Mission & Ministry

Mission & Ministry

Neumann Institute for Franciscan Studies

About the Institute

Neumann College identifies itself as a Catholic college in the Franciscan tradition and takes seriously a commitment to what it calls “the Franciscan point of difference.” In August 1998, the college established the Neumann Institute for Franciscan Studies (NIFS) to advance the Catholic and Franciscan intellectual tradition. The Institute, in collaboration with the Vice President for Mission and the Campus Ministers, serves the scholarly and spiritual needs of the entire college community, with a special focus on faculty support. In 2000, the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia endowed the Institute to ensure continuous quality staffing and programming. Since its founding, the Institute has undertaken many activities to help the College community understand, own, and integrate the Catholic and Franciscan mission of the college. Major activities include the following:

• Sponsorship of a yearly lecture by a recognized Franciscan scholar with a strong background in teaching and research in higher education. Past speakers have included Zachary Hayes, OFM on Catholic Education in the Franciscan Tradition (August 26, 1998), Ingrid Peterson, OSF on The Spirituality of Francis and Clare (October 5, 1999), Michael Blastic, OFM on  A Franciscan Context for an Educational Community (October 4, 2000), Margaret Carney, OSF on The Franciscan Intellectual Tradition (October 1, 2001), Thomas Bourque, TOR on Why am I giving this one Life of mine to Franciscan Higher Education? (September 30, 2002), Joseph Nangle, OFM on Peacemaking in the Franciscan Tradition (August 25, 2004), Charles Finnegan, OFM on Hospitality, Advent and Incarnation (December 1, 2005), Kathy Warren, OSF on Francis of Assisi’s Encounter with Sultan Malek al-Kamil: A Model for Peacemaking (February 27-28, 2006), and Mary Beth Ingham, CSJ on At the Dawn of the New Millennium: What Franciscan Universities have to Offer (August 21, 2007). 

• Coordination of presentations, workshops, seminars, and conversations around mission-related themes (e.g. spirituality of Francis and Clare, relationships, integrity, learning in community, conflict management, care of creation, a non-violent response to terrorism, academic service learning in a Franciscan context, Franciscan themes in music and art, peacemaking, promoting peace through justice, Franciscans International, hospitality)

• Artistic and literary presentations featuring guest speakers (e.g. Franciscan Themes in Music with Andrea Likovich, OSF in 2002; Canticle of Creation: The Inspiration and the Artist with Linda Vonderschmidt-LaStella on September 30, 2003; St. Francis: Troubadour of God’s Peace with Leonardo Defillipis on October 27, 2005; Presentation and Poetry Readings with Murray Bodo, OFM on October 22, 2007)

• Philadelphia Art Museum lecture and tour on Franciscan Peacemaking and European Art with Sal Caltabiano on October 29, 2004

• Lectures featuring Neumann College presenters (e.g. Canticle of Creation and Environmental Ethics with Dr. John Mizzoni on October 28, 2003; The Beginnings: Legacy of the Italian Troubadour with Dr. Maria Traub on November 6, 2003; Restorative Justice with Dr. Connie Korteland on February 16, 2005; SOA Watch: What is it? with Campus Ministers Michael D’Angelo and Kirsten Echelmeir and student Catherine Logan on February 21, 2005; Human Trafficking with Professor Ron Chance on March 23, 2005; Advent Evening of Reflection and Book Signing with Dr. John Kruse, author of Advent and Christmas: Wisdom from Pope John Paul II, on November 28, 2006; The Memory of St. Clare of Assisi: Lenten Considerations on Christian Holiness with Dr. Eileen Flanagan on March 1, 2007; Holy Week in Guatemala with Dr. Mac Given on March 29, 2007; Journey to Freedom: Supporting Recovery for Prostituted and Trafficked Women with Professor Donna Sabella on April 3, 2007; Lenten Dinner and Reflections on “The Franciscan Difference: What Makes a Catholic College/University Franciscan?” by Michael Blastic, OFM  with Professor Janet Massey, Dr. Mac Given, and Leon Francis on March 19, 2007)

• Book discussions (A Franciscan View of Creation: Learning to Live in a Sacramental World, Ilia Delio, OSF, Lent 2004; Francis of Assisi: Performing the Gospel Life, Lawrence S. Cunningham, Lent 2006)

• Publication of newsletters highlighting the activities of the NIFS and sharing local and national efforts to promote understanding of the Franciscan tradition

• Co-sponsorship (with the College Library) of the Frances and Wesley Bock Book Award for Children’s Literature

• Collaboration with the Office of Experiential Education to promote academic service learning in light of the Catholic and Franciscan Tradition

• Collaboration with Franciscans International to support advocacy efforts and to support special projects (e.g. commemoration of Darfur Week in March 2007 and support of research activities of English 102 classes)

• Collaboration with the Care of Creation Council to promote respect for the environment through support of educational programs, lectures, and other initiatives

• Collaboration to ensure that the Catholic and Franciscan tradition and values are integrated appropriately into core (general education) courses, especially into Philosophy, Theology, and Diversity courses, as well as other courses.

In addition, the Institute Director

• Serves as editor of the Journal of the Association of Franciscan Colleges and Universities

• Contributes to the orientation and on-going development of faculty with respect to the College’s Catholic Franciscan identity and mission

• Provides in-service programs to the various academic divisions within the college; consults individually with faculty members; and speaks with classes in order to integrate the Catholic and Franciscan tradition into course work  

• Assists students with research projects to ensure integration of Catholic Social Teaching and the Franciscan worldview

• Participates in the review of hiring and evaluation policies to ensure integration of the Catholic Franciscan mission

• Assists with the selection and preparation of students for the AFCU annual pilgrimage to Assisi

• Prepares and/or procures and disseminates resources related to the Catholic and Franciscan intellectual tradition

• Encourages and financially supports attendance at events such as the Bonaventure Fest in July 2003; the AFCU conferences in 2004, 2006, and 2008; programs at the Franciscan Spiritual Center and other places on Catholic Social Teaching, the Catholic Intellectual Tradition, and the Franciscan Intellectual Tradition. 

An advisory group supports the work of the Institute, helps to develop and implement a comprehensive strategic plan, and plays a key role in developing activities which support the annual college-wide theme. Originally, there was an external advisory group which provided advice to the Director about Catholic and Franciscan issues which might impact higher education. An internal facilitating committee planned educational opportunities for the enrichment of faculty and staff. Currently, the Neumann Institute for Franciscan Studies Committee supports and advises the Director of the NIFS by planning, developing, and promoting activities which advance the Catholic Franciscan intellectual tradition and College identity.

The work of the Neumann Institute is guided by a strategic plan which is updated regularly. An Annual Report is published yearly. The strategic plan and the Annual Report are available through the NIFS Office.