The Last Pub Night
The last Pub Night of the year was held on Wednesday, May 4, in the St. Lawrence Commons. To end the year with a bang, the SAC hosted the most musical pub night ever, with many performances throughout the night, kicking off with Sophomore Theresa Lamirande. She sang both covers and original songs, and she was joined by Freshman Katie Shannon and later with Sophomore Hugh Bratt for different songs. She was followed by a duo of Sophomores Eric Maschue and Alicia Stanton. Freshman Paul Fiesel also put on a show by rapping, and he was joined in a song by Sophomore Nick Blank.

“I loved how this pub night turned into a concert,” Sophomore Tim McPhee said. “Everyone had so much fun, and it was an especially great way to relax before final exams started.”

The night was marked by a final performance by the band Nick Freeman and the Texas Heat, made up of Seniors Nick Freeman, Troy Spring, James Hannon, and Rory O’Donnell, with Freshman Jake Morgan on the drums. The Texas Heat has been a favorite Christendom country band, and the student body cheered them on as they performed for everyone one last time before they graduated. Students were also entertained by the band Don Juan and the Long Johns, a group made up of Junior Anthony Barren and Sophomores Hugh Bratt, Jimmy Munson, Dom Ginski, and Eric Maschue. Both student bands had the crowd dancing and singing as they performed a mixture of popular favorites with country and rock classics.


Alicia's and Eric's voices blended well together as they sang a number of fun songs.


Don Juan and the Long Johns performed some favorites.


Theresa Lamirande performs one of her original songs.


Paul and Nick filled the Commons with laughter as they performed a humorous rap.


Texas Heat ended the night with a stirring last performance.



Dance Under the Stars
Saturday night, students arrived at the St. Lawrence Commons for the annual “Dance Under the Stars.” The dance is traditionally held outdoors, but due to poor weather conditions it was moved inside the Commons.

The band “Starting Early” consisting of seniors Rory O’Donnell and James Hannon, junior Gabe Schuberg and sophomore Dominick Ginski, played live music throughout the night.

“The dance was really fun and everyone looked like they had a good time,” said Freshman Marisa DePalma. “It was great to see some of the Rome Spring semester students back on campus. The band did a great job too—they were a blast to dance too.”


Chronicler Reporter Madeleine Murphy enjoys a dance.


Starting Early brought some swingin' oldies back to life.



May Crowning

The morning of Sunday, May 8, Christ the King Chapel was full as the senior girls lined up in the vestibule to process in and lay roses at Our Lady's feet and crown the statue. Freshman Veronica Halbur, who is in charge of floral arrangements for the Chapel, made the crown of Roses. As the statue was crowned and the senior girls processed in, the congregation sang Marian hymns in honor of the Blessed Mother.

“It's really lovely to see our Blessed Mother honored like this," Sophomore Sarah Halbur said. "She does so much for us—so it's good for us to do something to honor her.”


Senior ladies leave roses at the feat of Our Lady.



The Chaplain's Cookout

On Friday, May 6, College Chaplain Fr. Donald Planty invited all faculty, staff, and seniors to a cookout held at the Student Center. All enjoyed grilled chicken, bratwurst, and other delicious fare. It was a great way for students, staff, and faculty to relax and socialize before the busyness of finals and graduation weekend.



Baccalaureate Mass

Christendom College launched its commencement weekend on May 13 with the Baccalaureate Mass celebrated by the Most Reverend James Conley, Auxiliary Bishop of Denver.

"Higher education today reflects a profound divorce of faith and reason," Bishop Conley said during his homily on Friday. "In academia today, reason alone is seen as the credible source for the truth about things. Only what can be proven by the canons of the scientific method is considered true or real. My friends, you can't fly with only one wing. The wing of reason is not sufficient. Without the wing of faith the human search for truth can't get off the ground."

Bishop Conley, who taught Christendom students who participated in the Semester in Rome program from 2004-2006, told the graduates to be grateful that they received an education at Christendom.

"Give thanks for the administration, faculty, your fellow students, and most of all your parents. You've had the privilege to truly seek and contemplate the truth during your years here. You have built your education of the foundation of faith and reason," he said.

His Excellency told graduates that faith is a gift and that God gives us the gift to share. Thus Faith is always a mission and this graduation is a commissioning.

