Mission & Ministry

ADVENT EVENING OF REFLECTION

Thanks to all who participated in the dinner and reflection on December 1, 2005. We received many excellent comments on the dinner and on Father Charlie Finnegan's reflection. Father Finnegan will also speak at the Academic Awards Convocation on Friday evening, April 21, 2006. We look forward to welcoming him back to Neumann!

VISITING SCHOLAR LECTURES CONTINUE

Sr. Kathy Warren, OSF, author of Francis of Assisi Encounters Sultan Malek al-Kamil, will be with us on Monday, February 27 and Tuesday, February 28, 2006. Sr. Kathy will share her insights into Francis's dialogue with the Muslim leader as a model for inter-religious and inter-cultural respect and understanding, and a path to peace. In addition, Sr. Kathy will share her development of an Assisi Pilgrimage for persons of Muslim, Jewish, and Christian heritage. This pilgrimage will take place during May 2007.

Presentations will be scheduled for the afternoon and evening of February 27 and the morning and afternoon of February 28. The evening lecture on February 27 will be held in the Franciscan Spiritual Center, and it will be preceded by a meal in Our Lady of Angels Convent.

Because of the relevance of this lecture to current events in our world, it would be most appropriate to have students attend. In reviewing Spring schedules, it seems that 2 PM on Monday and 11 AM and 2 PM on Tuesday may be convenient times for presentations. Time and place will be confirmed in early January. Faculty may wish to note this event on syllabi. Special Note: we are negotiating discounted rates on Sr. Kathy's book and hope to offer the book for $5 per copy, with the NIFS paying the balance. If you wish a copy of the book, please respond by phone (5407) or e-mail (HUTCHISP@neumann.edu), on or before January 12, 2006.

ASSISI ROOM: A MEETING PLACE FOR CONTEMPLATION AND CONVERSATION

In recent years we have become accustomed to using the Assisi Room in Bachmann Main for meetings, celebrations, and classes. However, the original purpose of the room when it was renovated as part of the Neumann Institute for Franciscan Studies was to provide space and ambience for thoughtful conversation and exchange among faculty and staff on topics related to the identity of Neumann College as a Catholic institution in the Franciscan tradition. On October 20, more than 20 members of our faculty and staff were blessed with such an experience of "contemplation and conversation" as together we heard and then responded to Dr. Joann Conn's presentation on "Re-Reading a Spiritual Classic: Therese of Lisieux, Far from Spiritual Childhood." This was Dr. Conn's Presidential Address to the Society of the Study of Christian Spirituality on November 19, 2005.

From this graced experience comes an invitation to other faculty and staff to share on a topic related to our Catholic and Franciscan identity. Please contact Sr. Pat at 5407 or HUTCHISP@neumann.edu if you would like to arrange a presentation. The Neumann Institute will provide refreshments and advertise the event. Special Note: If anyone is considering developing an article for the AFCU journal, this would be an excellent way to test ideas among supportive and thoughtful colleagues!

LENTEN BOOK DISCUSSION

Dr. Lawrence S. Cunningham, the John A. O'Brien Professor of Theology at the University of Notre Dame, will be this year's commencement speaker. During Lent, the Neumann Institute Committee will sponsor a book discussion based on one of Dr. Cunningham's most recent books, Francis of Assisi: Performing the Gospel Life (2004).

Faculty and staff may participate in the NIFS-sponsored discussion or share within divisions. A study guide will be available in early February. Special Note: If you wish to purchase a copy of the book for $10, please notify Sr. Pat.

RESOURCES

We continually become aware of on-line resources which may be of interest to faculty wishing to integrate aspects of the Catholic and Franciscan tradition into classes. Many of the resources are helpful for student research. Look for additions on the Neumann Institute webpage at the following address http://www.neumann.edu/life/missmin/nifs/resources.asp Please notify the NIFS office if you notice that a link does not "work." Although addresses are live when posted, they sometimes change.

The Neumann Institute is also available to research and obtain resources for use in any class. Simply call or e-mail.

STUDENT PILGRIMAGE TO ASSISI

From December 27, 2005 to January 6, 2006, Neumann students Catherine Logan and Sedi Kakrada will join 30 young women and men from 10 AFCU institutions for a pilgrimage to Assisi and Rome. Sedi and Catherine began the pilgrimage process last April when they submitted a letter of interest. During the summer they shared essays and engaged in interviews to explain why they wished to participate and how they would communicate the experience with others upon their return. We ask your prayers that all the student pilgrims will be safe and come back refreshed and inspired from this wonderful opportunity.

In case you were unable to participate in the 2005 St. Francis Day liturgy, we close with the reflections shared that day by past student pilgrims.

My pilgrimage to the little Franciscan town of Assisi, tucked away in Mt. Subasio, gave me a better understanding of our Franciscan heritage which sets Neumann apart from other colleges in this area. A value I learned and that is apparent here at Neumann is that we are called to live simple lives filled with service and love for others.
Lisa Kulokoski

While in Assisi, everywhere I walked, whether it was the town square or down to the Basilica of St. Francis, whenever I encountered the good people of the area, they smiled and made me feel at home. I shared in their great gift of hospitality.
Chris Reger

St. Francis was known as the "poor man of Assisi." When I visited that little town and went to the chapel built by people who had leprosy, I truly felt what it was like to be poor. I remember touching the walls with my hands, as well as my heart, and experiencing the pain and suffering of being an outcast of society. Francis's love included them all.
Jason Rhinehart

When I was in Assisi, I had the great opportunity to visit the Basilica of St. Clare. The basilica was filled with beautiful frescoes and paintings that illustrated Clare's religious journey with God and Francis of Assisi. St. Clare's journey has inspired me to live my journey in unison with my faith, with those I love, and with all of God's creation.
Stefanie Kralle

MAY YOUR CELEBRATION OF CHRISTMAS AND THE NEW YEAR BE BLESSED ABUNDANTLY!