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Washington Theological Union: A Roman Catholic School for Theology and Ministry ePISTLE

ePISTLE

A Weekly e-Newsletter for the WTU Community

March 28, 2010

Reflections on our Daily Readings
This week we continue our series of reflections on our daily readings from the School Sisters of Notre Dame website.

Sunday, March 28, 2010
Passion Sunday

Jesus had his sacred space, and there he “prayed earnestly, and his sweat became like great drops of blood…” He listens, he speaks, he sweats, and he suffers what may well be a panic attack. Like us in all things, he is terrified to die. Before he dies, he has two more important teachings, both from the cross: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing;” and “Today you will be with me in paradise.” please Click here to read the daily reflections for Holy Week

Homily Helper
Next Sunday is Easter Sunday!
John 20:1-9

We are aware that our Easter celebration is an affirmation of hope in a world that appears to experience the pain of Good Friday more than the joy of Easter Sunday. To read the rest of Demetrius Dumm O.S.B.'s reflection on this reading, please, click here

In this Issue...

WTU President to Preach on Good Friday at St. Matthew's Cathedral

Msgr Jameson, the rector of St. Matthew's Cathedral, has invited WTU's president, Fr. Fred Tillotson,OCarm to reflect on Christ's Passion, focusing specifically on His seven last words on the cross. Starting at 12noon, this reflection will preceed the Good Friday service celebrated by Archbishop Wuerl.
The Last Seven Words of Christ is an hour-long service devoted to the last words Christ spoke on the cross. Fr. Fred will be giving a short reflection on each word followed by choral pieces sung by the Cathedral Schola and hymns by the assembly.
This service is a traditional one given every year. Guests homilists are invited to give these reflections and have included many nationally and locallyprominent priests. All are invited to attend!

Ambassador Melady Speaks at the Union!

Thomas P. MeladyThe Honorable Thomas P. Melady, Former U.S. Ambassador to Burundi, Uganda and the Holy See and President Emeritus of Sacred Heart University presented an afternoon lecture on Sunday, March 21st in the WTU Library. The topic of his talk, "Engaging: Catholics in the Public Square" discussed how to effectively engage Catholic issues in today's political climate. To read a press release for this event, please click here

A Carmelite Psychologist Reads John of the Cross

Last Saturday, March 13, 2010 The Carmelite Institute presented their annual Carmelite Lecture in the WTU Chapel. Over 120 people heard Fr. Quinn Connors, O.Carm., Ph.D. present a lecture entitled "A Psychologist Reads John of the Cross". Fr. Connor's lecture was followed by a response by Fr. Kevin Culligan, OCD, Ph.D.

Mass of Remembrance for Father Jerry Hall, SJ

Rev. Jerome Hall, S.J.On March 11th, the WTU community celebrated Fr. Jerry Hall's life with a Mass in his memory. Fr. Kevin O'Neil presided at the Mass and reminded us of the warmth of Jerry's smile and the gentleness of his manner. Thank you to all who participated, especially to WTU student Michael Ruzicki who planned the liturgy and led us in vibrant song. Jerry's parents and brothers were so grateful to spend the evening celebrating Jerry's life with our community. , WTU continues to accept donations to the Jerome Hall Scholarship fund. If you wish to make an online donation to this fund, please use the online donation form.

Need something to do during Easter Break? Go to the Smithsonian!

"Women & Spirit: Catholic Sisters in America", an exhibit at the Smithsonian's S. Dillon Ripley Center features the lives and activities of women religious in the United States. The exhibit closes April 25th. Check the exhibit's Web site for updates: www.womenandspirit.org.