"You are being sent forth from this campus and into the world to spread the good news of the gospel. To share the gift of faith," he concluded. "My prayer for you, dear graduates, is that in everything, you work to build the culture of life and the civilization of love. Use your education to spread the light of Christian charity and truth. Wherever you go, offer everything you do for the love of God and for the love of neighbor."


Bishop Conley receives the gifts from Jack Donohue and Lauren Oligny during the offertory.


The choir performed Missa Brevis in E major written and conducted by college choir director Dr. Kurt Poterack.



Graduation Dinner

Following a reception in Piazza San Lorenzo after the Baccalaureate Mass, Seniors, their parents, and faculty enjoyed a dinner in the St. Lawrence Commons. Prepared by Chef Dennis Paranzino, all enjoyed an elegant dinner of lasagna and green beans, ending with cheesecake. The evening was filled with fun reminiscing at each table and with the traditional toasts to the parents, students, faculty, and staff. Concluding the night, all gathered in the Chapel Crypt to enjoy the Senior Slide Show created by Senior Katie Cruser.


Dr. O'Donnell toasts the parents of the Senior Class.


Senior Class President Joe Townsend toasts the faculty.



2011 Commencement Exercises

Saturday's ceremonies began with a bagpipe-led procession from Christ the King Chapel to St. Louis the Crusader Gymnasium. Salutatorian John Killackey of Wayne, N.J., welcomed all the attendees and told his classmates that it was in their studies and experiences at Christendom that they found humility.

"A humility that is not a false sense of sadness, or even despair, over our condition, but one that is centered on truth and fills us with joy and hope, because truth is Christ," Killackey said. "Humility teaches us that though we have learned much in our experience here, we have only begun our search for knowledge and wisdom, and we must continue this search all of our lives for the good of all those around us."

The Alumni Association's Student Achievement Award was given to Matthew Rensch of Williston, Vt., for his dedication to the community. Rensch made great contributions to the academic life of the college and was active in varsity sports, mission trips, and many other facets of student life. In all that he did, he maintained a cheerful disposition and showed exemplary leadership.

Bishop Conley was the given an honorary doctorate from Christendom College President Dr. Timothy O'Donnell.

"You are the real change-makers in our culture even though, relatively speaking, you lack the size and endowments of so many larger Catholic institutions of higher learning," the bishop said in his remarks. "Speaking from the heart of the Church with a confident Catholic identity, you are forming talented and creative disciples, equipping them with a Christian vision of life, culture, and history and sending them out well prepared to be leaders in the contemporary world."

After receiving the Pro Deo et Patria Medal for Distinguished Service to God and Country, Dr. Robert George delivered his address to graduates, exhorting them live a life filled with faith and trust in God. George recounted the story of the rich young man in the Gospel who, after encountering Christ and being asked to give up all his possessions, turned away sad.

"All of us, every single one, rich or poor, has riches in the sense of things we desire and cherish and don't want to give up or place at risk," he said. "And it will be riches of some sort that we will be asked by Jesus Himself to sacrifice or place at risk."

George explained that the vocation of every Christian includes a demand that, humanly speaking, is impossible. The call is always a demand for self-sacrificial love for the sake of the Gospel, but we must not suppose that it will be about material riches.

"I assure you, it will not be," he said. "Perhaps Christ is calling you or me to take a stand right now. Perhaps even to dedicate our lives to a cause that is unpopular in influential and elite sectors of our culture: the sanctity of human life, the dignity of marriage, religious liberty, and the right of conscience—the principles at the foundation of our civilization and polity that are so much at risk today, under so much ferocious assault from the most powerful."

Concluding, George implored the graduates to have "the strength and courage, the hope and the faith, and above all the soul-ennobling, world-transforming, passionately-burning love that will enable you to go and sell all that you have and follow Christ."

Following the commencement address, Valedictorian Elise Anderson of Fredericksburg, Va., called on her classmates "to take the world with a storm of joy and laughter."

"While there will be some people who will find us distasteful for our religion and ethical practices, I want to remind my classmates that there will be others who will be intrigued by us and the joy that we have," Anderson said. "I firmly believe that our joyful responses to life will excite their curiosity. So even on those days when you least desire to act cheerfully and to exhibit Christian charity, make sure you do anyway. You never know how many people your actions may affect."

Closing the ceremony, College President Dr. Timothy O'Donnell delivered his charge to the graduates. He told them that they were entering a world where humanity has no origin or destiny—where the light of Christ has been shut out in countless ways and areas of life and culture.

