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Editor:
Tom McFadden
Managing Editor: Niall O'Donnell
Contributing Editors: Tom O'Connor,
Jack Anderson (Sports Center),
&
Emma Boyle (The Rome Report)
Contributing Photographers: Tom O'Connor & Trena Pilegaard
Issue: April 11, 2008
Name: David Long
Age: 19
Year: Sophomore
From: Scranton, PA
Major: History
Any Hobbies? Running, spending time with my friends, roadtrips, a little guitar
What's your favorite class or professor? Mr. McGuire because he has a vast knowledge of history and he makes his class entertaining. Also Mr. Brown, because I actually enjoy studying the abstract in his Metaphysics class and he is hilarious.
Do you play any sports? Soccer and Rugby. Soccer is such a quick paced game and it keeps you in shape. I have played rugby for 6 years now. It is part of me. The intensity and bonding that it creates is an amazing experience.
Do you participate in any drama or music related activities? No. I usually stick to sports. I was in a play once... I had one line and I was a Demon (Don't ask!).
What is your favorite thing about Christendom College? My professors, my friends, the rope swing, and the amzing priests we have here.
Why did you choose Christendom College? It seemed to be the most balanced school in the United States. It perfectly combines Christianity with education. Above all, everything—not just the studies—is immersed in Catholic faith and morals.
What do you plan to do after graduation? I am in a program with the U.S. Marine Corps called PLC. So once I graduate from Christendom I will hopefully be a fully commisioned 2nd Lieutenant.
What Can You Do With Degree from Christendom College?
Last Friday Alumna Michele Velasco came to St. Kilian’s Café to impart wisdom on life after graduation to students.
“I didn’t know what direction my life would take as a Senior at Christendom College,” she said, “but I did know that I needed a path to get a job and I wanted to do something meaningful with my life.”
Velasco worked at Human Life International upon her graduation and quickly moved to the top of the organization. She noted that one of the benefits of working at a non-profit is the ability to advance quickly.
It was Velasco’s ability to think analytically and write well—skills that she said she gained at Christendom—that led her to advance not only in the non-profit sector, but also in the commercial sector.
She left HLI and began work in the commercial satellite industry and was soon hired by XM Satellite Radio. Velasco described how the skills she gained at Christendom, coupled with hard work, aided the company greatly in its competition with Sirius Satellite Radio—a competition she compared to Christendom’s annual East-West Game.
She now is the Vice President of Finance for XM, a fortune 500, billion-dollar company.
Velasco imparted many words of wisdom to the students in attendance.
Marie Miller provided music after the talk completing yet another great evening of Life on Tap in the charming Kilian’s Café.
Listen to this very insightful lecture at Christendom on iTunes U.
Dancing in Your Finest
Students dressed up in their finest last Saturday for the annual Spring Formal.
Students gathered in both small and large groups before the event for elegant dinners, many of which were hosted by faculty and staff. Philosophy Professor Mike Brown prepared a feast for 40 students. Admissions Director Tom McFadden and Asst. Director of Marketing Niall O’Donnell also provided delightful dinners for students.
“Mr. Brown’s 3-ingredient chocolate cake was amazing!” Senior Joe Moliter said.
After students had had their fill at various dinner parties they headed to the classy country club Bowling Green South for some festivity.
“I had a great time,” Senior Kak Freeman said.
Students danced the night away to DJ and College Chaplain Fr. John Heisler’s tunes—ballroom, swing dancing, and, a classic at Christendom dances, the Virginia Reel.
Check out the fun below:
Dr. Damian Fedoryka Explains John Paul II’s Personalism to Students
On Monday night, Philosopher and Former Christendom College President Dr. Damian Fedoryka delivered an address entitled, John Paul II’s Hermeneutics of the Gift as the Key to Understanding Life and Death to students at Christendom College.
The talk delved into the richness of John Paul II’s often-complex philosophy, highlighting the late pontiff’s emphasis on the importance of the human person.
Fedoryka, currently active at the Center for Personalist Anthropology and Ethics, explained that the gift of God’s love or human love could only be received if a person possesses himself. If he is clinging to a vice such as lust or gluttony, he cannot receive the gift.
"We have to let go of whatever it is that we are holding in our hands,” he said.
Fedoryka said that John Paul II identifies the very meaning of sin as not consisting in the receiving of the gift, but in the appropriation of the gift and the rejection of the giver and his love.
