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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

April 4, 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.

Easter Sunday
What does it mean that you life is hidden with Christ? When have you experienced glimpses of glory in your life? Listen to your risen Lord call your name, _____, just as he called “Mary!” Hear your name reverberate through the garden, and through your being. How does that feel? What do you want? Click here to read more, and to access this week's daily reflections

Homily Helper
Next Sunday is the Second Sunday of Easter
John 20:19-31

"The story of "doubting Thomas" is presented as a warning to those of us who have trouble trusting the spiritual side of life. Thomas is called the "twin," possibly because he had a striking physical resemblance to Jesus, but he discovers that this does not give him any advantage at all. What counts now is a spiritual relationship." To read the rest of Demetrius Dumm O.S.B.'s reflection on this reading, please, click here

In this Issue...

WTU President Presents Reflection at St. Matthew's Cathedral

Msgr Jameson, the rector of St. Matthew's Cathedral, invited WTU's president, Fr. Fred Tillotson,OCarm to preach about Christ's seven last words on the cross before the Good Friday liturgy.

The Last Seven Words of Christ is an hour-long service devoted to the last words Christ spoke on the cross. Fr. Fred gave 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 locally prominent priests.

Bishop Martin Holley visits WTU

Bishop HolleyHis Excellency the Most Reverend Martin David Holley, Titular Bishop of Rusibir and Auxiliary Bishop of Washington, D.C., visited Washington Theological Union on March 30th. Bishop Holley addressed Dr. Russel Murray OFM’s religious presbyter class and spoke about his background and vocation. Using his own experience as an example, he spoke of the joys of priesthood and also stressed to the students the importance of bringing all of one’s strengths and weaknesses to their roles as priests and their future ministries. Although they will surely face challenges, Bishop Holley encouraged the students to persevere in faith because God’s people will look to them for guidance and healing. “Bring His mercy to the people,” he told them.  

Need something to do after Easter? 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

Visions: A Pastoral Approach

On Saturday, April 10th at 10:00 am, the Rev. Marc Foley, OCD will present a lecture at WTU on the teaching of St. John of the Cross regarding visions and revelations. The focus of his talk will be on the pastoral implications of John's teaching, especially the problems that can occur as a result of countertransference. This talk will be especially relevant for spiritual directors and pastoral ministers. This event is co-sponsored by the Washington Theological Consortium. All are invited to attend!

Working for Peace in the Holy Land 

At St. Camillus parish on Wednesday, April 21st at 7pm, Daoud Nassar, a Palestinian Christian, will talk about his family's efforts to build bridges among Christians, Muslims and Jews through the Tent of Nations project. An interfaith prayer service will preceed Nassar's talk.

International Outreach to the Poor

Would you like to be part of the Church’s international outreach to the poor? You are invited to a presentation by Cross International on Thursday afternoon, April 15, at 4 pm in the CE Room. Learn about their ministry and their efforts to address extreme poverty in the world.

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 Faculty News!

Fr. Leopold Glueckert, OCarm, has written a book review for The Catholic Historical Review. The book review on "The Plays of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux: “Pious Recreations.” translated by Susan Conroy and David J. Dwyer appears in the April 2010 issue, Volume XCVI, No. 2.

WTU Student News!


WTU student Michael Castrilli, OSFS will present at the 2010 National Catholic Education Association (NCEA) Convention in Minneapolis during the week of April 6-8. His presentation entitled "Integrating a School's Spirituality in the Classroom and Beyond" addresses the challenge of many Catholic schools to embed spirituality or charism across disciplines, receive buy-in from faculty and staff, and engage the students to participate.

Michael will present an integration model he developed and will explore innovative ways to incorporate spirituality across disciplines and infuse the values of the charism across the larger school community.

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.

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!

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

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This Week at WTU

Sun

4

Apr

EASTER SUNDAY! 

Mon

5

Apr

Office and School Closed for Easter Monday

Tues

6

Apr

Classes Resume
Offices Open


11am AEFA Committee Meeting

Midday Prayer
Chapel | 12 Noon

Wed

7

Apr


Midday Mass
Chapel | 12 Noon



Thurs

8

Apr

Midday Prayer
Chapel | 12 Noon

1:30pm Graduation Committee meeting

Fri

9

Apr

 

Up Coming Events:

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

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

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

Thursday, April 15, 4:00pm: Presentation in the CE Room by Cross International about International Poverty Relief.

Wednesday, April 21st, 7:00pm: Working for Peace in the Holy Land, and interfaith prayer service at St. Camillus Parish.

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

Friday, May 7th: WTU Graduation
11am Mass in the Chapel
2:30pm Graduation Ceremony in Notre Dame Chapel, Trinity University of Washington

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.

Job Opportunities:

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.

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. 

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

 

ePISTLE is published weekly.

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