Alumnus Says Mass at Christendom
Last week Christendom Alumnus Fr. Fred Gruber ('06) visited his alma mater to say Mass in Christ the King Chapel. Fr. Gruber, who was ordained this summer, is priest in the Diocese of
Pittsburgh.

Fr. Gruber says that, at Christendom, through his friendships, his involvement in various apostolates, and his studies, he discovered more clearly his calling toward the diocesan priesthood.

“Christendom taught me ‘to think with the Church’ and to love the Church,” he says.

Click here to find out more about Fr. Gruber's experience at Christendom and his journey to the priesthood.


Talent Shines at Benefit Concert
On Friday, The Senior Benefit Concert for the Class of 2013 was held in Saint Kilian’s Café. The concert acted as the first event to a very fun filled Parent’s Weekend and was a huge success! The night, which showcased many of Christendom’s finest musicians, began with a beautiful rendition of “America the Beautiful," sang by the Chapel Choir. By the time the opening act was up, Saint Kilian’s was filled with supporters and thus began a night flowing with food, drinks, and fantastic music. From bagpipe playing, to Irish dancing, and family quartets, this year’s Senior Benefit Concert was a huge success.

"It was a great way to see some of this College’s talent all in one night,” said Senior Sarah Halbur.

The event, organized by Senior David Townsend, raised $733 dollars for the Senior Class Gift.


The night starts off with a moving choir rendition of “America the Beautiful.”


Sophomore Leif Pilegaard gets the crowd on their feet with his lively fiddle playing.


Sophomore Noah De la Cruz fills Kilian’s Café with songs from his bagpipe.


Seniors Teresa Lamirande and Eric Maschue get the crowd to sing along to “Mr. Jones.”


The Stanton sisters invite their father on stage to make it a family affair!



Parents Hit the Dance Floor
As part of Parent’s Weekend, a special dance was held in the St. Lawrence Commons on Saturday night. The visiting parents and siblings had a wonderful time learning new dances and several Christendom students led instructional dances for them. Freshman Catherine McFadden, Junior James Ciskanik, and Seniors Theresa Lamirande and Peter Spiering taught students and parents many classic swing dance moves, and Senior Rachel Kujawa led several contra-style line dances.

“It was really great to meet my friends’ parents and to see everybody having so much fun at the dance this weekend,” says Freshman Irene Dempsey. “It was also the first experience I had with contra dancing, which I especially loved.”


Senior Matt Speer swings his sister around the room.


Students show off their swing dance moves to parents.


Sophomore Liz Slaten dances with her sister.


Parents enjoy dancing Christendom-style.



Happy Birthday Bilbo and Frodo!Saturday, September 22, was certainly no ordinary day at the Christendom library. Students, family, faculty, and staff crowded into the Sacred Grounds coffee shop that afternoon to find it transformed into a “hobbit hole,” full of delicacies and festivity to celebrate the official birthday of Bilbo and Frodo Baggins from Tolkein’s The Lord of the Rings.

Associate librarian Mr. Pilon began the event by inviting everyone out on the lawn behind the library to play some traditional hobbit games. Everyone enjoyed sack races, a ‘plate-rolling’ competition, and an exciting three-legged race. Some guests impressed all the party-goers by reciting passages from The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings from memory. A couple students even performed a song from the sound track of the Lord of the Rings movies. A crowd of fans dressed in Middle-Earth attire participated in a costume parade to a lot of laughter and applause. Mr. Pilon presented all the amazing characters that had come to the party, including several Bilbos, assorted other hobbits, a few elves and even an Ent.

“I loved it!” said Sophomore Lindsey Trapp. “It was really cool that it was so authentic—everything was a lot of fun!”

The festivities came to a satisfactory conclusion with the crowd gathering inside the ‘hobbit-hole’ and singing “Happy Birthday” to Bilbo and Frodo. Everyone enjoyed a slice or two of the beautiful cakes baked for the occasion.


Mr. Pilon poses with the costumed party-goers.


Freshman Anna Rogers, Sophomore Brian Rankin, Senior Sean Deighan and some siblings get ready for the sack race.


Students compete in an intense round of the three-legged race.



Men's Open House
“We did our best to clean up, but unfortunately I don’t think we can measure up to the Women’s open house," Sophomore Andre Moreau joked during the Men’s Open House on Sunday.

After a weekend of family visits and activities, the Open House was a great way to unwind and enjoy each other’s company. Music continuously filled the halls of the guy’s residence halls throughout the day and guitar collaborations were often taking place from room to room. A disco ball and strobe light seemed to get everyone’s attention in one of the freshman dorm rooms of St. Ben’s.

It was another successful Open House and a great way to spend a breezy Sunday afternoon.


Freshman Thomas Smith, Eileen Weichert, Nate Harrington, and Duncan Forsythe relax during Men’s Open House.


Freshman Suzy Curran fills the halls with sounds of the electric guitar.







