CUA Campus Ministry Alumni - Lots of Blessings

Sorry better late than never....

2008-08-02T19:42:00.001-07:00

I ask for pictures of alumni and significant moments in their lives then it takes me months to put them up.... SORRY....

Congratulation !!!!
Jen and Patrick O'Malley

CUA Alumni who journeyed to South Buffalo for the wedding....

Elizabeth Fetty 2005 and Ed Rogers 2004

2008-04-05T14:15:00.000-07:00

I was happy to get a chance to spend sometime with Edward and Elizabeth last night. We did a lot of reminiscing. They were both very involved in the pastoral life on campus while they were students here at Catholic.

Edward is currently a very successful Youth Minister in Virginia. He has been there a couple of years. This year they are even starting a Mission Trip to Latin America. In the near future he hopes to study psychology and get his Master's Degree.

Elizabeth is currently working as an actress and choreographer (is that spelled right the spellchecker didn't get it?) She even helps train law enforcement officers by acting out scenarios. I can't imagine Elizabeth as a criminal but who knows. I think she is currently working in a dinner theater performing in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. It is not small task to make a living Acting in DC but Elizabeth is doing it.

Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Wise

2008-04-05T13:56:00.000-07:00

It was a priviledge for me to witness the wedding of Kevin and Bridget Wise. It was held on March 29th in Immaculate Conception Church in NW Washington. It was wonderful having a chance to meet their families and spend those special moments with them.

A few of the CUA Alumni at Kevin and Bridget's Wedding

2008-04-05T13:53:00.000-07:00

Me (Fr. Bob) with some of some of our CUA Basketball Alumni and even national champions at Kevin and Bridget's wedding. March 29th 2008 at Immaculate Conception Church Washington DC

There were lots of almuni and I wish I would have had a chance to visit with them but I had to return to the Esto Vir / Gratia Plena retreat in Najemoy MD. The only one I had a chance to talk with briefly Will Morely who a Police Officer for the 6th District in DC. He said that he saw me driving with a van load of Asian women and almost pulled me over. I was confused about that until I remembered I had taken the Nursing Students from the Catholic University of Korea to the 12th Street Station for some ice cream this summer... they were definitely a van full of Asians.

06'from Erin Curry

2008-03-23T07:24:00.000-07:00

On to the interesting things.

I am a Catholic Worker, and you seemed to know a little bit about what that means (voluntary poverty, personalism, monasticism, hospitality, pacifism). Casa Juan Diego, which is the name of the house, is a place for immigrants. I live in a shelter (although we prefer to call it a house of hospitality), which is a two-story, square, brick building, very simple, usually not very clean, and always FULL of life. Right now there are 9 women and 15 children. A lot of the women are battered; victims of domestic violence are a big chunk of our population. The women tend to be undocumented (aka ILLEGAL - quick, build a wall!), scared, depressed, crazy, funny, loving, loud, disrespectful, grateful (or not) and in need of every kind of service you can think of. I am a case manager in that regard. I am also a mediator (which I've learned is also a profession), an interpreter (in court, in the store, at the passport office, in doctor's appointments - you name it), a translator, and I run a part-time, volunteer medical clinic. I'm not sure what a medical assistant does, but I'm close to positive that I do it. I am also a chauffer, and I drive around the great city of Houston often.

I could list many other things I do also, more mundane things, like organize donations, balance checkbooks, answer a phone and a door, cook, clean (I usually get stuck doing the really nasty stuff), and babysit. We have a food distribution once a week on Tuesday mornings, early. Today I scooped rice. At the bottom the rice had gotten wet and formed into dark, moldy masses.

I also am very familiar with weevils, cockroaches, grain worms, moths, and larvae.

We say morning prayer. I sing at the mass we have in Spanish every Wednesday night in the men's house. We have been reading the Pope's new book, Jesus of Nazareth. Mark and Louise Zwick are very familiar with Communio theology, and have written for a publication put out by David Schindler, who I'm told runs the JPII institute. We talk about those kinds of things a lot. I'm certainly getting another philosophical/theological education here.

I could tell you so many things, but I know you are still a busy man, busier than I am.