"Many in our world today, of my generation and many people who are over 40, have lapsed into a type of agnosticism or skepticism," he said. "Your studies here in philosophy, in theology, in history, in literature, and in the other disciplines have nurtured you in the resources of the rich Catholic Christian heritage. You have not been cut off, but immersed. This places a serious but glorious obligation on you."

Concluding, he charged them to never be cut off from their heritage and the Faith.

"Always stay close to those unhealed wounds [of Jesus], which alone can heal the world and heal your souls. Stay close to that great beating Heart, which is so in love with men. Do that and you will be witnesses to hope," he said.

All addresses and remarks can be downloaded at Christendom on iTunes U.

The bagpipes lead the way, followed by the college registrar, Walter Janaro, who holds the college's mace.


Graduates toss their hats in the air following the Commencement Exercises.


Rome Report writer Frances Allington with her brother and SAC President Richard Allington poses for a photo with their family.


James Hannon and Troy Spring congratulate each other.


The girls of Blessed Margaret Hall (in background).


The Vander Woude clan gathers around their recent grad, Mary Kate.



Graduation Dance

Seniors, with their families, friends, and fellow students, all gathered one last time to dance the night away in the St. Lawrence Commons on Saturday night. The standards and swing band, Yesterday Swing Orchestra, played old favorites.

"The band had a great time at Christendom College," Orchestra Director Bob Johnson said. "They are always such an appreciative and energetic crowd! Good luck to all the new graduates as they move on to the next phases of their lives!"

During the dance, all enjoyed a viewing of the senior slide show as they reminisced on the past four years—in Front Royal and Rome. The dance came to a close at 1 a.m. among tearful good-byes and warm embraces.


Vocalist Vicki Petrosky sings an Ella Fitzgerald tune.


Senior Liz Newcombe enjoys a dance with Sophomore Jake Akers.


Even the little siblings hit the dance floor.



What Will You Miss About Christendom?






The Senior Thesis

What underclassmen doesn't shudder—even a little—upon hearing the words “Senior Thesis”? The idea of writing the longest paper of your college career on a topic associated with your major is rather daunting.

Upon arriving at the end of their Junior year (or perhaps sooner if they are ambitious), students begin thinking about their Senior Thesis; what topic might they do it on, who their advisor might be, and what semester they'd like to write it in.

The class, officially titled, “Senior Thesis 512,” is mandatory for all seniors, and is the cumulation of their four years of study at Christendom, particularly in the area of their major. After registering for their Thesis, seniors choose a topic, which they must get approved by their advisor.

Some departments have the students orally defend their finished theses to an audience. Christendom's Academic Bulletin states:

“As the culmination of the student's four years of study in the liberal disciplines, the senior thesis is to be a scholarly paper of substance, demonstrating the student's ability to do significant research in his discipline, and employing the senior's developed skills in the arts of discourse, especially mastery of the techniques of research, exposition, and argumentation. The student may as part of the 512 course be required by his department to defend the thesis in an oral examination.”

After the theses have been finished and reviewed, they are then bound into organized books, and put in the library. The books are organized by year and major. There is also a reference book which students can use to locate specific theses.

“I thought the senior thesis was a challenging project, but it gave us all a good opportunity to use the skills we have been developing over the past four years in one big project," Senior Tyler Lowe said. "It was a really good experience. As a freshman, you think of the thesis as this big forty or fifty page paper, and you think it's a lot then, but it's neat to see everything come together.”

The Senior Thesis is another great way Christendom prepares its students for life after college—even if it is daunting at first. If you work hard along the way, the finished project will be something to be proud of.


Bound copies of past theses in the library.

Spring Semester Sports Wrap-Up

With the end of the academic year and the spring semester, we look back at the past few months in the world of Crusader Athletics.

The semester started off with a bang with the women’s basketball team completing their first winning season in Christendom history, led by a talented group of freshmen and the leadership and determination of the upperclassmen. The team says goodbye to graduating seniors: Jane Snyder, Katie Cruser, Lauren Kavanagh, Mary Hill, and Mary Kate Vander Woude.

The men’s basketball team finished the season almost doubling their amount of wins from last season and left many reasons for hope and excitement for the future of the basketball program. Seniors Matt Rensch, Joe Townsend, and Sam McMahon will be missed tremendously, both in their performance on the court, and their leadership and example off the court. Matt Rensch finishes his career breaking the 1,000 points mark—a huge milestone in the life of any player.

