Catholic Studies Blog

The Call to Love: An Alumna Shares Her Vision

Cap Corps Midwest 2010-2011 group, Laura is front-left

Ten months ago, I was a Senior at UST, majoring in Catholic Studies and English with no idea what the next step would be after graduation. If you would have asked me my plans, I probably would have shrugged and given a vague answer about looking for a teaching position in the Cities. I certainly didn’t intend to move to South Chicago for a year, but the Lord had other plans! So here I am, as a full-time volunteer with Cap Corps Midwest (with the Capuchin Franciscans), marveling every day at the mere fact that I am here.

November 9, 2010 by cath

Catholic Social Thought, Faith and Career, Service, Student Profiles

Structure and Love: How Social Work and Catholic Studies Compliment One-Another

Photo taken from TIME.com

As I am nearing my graduation date, I am asked frequently what my majors are and what I plan to do after I graduate. I respond by explaining that I will have a degree in Catholic Studies and in Social Work. After I mention these majors, I am given a confused look as to why I have paired them together. What does Catholic Studies have to do with social work? How do they relate?

November 2, 2010 by cath

Catholic Social Thought, Faith and Career, Student Profiles

An Internship at the United Nations: A Catholic Studies Student In Action

Greetings from NYC! This semester I have the opportunity to work as an intern for the Holy See’s Mission to the United Nations. Each day brings an outstanding opportunity to play a part in the Holy See’s mission for the international community, and I am incredibly grateful to have a window into this work of the Church. It is truly impressive to see how much care the Holy See takes to help guide the course of international policy here at the United Nations. The U.N. certainly provides a good forum for leaders to discuss and resolve what is most pressing for the global community, but after being here only a few weeks, I’ve witnessed how true it is that human politics and policies will always and forever fall short of what they hope –and claim– to achieve. If anything, they highlight how only Christ holds complete answers to the needs and longings of the human family. In essence, the Holy See delegation is here in His stead, giving nations insight into what is truly in their best interest. Seen in this light, the delegation’s work is absolutely indispensable –and it’s a privilege to partake in it.

October 26, 2010 by cath

Catholic Residences, Student Profiles

A “Fresh” Perspective

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As a Freshmen in college there is always the struggle of adapting to a whole new atmosphere and way of living. Only after a month’s time, however, the campus is referred to as “home” and before we know it, total strangers become the best of friends.

As a Southern Belle from deep in the heart of Texas, coming to the University of St. Thomas was a whole new experience. The past six weeks have come and gone with a never-ending flow of fun-filled activities, a desk constantly cluttered with an oncoming flow of homework, and the comforting unity of fellow students. Minoring in the Catholic Studies Program provides me with the ability to study more deeply what is most important to me: my Catholic faith. While delving into the full college experience, there is also the opportunity to immerse myself in the solace of a spiritual regimen. The Chapel becomes a safe haven in which I am relieved of all forms of stress. The many trials that accompany the every day life of a student are triumphed by the joys and exhilarating moments spent not only with supportive friends but also with our Lord present in the most Blessed Sacrament.

~Alexandria

October 19, 2010 by cath

Lectures and Conferences

George Weigel Speaks: A Student Perspective

Geroge Weigel, renowned author & biographer of Pope John Paul II

The O’Shaughnessy Education Center was buzzing with excitement on Monday, October 4 in waits for George Weigel to speak about his new book on the Venerable Pope John Paul II. The book is titled End of the Beginning-Pontificate of JPII. As a Catholic Leadership Intern, I had the privilege of being a greeter at the front doors of the auditorium. “Welcome. Thanks for coming! Enjoy the talk” echoed throughout the lobby. The mob of people was diversely populated with professors, priests, friends, students, and probably many more distinguished (yet unidentified) guests. From my vantage point, it was nice to see Weigel’s reception was a warm one. As the clock approached 7:30pm, Dr. Briel urged us (the super cool greeters) to herd people into the auditorium so the talk could begin. Being a 5’ 4” girl with a relatively “unbooming” voice, it wasn’t a surprise that no one really listened to me. However, once Weigel took the stage, people’s attention turned towards the front and my stature didn’t matter anymore.

October 7, 2010 by cath

Faculty & Staff

Catholic Studies Welcomes Dr. Billy Junker

I would like to thank the students, faculty, and staff who have welcomed me and my family with warm and generous hospitality to the Catholic Studies community. I was asked to write something for this blog by way of a brief introduction of myself to those students in Catholic Studies whom I have not yet had the pleasure to meet. I thought the best approach to this assignment would be to offer a short reflection upon what I take to be the importance and uniqueness of the Department of Catholic Studies, and why I was attracted to the department in the first place.

September 21, 2010 by cath

Classes

Catholic Studies and Communications

Posted by Vanessa, UST Senior, Catholic Studies and Communications and Journalism

If you major in both Catholic Studies and Communications and Journalism, what kind of career will you end up in? The options are seemingly limited. Perhaps you will find yourself writing for your local diocesan newspaper or doing advertising campaigns on behalf of EWTN. You might even declare your final vows and go on to publish your convent’s monthly newsletter. Or, is it actually possible that combining Catholic Studies and Communications and Journalism might open doors rather than close them?
Although I never intended to take part in the Catholic Studies program as a segue into an explicitly Catholic career, most people who are unfamiliar with the program tend to assume as much. My undergraduate experience in Catholic Studies has been a testament to the importance of faith in all areas and situations of life. Our belief in God should not be an aspect of ourselves separate from the others. Above all else, it should be the detail of our being that is most infiltrated throughout the rest: “I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart; I have declared Your faithfulness and Your salvation; I have not concealed Your loving kindness and Your truth” (Psalm 40:10).
Upon graduation this coming May, I hope to find a job in the area of Communications. My focus has been in Visual Communication, and I would be absolutely thrilled if I could one day be a Graphic Designer. This career is not obviously linked to faith, but it is if I choose to make it so! Because of the Catholic Studies Department and its faculty, I will be able to move ahead into the workplace, confidently taking Christ with me. My daily prayer is that I might reflect Christ to all I encounter and – regardless of whether an environment be religious or secular – be a constant witness to his perfect love.

March 2, 2010 by cath

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