The Sacred Made Real: Spanish Painting and Sculpture, 1600–1700, an exhibition of arrestingly real 17th-century sculptures and paintings of the saints, the Immaculate Conception, and the Passion of Christ is on view at the National Gallery of Art, Washington, through May 31, 2010. Easter Sunday, April 4th at 6:30pm, the Gallery will host the United States premiere performance of Requiem Aeternam (after Victoria) by British composer and pianist Stephen Hough. Hough created his Requiem, based on Spanish composer Tomás Luís de Victoria's Requiem Mass (1605), in honor of the exhibition while it was on view at the National Gallery, London, in 2009. Go to www.nga.gov/sacred for information about the exhibit. For information about the April 4th program visit www.nga.gov/programs/music

Renew and Refresh Your Spirit!

The Paulist Fathers invite you to join them at their gorgeous summer home on Lake George, NY for one of their retreats in June or July. Topics range from contemplative prayer, to conflict transformation, to spirituality at the movies. For more information, check out http://www.stmaryslakegeorge.com.

WTU in the News! 

Congratulations go to Fr. Gene Hemrick of the National Institute for the Renewal of the Priesthood (www.jknirp.com). His book, "Habits of a Priestly Heart" published by World Library Publications has been selected as the June 2010 title for the U.S. Catholic Book Club. This book club is publicized in US Catholic Magazine!

WTU Student News!

WTU Student Dan Horan, OFM '10 has published the following articles:

"How Original was Scotus on the Incarnation? Reconsidering the History of the Absolute Predestination of Christ in Light of Robert Grosseteste," an article published in the early view content section of the Heythrop Journal website, which allows subscribers to read the full text of articles in advance of the print version. This article will appear in the print version of the journal later this year. To view the abstract and other information click here.

"Il Poverello and Los Pobres: Reading The Sacred Exchange in Light of South American Poverty,” The Cord 60 (January/March 2010): 16-31.

"Thomas Merton’s Vernacular Franciscan Theology,” The Merton Journal 16 (Advent 2009): 26-36. [A British Journal; Also featured in the same issue was an article by Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury].

"Revisiting the Incarnation: Why the ‘Franciscan Thesis’ is not so Franciscan and Why it Does not Really Matter,” The Cord 59 (October/December 2009): 371-390.

When not publishing, Dan has also been busy practicing photography and giving lectures on John Duns Scotus. His photographs were recently featured in the March 2010 issue of St. Anthony Messenger Magazine to illustrate the cover story "The Ever Growing Kurtz Family: Busy, Blended and Blessed." Dan, a professional sports and editorial photographer, owned and operated his own freelance photography company (Horan Photography) before entering the Franciscan Order - he occasionally takes on assignments such as this one. To see all of the Fr James  Aherne MS ’73 photos you should see the print edition. To read the story, click here:

Alumni Class Notes

If you have experienced a professional achievement such as a new job, published writing, or receipt of an award, or you have personal news such as an ordination, wedding, birth, or jubilee to celebrate, please share the good news by submitting a Class Note to alumni@wtu.edu.

See the most recent updates...
Fr. Joseph M. O’Neil, MS
Fr James Aherne MS ’73
Fr. Francois M. Pellissier ’81
Rose VonBargen ’87

Links

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Holy Week at WTU

Sun

28

mar

Palm Sunday

Mon

29

mar

Midday Mass
Chapel | 12 Noon

Tues

30

mar

Midday Prayer
Chapel | 12 Noon

Wed

31

mar

Midday Mass
Chapel | 12 Noon

Thurs

01

april

Holy Thursday
School and Offices Closed

Fri

02

april

Good Friday
School and Offices Closed

Fr. Fred Tillotson, OCarm "Reflection on the Lord's Passion"
St. Matthews Cathedral |12noon

Up Coming Events:
Please click on Lecture for more details

Saturday, April 10th, 10:00-11:15: Rev. Marc Foley, OCD "Visions: A Pastoral Approach

Saturday, April 10th, 2:00pm: The Thomas Merton Society of Washington Presents Donald Grayston, PhD speaking on "Merton as Pilgrim in Cuba and Asia". St. Anslem's Abbey, School Auditorium. For more information: tmsociety@fastmail.fm

Wenesday, April 14, 6:30pm: Prayer service for lay students who have completed Formation for Ministry Program

Thursday, April 15, 4:00pm: Presentation by Cross International

April 24th: Dr. Kathy Brown and David Orr will speak on the tradition of St. Francis DeSales at the Bon Secours Spiritual Center

Friday - Sunday, May 28-30: Franciscan Symposium at WTU: "Greed, Lust, and Power: Franciscan Strategies for building a More Just World."