The spring season saw the men’s baseball and rugby teams get underway after much anticipation for both programs. The baseball team was hampered by one of the wettest springs in recent memory and as a result had numerous games cancelled. Despite the hampering of the weather, the team stayed focused and dedicated and played close game after close game throughout the season just barely unable to secure victories. In the final 2 games of the season against Cheyney University, the team broke out of its shell. With wins of 16-5 and 29-6 which stands as the most runs a Christendom team has scored in the college’s history, Rob Hambleton hit 6 RBI’s and Matt Naham hit a 2-run home run. Seniors Troy Spring and Francis Aul pitched and got the wins for the team. Along with Troy and Francis, the team says goodbye to Sam McMahon, but looks forward to the future with many young talented players ready to get back on the diamond.

The Rugby team welcomed new Head Coach Mr. Don Briggs to the helm of the program. The Crusaders would play a tougher schedule than in recent memory and in the face of challenge rise to the task at hand, finishing the season 6-1. The team had notable wins over Lynchburg College, George Mason, and Hampden-Sydney. Unfortunately the last game of the season against American University was cancelled due to weather but would have been a huge game for the team. Jack Donahue, Ben Ranieri, and Aaron Tatum leave the team after graduating. Jack and Ben played huge roles in this year’s team both by their leadership off the field and their performance on the field. Despite the loss of these three, the team will return over 20 players for next year and has high hopes for another winning season.

With the end of the year, the Athletic program sets another “first” record with winning seasons for over half of the varsity teams. Of the 7 intercollegiate varsity teams, 4 of them finished with winnings seasons and one finished at .500. The success of the teams has much to do with the student-athletes who attend Christendom and dedicate themselves not only to academics and their spiritual formation, but also to a varsity team. I would like to personally thank all the coaches for their dedication and hard work throughout the past year and the players for all they do to strive to be Christian men and women on and off the field or court. Finally, to the Christendom Crazies who supported all the teams throughout the year, THANK YOU! You are a huge part of the athletic experience here at Christendom and none of the teams could have done it as well as they did without your support. I hope you all have a safe, holy, and relaxing summer.


2011 Lady Crusader Basketball


2011 Crusader Basketball


2011 Crusader Baseball


2011 Crusader Rugby






Q. It seems like Christendom’s Admissions Office is pretty efficient and organized. How big is your office and who works in it?

A. Thanks for the compliment! We do our best to be as efficient as possible, although we certainly can improve, as we try to each year. As we end this academic year, I want to thank all of my colleagues in my office for doing such a great job. In fact, this has been our best year ever!

As you know, I am the Director of Admissions and Marketing. I have been in this position since 2004 and am responsible for all aspects of recruitment, advertising, public relations, marketing, and admissions. I came to Christendom back in the early days of the College from 1986-1990, earning my BA in Theology, and then I attended our Graduate School, earning an MA in Theological Studies in 1998.

The Assistant Director of Public Relations and Marketing is Niall O’Donnell. He is responsible for maintaining our dynamic website (which he is currently totally redesigning…stay tuned), editing the weekly Chronicler, snapping photos of all of our events for use in our magazine, brochures, and website (along with our competent Chronicler reporters – Maeve Gallagher, Liz Sartor, and Madeleine Murphy), writing stories for publication in news media outlets and in-house publications, and creating all of our various movies, videos, DVDs, commercials, and other such things. Niall, the eldest son of Christendom College President Dr. Timothy O’Donnell, earned his BA in English Language and Literature from Christendom in 2003 and holds his Licentiate in Communications from Santa Croce in Rome. He has been working in my office since 2006.

The Associate Director of Admissions is now Eve Owen, whom you may remember was an Admissions Counselor this past year. She has recently been promoted to this new position due to former Associate Director of Admissions Mike Schmitt’s departure last week. I thank Mike for his two years of service and wish him well as he goes back to the stone-working, masonry business. Eve is responsible for traveling around the country, visiting high schools, homeschool groups, parishes, and other groups of people who might be interested in hearing about Christendom. She will represent the college at various conferences, college fairs, and other events. She will organize all of our Family Visit Days next year, and will work with high school guidance counselors and youth ministers to help students in their care determine if Christendom is a good fit for them. Eve, originally from Oregon, graduated with a BA in History from Christendom in 2010, after having served as the Student Body President, and she is now pursuing her MA in Theological Studies from Christendom’s Graduate School.

