Archive Posts
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Faith, Fraternity and Football: The Rector’s Bowl
Faith and MissionThe Saint Paul Seminary and Saint John Vianney College Seminary square off each fall in a game of flag football at the University of St. Thomas’ O’Shaughnessy Stadium. The Rectors’ Bowl is an annual celebration of both seminaries and the bonds that unite their communities as places of formation for men discerning the priesthood. “The…
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Saint Paul Seminary Bucks National Trend With 100 Seminarians in 2023-24
Faith and MissionEven amid reports of declining priestly vocations, The Saint Paul Seminary began the 2023-24 academic year with its largest seminarian enrollment in a decade. Once again, over 1,000 future priests, deacons and lay leaders began formation at the seminary this fall. The 129-year-old seminary on the banks of the Mississippi River at the University of… -
Meet the New Priests Forming the Next Generation of Clergy
Faith and MissionOn an early September day that feels like summer in Minnesota despite school being back in session, Father Nels Gjendahl greets every undergraduate student he meets during a walk across the University of St. Thomas campus. Many of them return his “hello” and smile with a grin or nod of their own. Others have AirPods… -
University Organist Presents Three Solo Concerts and Lecture in Poland
Professional NotesDr. Jacob Benda, director of music, liturgy and sacred arts and organ area professor at the University of St. Thomas, recently visited Krakow, Poland, to present three solo organ concerts and a lecture for the International Conference on Sacred Music at the Pontifical University of John Paul II. On Nov. 19, Benda performed inaugural concerts… -
Series on Indigenous Relations Grapples With the History of University Land
Diversity, Equity and InclusionDuring the academic year 2023-24, the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of St. Thomas. is sponsoring a series of four on-campus events and two off-campus visits to sacred sites to learn more about Indigenous communities in Minnesota and the history of relations between especially the Dakota people and the Catholic Church. The… -
Mission of the Engineer Course Teaches Faith, Reason
Faith and MissionTwo University of St. Thomas leaders teaching a new interdisciplinary course hope it will become one of the university’s signature offerings. Director of the Center for Catholic Studies Michael Naughton and School of Engineering Dean Don Weinkauf are co-teaching Mission of the Engineer. Students in the course learn and reflect on a variety of topics… -
Saint Paul Seminary Remembers Spiritual Director Father Jeff Huard
Faith and MissionThe Saint Paul Seminary warmly remembers and asks for prayers for the repose of the soul of the Reverend Jeffrey Huard. The seminary spiritual director passed away unexpectedly Nov. 17 at age 68. From 2009 until 2021, Huard served as director of spiritual formation at the seminary; after stepping down from this leadership role, he… -
Father Chris Collins Adds Role at Church of Saint Peter Claver
Professional NotesFather Christopher Collins, vice president for mission at the University of St. Thomas, recently assumed an additional role as the parochial administrator of the Church of Saint Peter Claver in St. Paul. Named after Father Peter Claver, the Spanish Jesuit known as the patron saint of enslaved people, the Church of Saint Peter Claver is… -
Dr. Pamela Patnode of The Saint Paul Seminary Shares Insights on Catholic Education
Faith and MissionDr. Pamela Patnode, program director for Certificate in Catholic School Leadership at The Saint Paul Seminary, has provided her perspectives in several talks to the Catholic educational community. She was the keynote speaker for Chesterton Schools Network National Conference (Minneapolis) and a workshop presenter at the Duc In Altum Schools Summit (Washington, D.C.). Patnode also… -
Sister Norma Pimentel Encourages St. Thomas Community to Step Out of Comfort Zone
Faith and MissionSister Norma Pimentel, a dedicated advocate for change, encouraged the University of St. Thomas community to become more compassionate supporters of positive immigration and social change. Living in Texas, Pimentel witnessed the crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border firsthand. When she joined a group of sisters involved in taking care of immigrants in shelters, Pimentel found…