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Social Events

Catholic Residences, Social Events

Catholic Studies Welcomes Prospective Students!

Taken from Tommie Blogger Lizzie’s “Snow and Catholic Studies” entry, November 14th, 2010

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Lizzie (middle) With Jill and Allison, Visiting for the Overnight

 

“This week has been quite busy with one paper and two tests, but we made it through and the weekend welcomed us with a big arrival of snow!!

Because I am a weather nerd, I knew the epic blizzard was coming but there’s still nothing like waking up to snow outside! Kudos to all you high school juniors and your families that made it out to Fall Junior Visit Day-you’re all such troopers! Here’s a short wrap-up of the weekend.

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Social Events

Traditions: Ice Cream Social

There’s no better way to “kick” off a new school year than with ice cream,  good company, and a kick-ball game!

Abby Kowitz at the plate

Abby Kowitz at the plate

Fellow CS students cheer their friends on from the stands

Fellow CS students cheer their friends on from the stands

L-R: Paula Thelen, Audrey Anderson, and Christine Ertl enjoy scooping ice cream on the Morrison Patio

L-R: Paula Thelen, Audrey Anderson, and Christine Ertl enjoy scooping ice cream on the Morrison Patio

Social Events

March Community Night

We would consider this a small crowd. The first year of Wednesday night Community Nights at the Sitzmann Hall Albertus Magnus Chapel have been quite the success. We have had anywhere from 60-80 people gathered comfortably close for mass,…

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We would consider this a small crowd.
The first year of Wednesday night Community Nights at the Sitzmann Hall Albertus Magnus Chapel have been quite the success. We have had anywhere from 60-80 people gathered comfortably close for mass, discussion, and a delicious Italian-style pasta dinner. It is a beautiful witness to the wonderful Catholic Studies community we all know and love! All are welcome!
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Social Events

Praying through Music

Posted by Luke, UST Senior, Catholic Studies and Philosophy
I started playing the guitar a lot when I was about thirteen. I would just come home from school and play a bit and then go do something else. A big part of the reason I started playing was because I would get bored and it was something else to do. The first songs I learned, that were the most impactful, were the blues riff I played at the concert, minus the words, and the song “Dust in the wind.” Once I learned a bit about finger style playing I started developing my own style. It really wasn’t until the summer before my senior year that I started using the guitar as a way to pray. I have found playing for that reason to be much better.

I thought the concert last weekend (February 26th) was a lot of fun. I was preparing to be more nervous and unfocused than I was, but I really felt a calmness and peace come over me after the first song that I can only attribute to the Holy Spirit. Otherwise, the crowd of 450was a blast and I was very happy to see how easily they laughed, I think that also helped me relax. I am used to playing to crowds that don’t clap or make comments between songs, so that would have been fine too.

Social Events

CSI/ Shine dance

Posted by Monica, UST
If you like music, dancing, dessert, Christmas cheer, and the energy found in everyone who just finished classes, then the CSI/SHINE dance was the place to be on Friday, December 11. The annual Christmas dance was located in Murray-Herrick 304 this year and it was one classy event. It was so fun watching everyone file in donning their semi-formal gear and/or Christmas apparel. There were a couple Santa hats, a dozen ladies dressed as Christmas trees, a few Christmas sweaters and a whole lot of beautifully dressed people boogying on the dance floor. It was an absolute blast and what I would call a huge success for CSI and SHINE. There were a large number of people there and almost everyone was out on the dance floor bustin’ a move. It was like a big dance party that everyone was invited to and each person was free to dance as crazy or tame as they wanted. Good, clean, Christian dancin’ fun was the theme of the night and it was a night that was well needed by everyone. I, for one, believe that the CSI/SHINE dances are the best dances at St. Thomas. If someone doesn’t believe me, they need only to attend one of the dances and their hearts will be sold to the twinkling lights, the upbeat (yet appropriate) music, and the completely lovable people who faithfully attend. The next CSI/SHINE dance is on the last day of classes of Spring semester. For those who missed out on the Christmas dance, I suggest attending the spring dance to redeem yourself and have an incredible night!

Social Events, Student Profiles

SJV Homecoming Float: The Dolorian

Posted by Anthony, UST Senior
Hard hats, saws, nail guns, noise complaints, saw dust, lots of coffee (some tobacco may also have been present), shouting foremen, crews working the normal business day to shame to meet deadline, an electrician, and even an on sight firefighter. Multimillion dollar construction contract in South Saint Paul? No way. Five hundred dollar construction contract in the middle of Saint Paul. More specifically, the 2009 Saint John Vianney Seminary’s homecoming float worksite.
In regards to the float contest, the seminarians have notoriously swept the homecoming “field” for as long as present memory can recall, regardless of the blue ribbon commission’s ultimate decision. A pirate ship, armed with candy lobbing cannons; a two-story castle, whose climax was a Lord-of-the-Rings styled battle between a twenty foot long dragon, his league of orcish minions and no less than forty armored knights ; and the Tommie version of the Trojan horse, which at first appeared like a slightly obtuse football—until it paused in front of the judges and (miraculously) became a football field housing a team Tommie football players.
This year was no different. The Sems warmed themselves that snowy October morning with the literally flamethrowing exhaust of their biblically proportioned Dolorian, which came complete with fully functioning, horizontally hinged doors and an endearing white haired Doc at its helm. And in tribute to the “125 Years” theme, the 125 or so seminarians that did not play main characters of the Back to the Future trilogy donned white shirts with years 1985-2009 stenciled front and back in black spray paint, and walked in single file line, thus creating wonderful visual pun.
Unfortunately, neither the time-line, nor endearing doc, nor even the hot Dolorian could secure for them the win. Apparently, despite the snow that the Sems ordered in that morning, the fire-extinguisher-bearing fire fighter, and the clearly competent scientist present (he was even wearing a white lab jacket for godsakes), the judges did not score the float well in the “safety” category. Which apparently is a scoring category.
Oh well. Maybe this year’s loss will motivate an even more massive float next year. Who knows… only time will tell.

