University of Notre Dame
A New Initiative from the Institute for Church Life-- Spirituality in the  Professions
The Initiative on Spirituality in the Professions seeks to serve society by bringing practical applications of spiritual insight to the needs of the world. This program, directed by Brother Robert Sylvester, CSC, provides spiritual care and expertise particularly to lawyers. "This is a new and innovative ministry that grew out of my transition
from law to theology. In it we offer spiritual care presence to the
Washington legal community. One can envision this as a chaplaincy to
lawyers. It is an ecumenical ministry designed to offer spiritual
companionship and direction, education and palliative care, aid to
managers of legal enterprises and access to the local religious and
pastoral counseling community for those who seek it. In beginning a new ministry, I am much like a missionary in a new
land. My work is part care, part education and part evangelization. Like
the Christ and the disciples, I am building anew, while benefiting from
those who have come before me. Your prayers and support are welcome."
You can read more about Br. Sylvester and the initiative here. ________________________________
Fire at the Grotto A fire at the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes at the University of
Notre Dame was extinguished July 26 by the University's
fire department. There were no injuries, and the cause is undetermined.
The interior of the Grotto has been closed while officials determine
if it is safe to enter. Visitors may still pray at the perimeter of the
shrine.
Built in 1896, Notre Dame's Grotto is one-seventh the size of the
famed French shrine where the Virgin Mary appeared to Saint Bernadette
on 18 occasions in 1858.
_____________________________________
|
|
Course Participants
Summer Study
This summer, catechists and school teachers from the dioceses of Trenton, NJ and Fall
River, MA participated in courses for STEP. One
recent participant from the Introduction to the New Testament course shared,
" The material covered has given me new direction to understand NT
writings. I have no doubt this will increase and enhance my teaching abilities."
It was a pleasure to meet many of these dedicated catechists and teachers. We wish them well in the upcoming school year! _______________________________________
Upcoming Courses
8/30/10-9/24/10
Vatican
II: The Experience and the Event
8/30/10-10/1/10
The
Confessions of St. Augustine by St. Augustine
8/30/10-10/8/10
The
Christian Conscience and Ethical Dilemmas: Guidance from the Catholic
Tradition
The
Creed: We Believe...
Faithful
Citizenship History
of Christianity: The First Five Centuries
Introduction
to the New Testament
An
Introduction to Sacraments
Jesus
Christ: Yesterday and Today
Mary
in the Catholic Tradition
The
Old Testament: The Pentateuch
8/30/10-10/15/10
Core
Course: Introduction to the Catholic Faith
|
|
What's New at STEP?
New Diocesan Partners
STEP is pleased to announce the dioceses of Trenton, NJ Charlotte, NC as its newest partners.
Students from these dioceses receive a discount on STEP courses and/or
additional services from STEP.
For more information or
to express interest in partnership, please contact:
Thomas C. Cummings,
Director of STEP
Toll-free:
866-425-STEP
E-mail: cummings.8@nd.edu
List of Partner Dioceses
______________________________________
Hesburgh Library Display
If you are visiting campus over the next few months, please stop by the Hesburgh Library Concourse and check out the STEP window display. As we close out STEP's 10th Anniversary Year we are proud to spread the news of our work with returning students, visiting families, and football fans.
Thank you for your continued support of STEP!
______________________________________
STEP Upcoming Events
August Course Session
August 30- October 8, 2010
October Course Session
October 11- November 19, 2010
|
The Church
Evidence of Early Devotions to Apostles Found
Archeologists discovered ancient icons of Peter, Paul, Andrew and John in the catacombs in Rome. Discovered in the burial chamber called "Cubicle of the Apostles" these pictures are very old. The age of the icons shows that veneration of the apostles was a much older practice than previously thought.
Read the complete CNS story here
______________________________________
Social Media Guidelines from the USCCB
With social media becoming an ever present reality in the lives of many, the Church offers the first-ever "Guidelines for Social Media" as prepared by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. The Introductions states,
"These guidelines are offered as a synthesis of best practices. They
include material compiled from church entities, for-profit
corporations, and non-profit organizations...In this document, "church personnel" is defined as anyone-priest,
deacon, religious, bishop, lay employee, or volunteer-who provides
ministry or service or is employed by an entity associated with the
Catholic Church." __________________________________
Marriage: Unique for a Reason
A new initiative from United States Conference of
Catholic Bishops' Ad Hoc Committee for the Defense of Marriage seeks to provide
more resources in the support of marriage. This is one part of the bishops'
overall Priority on Strengthening Marriage and complements the many resources
already available through the bishops' National Pastoral Initiative on Marriage,
one of which is the recent Pastoral Letter on Marriage.
There are videos available as part of this outreach.
______________________________________
World
Youth Day 2011 in Madrid
Opens Registration
Registration
to participate in World Youth Day (WYD) Madrid 2011 is now open. The USCCB has updated its World
Youth Day page (www.wydusa.org)
to allow access to the registration process. The site
includes links to important information regarding the event.
|
|