“God offers us our very existence and we take what is offered—we take possession of it—but by way of appropriating it,” he said. “Instead of receiving it, we appropriate it. And what does Christ say of this appropriation—what John Paul also speaks of as an expropriation of the gift—an extortion of the gift—a theft of the gift? Christ says, ‘He who takes possession of his life in order to keep it for himself will loose it.’”
Receiving the gift is a very important notion, because it means the opening of oneself, which is something that only the human person is capable of, Fedoryka explained.
John Paul helps us to understand that a central characteristic of the human person is the power to possess ourselves. “When you are not your own, you can not give yourself in love. Because when you are tempted by satisfaction and you yield to temptation—not called or invited by goodness, beauty, or truth—what happens? You let go of yourself. You lose possession of yourself,” he said.
Concluding Fedoryka said that ultimately the whole mystery of life and death can be reduced to this: “that we must open ourselves to the gift, which is initiated by the giver who, as it were, breathes it into us. We come alive when we open and receive it.”
Prior to the talk Fedoryka and his wife, Irene, were presented with awards for their many years of service to the College. Mrs. Fedoryka received the College’s St. Catherine of Siena Award and Dr. Fedoryka received the College’s highest honor, The Pro Deo et Patria Award For Distinguished Service to God and Nation.
His talk was well received by students who were able to ask him questions after the talk and in St. Kilian's Café.
This informative lecture can be heard at Christendom on iTunes U.
Men Learn to Seek Pauline Conversion
Fr. Chris Pollard, Parochial Vicar of St.Johnthe Baptist Church in Front Royal, spoke to the men of Christendom on Wednesday night in St. Benedict’s Dormitory. The topic for Father’s talk was the conversion of St. Paul, and its relation to our daily lives.
St. Paul’s conversion story offers many contemporary aids to living as better Catholics, and strengthening our faith. St. Paul was struck by a bolt of lightning while riding to Damascus, and was spoken to by God, instructing him to go to Jerusalem where he would be told what to do.
"This single event caused St. Paul’s conversion, and began one of the most influential lives in the early Church," Fr. Pollard said.
Fr. Pollard reflected on how St. Paul’s instant conversion can be paralleled to the spiritual lives of all men.
“I found the talk to be very insightful. It really promoted thought and discussion,” commented Freshman Joe Flaherty.
Mark Solitario reinforced this saying, “Father offered a lot of practical advice about St. Paul’s life, and ours as Catholic men. I’m really glad I attended tonight.”
In support of the everyday academic and spiritual life of the students, the College's Office of Student Life and other departments invite men and women to speak on various topics throughout the year.
La Cucina Italiana
Hello from Rome!
One thing that Italian culture is famous for is its cuisine. Whether you are looking for the perfect pasta alla amatriciana or the best recipe for all that Nutella, Roman kitchens are sure to hold the key to success.
The Christendom students recently tasted just how sweet that success can be. After spending many evenings this semester cooking for ourselves and our friends, we decided to host Iron Chef Candia.
Two teams, consisting of Trevor Karas and Thomas Polak against Dubh O’Donnell and myself, agreed on lemon as the common ingredient to feature in each of the courses. We also held to a one-hour time limit, so the competition heated up fast.
Mr. and Mrs. Akers and Trena, along with several of our professors and one of our chaplains served as judges, enticing them with delicious seafood dishes, fresh soups and salads, sweet desserts, and even some homemade lemonade.
I think it is safe to say that we pleased even our toughest critics. After the points were added up (how long does it take theologians and clergymen to multiply three numbers and find the average? The answer is a long time), the guys won two out of three categories, but the girls had a higher overall score.
We all celebrated with—what else?—some limoncello as we congratulated each other and enjoyed a great evening. Personally, my favorite aspect of the competition was the chance to see and cook with new and unusual foods. For example, mussels and quail eggs were both featured on the menus, and those are not ingredients commonly found in a college student’s kitchen!
In other news, some Christendom students have taken the initiative to form the Christendom in Rome International Choir, featuring John Mavretich, Trevor Karas, Trena Pilegaard, and Dubh O’Donnell. Their first public appearance was at the Mass we attended in the chapel of the Eucharistic miracle in the Cathedral of Orvieto. What better means to aid us in adoring the miracle of Christ’s Precious Blood than through voices raised in praise of the Blessed Mother!
We are taking the opportunity this free weekend to explore a little more of Italy and Europe, so until next week…
St. Lawrence and St. Frances of Rome, pray for us!
