August 31, 2016 // Uncategorized

Around the Diocese: September 4, 2016

Todays Catholic

Diocesan Holy Hour of Prayer for Peace in our Communities

FORT WAYNE — Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades will lead a Holy Hour of Prayer for Peace in our Communities as part of the National Day of Prayer for Peace in Our Communities, on Friday, Sept. 9, the memorial of St. Peter Claver, from 7-8 p.m. at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Dioceses throughout the United States will be observing this National Day of Prayer for Peace and Unity in light of race-related tensions and strife in various communities.

Rev. Frater Brennan professes Solemn Vows

DE PERE, Wis. — On Sunday, Aug. 28, the Solemnity of St. Augustine, Rev. Frater Michael Brennan, O. Praem., professed Solemn Vows, forging a mutual lifelong commitment to the canonical life between himself and the entire professed community. Abbot Neville presided over the solemn rite.

On Monday, Aug. 29, Rev. Frater Brennan was also ordained to the diaconate by Most Rev. Dale J. Melczek, D.D., bishop emeritus of Gary, Ind.

Rev. Frater Brennan, 39, is the son of Michael and Dorothy Brennan of Michigan City, and a son of Queen of All Saints Catholic Church in Michigan City. His parents now belong to St. Pius X Catholic Church in Granger.

A 1995 graduate of Marquette Catholic High School, Michigan City, he graduated from St. Norbert College, De Pere, Wis., in 1999 with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and psychology and a minor in religious studies. In 2001 he received a Master of Education degree from the University of Notre Dame. He anticipates completing his Master of Divinity in May 2017 and a Master of Arts in Scripture in the fall of 2017. Both degrees will be granted by Catholic Theological Union, Chicago. Rev. Frater Brennan will be ordained a Norbertine priest on May 27, 2017.

Day of Recollection planned

HUNTINGTON — The Offices of Catechesis and Youth Ministry will have a day of recollection Saturday, Sept. 10, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Victory Noll Center, address. The day is open to all priests, deacons, religious, Catholic school principals and their staff, religious educators, catechists, youth ministers and parents/grandparents. There is no charge to attend; however, registration is required at www.diocesefwsb.org/Office-of-Catechesis. For information contact Andrew Ouellette, diocesan director of Youth Ministry at 574-234-0687 or at [email protected].

Christian Culture lecture planned

NOTRE DAME — The Saint Mary’s College Department of Humanistic Studies will present presidential historian and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Doris Kearns Goodwin to speak at the Christian Culture Lecture. Goodwin will present “Leadership Lessons from the White House: Doris Kearns Goodwin on the American Presidents” on Tuesday, Oct. 4, at 7:30 p.m. in O’Laughlin Auditorium with a book signing and reception to follow.

As the country’s preeminent presidential historian, Goodwin will share cherished stories, intimate insights, and in-depth analysis of the U.S. presidency, which she has studied for more than four decades. She will also suggest how Christianity has affected the presidency and influenced governance.

Drawing from her award-winning and bestselling biographies of Lyndon Johnson, Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, Franklin Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln, Goodwin brings the past alive, delivering an insider’s look at the captivating stories that illuminate the inner complexities of our most fascinating leaders.

“We are thrilled and honored to welcome Doris Kearns Goodwin to Saint Mary’s,” Professor of Humanistic Studies John Shinners said. “It’s especially exciting to have her here to share her insights just a month before the upcoming historic national election.”

Goodwin was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in history for “No Ordinary Time: Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt: The Home Front in World War II.” She worked with Steven Spielberg on the film “Lincoln,” based in part on her award-winning “Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln.”  She is well known for her appearances and commentary on television, where she is seen frequently on NBC, MSNBC, CBS, ABC, FOX, CNN, “The Charlie Rose Show” and “Meet the Press.” Other appearances include “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart,” “The Colbert Report,” “The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson,” and many more. Goodwin has served as a consultant and has been interviewed extensively for PBS and the History Channel’s documentaries on LBJ, the Kennedy family, Franklin Roosevelt, Abraham and Mary Lincoln and Ken Burns’ “The History of Baseball and The Civil War.”

Goodwin earned a Ph.D. in Government from Harvard University, where she taught Government, including a course on the American Presidency. She served as an assistant to President Lyndon Johnson in his last year in the White House, and later assisted President Johnson in the preparation of his memoirs. Goodwin is the winner of the Charles Frankel Prize, given by the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Sarah Josepha Hale medal and the Lincoln Prize.

Admission is free with a ticket. Contact the Moreau Center box office at 574-284-4626 or moreaucenter.com for information.

USF announces tenure, promotions; honors faculty at dinner

FORT WAYNE —The University of Saint Francis recognized faculty achievements at its annual Faculty Scholarship Banquet on Aug. 23. Instructors who won university awards, completed advanced degrees or earned tenure, promotions and sabbaticals were honored.

The 2015-2016 Leepoxy Award for Teaching Excellence was awarded to Dr. Michael Bechill of the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Dr. Paul Schmidt of the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences was awarded the 2015-2016 Teaching Excellence and Campus Leadership Award.

Faculty earning promotions in 2015-2016 include:

Amanda Benz, Assistant Professor of Nursing;  Weston Cutter, Associate Professor of English; Mark Everetts, Assistant Professor of Music Technology; Dr. Andrea Geyer, Associate Professor of Chemistry; Dr. Matthew Hopf, Associate Professor of Biology; Dr. Elizabeth Kuebler-Wolf, Associate Professor of Art History; Dr. Lewis Pearson, Associate Professor of Theology; Mary Jo Tirpak, Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy.

Faculty earning tenure in 2015-2016 include:

Rebecca Coleman, Associate Professor of Social Work; Weston Cutter, Associate Professor of English; Mark Fransen, Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy; Dr. Andrea Geyer, Associate Professor of Chemistry; Dr. Matthew Hopf, Associate Professor of Biology; Michelle Lefevra, Assistant Professor of Kinesiology and Nutrition; Dr. Lewis Pearson, Associate Professor of Philosophy; Dr. Thomas Schneider, Associate Professor of Political Science; Dr. Louise Weber, Associate Professor of Biology.

Faculty members who were honored for completing advanced degrees are: Carrie Engel, School of Health Sciences, Dr. Angela Harrell, School of Health Sciences, Dr. Robert Lee, Keith Busse School of Business and Entrepreneurial Leadership and Dr. Susan Lown, School of Health Sciences.

Faculty members who completed or were awarded sabbaticals include: Dr. Esperanca Camara, School of Creative Arts, Dr. David Mullins, School of Liberal Arts and Sciences and Dawn Mabry Parker, School of Health Sciences.