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Peacemaking:
College-Wide Theme for 2004 - 2005
Although he did not actually write it, the Instrument of Peace
Prayer is commonly attributed to St. Francis of Assisi - and for
very good reasons. The style of the prayer closely resembles the style
of other prayers Francis composed which couple opposites: hatred and
love, injury and pardon, sadness and joy. The prayer reflects the
way that Francis's very life actively promoted reconciliation: mediating
peace between Mayor and Bishop of Assisi; helping the frightened citizens
of Gubbio to befriend a hungry wolf; engaging in respectful dialogue
with Muslim Sultan Malek al- Kamil; reaching out to embrace lepers.
It is fitting that as Neumann College celebrates its 40th anniversary,
the mission theme is Peacemaking.
Exploration of the theme began on Personnel Day, when our guest
speaker, Franciscan Father Joseph Nangle, reflected with us on Peacemaking
in the Franciscan Tradition. Each of us was also challenged that
day to begin every event - meetings, assemblies, classes - with a
Peace Moment, a short time for silent reflection, prayer, a reading
or song.
All of us are encouraged to integrate the theme of Peacemaking
into our ministries within the college. Such integration could include
attempts to become better listeners, to avoid violent language, or
to practice conflict management techniques. Within academic courses,
there are multiple ways to integrate the theme of Peacemaking.
The English 094 and 101 faculty have already developed a protocol
for essays related to the theme of Peacemaking as the topic
for their proficiency exams. The First Year Experience classes (INT
101) have chosen Peace Tales by Margaret R. MacDonald as the
student text.
Several resources have been prepared during the summer months to assist
us in integrating the theme of Peacemaking. Former research
librarian Donny Smith (recently moved to Indiana) prepared a list
of library holdings, categorized by discipline.
Sr. Margaret Oman developed an index of books available in the Francis
and Clare Room which contain chapters related to Peacemaking (available
in the Francis and Clare Room). In addition, Sr. Margaret created
an annotated bibliography of articles from the Journal
for Peace and Justice Studies. Several individuals researched
websites related to Peacemaking
and to Prayer. As
you come upon other helpful resources, please let us know so that
we can all share them.
Throughout the year, the Neumann Institute for Franciscan Studies
and the Mission Unit will sponsor a variety of events related to Peacemaking.
As a Neumann College Community, may we unite to work for Peace and
Justice within ourselves, among family and friends, in our workplace,
and in our neighborhoods. Hopefully, our actions will lead to greater
peace and harmony throughout the world.
Peacemaking Conversations Throughout the
Year
Administrators, staff, and faculty are invited to join
Sr. Marguerite and Sr. Pat in the Ministry House for tea and sharing
around our Peacemaking theme. Faculty conversations will
take place during the Fall semester and staff during the Spring
semester. Watch for your personal invitation!
We are in the process of preparing other events for students, staff,
and faculty on the theme. Topics under consideration include: Restorative
Justice and Peacebuilding from the Student Perspective.
If you wish to suggest a topic or speaker, please contact the NIFS
at 5407 or hutchisp@neumann.edu
or contact any member of the NIFS Advisory Committee.
Francis Fest
Due to the reconstruction of Our Lady of Angels Convent,
our normal collaboration with the Sisters of St. Francis to celebrate
the feast of St. Francis (October 4) will be streamlined this year.
On Sunday afternoon, October 3, the Blessing of Animals will take
place outside the chapel near the Rose Garden, at 3 PM. At 7 PM,
the college will host our regularly scheduled Sunday evening liturgy.
The Transitus Celebration in remembrance of the passing of
St. Francis to eternal life will be held in Our Lady of Angels Chapel
in the motherhouse at the same time. On Monday, October 4, the presentation
of the Frances and Wesley Bock Book Award for Children's Literature
will take place in the library at 10 AM. The Celebration of the
Eucharist for the Feast of St. Francis is scheduled for Noon in
Sacred Heart Chapel and 7 PM in Our Lady of Angels Chapel. All are
welcome to these events.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu
On Wednesday, October 6, 2004, Archbishop Desmond Tutu
will speak on the theme of Peacemaking at 7:30 PM at Villanova University.
Neumann College is one of the many co-sponsors of this event. Additional
information about the lecture will be shared as soon as it is available.
Franciscan Peacemaking in European Art
The Advisory Council of the Neumann Institute for Franciscan
Studies is sponsoring a special tour and lecture at the Philadelphia
Museum of Art on Friday evening, October 29, from 6:45 to 8:15 PM.
Our guide for the evening, Sal Caltabiano, will help us to reflect
upon Franciscan Peacemaking in European Art. The NIFS will
subsidize most of the cost to make it possible for all who are interested
to attend. The fee for each person after the subsidy is $7.50. Price
includes admission to the museum and the tour fee. Persons interested
in participating in the lecture and tour should contact Sr. Pat
Hutchison by September 15, in the NIFS at extension 5407 or at hutchisp@neumann.edu.
If there is sufficient interest, a second date and time will be
arranged.
Service Learning: The Conversations Continue
This past June, the Neumann Institute for Franciscan
Studies and the Office of Experiential Education once again collaborated
to host a workshop for faculty members interested in integrating
academic service learning into their curriculum. As a result of
this experience, new community partnerships are being formed with
at least three new organizations. Several academic majors now have
a service learning component integrated into their programs.
During the summer months, Charlotte Ryan attended a workshop entitled
Scholars in Service to Pennsylvania; Sr. Hildegarde Grogan
attended Generations Together, which included ideas for service
learning in intergenerational settings; and Sr. Pat Hutchison attended
a workshop on Spirituality, Social Justice, and Service Learning,
which focused on the unique dimensions of service learning in faith
based institutions. In order to share the excellent resources collected
and to support faculty currently integrating service learning and
those who wish to explore the possibility, there will be a series
of sharing sessions offered throughout the year. Look for more information
from Charlotte Ryan in the Office of Experiential Education. In
the meantime, you may wish to investigate the following web resources:
http://www.cic.edu/projects_services/epe/index.asp
www.learningindeed.org
www.nylc.org
Elections 2004
The following resources may be helpful in preparing for
this year's elections:
http://www.nccbuscc.org/faithfulcitizenship/
www.networklobby.org
Neumann Institute for Franciscan Studies
Committee for 2004-2005
The NIFS is blessed with an active advisory committee
which assists in planning, developing, and promoting activities
to advance the Catholic Franciscan intellectual tradition and the
college identity. Members of the committee for this year are: Eileen
Flanagan, Janet Fox-Moatz, Kathryn Churchill Jennings, Sr. Elaine
Martin, Janet Massey, Sr. Suzanne Mayer, Robert McMonagle, Judith
Stang, and Sr. Pat Hutchison. Please contact any member of the committee
with suggestions, comments, or questions.
Resources Available
The Francis and Clare Room contains many wonderful resources
related to the Franciscan movement and the spirit of Francis and
Clare of Assisi. Please contact the Neumann Institute for Franciscan
Studies to learn more about this resource center or to schedule
class visits and presentations.
Published by:
The Neumann Institute for Franciscan Studies at Neumann College,
Aston, PA
Sr. Patricia Hutchison, OSF, M.Ed., Editor
HUTCHISP@neumann.edu
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