Beth Fettes, from New Jersey, is an Admissions Counselor who has been working in my office since her graduation from Christendom with a BA in English Language and Literature in 2009. She is responsible for processing all of the many applications to our undergraduate program and for organizing and supervising our summer programs for high school students. As a former summer program participant, Beth does a tremendous job of making sure that the Experience Christendom Summer Programs and the Latin Immersion Programs go off without a hitch. Additionally, she is our office’s lead singer when we perform in public.

Liz Twaddle will be the newest, latest, and greatest member of our office, and she will begin as an Admissions Counselor this coming Monday. As a newly minted graduate of Christendom, with a BA in History, Liz will be responsible for answering the phones, responding to emails, sending out informational packets, giving campus tours, and arranging campus visits for prospective high school students. Originally from California, Liz is excited to begin this new adventure in her life.

Last and not least, we have a number of other people who do so much to make our recruitment efforts so successful. Emi Funai and Olivia Aveni just finished their sophomore years here at Christendom, and they have been the ones who are responsible for making follow-up calls to students who have requested information. They work a couple of nights a week throughout the academic year as part of their on-campus employment. Additionally, all of our many Student Ambassadors who have volunteered their time to help show visiting students what life at Christendom is like are indispensable and I am very grateful for their help.

There’s the line-up and, again, I thank you for your kind words about our efficiency. Although we are a small office, we try our best to be as personable and efficient as possible. Compliments and complaints are always welcome.
Director of Admissions
tmcfadden@christendom.edu
800.877.5456 ext. 1290

If anyone has questions about applying, visiting, scholarships, financial aid, campus life, rules and regulations, majors, core curriculum, transfer credits, or even about the food here at Christendom, please do not hesitate to contact me at any time.

Spring Formal
Saturday night, April 30, marked one of the most highly anticipated social events of the school year—Spring Formal!

Taking place at Bowling Green Country Club, the evening proved to be a huge success. The dance had a regal atmosphere due to the very elegant dress and the beautiful location. The splendor of the night was enhanced by the lovely decorations featuring tulle and white lights. Since this was the first dance since Lent, everyone was especially excited, and the dancing went on for over four hours. When a break was needed, there were plenty of tasty snacks and drinks for the students.

“Spring Formal was my favorite Christendom dance I have been to so far,” says Freshman Dominique Peters. “I loved the big dance floor, and it was so much fun to see everyone all dressed up!”


Freshmen John Foeckler and Katie Shannon take a spin on the dance floor.


Freshmen Jarred Peterson and Jennifer Nussio swing across the floor.


Freshmen Maribeth Kelly and Matt Speer enjoy a dance.


Freshman Marylin Charba joins everyone in dancing the night away.



The Beatification
On Sunday morning students came to Crusader Gymnasium to watch the beatification of Pope John Paul II live. Despite the early 4 a.m. time, many students watched EWTN's live coverage.

“Being Polish, the beatification was the highlight of my senior year. I can’t even describe it. He was and continues to be such a wonderful example of the Church in our times. He was able to understand so many different people and reach out to them," senior Scott Lozyniak said. "The crowds at his beatification were a testimony to how much the world loved him. His extreme love of the youth and his pastoral attitude toward so many issues of our day allowed him to reach so many more souls in this world, especially non-Catholics.”

Doughnuts, coffee, fruit, and homemade Polish bread were provided for an early breakfast. Everyone was in high spirits and cheers abounded once Pope John Paul II was proclaimed blessed.

“Our wonderful opportunity to view the beatification live at 4 A.M. was amazing. We now have an official great new Polish intercessor for us,” Scott said.


Sophomore Colleen Harmon and Junior Theresa King brought the essentials: donuts and coffee.





Mass at the Hour of Mercy

A beautiful Divine Mercy Sunday Mass was celebrated by College Chaplain Fr. Donald Planty this past weekend at 3 p.m., the Greatest Hour of Mercy. Fr. Planty's homily focused especially on the theme of being merciful to others and asking God for his continuous mercy.


All gathered prior to the Mass to say the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.



A Concert in Honor of the Beatified

On Sunday night, Dr. Clark’s choir and orchestra performed Bach’s Magnificat. In honor of Blessed John Paul II's Marian apostolic motto "Totus Tuus." Many students and teachers arrived at Christendom’s Christ the King Chapel to hear the classic piece.

“It was so great to learn and perform such a beautiful and awe inspiring piece as Bach’s Magnificat,” said Junior Meghan Kelly. “There was no better way to honor Mary on the first of May!”