So, like many of your homilies, this email has 3 objectives -

1. I really need to know if I need a yellow fever vaccination or not

2. I wanted to tell you this stuff, let you know I care that you know about me, and that I blame some of my desire to serve God's people on you, and

3. We are in need of volunteers. I know there are kids coming to you, looking for things to do after school. Tell them about this. They should have a semi-solid base in Spanish, and the ability to produce 3 recommendation letters.

I am a missionary. I did not leave the country; I did not make a 2 or 3 year committment. I have a community, a beautiful community. At least tell them to contact me.

Erin Curry 06

(Sorry for the OLD Picture !!!)

The Next Step... Wednesday Night Adoration Homily

2008-03-13T04:26:00.000-07:00

Wednesday Night Adoration Homily
Gospel
Jn 8:31-42

May the peace of Christ reign in our hearts

The Gospel today is rather interesting.. When you read the first sentence it says that Jesus is talking to the Jews who believed in him.... so you expect that it will be a pleasant conversation however it quickly goes in the opposite direction.

Yes the people Jesus was speaking to believed in him.
Belief is the first step in discipleship
However Jesus seemed to be asking them to take the next step and they balked.
They balked because they felt that as children of Abraham they were guaranteed a special place in God's kingdom

It may seem strange at first that a person would feel justified by their nationality or affiliation to a great religious leader in the past.... but when you think about it people still do that all the time

How often have we heard
"I'm Catholic"
even if I don't go to Church....
"I'm baptized..."...

Dr. Laura on the Radio once decimated a man who claimed to be Catholic but didn't go to church.
She said something like..." if you got a black belt in Karate when you were 19 and didn't practice it and then tried to use it when you were 39 it won't have the power to save you. If you don't use it you loose it"

All of us here go to church...
In fact you are even here on a Wednesday night at adoration...
(above and beyond the call of duty)

Yet holy ones it is also possible for us to just go through the motions.
It is also possible for us to claim I believe,
I go to Church regularly.... I'm a good person I'm set
Sound familiar

We have to be so careful that we don't fall into the sin of the Jews who "believed" in Jesus but didn't feel the need to go any further.

We have to be so careful that we go beyond just believing.

Jesus was trying to help the Jews understand that the next step is to remain in his word.

To listen to him
To enter into a relationship with him
To lives our lives constantly trying to live as he would have us live
and love as he would have us love.

When we meet someone important to us we listen to every word that falls from their mouths and we ponder them.

This begs the question.... How often are we that attentive to the Word of God and the living tradition of our faith.

If somehow we are able to transcend the rat race of everyday live... and remain in the presence of God, in other words remain in His Word.....
Then Jesus promises us that the truth will be revealed to us and we will be free

Free from loneliness... for we can never be alone
Free from what others think because we realize that it doesn't really matter
Free from our sins because the Gospel, the good news, promises us that we can be freed even from our weaknesses.

Just as Jesus was asking the Jews to take the next step...
So he asks us...
Have we incarnated our belief into our lives
Do we live it beyond the confines of weekly mass

Do we remain in His Word...

Dan Mckenna 2006

2008-03-11T13:59:00.000-07:00

I have spent far to much of the last two years at work. I worked for the New Hampshire Democratic party, and then got myself elected as a State Rep. (my term ends in December,) I left the party to work on Governor Bill Richardson's campaign in New Hampshire, he's a great guy and the campaign was to short lived, but that's a different story all together. Now I'm working as interim director of the Senate Caucus here in NH, until September when I hope to go to law school, applications are due this weekend. Overall it has been a ton of work, early mornings and late nights but I believed in it and had some amazing experiences along the way that will stay with me forever.

Most importantly I got engaged a year ago this week! We are getting married in April, I'm looking forward to that!

I heard that you aren't sending a group of people to Panama any more, that you've moved to other places. That must have been a tough decision. Not a day goes by when I don't think about some part of Panama, from saying grace over a small dinner with people who were truly thankful, to picking chiotes, killing chickens, celebrating my birthday, or saying night prayer as group. I don't know if you have heard any news from Panama or if you are still in touch with Father Jaun, but I'd be interested to hear an update if a group does go back or you do hear updates. Those two trips to Panama definitely had an impact on me and I'll always be glad you brought me both times.

This is sort of a disjointed email as I read back over it, but I just wanted to say Hello. Sometimes CUA seems so far away and sometimes it seems like yesterday, but this is an email I've been meaning to write for some time.

