Newsletter
“Do not wish to be anything but what you are, and try to be that perfectly.”
St. Francis de Sales
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Fall 2016
Counsel Conversations
The first new program launched this semester was Counsel Conversations. Exclusively for seniors, this program was held once a month, on Thursdays from 4:00-5:30p.m.
Designed as an on-campus retreat, the Kender/Danko Rooms in McShea are transformed into a relaxing atmosphere where students socialize and enjoy a variety of refreshments. An opening reflection, two student led talks, and a small group discussion follow.
The purpose of this program is to revisit the Golden Counsels of St. Francis de Sales.
“It’s very different-how students understood and exhibited the virtue of Patience as a freshman compared to how they live this virtue now as a senior,” Maggie explained.
September focused on Patience, October on Trust and Cooperation, and November finished with Perseverance.
Next semester, the retreats will be Mondays from 5:00-7:00p.m. with a focus on: Love, February 6th, Forgiveness, March 20th and Hope, May 1st.
Agape Latte
The Greek word “Agape” stands for love, the kind that is unconditional and selfless.
This second new program will be held once a month and feature a DeSales community member who will share how love and faith have shaped their lives.
The first speaker on October 26th was Dr. Tahereh Hojatt, a professor of business.
In the McShea Commons, a live band played, desserts and coffee were available, and free Agape Latte T-shirts were given out.
Dr. Hojatt shared her captivating story as an Iranian immigrant while interweaving important pearls of wisdom such as having goals, never giving up, working hard at school, loving and reaching out to others, and always thanking those individuals who have supported you.
Afterwards, Dr. Hojatt answered questions, and much to everyone’s delight, she demonstrated a few dance moves to Iranian music.
The next Agape Latte event will be on Wednesday, November 30th at 7:30p.m.with Brother Joe Schodowski, who will talk about how Agape Love is truly Salesian Love.
Salesian Spirits
Every year, a DeSales favorite features guest speakers who share their story and advice on “How to be who you are and be that well.” Held at local restaurants such as the Copperhead Grille, free food is always provided, followed by a dynamic talk.
This semester’s guests included Fr. Mike Newman, OSFS DSU Class of ‘01, Stacy Nolan, DSU Class of ‘09, and Fr. Ken McKenna, OSFS, Western Province.
Make sure to put the next ones in your calendar, each will be at 8:00p.m. at the Copperhead Grille. The guest speakers are Fr. Pocetto, OSFS, on March 2nd, Chad Serfass, Director of the DeSales Experience, on April 6th, and Sean and Elizabeth Boyd, DSU Class of ‘15, on April 27th.
Previous Events
Solidarity Mondays
The Most Reverend John Barres, Bishop of Allentown, visited the campus on Monday, October 17th to give a talk on Solidarity in the McShea Commons. His talk encompassed several key components that were all directed toward the importance of building solid, lasting friendships.
“Who are the friends in your past? Who means a lot to you? How am I a solid friend?” These were several questions that Bishop Barres posed and then emphasized that the college experience, especially the Character U Program at DeSales, offers students opportunities to go deeper into friendships.
He also encouraged students to go more deeply into the Mass, and to appreciate the sacrifice of Jesus’s Body and Blood. The ultimate romance and friendship that will satisfy the deepest longings in our hearts is a relationship with Christ.
Sister John Marie said that, “Bishop Barres did a beautiful job and made the connection between solidarity and friendship very clear.”
Fighting the Newest Drug
On November 1st in the Kender/Danko Rooms in McShea, junior biology major and peer educator of the PACE program, Dallas VanNorden, gave a presentation on the effects of pornography.
It was titled, “Fighting the Newest Drug: The Effects of Pornography on College Men and Women.”
Her presentation and discussion addressed the psychological and physical effects of porn on the viewer and how porn affects current and future relationships.
Dallas explained how porn is like “sexual junk food” for the brain. Viewing porn affects your brain in similar ways as cocaine and heroin. Dallas emphasized that “porn is like heroin directly through the eyes and into the brain.”
Porn changes the brain and leads viewers to become addicted and crave new images. In order to feel more high, viewers click on images that are more sexually explicit.