Junior Meghan Kelly sang a solo.


The choir was conducted by Dr. Kurt Poterack and featured members of Christendom's Student String Quartet.



Why Hollywood Matters

“The art made by Christians today is not only not beautiful, but tends to be among the ugliest art that mankind is producing,” screenwriter and professor Barbara Nicolosi-Harrington said during her talk to the students and faculty of Christendom College on May 2. Nicolosi’s talk, entitled Why Hollywood Matters, explored the challenges facing Christians in the art of cinema and the art in churches.

“We have sacrificed the beautiful to other things,” she said. A professor at Pepperdine University, Nicolosi is the founder of Act One, an organization that seeks to nurture the next generation of Christian artists and media pioneers. She was a theological consultant for The Passion of the Christ and she co-edited Behind the Screen: Hollywood Insiders on Faith and Culture. Her latest screenwriting project is Mary, Mother of the Christ, which stars Al Pacino and Peter O’Toole and will be released in 2012 by MGM.

While the Church was once the patron of the arts, the pagans in Hollywood now hold that position, she said. “Why do we love the movies so much? The movies are the combination of the four classical art forms: literature, performance, music, and composition. They are the art form of our time.”

Nicolosi challenged students to get involved in the arts, but especially cinema. “Should you not be one of the people—out of compassion and creativity—talking to the people of your time,” she said. “I know you have the talent. What’s keeping you back? Fear? Laziness?”

Read more about this talk here. Download the audio or video at Christendom on iTunes U.

Many students and faculty lingered after the talk to discuss the topic further with Nicolosi.



Polar Circumference

On Tuesday Prof. George Garrigan awarded the winners of the Polar Circumference of the Earth Contest. Of the seven teams that entered only one completed the project, but that team did a very fine job of it getting within 2.7% of the true answer. Sophomores John McFadden and Nick Weber won the $100 prize.



Thanks, Ambassadors!

On Tuesday evening, the College's student ambassadors were honored with a feast hosted and prepared by Admissions Director Tom McFadden. These students represent the College to prospective students, College alumni, and donors, primarily by giving campus tours and hosting prospective students in their rooms. The ambassadors enjoyed Mr. McFadden's now-famous pasta Alfredo with salami and grilled chicken.

If you're planning on visiting Christendom in the fall, a student ambassador will be there to show you the ropes.


Mr. McFadden thanks students for their dedication.



Nine Days that Changed the World

Tuesday night the gym attracted those particularly attached to Blessed John Paul II, as Christendom hosted a showing of the movie, Nine Days that Changed the World. Before the movie, College Chaplain Fr. Donald Planty introduced his friend and colleague, Mr. Vincent Haley, who produced the film and gave a speech about the significance of the film, as well as some background.

The film was a documentary exploring Blessed John Paul II's visit to his home country of Poland, and the effects that his papacy, and that visit, had on liberating Poland and tearing down the Berlin wall.

The movie emphasized John Paul's encouraging spirit of hope, and his message to not only Poland, but the world, “Have no fear” and “Open wide the doors to Christ.”

Blessed John Paul II,
Pray for us!


Film Producer Mr. Vincent Haley gives an introduction.





The First Mass in Honor of Blessed John Paul

On Wednesday, May 4, Rev. Planty celebrated Mass in Honor of Blessed Pope John Paul II for the first time in Christ the King Chapel. The special chalice and paten given to Christendom College by Pope John Paul II at the Chapel dedication in April 1995 was used.

My Last Words From Rome: Be Not Afraid
The time that I’ve been dreading for the last three months has finally come. The experience that I’ve anticipated since I first heard about Christendom College, is drawing to an end. With only two full days of the Rome semester left, it’s time for one last visit to my favorite places, one last chance to feast my eyes on the beauties of the Eternal City, as the domes of its many churches, rising against the sky, lead the eye to the greatest dome of all: St Peter’s.

But as I enjoy my last cappuccinos, I can’t look back on the semester without thinking of the events of the last weekend, which provided a climactic conclusion to the entire three months. For since Sunday, a tapestry has been hanging from the logia of Saint Peter’s that wasn’t there before. It depicts a man who dedicated almost a third of his lifetime to tending the flock of Christ; a man who now enjoys the glories of heaven.