Peace,
Dan McKenna

New position available in Campus Ministry. Graduate Assistant for Music Ministry.

2008-02-18T10:35:00.000-08:00

Graduate Assistant for Music Ministry

This is a great opportunity for alumni or others. Please help spread the word. Full job posting is below.

The Catholic University of America is happy to announce the creation of an Assistantship for Music Ministry. Working closely with and reporting to the Associate Campus Minister for Liturgy and Worship, the Music Ministry Assistant will be responsible for the University’s music ministry program, both planning and participating in a variety of liturgies. The spiritual life on campus is vibrant and the music program at CUA consists of a diversity of liturgical moments on campus.

Part time (19 hours/week). Compensation will include a full tuition scholarship at the graduate level and $15,000 stipend/academic year. The Assistantship is possibly renewable for a second year.

Candidate should have experience in music ministry, knowledge of Catholic liturgy, excellent keyboard and choral conducting skills, be comfortable with a wide variety of liturgical genres and devotional music (from choral music to contemporary Christian music). Candidate will also assist in recruitment, training and development of student music ministers.

Candidate must be accepted into or in good standing in a graduate program at The Catholic University of America. Preference will be given, but not limited to students of the Sacred Music Program in the Benjamin T. Rome School of Music or the Liturgical Studies Program in the School of Theology.

Letters of interest, resume and any questions should be directed to Jessica DePrizio, Associate Campus Minister for Liturgy and Worship. The Catholic University of America, Office of Campus Ministry, 620 Michigan Ave NE, Washington, DC 20064. Phone: 202-319-5575, Fax: 202-319-4431. Email: deprizio@cua.edu . Website: ministry.cua.edu

Some of CUA's Incredible Alumni....

2008-01-27T18:18:00.001-08:00

Julia Struckley '03 (blue) is a postulant for the Daughters of St Paul, Liz Sondag (black) '06 is a postulant for the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George. Br Daniel Dougherty, OP '01 aRonny O'Dwyer SJ '05. We also got a picture with the Archbishop Burke who graduated BA in '70 and license in '71.

Please keep them in your prayers...

Pokey and Ryan and the picture (Enough said)

2008-01-26T18:29:00.001-08:00

Ryan Hehman is working at Simple House a Catholic advocacy group in DC with works with the poor. They do incredible work with next to nothing and live in community. Pokey Tenney is teaching and helping with Campus Ministry at St. Vincent Palotti High School in Laurel MD. When he talks about his job he talks about it with passion and a smile. I had a wonderful evening with them the other night.

As far as the picture goes... it's Pokey and Ryan.

Sally Oram engaged to be married on June 14th, 2008

2008-01-14T19:57:00.000-08:00

Hi Fr. Bob Louie Santellano and I will be married June 14th, 2008... Sally Oram soon to be Sally Santellano... :)

Dan Dougherty OP

2008-01-14T19:49:00.000-08:00

Bro. Dougherty stopped by over the break with his Sister Kathryn who is a Third Year law student at CUA. Dan is studying for the Priesthood as a Dominican Friar and is about 5 years from ordination. I can't remember what year he graduated in

Erica Dietrich and Mattt Spierenburg Class of 2006

2008-01-05T20:22:00.000-08:00

(If you click on the picture it gets really big)

I was happy to see Erica and Matt at the Basketball game today. They are engaged to be married this April. Erica is working on a project which will get rid of Mustard Gas for the Government and Matt works for some Navel Research Facility. He told me what he did but I didn't understand it something about radiation I think. It was great to see them and I'm so happy that they are both doing well. They hope to stay in the Washington area. (Two more success stories)

Marie Jochum Marie Jochum and Sarah Parmeter Sara Parmeter

2008-01-02T10:11:00.000-08:00

Last night I went out for a walk with Fr. O'Connell and there was this suspicious car parked next the the Shrine with Illinois plates (always be aware of your surroundings Safety first Safety always) and I glanced over to see if the occupants were going jump out and mug me and low and behold there was Marie Jochum and Sarah Parmenter both of them are the class of 2004 I think. I didn't have my camera with me so I found these pictures from the past to refresh you memory sorry ladies. They are both working and in Grad School doing wonderful things with their lives. Marie works for Catholic Charities in Chicago and Sarah finished volunteering with Bethlehem House here in DC and is now in Grad school outside of Worcester MA. Just two reasons out of thousands why I am so proud of our CUA graduates.

