Archive Posts
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Yeast or Frosting: Two Competing Visions of Catholic Education
Faith and MissionThe metaphor of “yeast” can serve as a model for Catholic education. Yeast is an agent of infusion, integration and penetration that transforms the flour into which it is introduced. Frosting, on the other hand, does not penetrate the cake, but only layers itself on top. These two metaphors capture in a simple – but…
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Mary in Rome
Faith and MissionI fell in love with Mary while a graduate student visiting the Uffizi Gallery in Florence. Standing in front of Simone Martini’s “Annunciation,” I was astonished by the role of Mary in the story of salvation. I stared at the painting, studying Mary’s gaze, until the museum closed. After I began teaching at the University… -
PHOTOS: Catholic Studies Summer Alumni Event
AlumniOn Aug. 23, 2024, more than 350 alumni and their families gathered on campus for a class reunion-style event. Bluegrass music, conversation and joy filled the room. This story is featured in the winter 2025 issue of Lumen. -
Catholic Studies Professor Chosen for Cardinal Wright Award
Professional NotesDr. Robert Kennedy received the 2024 Cardinal Wright Award for scholarly service to the Church by the Fellowship of Catholic Scholars at the 46th Annual Conference at the Catholic University of America. He also presented a plenary paper “Challenges in the Education and Formation of Catholic Professionals" at the September conference. The Fellowship of Catholic Scholars… -
Teacher-Student Reunion Solidifies College Choice
Humans of St. ThomasA small-world connection played a part in drawing University of St. Thomas student Vincent Wiegman ’27 to the Twin Cities from the Kansas City area: his middle school science teacher. Minnesota native and St. Thomas Senior Admissions Counselor Annie Dockendorf taught in the Kansas City area for nearly two years before joining St. Thomas in… -
Five St. Thomas Faculty Attend Patristic Conference
Arts & HumanitiesFive faculty members from the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota recently attended the 19th International Conference on Patristic Studies in Oxford, U.K. Attendees included (pictured above left to right): Professor Paul Gavrilyuk (Department of Theology), Professor Mark DelCogliano (Department of Theology), Father Austin Litke (Department of Catholic Studies), Associate Professor Erika Kidd (Department of… -
From Carp to Coding: Undergraduate Summer Research Highlights
ResearchThrough the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP), nearly 70 undergraduate students at the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota had the opportunity this summer to work with faculty mentors on a variety of research projects. The program’s grant funding means that students get paid for their work and research. Forty-one Young Scholars, 12 Ignite Research… -
Catholic Studies, SJV Unite With Irish College in Rome
Faith and MissionThe unique relationship of Catholic Studies, Saint John Vianney College Seminary (SJV), and the Pontifical Irish College is yet one more fruit of our ongoing presence in Rome. Although SJV seminarians have participated in the Catholic Studies Rome program from the beginning, the challenge was how to continue their seminary formation in as full and… -
Building Up the Kingdom Together
Faith and MissionOn Tuesday and Thursday mornings, Dr. Erika Kidd teaches an 8 o’clock class on the Virgin Mary to a group that includes many seminarians from Saint John Vianney College Seminary (SJV). “The comradery of the seminarians brings joy and levity to the classroom,” she said. “It is a blessing to witness their love for the… -
Alumnus Brings Catholic Vision to the Big Screen
Faith and MissionMeet David Fischer ’01, ’06 J.D., a husband and father of nine, one of whom is a current Catholic Studies student. In addition to his role as president of Saint Paul’s Outreach, he is the founder and producer of Open River Entertainment, a production company Fischer and his wife Laura ’01 named with Isaiah 41:18…