As the Easter crowds began to disperse, though delighted by the beauties of the Papal Tridium, we breathed a collective sigh of relief. Rome was ours again, but not for long. We soon began to notice a considerable amount of people carrying red and white flags, who spoke some strange language that was definitely not Italian. The Polish had come to honor their countryman: Pope John Paul II. As hundreds of thousands congregated to spend the night before the Beatification Mass in the streets around Saint Peter’s, several of us, eager for a place in Saint Peter’s Square, joined them, sleeping on the hard cobblestones of the Via delle Conciliazione until, with the first rays of the sun lighting the sky, we were allowed to enter the Square. In my life, I have definitely enjoyed better nights of sleep.

But the hard ground, the crowds, and the discomfort melted into a distant memory at the moment when Pope Benedict declared his predecessor Blessed. At that moment they unveiled, suspended from the logia, a tapestry bearing the face of a man who had looked out so many times from that very spot. This was the first pope I had ever known, whose name and face, for the first fifteen years of my life, had been the only name and face I ever associated with the term “Pope,” and now, I saw this man declared a Saint of God. As the Polish flags waved, and the Polish crowds cheered, I, along with the minority of other non-Polish people in Saint Peter’s Square, joined in the universal Church’s celebration of the leader who, in many ways, shaped the course of recent history.

At the beginning of this article, I wrote of the coming days as an ending, and, of course, so they are. But they are also a beginning. We have spent a semester living among the treasures of the Church, growing deeper in faith and wisdom, and as we go forth from Rome—each of us changed in ways that we are only just starting to discover—we are entering upon our adult lives. There is one more year of college ahead before we discover the next step in God’s plan for us, by which we can participate in the spread of His kingdom. What better way to leave our beloved Rome than this, with the words of Blessed John Paul II ringing in our ears: “Be not afraid! Open wide the doors to Christ, to His saving power. Open the confines of states, the political and economic systems, the vast fields of culture, civilization and development. Be not afraid!”

Students slept with thousands on the streets of Rome to be able to participate in the beatification in St. Peter's Square.


College President Dr. Timothy O'Donnell leads a special tour on Bl. Pope John Paul II's student days in Rome.


The tour ended at the Angelicum, where Bl. John Paul studied. Students were able to see archives of the university including Bl. John Paul's dissertation and student i.d.


Touring the Angelicum: Rome 2011

Leaders in Community Outreach
Outreach is Christendom’s club that provides many volunteer opportunities for the community by focusing on the corporal works of mercy. Since the many good works it accomplishes often go unnoticed, this week the Chronicler has decided to take a closer look at these Outreach ministries.

Meals on Wheels is a social outreach program that provides weekly meals for people in need in the Front Royal community. The ministry is currently run by Senior Scott Lozyniak, who has been actively involved in this outreach program since his Sophomore year.

“Soup kitchen dinner distribution, a ministry of St. John’s Soup Kitchen, is something I have been involved with for the past few years, and I have enjoyed it immensely,” says Lozyniak. “It gives me and all other students who volunteer any given week the opportunity to see the face of Christ in those people in our community who are most in need of God’s love and the help of the Church.”

Each week, a group of Christendom students picks up dozens of prepared meals at the local soup kitchen and spends several hours driving around Front Royal delivering the meals.

“Our friends who receive the delicious dinners prepared by parishioners are usually homebound, elderly, or less fortunate than we are,” explains Lozyniak. “They enjoy the home-cooked food and our weekly visits. The visits range in length from a quick hello to sometimes twenty minute conversations. It is great to be able to bring the love of Christ and His Church to those in our community. This corporal work of mercy is much appreciated by our friends who receive the dinners and is a great way for any student to get involved in Outreach.”

Over the past few years, Seniors Katie McCloskey and Kerri Sciscilo have also been very involved in Meals on Wheels at Christendom, and they are accompanied by various Christendom students each week who wish to help out. Next year current Freshman Christian Kopeck will be taking charge of the ministry.

Another huge Outreach ministry at Christendom is the group of dedicated young ladies who volunteer their time every week at the Front Royal Crisis Pregnancy Center. Those who volunteer must first go through counselor training, for they are often faced with difficult situations in which they must guide troubled women who are contemplating abortion. Volunteers not only help provide counseling, but they help with jobs such as filing, answering phones, and giving pregnancy tests. Juniors Fran Dewey and Theresa King currently head this program. Last year alone there were over 1000 client visits at the Front Royal clinic; and of the women who were pregnant and considering abortions, over 50% of them kept their babies, showing what tremendous work the clinic is accomplishing.