You are Incredible people indeed.

A beautiful picture from Stacey Matt and Abigail Bilenki

2007-12-04T10:57:00.000-08:00

Matt is the Class of 2004 and Stacey (Bianco) is the Class of 2003

Here are some CUA Alumni at their finest !!!

2007-11-18T10:02:00.000-08:00

Lauren and Jake Patterson
(Class of 2002)
John and Christina, Cole and Sean Riehman-Murphy
(Class of 2000)
Rosanna and Bob Millie and Bennett Bamsey
(Class of 2000)
Tim (Class of 2000) and Lori (Class of 2002) Therese and Myriam McGovern

Lucky man surrounded by angels

Introducing John Paul and Christine Winchester

2007-11-17T19:13:00.002-08:00

If you are in any of these pictures
let me know
what year you graduated
so I can place them after your name.
It was wonderful seeing everyone !!!

You guys clean up well !!!
JP and Christine were married at Holy Trinity Church in Georgetown
where they are members.
Fr. Regis Armstrong OFM Cap
witnessed the wedding and presided at the Mass.

Jose, Maria and Gabriela Maria Sousa
We always knew you were a natural Mom Maria

Levar Cole and Jessica Deprizio
engaged to be married next year!

Wow a Friar Santo Sighting

Brian McCarthy is a wonderful Teacher at St. John's High School

John and Christine Riehman - Murphy

Jake and Lauren Patterson
(They were Married this Summer)

Roseanna and Bob Bamsey

Lori and Tim Mcgovern
Tim works at the Heritage Foundation
and is a computer guru

Larry and Emmjolee Waters
(They were also married this summer)

Friar Matthew Foley
Teaches at Archbishop Curley High School

Dan Lyons is finishing up his degree in finance at Fordam University

Luke O'Connell (2003) and Meghan Touey (2003)
They are engaged to be married on January 19th, 2008
Congratulations

Sean Segal
(Is working for Urban Alliance helping
students in the District of Columbia
Public Schools find jobs)

Tara Cozzarelli is a graduate from the Nursing School
She was class of 2001 and her fiance is Justin Jones.
They're getting married in May 2008.

Two grumpy old men
Just kidding
Fr. John and Fr. Brad smile for the camera

We will be happy to post pictures of other significant moments
in the lives of our Campus Minsitry Alumni.

Send them or any news for the blog to Schlageter@CUA.
(I left the EDU off so I don't get flooded from
spambots scaning the internet for email addresses
needless to say you add it after the dot. :)

From Fr. Michael Carlson (2002)

2007-11-15T05:59:00.000-08:00

Hey Fr. Bob-

Thanks for the update on all the fine work going on at CUA. I often look back with great joy on my years there. As I'm sure you know, after leaving CUA I did graduate studies at Boston College in philosophy while at St. John's. Then the Archbishop asked me to go to Rome where I studied theology at the Gregorian. I am finishing my S.T.L. this year in theological Anthropology there. I was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Hartford last July. I am attaching some pictures for you. I rarely ever forget to keep in mind the students at CUA discerning a priestly vocation when praying Compline on Mondays in the same great fashion that we used to when I was a student there. I am so grateful for my time spent at the university, it is where I came to discover and grow in love with Christ. For this I will forever be indebted.

Very Best in Christ,

Fr. Michael Carlson

Habete fiduciam; ego sum, nolite timere. -- Mt. 14,27

Listserv Fixed at least I hope it is... !

2007-11-15T05:53:00.001-08:00

The Problem with the Listserv is fixed and you should no longer be getting tons of email..

Sorry for the inconvenience... If you are still getting tons of email let me know and I will keep trying to stop the downpour.

I'm really not as technically smart as I thought Fr. Bob Schlageter@cua.edu

Ronnie O'Dwyer's Vows into the Society of Jesus

2007-08-15T10:41:00.000-07:00

A Blog is Better !!!

2006-06-27T05:40:00.000-07:00

Instead of the CMAlumni Page I think I am going to try this blog it will be easier to maintain. Keep the pictures and comments coming.

Will Lucina sent in this picture of he and his wife Jen
They were married last June.
Esto Vir Members 2007

Some Highlights
Of the Spiritual Life on Campus Fall 2007
- Our Blessings -
VOCATION DISCERNMENT - several students are discerning ministry in the Church
23 Women and 33 Men have identified themselves as discerning a vocation to Religious Life and/or Priesthood. We have established a program which we hope will assist them in discerning God's will.

