapel which barely houses the students with its 64 seats and with a half dozen standing. On Sundays, because of the greater numbers, the lounge-dining room is set up as a chapel. It is a sign of God's grace on this campus that about 70 percent of the student body attends daily Mass.
“The students share in the care of the chapel, provide music for the daily Mass, and frequently sing with devotion the much-esteemed Gregorian chant. Each day a homily is given, and confessions are heard before Mass; a good number of students take advantage of this daily. On every First Friday, there is a Holy Hour of Reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in the evening; and during this year, at the request of the students, this Holy Hour has been extended into an all-night vigil before the Blessed Sacrament, ending with the Mass of Our Lady at 7 A.M.
“Through the initiative of the students and with the approval of the College chaplains, there have been many works of a charitable and devotional nature. Visits to the shrines of the Immaculate Conception of Mother Mary and Elizabeth Seton are yearly events. The students dedicate a day of 'clean-up' of the grounds of the Poor Clares, cloistered sisters in Arlington. A good number of students support the Shield of Roses, by praying and pleading for the lives of the unborn, and participation in the annual March for Life is always unanimous among those able to attend. Under student sponsorship, an annual
Day of Vocations supplies information on the priesthood and religious life.
“Thus, under the direction of the priests, and with the good example of faculty and staff,
every effort is made to develop a solid spiritual life for the entire Christendom community.”
Not much has changed here at Christendom.
Fr. Berbusse passed away in July of 2000. Thank you Fr. Berbusse for your care of the Christendom flock! May his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace!
Q: What percentage of your students are homeschooled?
–J.W. Portland, OR
A: That’s an easy questions to answer – about 50%. It’s not really all that surprising to me, either. As a father of 8 children who are homeschooled, I can understand why people who homeschool are attracted to a place like Christendom. Many people homeschool because they want to keep their children away from much of today’s secularized culture, and they want to impart a Catholic culture to their children. Also, they want to make sure that what their children are learning is compatible with Catholicism. At Christendom, we strive to keep the materialism and secularism of today’s society at bay, and work to promote an entire Catholic culture where the Catholic Faith influences everything that we do, whether in the classroom, or the Chapel, on the playing field, or in the dorm rooms. Catholicism permeates everything here and that is why, in my opinion, homeschoolers are attracted to Christendom. Additionally, homeschoolers do very well here academically. The amount of reading that is required of our students is huge and we have found that many homeschoolers are avid readers and enjoy that aspect to their studies.
I hope this helps and thanks for asking.
If
anyone has questions about applying, visiting, scholarships,
financial aid, campus life, rules and regulations, majors,
core curriculum, transfer credits, or even about the food
here at Christendom, please do not hesitate to contact me
at any time: 800.877.5456 ext 1290 or tmcfadden@christendom.edu.
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