In
honor of the 30th Anniversary of Christendom College
the Chronicler Online takes a peek into the past
of the college each week.
The First Spring Formal
In 1980 Christendom Students held the first Spring Formal. The event was recounted in the Christendom College Report that May:
Undoubtedly the biggest social event of
the year, the first formal dance marked yet
another school tradition at Christendom
College. The dance was a true community
effort; lots of work was involved on all
parts.
The decoration committee converted
a local modern fire hall into a decorative,
classy, congenial ballroom. The young
ladies prepared a variety of "goodies" for
the evening; among these were included
cakes, breads, and cookies of every sort.
While one group printed personal invitations, another made contact and arrangements with an excellent band. As the big
night approached, the activity of each
committee increased while final preparations were completed.
Victims of the
modern "rock" age, most students benefited greatly in ballroom dancing lessons from Tom Aseik, Trustee and "Waltz
King". When the evening and the many outside
guests arrived, long anticipation and effort
gave way to excitement and dancing.
Senior Joe Mahoney welcomed the students, teachers and guests and midway
through the evening, freshman Mary Beth
McKernan explained the theme of the
formal, a special message from the
underclassmen to the graduating seniors,
namely: "Sent with the Morning Star".
No, it is not Astrology; rather, the title
belongs to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and
translates, "Wherever you go, whatever
you do, Mary will be there always with
you."' Perhaps the theme best accounts
for the success of the entire event.
Intramural Basketball: The Crusader Way
Basketball has long been a staple in the Christendom intramural sports program.
Last year John Wardle made it the premiere event of the last spring semester with some 3-on-3 full court action. This year however, intramural basketball has returned to its more basic roots. The half-court game has reemerged along with more backyard basketball being played. Everyone has enjoyed playing in these competitive games to 21 and there have been quite a few close match-ups.
Several of the professors and faculty have joined in the action such as Dean of Student Life, Joe Wurtz, Latin professor, Dr. Mark Clark, and philosophy professor, Mr. Mike Brown. Clark is an expert passer with great court vision and has been a great teacher of the game to several of the guys who suited up this past year for the Crusaders. It is a joy to have him and the others play head-to-head at night with the guys they teach during the day.
Freshman Matt Rensch has done an excellent job organizing the games twice a week and his team has also benefited from his presence. As of now, his team is undefeated along with Clark’s team. Last year’s champs featuring Greg Monroe, Ryan Doughty, and Jake Hanna are playing strong and appear to be more than up to the task of repeating.
The students love to get out on the court and balance their study time with athletics.
“It’s great to have this program because you know you can go over to the gym any night and there will be someone to play,” said one sophomore.
The best part is that when the intramurals are over, Pate Quest will set up his second annual outdoor tournament behind the student center, ending the semester on a high note for Christendom Athletics.
Q: I was wondering, what makes Christendom different than any other Catholic college (for example, Steubenville)? I come from a Catholic family and have been in Catholic schools all my life. I don't want to change that, but I do need to weigh my options, especially since I will have to fund my own way through college. Can you give me any proof that Christendom is not like the spineless, "cafeteria Catholic" high school I am in now?
— C.P., Green Bay, WI
A: I’ve answered the first part of this question in a past “Ask the Director” segment and you can read about it HERE.
The second part of the question is somewhat new and I will do my best to prove to you that Christendom is not a “spineless, cafeteria Catholic” place, as you say your high school is.
From my understanding of the term “cafeteria Catholic,” I believe that Christendom College is the furthest thing from it. “Cafeteria Catholicism” means picking and choosing things about the Catholic Faith to believe in, based on what you like or want to believe in. Christendom’s theology department teaches only those truths taught by the Magisterium of the Catholic Church, and our Theology teachers (as well as all of our professors) make an Oath of Fidelity to the Magisterium every year, thus making an outward sign of their willingness to teach the Truth.
Christendom is proud to be Catholic. We are proud of our affiliation with the late Holy Father Pope John Paul II and now with his successor Pope Benedict XVI.. Pope John Paul II called Christendom “a great work for the Church,” and Pope Benedict told our president, Dr. O’Donnell, ““I am well aware of the distinguished record of Christendom College and of the outstanding contribution which it has made to Catholic life in the United States. For this reason, I am particularly honored to associate myself with such a fine Catholic institution of higher learning and my prayers are that Christendom College will enjoy many more years of service in the education and formation of young people.”
Thanks for asking such a good question and I hope this answer helps!
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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