Social Events

Ice Cream Social: Welcome Students!

Posted by Meghan, UST Junior, Music and Catholic Studies
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Pictured above: Laura, a Catholic Studies student, enjoying her ice cream sundae.
On September 20, the Catholic Studies Department kicked off the 2009-2010 academic year with its annual ice cream social. The event was very well attended with over 150 students, faculty, and staff coming out for the Sunday evening event. An information table gave newcomers the opportunity to learn what Catholic Studies is all about. In addition, members of the new student organization C.S.I. (Catholic Students Incorporated) were present to hand out flyers and provide information about upcoming events on campus. The social was a huge success and was a great way to reconnect with old friends as well as to meet the newest additions to the Catholic Studies Department!
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Alumni, Social Events

Congratulations 2009 Graduates!

On Saturday, May 23, 2009, the University celebrated the graduation of the class of 2009. The Department of Catholic Studies held its annual graduation open house in the Great Room of McNeely Hall to celebrate the accomplishments of its undergraduate and graduate students. Families and friends were in attendance, with guests totaling over 300.
This spring, 52 Catholic Studies majors and 10 Catholic Studies minors graduated. Of the 52 majors, 38 are double majors and 3 are triple majors. These students have combined Catholic Studies with such fields as accounting, biochemistry, economics, education, mathematics, philosophy, social work, Spanish, and theology. A special congratulations to the 33 students who have earned Latin Honors!
In addition, 6 graduate students completed their studies this year.
Mary Harnan, staff member and photographer of the event said “Taking photos during the open house was wonderful and touching. Outside the weather was sunny and warm but it felt even brighter inside McNeely Hall, seeing the joy on the faces of the graduates and feeling the warmth, love and support of the graduate’s family and friends.”
View the slideshow below for pictures from the open house event:

Social Events

Catholic Studies Ultimate Frisbee Tournament

Posted by Theresa, Catholic Studies Staff Member
The Catholic Studies Undergraduate Department had its 4th annual Ultimate Frisbee Tournament last Saturday, complete with a bright sunny day, food and fun.
“The Best Team Ever”, the Catholic Studies Faculty and Staff team (with help from some of their kids), brought out some fierce competition against the participating undergraduate students and alumni.
The double-elimination tournament culminated in a double championship game. “The Fall of Rome” (the students that will be studying in Rome together next fall) were undefeated until “Hansel” came back from the loser’s bracket to win the game. Being a double elimination tournament, the two teams played again, with “The Fall of Rome” taking the final crown and glory.
Other teams competing were Al Dente (the Catholic Men’s House), The Humiliators, and the Great Wall of China.

Alumni, Social Events

Spring Alumni Event: Loome Bookstore

Posted by Chris DuFresne, UST Alumnus 2004, Business and Catholic Studies
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The Catholic Studies Alumni committee sponsored their first 2009 event at
Loome Theological Booksellers in Stillwater, Minnesota. Dr. Don Briel spoke about the “Promise and Challenges of Catholic Studies.” The setting was quite unique in that the bookstore is in an old church. The alumni and current students sat in the balcony while Dr. Briel spoke from the staircase landing across the room. He discussed the great things Catholic Studies has to offer to a university, such as its ability to bring together so many of the important components of the Catholic Tradition, including literature, arts, theology, philosophy, etc.
Students asked questions of Dr. Briel to continue the conversation. Alumni were curious to know how they could support Catholic Studies at St. Thomas. Dr. Briel explained that any gifts to St. Thomas can be directed to a specific program or cause, which means donations can be made directly to Catholic Studies.
After the discussion, Andrew Poole, Catholic Studies Alum and one of the owners of Loome’s, invited students and alumni to shop the store. Students and alumni spent over an hour perusing the many shelves of antique, out–of-print, and current theological books.
The Catholic Studies Alumni Committee is a group of Catholic Studies alumni who work to foster the Catholic Studies Community after graduation for both undergraduate and graduate alumni. We would love to see you at an upcoming event! Save the date for the annual summer BBQ on Sunday, August 16, 2009.
Interested in helping the Alumni Committee? Contact Chris DuFresne (Chris@ChrisDuFresne.com 651-592-1027).
Join the Catholic Studies Group on Facebook! Search for “Catholic Studies Alumni – St. Thomas.”