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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 & Dean Reineking
Issue: March 7, 2008
Name:Maura McMahon
Age: 21
Year: Junior
From: Front Royal, VA
Major: Theology
Any Hobbies? Piano, singing, scrap-booking
What's your favorite class or professor? History of the Papacy with Dr. O'Donnell. I went to Rome last semester and fell in love with Pope Benedict and his Office. I began to realize just what an enormous task that he has been given by God. So I wanted to be able to understand the role of the pope in the Church and history.
Do you play any sports? Yes, I play basketball, volleyball, and soccer. I love the camaraderie among the teammates and the challenge of playing a sport to the best of my God-given ability—win or lose.
Do you participate in any drama or music related activities? I have worked backstage for one play and will be helping again in the Mystery Dinner Theater.
What is your favorite thing about Christendom College? The Chapel—without a doubt. It is the greatest blessing of the campus to have the sacraments readily available. Also Fr. Heisler and Fr. OKeilty are always around to help in anyway they can.
Why did you choose Christendom College? At first I wasn't that excited about coming here because I had 3 older siblings who had already graduated from Christendom. But when I started thinking about coming, I became enthused to be going to a Catholic college where I knew I could find good friends who loved their faith and lived that faith out in their daily lives.
What do you plan to do after graduation? I plan to go into educational administration.
Following in the Footsteps of St. Philip Neri
The men of Christendom have many ways to grow stronger in their faith. A perfect example of this is the weekly Oratory, held in St. Benedict’s Dormitory. Led by Father John Heisler, Chaplain, and Dr. Mark Clark, Classics Professor, the Oratory provides male students with an opportunity to grow in their spiritual life through the reading of Catholic literature and group discussions.
This past week the men discussed the life of Saint Philip Neri, who was known as “The Second Apostle of Rome”. Saint Philip Neri is the inspiration for this Oratory for it was he who first began the practice of gathering a community of lay people for afternoon spiritual exercises. This became known as “The Oratory,” which is the name that has been adopted by this group of Christendom men.
“The Oratory is a great way for us to grow in Christian manhood,” commented sophomore Tyler Ament, after Friday’s Oratory, “it helps to strengthen the sense of community between male students here at Christendom.”
Leap Year Party
The Pope John Paul II Student Center was reserved Friday night for the Leap Year party, organized by the Student Activities Council. Those who attended were treated to a tempting dessert table, refreshments and snacks.
Students also made sure to take advantage of the Student Center’s great array of recreational games including air hockey, foosball and the pool table. The SAC concluded the night with a viewing of the classic musical The Pirates of Penzance.
The Pirates of Penzance features a character who discovers that he is the victim of a "clumsy arrangement." He has been bound to a band of pirates until he reaches his 21st birthday. Having been born in a leap year, on February 29, though he has lived 21 years, he is only five and a little bit over if one counts by birthdays, and, therefore cannot lead the life of virtue that he longs for.
Career Mentoring, Compliments of Christendom Alumni
A recent AT&T Management Study stated, “Liberal arts students advance more quickly to middle and senior management positions than their colleagues who pursued other fields of study . . . these graduates become employees that are ready to learn.”
The Juniors and Seniors were able to witness the truth of that statement when they gathered with alumni for a Career Mentoring Workshop. Alumni representing a myriad of fields were available to offer advice and mentorship to students as they contemplated life after college.
Students sat at various tables designated for a variety of career fields and spoke casually with alumni currently in those fields.
“This is great!” Senior Kak Freeman said. “The atmosphere is very relaxed and you can get practical answers on the possible careers you’re interested in. You sit at a table and you can ask any questions or listen to people ask questions that you wouldn’t think to ask. I’ve gained a lot of insight.”
Besides being able to meet and talk with alumni, opportunities for mock job interviews were provided, as well as brief presentations on résumé writing and finding the right job.
A Juggling Troop Awes Students
St. Julian's Juggling Troupe delighted brunch-goers Sunday afternoon, performing their entertaining routine: "The Elfland Omnibus." The St. Julian's troupe consists of students from St. Gregory's Academy, an all-boys Catholic boarding school, located in Pennsylvania.
Many Christendom students and alumni have graduated from St. Gregory's, including Latin Professor Fred Fraser, and some have even performed the same routine.
Freshman Sam McMahon commented afterwards: "I loved it. I was really impressed with the precision and skill they have, and they're only in high school!"
Check out the action below:
Women Gather for Fellowship
This past Sunday, over 80 young ladies, students of Christendom College, and 20 women from the Catholic community gathered together for an evening of discussion and fellowship. The Office of Student Life sponsored the dinner, held in the chapel crypt, as part of a more active effort to provide opportunities for women’s formation. The goal of the dinner was to provide an atmosphere where students could have open discussion with the women about life issues.
Topics of discussion ranged from prayer life, to discernment, to dating and even how to create better community on Christendom’s campus and how to prepare for life after college.