World Tourism Day!
After so many weeks of freedom and traveling, we were brought back to reality with our first week of classes. It consisted of a four-hours-a-day crash course in Italian which proved challenging yet interesting, thanks to our tutor, Professoressa Benzaia. As a professional linguist, she was able to point out connections between Italian and other languages, which was helpful for us Christendom students familiar with French, Latin, Greek (all offered by the college) or Spanish. She encouraged us to use Italian in class and reminded us that the fastest way to learn a language is through speaking… and making mistakes. I quickly learned how true this was after accidentally telling the class I love cauliflower, intending to say horses. I will never forget the basic pronunciation rule we were learning that day!

With the beginning of our happy classes, we were treated to a video message from the Rome program co-coordinator (as well as philosophy teacher on Christendom’s home campus) Professor Mark Wunsch. While describing the various special courses offered, he explained the course’s intention for us to engage with the material, not only in the classroom but in the city. More importantly, he emphasized the importance our semester in Rome will have not just academically, but spiritually in our lives. His point tied into the meditations provided by Fr. Bergida during our pilgrimage week, which encouraged us to view the few months abroad not as simply another school semester but as one whole pilgrimage.

I was also reminded of an article, which I read in the National Catholic Register, entitled “Encountering Christ on Vacation.” Written in anticipation of World Tourism Day (today–September 27), the article reflected on the ability of tourists to contemplate beauty in nature and peoples, through which they may encounter with God. Pope Benedict explained further that this encounter becomes possible only when people both accept other cultures and also desire to be enriched by them, “welcoming the true, good, and beautiful therein.”

Charged then by both professors and the Pope, my fellow classmates and I did not miss the weekend opportunity to experience various places around Rome. Many students, for example, went to nearby Nettuno beach to enjoy the coast of Italy and the Mediterranean Sea for the first time. Right next to the shore, students were also able to visit the tomb of St. Maria Goretti and the surrounding area of Nettuno for gelato (Italian ice cream) and kebabs (a middle–eastern delicacy that is all the rage over here).

Personally, I took the weekend to travel across Italy to visit San Giovanni Rotondo, St. "Padre" Pio’s home. Though a little daunted by traveling overnight on my own, I felt the opportunity to visit my confirmation saint’s home for his feast day was not something to pass up. My faith was completely rewarded, for it turned out to be one of the best decisions of my life. Getting the opportunity to experience the life of my favorite-childhood saint was beyond words. To see the cell where he lived and had so many physical battles with devils, pray in the chapel he celebrated Mass in and the confessional made famous by the soul-reader—to see the cross he received his stigmata from and the altar cloths stained from the wounds—all made concrete what I grew up reading in books and believing through my faith. The problem of traveling alone was also solved, as an Italian family I met in San Giovanni “adopted” me during my stay. Showing me around their city and even treating me to meals, they defined Italian hospitality and cultural pride.

After participating in Sunday Mass at the shrine with 30,000 other pilgrims, I said goodbye to the family and took the bus back to Rome. Following such a weekend, I could not help but reflect on a phrase of Padre Pio and how it applies not only to my personal journey, but to the journey of all of us students here together in the Eternal City: “Pray. Hope. And don’t worry.”


Chillin' at Nettuno on the Mediterranean Sea.


The old shrine of Padre Pio at San Giovanni Rotondo.


Padre Pio's confessional.


Cardinal Camillo Ruini said the Mass on Sunday.


Katie Shannon and Joe Marra discover how to use and Italian pay-phone.





Forming the Next Generation of Catholic Educators
One of the most important fields where Catholics are needed most is education. In an effort to encourage students to enter this field and aid in the transition from "sitting in a class" to "standing before a class," Christendom offers a Teacher Formation Program.

The Program is offered to senior students to give them the opportunity to be an Apprentice Teacher under a Master Teacher at one of several elementary and high schools in the area. This pre-certification program allows undergraduate students to observe and pursue a career in education, and to acquire teaching skills, while at the same time attaining six credits in one semester. Christendom students first spend six hours a week observing different schools and classes, and then actually teaching lessons to both small groups and whole classes.

“The teaching practicum program is excellent, for it allows Christendom students to utilize and expand their learning, organizational, and teaching skills,” says Senior Zack Francis. “You get the chance to observe professional teachers in the classroom and the opportunity to work in this environment yourself, so that you get to a point where you can also teach the material yourself.”

Dr. Eleanor Kelly, the Teacher Formation Program Director, conducts weekly workshops with the students, where students turn in weekly logs with their observations from the week. As an Apprentice Teacher, each student can choose to teach at one of five different schools, and he or she can also decide the grade level (K-12). Dr. Kelly, along with a group of the Christendom Apprentice Teachers, observes each Apprentice Teacher twice, and at the post-lesson observation conference, they all share analyses of the lesson presentations.

Christendom students benefit greatly from the Teacher Formation Program because it not only gives them an opportunity to gain experience in the teaching profession, but it gives them greater confidence in a professional setting and the communication skills necessary to go out into the workplace after graduation. Many Christendom students who participate in the Teacher Formation Program go out after graduation to teach in Catholic and lay-run private schools, as well as to pursue a Master’s Degree. It is also a valuable asset for those interested in home schooling.