Over time, viewers of porn accept more extreme sexual behaviors such as rape or bestiality as normal.
Viewing porn creates an unattainable fantasy that has devastating consequences on spouses, families, friends, and society.
“Porn is not private because it goes to the core of our relationships, and relationships are not private,” shared Fr. Tim, who was a moderator at the event.
Voting & The Catholic Conscience
On November 6th in the Kender/Danko Rooms in McShea, Dr. Rodney Howsare, Professor of Theology gave a talk titled, “Voting and the Catholic Conscience.”
Dr. Howsare issued a disclaimer that he would not advise students on whom to vote for but rather focus on the role of Catholics in this world.
He emphasized how Catholics will always feel at odds with others or may not fully agree with political candidates because Catholic values and beliefs do not perfectly align with political views.
“We measure ourselves by the kingdom of God, not the kingdom or policies of this Earth,” he explained.
He discussed the Catholic social teachings including how all humans are naturally oriented to God, are made for communion with others, and that freedom is not doing whatever you feel like doing. To help this country, Catholics can strive to be as holy as they can, as they are called to bring their faith to everything they do.
Senior, theology major John Watchhorn who attended the event, shared that, “Dr. Howsare always manages to put things in perspective, purely a Catholic perspective, and avoid the liberal influence certain American systems might have.”
Upcoming Events
Christmas Caroling
Are you eager to spread Christmas cheer? Make sure to come out on Tuesday, December 6th at 7:00p.m. to Kender, McShea.
Hot chocolate will be served and song sheets handed out before everyone travels to different residence halls to sing Christmas carols!
Advent by Candlelight
To help students make a prayerful entrance into Advent, a special evening with refreshments, prayer, songs, and reflections on the Annunciation, Visitation, and the Incarnation will be given.
The event’s theme this semester is “Have a Mary Christmas,” which focuses on preparing for Advent and Christmas through the eyes of Mary. It will be on Wednesday, December 7th at 6:00p.m. in Kender, McShea.
24 Hours for Our Lord
Immediately following the last Sunday Mass of the semester, December 11th, students are invited to adore the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament in Connelly Chapel. Adoration will be offered through the night and until December 12th at 4:00p.m.
This is a beautiful time to spend in prayer and thanksgiving before the Lord, as well as to spiritually prepare before final exams.
Pilgrimage
On June 25-July 2, 2017, Maggie and Fr. Tim will host a pilgrimage to Annecy, France, Geneva, Switzerland, and Lyon, France.
Students will have the opportunity to visit many of the holy places where St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane de Chantal lived.
The tour price is $2,975 per person based on a double room. This includes airfare, daily breakfast, sightseeing, a cruise, and more.
For more information, contact Fr. Tim: 610-282-1100, ext. 1393.
The History of Campus Ministry
The rich history of Campus Ministry began with the Newman Movement in 1883. The university of Wisconsin sought to help Catholics live their faith on college campuses.
A decade later, the first Newman Club was established at the University of Pennsylvania and named after Blessed Cardinal Newman.
Newman was one of the leading figures in the nineteenth century intellectual renewal in the Church.
In 1985, the Second Vatican Council sent out a pastoral letter, “Empowered by the Spirit: Campus Ministry Faces the Future” which described the history of campus ministry, its purpose, and how it can form the faith community.
The U.S. bishops placed Newman Centers under the care of the Catholic Campus Ministry Association, which is the national, professional association for Catholic campus ministers serving at Catholic and non-Catholic colleges and universities.
Today there are over two thousand Catholic Campus Ministry Programs throughout the United States developing students intellectually and religiously, and preparing them to be future leaders of Church and society.
The focus of Campus Ministry at DeSales, is to “empower students to mature into the joyful, passionate and optimistic Christians God has created them to be.”
It is grounded in Salesian Spirituality which helps students “Live Jesus” in their daily lives.
There is also a strong focus on creating “ministerial moments,” in which students experience God and His call to love. This can be through the Liturgy, events, retreats, or other programs.
All are welcome and encouraged to participate in any of the different events and programs offered throughout the year.