Freshman Kerri Sciscilo attended the dinner and said, “I really enjoyed it. I sat with Nancy Briggs who went to Christendom and she was really open with us about her experiences here. It was just really helpful to hear about her life and how she transitioned from Christendom to her life after college.”
Karen Shannon, wife of History Professor Chris Shannon had a similar response as one of the women attending. “The girls asked some tough questions. I was really impressed and pleased to be able to share my experiences with them. It is good to be able to share back and forth and assure them,” Karen said.
A similar event is planned for the late spring. The hope is to continue what has already created some strong relationships between the girls and the women and provide the girls with additional women they can talk to as they see fit.
Chaplain Hosts Food and Cultural Club
Good food, good friends and good conversation. These are some of the things students have to look forward to when attending one of Christendom College’s Food and Culture Club weekly dinners. The Food and Culture Club hosts dinners throughout the semester with themed courses prepared by various students.
This past Sunday night, Junior Edward Burns and his fiancée Megan Von Ehr prepared an elegant Greek meal, complete with exquisite homemade Baklava. Father John Heisler graciously offered the Padre Pio Rectory as the location for this week’s dinner.
The event was attended by ten students—from freshman to seniors. Ed Burns expressed his excitement at how well the dinner was received by those who attended: “The night was fantastic. The Greek cuisine and the great atmosphere of Padre Pio was just excellent.”
Student groups and organizations thrive at Christendom, where the tight-knit, faith-based community provides the perfect atmosphere for groups like the Food and Culture Club.
Devotion to the Sacred Heart
Over 80 students attended a Holy Hour of Reparation to the Sacred Heart, Thursday night, with Fr. O’Kielty offering Benediction and a rosary led by the students. The Holy Hour was followed by all night Adoration in the Christ the King chapel.
The College has a great devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The stained glass window above the altar in the chapel is of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, with the words "Son, give me thy heart" inscribed on the bottom. The evening before every First Friday students gather to make this Holy Hour of Reparation.
Throughout the Lenten season Christendom students are able to attend adoration, holy hours and the Stations of the Cross, providing many ways for them to grow in their faith, and spiritually prepare for Christ’s Resurrection on Easter Sunday.
Pope Benedict: Especially the Group from Christendom College
Hello from Rome!
What an exciting week it has been for the Christendom students here in the Eternal City! Now that our Italian class is over, we have more free time to explore bella Roma.
An excellent way to do so has been with the pilgrimage group from Christendom’s Front Royal campus. We were very happy to welcome Dr. and Mrs. O’Donnell, Father Heisler, and many board members, faculty members, parents, and friends of the college.
Amidst tours of the major basilicas of Rome, and other sites important in the history of Rome and the history of the Church, came the highlight of the Wednesday audience. Even though it was raining as we were waiting outside St. Peter’s, the atmosphere inside the Paul VI Hall was extremely joyful.
The Holy Father smiled in acknowledgement of our group when we were announced and we shouted out to him, “Amamus te!” and the excitement continued to build from there. Pope Benedict said, “I am happy to greet the English-speaking pilgrims to Rome, especially the group from Christendom College.”
We could not believe it! After looking at each other wildly in disbelief for half a second, we screamed out to him, “Amamus te!” three more times. This was the first time that the Christendom College group has ever been vocally acknowledged by the Holy Father in the Paul VI Hall.
We also received the great honor of the Holy Father’s blessing for the plan and cornerstone for our chapel expansion. It was a wonderful event both for the students and for the pilgrim group alike, especially for those of us who had never seen the Holy Father before this trip.
John Mavretich said, “It was such an extraordinary experience to have the Holy Father so close to us, and the Mexican mariachi band just added to the excitement.” (There were several bands and choirs present who, when announced, were invited to play a short musical selection for the Holy Father.)
That same evening, we were all invited to a Reception Celebrating the Thirtieth Anniversary of Christendom with Francis Cardinal Arinze and Joaquin Navarro-Valls. As if we had not had enough blessings already from the Pope, there we were, privileged to spend an evening with many friends of the college in Rome!
“It was such a blessing to be surrounded by such holy, successful Catholics,” said Rebecca Harris. “More and more, I find that my Christendom education becoming alive and pertinent in the world. It was a great gift to have the opportunity to meet and converse with the likes of cardinals, ambassadors, and Vatican officials!”
We have had an extraordinary, grace-filled week in Rome. We are praying for all of our Christendom friends!
St. Lawrence and St. Frances of Rome, pray for us!
Ciao!
In
honor of the 30th Anniversary of Christendom College
the Chronicler Online takes a peek into the past
of the college each week.
Reflections from a Freshman... from 1979
In 1979 then-Christendom College Freshmen Frank O'Reilly wrote the following reflections in the Christendom College Report. Many freshman upon their arrival to Christendom have the same experience today.
