Religion and U.S. Culture

After reviewing the history of the interplay between religion and culture in the U.S., this article explores important facets of contemporary American society that color the experience and meaning of religious faith. Among these are excessive individualism, a heightened awareness of the need for personal integrity, and the desire for personal religious experience. While religion is often treated as a “classroom pariah” at universities, the author argues that there are numerous possibilities for a more full integration of religion into university life and overall American culture

Newman’s Vision of a University: Then and Now

Catholic universities face many challenges today. Increasing secularization, faculty salaries, external funding, Catholic identity, academic freedom, and institutional autonomy are among the most prominent. This essay examines the contributions of John Henry Newman to Catholic higher education and argues for their relevance today

The Meaning of the Mandatum: A Report on the Dialogue Between One Archdiocese and a Catholic University Faculty of Theology

In response to John Paul II’s Apostolic constitution, Ex Corde Ecclesiae, the bishops proposed a number of requirements, which were approved by the Vatican. One of the requirements was that Catholic theologians teaching courses in Catholic theology request a mandatum from their local bishop. This article examines the mandatum and its impact on Catholic higher education in general and on one university in particular

The Culture of Catholic Schools

This article explores the elusive but important role culture plays in making Catholic schools distinctive. It examines the connection between ritual, especially the Eucharist, and the everyday practices and habits of those who constitute the school community. It further examines the relationship between dogma and dialogues, affirming that both are necessary for Christian life and community

The Courage to Lead

This article explores the relationship between courage and leadership as it applies to Catholic educators. Scripture, literature, contemporary leadership theory, and modern culture are used in the development of an approach to leadership that is both theologically sound and culturally relevant. The author criticizes popular views of leadership, especially the work of Stephen Covey, in articulating a Catholic worldview and a functional leadership theory for Catholic educators

Religion and Politics: The Catholic Contribution

A public lecture given at the University of Dayton Sept. 22, 200

Homily: Augustine’s Conversion

We are celebrating the solemn Vespers of the Ambrosian rite in honor of the conversion of St. Augustine. Our First Reading is taken from Book VIII of the Confessions, a word that means both praise and penitence. The first nine books of the thirteen books or chapters that make up the Confessions are written in the form of an autobiography down to the time of his mother Monica\u27s death (Book IX especially). Our selection this evening is taken, quite appropriately, from the last part of Book VIII