FAITH DEVELOPMENT / RETREATS
Many CUA students make an effort to support and challenge each other in their spiritual lives.
· Gratia Plena
Our women's spiritually group has 50 active members.

· Esto Vir
Our men's spirituality group will have around 70 members and has generated a lot of interest on other campuses.

· RENEW
This year RENEW has increased 40%. There are 214 students in 28 groups meeting weekly to reflect on the scriptures and share fellowship and support.
· Freshman Retreat 2007
This was the biggest CUA retreat ever with 221 participants. Besides being spiritually beneficial it is also an important component in our effort to increase retention.
· Graduate/Law Student Retreat
37 students participated this year, which is the most in recent history.
· Servi Advocatique our Nursing Spirituality Group
Three nursing students have begun a nurses' spirituality group and have already solicited interest. There are around 22 people who meet weekly.

· Social Justice Awareness Committee
With the help of a new staff member(s) in Residence Life and CM we have been much more successful in this area. They have started to promote free trade coffee, challenged both our food service and bookstore on justice issues and have been impressed with the results. They have also begun to work towards promoting recycling.

· RCIA
This year we have four students who have asked for baptism and two more for full communion with the Catholic Church.

LITURGICAL LIFE
· Over 200 students involved in Liturgical Ministries.
· Eucharistic Adoration Regularly gets between 100- 150 people we can tell by the song sheets
· The 9:00 PM Mass continues to be the main University Liturgy
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
· Chastity Outreach
Very active group of students who each year work on presentations which they offer to area youth groups/religious education programs and Catholic Schools.

· DC Reads
8 sites with 38 tutoring times a week.
147 Tutors (104 work-study students and 43 students who volunteer or recieve class credit.
5 of these sites are in the Brookland Community.

· Eucharistic Ministry to the Sick
We have 22 active participants who take communion to the Residents of Carroll Manor
· We have 8 Weekly Community Service Sites
¨ Bethlehem House: Students make friends with people who have intellectual disabilities by having dinner and celebrating mass ith the residents.
¨ Brookland Monthly Clean-Up: Students help clean the Brookland Neighborhood once a month with members of the Brookland community.
¨ Food and Friends: Students help to prepare and package meals which will be delivered to people in the community who are living with HIV/AIDS, cancer and other life-challenging issues.
¨ Homeless Food Run: Students receive pre-packaged meals from the University food services and take the metro to various areas in the city to distribute food to the needy.
¨ Little Sisters of the Poor: Students serve dinner to and sit with the elderly at Jeanne Jugan Residence, a local nursing home run by the Little Sisters of the Poor. Special events include dances, Bingo Night & beauty salon night.
¨ Pediatric AIDS/HIV Care: Students spend time with teenagers who are affected and/or infected by HIV/AIDS.
¨ So Others May Eat: Students help prepare breakfast for homeless women and men in the DC area through S.O.M.E.
¨ St. Ann's Infant & Maternity Home: Students care for children ranging from infancy to 12 years old who have been removed from their homes as a result of abuse and neglect.
Does any of this bring back memories

David and Elena Colletti are Married in Dana Point CA

A Summer of CM Staff weddings going on !!!
If you want a little more info check out Fr. Bob's Blog

Erin and Rick Craine
May the Lord who has begun this new life in you bring it to fullfilment

Matthew, Nader (Just professed his first vows) Sr. Lumen Christi, Kevin Kimtis, Matt Dunch
May the Lord who has begun this new life in you bring it to fullfilment

CUA Alumni who are following God's call to serve the Church as Priests or Religious we caught up with them at Rick and Erin's wedding

Emmjolee and Larry Waters
May the Lord who has begun these good things in your bring them to fulfilliment!

Lauren and Jake Patterson
May the Lord who has begun this new life in you bring it to fullfilment

June 27, 2006
From Greg and Dianne Vadney (Dewane)
We are pleased to announce the arrival of our daughter, Katherine Anne Vadney. She was born this morning at 9:18am. Both mother and daughter are doing very well. We'll have photos up in a few short days, but attached is one to tide you over. Hope all is well. Greg, Dianne and Katherine