Christendom College—that is a good name for a school that proposes to educate its students in what is really important: our Faith. I think that in the first few hours I was here, when I arrived in late August, I sensed there was something different about the place. As the time grew from hours to weeks and now months I've had the chance to get to know the people and become a part of this place.
I can see now that there are a number of things that make the college really unique. Of course this is only a freshman's viewpoint; I do not really know anything about any other colleges, never having been to one, but I do know enough about people my age and have heard enough about bigger universities from friends who attend them, to honestly appreciate what I have at Christendom.
I can start with the positive attitude of the students here. I certainly have never been surrounded by so many young people who, if I may say so, give off such "good vibrations". The same positive outlook on life emanates from the teachers as well. I suppose that this kind of attitude must come from dedication to their purpose and a deep love and Faith in God.
Love and Faith in God and His Church brings me to a very important aspect of life at Christendom. This is the religious or spiritual growth of the students. Speaking for myself, I find that the atmosphere provides very fertile ground for growing stronger not just in character but in the realization of where and how we fit into God's plan.
Just being here these few months has satisfactorily answered so many of the questions I had about this small Catholic college before I came. And now that I understand a little better just what Christendom stands for, it would be hard to convince me that there is a better place I could be right now.
Pate Quest: A Leader On and Off the Court
Christendom’s athletic department has been flourishing the past few years and there have been many people instrumental to its success. However, very few have contributed more then senior Pate Quest.
Quest can often be seen organizing different athletic events, participating on several sports teams, writing up the weekly schedule for the gym workers, and performing various jobs for Athletic Director Chris Vander Woude. In fact, Quest has accomplished so much that the school recently established a new award in his name, which will be given annually to the most outstanding student athlete. This award has been fittingly titled The Pate Quest Leadership Award and Quest deserves every bit of the recognition this award gives him.
Quest has been the captain and quarterback for both the Upper and West football teams the past two years. These teams have never lost under Quest and they experienced several big victories. Quest was a scrambling lefty who loved to throw to tight end Marion Miner and run the option game with several great tailbacks, but one of his biggest highlights was a beautiful throw and catch to Terry Spring in 2006’s East-West game.
But basketball was Quest’s first priority. He was a starter in his junior and senior years and his intensity on the court propelled the rest of the team. Younger players looked to him for guidance and he was highly respected as a leader.
As for his game, there was plenty of it. He was a tenacious defender who hit the floor for loose balls. On offense, he sacrificed it all with his gutsy drives into the lane. He sustained many bumps and bruises but always came back strong with a competitive desire to win.
One memorable moment actually came on the soccer field as he played goalie for several games. Starter Brain Gallagher was unable to make several games and Quest volunteered to suit up and give it a shot. This instance really demonstrates Quest’s commitment to the entire athletic program here and his willingness to assist whenever possible. He put his heart into everything he tried and his efforts have been a great example to the rest of the college.
So thank you for the hard work and the memories Pate! You have certainly been a blessing to the Christendom family.
Q: How does someone get financial aid from Christendom?
– H.L., Omaha, NE
A: Well, the one thing I can say for certain about the financial aid program at Christendom is that it is very easy. That doesn’t mean that you will get all of the money that you think you need, but, the whole process is pretty painless and very straightforward.
First of all, Christendom does not accept federal funds, therefore, we do not use the FAFSA (the Free Application for Federal Student Aid). We do, however, provide our own financial aid form, which can be found on our website in PDF format, or one will be mailed to you once you’ve been accepted (click on the image to the left to download the PDF).
In fact, during the fall semester, prior to filling out the full financial aid form, you may fill out our financial aid estimator, again, found on our financial aid page of our website, and send that in to our financial aid office and they will send you out your estimate just as quick as they can.
Christendom offers need-base loans and grants, and has opportunities for students to do work-study as well. Additionally, Christendom has merit-based academic scholarships and discounts for multiple family members who are attending at the same time.
Students who graduate with loans from Christendom, and then choose to enter a religious order (one that makes vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience) never have to pay back their loans to Christendom.
Generally, we have lots of students here who come from large one-income families who are doing all they can to make ends meet. Somehow, through our benefactor funded financial aid program, we are able to help out lots of deserving students.
So, in the spring of senior year, after your parents have filed their taxes, they fill in our form, mail it in to our financial aid office (who by the way is staffed by Mrs. Alisa Polk – who’s been in that office since I was a student here back in the late ‘80s), and she will send you a one-page letter stating how much you would get in loans, grants, scholarship and work-study, and then how much you would owe for the fall semester.
Like I said, it’s pretty easy, and therefore nothing to worry about. All I can say is that it is always better to get free money through merit-based scholarships than it is to take out loans, so I always recommend taking the SAT or ACT as many times as possible (even 6 times if necessary) in order to get in the scholarship range. Christendom begins giving automatic academic scholarships when the SAT score is 1920 or above or the ACT score is 29 or higher. Study hard and save yourself some money in the long run!
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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