“Being immersed in the teaching side of the education system has truly helped me to grow as a student through observation and practice,” says Senior Natalie Lucas. “The Teacher Formation Program is both practically applicable for anyone considering a teaching profession and beneficial for anyone in general because of the many valuable life lessons that it imparts.”


Dr. Kelly with students in this semester's Teacher Formation Program.

Soccer Teams Victorious

Men’s and Women’s soccer continued their dominating streak last Monday as both squads earned impressive victories over rivals Lord Fairfax and Patrick Henry. Over the last four games the two teams in blue and white have let up only 2 goals, while outscoring opponents by an incredible 21 goal margin.

The Men’s team followed their Friday night shutout victory with a 7-1 win over Lord Fairfax. Junior Johnny Foeckler put the Crusaders in the lead within the first few minutes, and they never looked back. seniors Rob Hamilton and Nicholas Blank, along with freshman Jeremy Minick and Sean Salmon, also pitched in goals of their own in route to a blowout victory.

On the opposite side of the field Senior Dan Mitchell once again lead a dominating defense to a near shutout. Young freshman Jeremy Minick, cocky but eager to prove himself, may have summarized the recent play of the defense best, stating: “Rob Hamilton is an animal, Tim Beer is a beast, and Charlie Rollino is Mr. Consistency and you have to go through all three to score, therefore no one scores.”

The Lady Crusaders had a slightly tougher time earning their 2-1 victory against in-state rival Patrick Henry. The defense would go nearly 90 minutes before surrendering another goal, allowing the ladies to hang on to the 2-1 victory.

Like the men, the ladies team scored early behind the efforts of Freshman Maribel Lopez. Then, before the close of the first half, Melanie Clark would chip in another goal. In the second half, the defense would lead the way to victory, anchored by sophomore Rebekah Koerner, freshman Mary McDuffie, and senior Karen Hambleton. Sophomore Elizabeth Slaten and freshman Sarah Furth would give superb performances in goal and a late corner kick goal by Patrick Henry would not be enough to surmount the Lady Crusaders lead.

Last night the Lady Crusaders continued their winning ways be defeating local foe, Lord Fairfax Community College by a score of 3-2. The women are back in action on Saturday as they host Valley Forge Christian College at 1pm. The game will be played at Sherando Park in Stephens City, VA.

Freshman Sean Salmon charges down the field.

Senior Tommy Salmon knocks one into the goal.


Freshman Jeremy Minick fights for control in the goal box.


Freshman Patrick Audino slides one into the goal.


Freshman Rachel Snyder takes a shot.


Freshman Maribel Lopez tries to sneak one past the goalie.


Junior Mel Clark takes a shot on goal.

Q. I was talking to my friend the other day and Christendom came up. I said, “Oh, are you also interested in going to Christendom?” She said, “I was, until I found out that you can’t get loans if you attend Christendom.” Is this true? I hope not because you guys are my top choice and I definitely NEED to get some sort of financial aid help or I will not be able to attend.

A. In short, what your friend says is not true, in fact, straight out wrong. But I understand where she may have gone wrong in her understanding.

Christendom does not accept any aid from the federal government, and our students are unable to get federal loans to pay for a Christendom education. In fact, Christendom is the only accredited Catholic college in the US not to participate in Title IV Federal funds. So, sometimes people hear this and think we do not offer any loans.

BUT……we do offer financial aid which comes in the form of loans (which you have to repay someday), grants (free money), and scholarships (free money). And this money comes from Christendom – due to the generosity of our many faithful donors, rather than from the government and the tax payers. While we accept no direct federal aid, nor participate in indirect programs of federal aid such as the Student Guaranteed Loan, we maintain a robust financial assistance program that matches and mirrors support received through federal aid programs.

We have a strong commitment to providing a comprehensive Financial Aid Program for our students. We offer financial assistance through our need-based aid and merit-based academic scholarships. Need-based aid consists of loans and grants while merit-based scholarships are granted automatically upon acceptance, and are based on your SAT (1920 or higher) or ACT (29 or higher) score. All students are also able to apply for on-campus student employment, regardless of their financial situation. We currently have approximately 160 on-campus jobs for our students. Each student who has a job works 9 hours a week, making around $7-$8 an hour, and should end up making about $1000 a semester.

Christendom's financial aid is given to help defray all or some part of the cost of tuition. Outside loan programs are available as well to help Christendom students defray the cost of room and board, fees, books, and living expenses not covered by our Financial Aid Program.

Students wishing to request need-based financial aid from the College need to fill out the College's unique Financial Aid Application form and not the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. However, if you are completing a FAFSA for other colleges, much of the FAFSA information is easily transferable to Christendom's Financial Aid Application form. For those who want to find out NOW an estimate of what they might be given in financial assistance should fill in our Financial Aid Estimator, anytime between now and December 1.

Director of Admissions
tmcfadden@christendom.edu
800.877.5456 ext. 1290

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.