July 12-16th: 2010 Spirituality & Health Care Summer Institute at George Washington Hospital

July 16-18: Creation as the Body of God, Albuquerque, NM. Featuring Sr. Ilia Delio and Richard Rohr.

Friday - Sunday, October 22-24: Newman Scotus Symposium at WTU.

THE VINCENT CUSHING, OFM STUDENT SERVICE AWARD

An annual honor awarded by the Student Senate to one of the Washington Theological Union’s graduating degree or certificate students, the Vincent Cushing, OFM Student Service Award recipient is someone who has made an exceptional contribution to the community life of the Union. Staff, Faculty, and students are asked to take the opportunity to nominate a graduating student for this award. Nomination forms can be found in the front lobby or you can access the nomination form by clicking here. E-mail your nomination form to senate@wtu.edu. Need a list of potential graduates? Click here!

An Important Announcement from the Academic Dean

RE: Change in Course Credits Over the last several years students have raised concerns about the two credit courses offered at the Washington Theological Union. We have heard these concerns and we have responded to them. Please click here to read about the changes in two credit classes.  

Notes from the Registrar

FINANCIAL AID OFFICE NOTES

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

SUMMER AND FALL REGISTRATION

SUPERVISED MINISTRY REGISTRATION

SEMESTER CLASS SCHEDULE STRUCTURE

ACADEMIC ADVICE/REGISTRATION

SEMESTER BOOKLISTS

MDIV PREACHING I/II SCHEDULE

Feeding the Flames of Ministry 2010 Annual Appeal

matchWe continue to need your help as WTU works to provide tomorrow's priests, pastoral ministers, and church leaders with the excellent theological and spiritual formation the Union provides. WTU Student Jessica Dennis and Assistant Director of Development, Chris Costello have put together a beautiful brochure inviting you to help us ignite the flame of ministry. Click here to view an online version of this brochure.

Rental Opportunity in Takoma Park

A beautiful single-family home in Takoma Park is available for rent. For more information, please call Rosanna at 301-257-7732 or Samuel at 301-254-2949. 

Job Opportunities:

Select the Job title to read the full description

Washington Theological Union: Administrative Assistant to the Academic Dean.

Director of Religious Education, St. Mark's Parish, Vienna, VA

New Catholic School Needs Teachers
St. Francis International School


Regional Coordinator of the Office of Justice and Peace to be located in Norton, VA.

Regional Coordinator of the Office of Justice and Peace to be located in Roanoke VA.

Director of Faith Formation, St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Triangle, VA

Coordinator of Sacramental Preparation - Elementary Level

See the our past updates...

Archdiocese of Washington Young Adult Ministry

The Archdiocese of Washington has numerous activities for young adults. To find out what is happening in our area, please click here.

Be Published!

If you have an insight into next Sunday's Gospel: Publish it!
If you sponsor an event: Publicize it!
If you know a great story: Submit it!

Please send your submission by Tuesday evening to: jknetemann@wtu.edu

Vatican's Top Ten Rock Hits

From the Catholic News Service:

In response to a pop music festival in Italy, the Vatican published a "semi-serious" list of 10 essential rock and pop albums. The "10 Albums Worth Taking to a Desert Island" were listed in chronological order:

Revolver The Beatles
If I could Only Remember My NameDavid Crosby
The Dark Side of the Moon Pink Floyd
Rumours Fleetwood Mac
The NIghtfly Donald Fagen
Thriller Michael Jackson
Graceland Paul Simon
Achtung Baby U2
(What's the Story) Morning Glory Oasis
Supernatural Carlos Santana

Don't agree? Send us your list of Top Ten Albums for a Desert Islands, and we will publish it! 

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