“It is so amazing to actually be able to help save lives!” says King. “It is such a joy to know that we can make a difference simply by talking to women at the pregnancy center. I definitely encourage everyone interested to get involved!”

In addition to volunteering with Meals on Wheels and the pregnancy center, Christendom students also get the opportunity to volunteer at the local nursing home, St. John’s Soup Kitchen, and with Habitat for Humanity at various times throughout the year. All students involved with Outreach would definitely agree that it is one of the most humbling and rewarding experiences once can have at Christendom College.


Theresa Fuchsluger files paperwork at the Crisis Pregnancy Center.


Freshmen Margaret Horiuchi and Christian Kopec deliver some meals.


Mr. Willis says, "Thanks!" to the Christendom students who volunteer.

Being a Crusader

This week I caught up with one of our student athletes, Nick Blank, for a quick interview.

What varsity and intramural sports do you play?
I play varsity soccer and baseball as well as all the intramural sports.

What is your favorite sport and why?
Soccer is definitely my favorite sport. I've played the sport since I was 4, including Division I club soccer in high school. I thought I was sacrificing soccer to come to Christendom but was pleasantly surprised at the high level of play here. For three straight years now, we've bettered our previous record and just finished the best season in Crusader Athletics history. The team camaraderie and the school rivalries are highlights of the season and make it exciting to come back each year!

How long have you played sports?
I've played sports ever since a little kid. I have two brothers close enough in age to play with and we would play soccer, baseball, basketball, and hockey with each other growing up. Soccer is the only sport I played on an organized team.

Why do you play the sports you play?
I play soccer because I love the sport and enjoy the chance to play it at the college level. Freshman year it had more perks than I anticipated, because it's a great chance to get to know the upper clansmen and it helps make a smooth transition into the school. Being immersed in an athletic atmosphere also gives me a chance to stay physically fit. I've always loved baseball and played almost daily with siblings and friends. When the Crusader team needed a catcher, I jumped at the opportunity and have played for two years.

What is special about Crusader Athletics?
Unlike any other team I've played on, Christendom focuses especially on the character-building aspects of athletics. Just as often as we hear inspiring speeches to rally and win, we are also reminded of the chance to grow in virtue that sports provides. Perseverance, determination, patience, humility: all of these are virtues that a good athlete must develop, and are also virtues of a good Catholic man. Too often, it seems, professional athletes forget virtue in their focus on athletic excellence; unfortunately, they fail to realize that athletic excellence and moral virtue go hand-in-hand. To get the chance to play the sports you love and develop your character is an exciting and unique element of Crusader Athletics.


Nick hits the ball for a base hit.


Nick charges down the field during last falls intense game against Southern Virginia.




Q. Does Christendom offer any type of internships for its students?

A. Christendom offers a number of internship opportunities for students on campus, but we also do what we can to help our students find internships in the Washington, DC, area and elsewhere during the school year or during the summer.

One of the benefits of doing an internship (paid or volunteer) is to gain experience in a field that you may want to work in after graduation, but another reason is to gain contacts in the field that may help you later on in life. Christendom has a number of internships and employment opportunities that can really benefit students post-graduation. These are on-campus positions in fundraising, journalism, photography, office administration, kitchen help, maintenance, library services, event planning, and much more.

Alumnus Matt Hadro ('10)

I have had many graduates tell me that their experience working in one of these positions made their resumes stand out to their future employers because they had had “real life” experience working in the field for which they were applying. Regular readers of The Chronicler may remember Jack Anderson ’11 and Matt Hadro ’10 who used to write the weekly sports section of this publication (prior to Coach Vander Woude taking it over last year). When they came to visit the college as seniors in high school, they both told me that they wanted to be sports writers someday. I told them that they could get some great experience by writing the weekly columns for The Chronicler, and they did. Now, they are both professional writers – Matt works for the Media Research Center as a news analyst and as a blogger for Newsbusters, while Jack writes for a variety of sports blogs (SB Nation, Skins Talk, NFL Blog Blitz).

A lot of our students get internships in the Washington, DC, area during the summer, working at think tanks or on Capitol Hill or for law offices or political/non-profit groups. Some students can even earn academic credit for doing an internship.

Director of Admissions
tmcfadden@christendom.edu
800.877.5456 ext. 1290

If anyone has questions about applying, visiting, scholarships, financial aid, campus life, rules and regulations, majors, core curriculum, transfer credits, or even about the food here at Christendom, please do not hesitate to contact me at any time.