Life on Tap
Last Tuesday night a large group of juniors and seniors gathered in St. Kilian's cafe to hear Career Counselor Keith Robinson speak and give tips and advice on interviewing skills.

He spoke on how to prepare for, and how to handle the interview, as well as the general structure of most interviews and how to approach them.

Mr. Robinson conducted a seminar style presentation which sought answers to questions from the audience. Each question helped students see how to use their answers to help and not hinder them.


Mr. Robinson worked as an executive coach assisting senior technology executives in their career exploration strategies and career search tactics.



Cup o' Joe Coeli
On Friday night, the Chester-Belloc Room in Regina Coeli was filled with students eager to see their friends perform musical acts. Performances included singing, piano and guitar playing, rapping, and a violin piece as well as many others.

“I loved seeing some of my friends show off their musical skills and perform for us,” said freshman Morgan Kavanagh. “Christendom has so many talented students and I think events like ‘Cup O’ Coeli’ give them a chance to showcase themselves. And Regina Coeli was packed, which just shows how much Christendom students support their friends.”

Students snacked on refreshments and enjoyed watching their friends showcase such amazing talent for a small college.



Sophomores Mary and Sadie Bratt sing with Freshman Katherine Shannon. Sophomore Hugh Bratt joins them on the bodrum.


Sophomore Gloria Klosterman is accompanied by Sophomore John Rogers on the piano.


Freshman Monica Davis and Sophomore Charlie Van Hecke were part of group that did a philosophical rap about Plato.


Seniors Margaret McShurley and John Kilackey played beautiful pieces on their violins. Sophomore Hugh Bratt accompanied them on the guitar.


Sophomore Eric Machue played a couple favorites.


Sophomore Jimmy Munson played great guitar solo.


Sophomore PJ Freeman played a classical number on his violin.



Mardis Gras

This past Saturday night the St. Lawrence Commons was filled with colors and many-a-student in masks as the Christendom Community gathered for a last hurrah before Lent begins. As usual, this will be the last dance until after Easter, so the students were particularly enthused to have a great time at this dance.

To follow on the theme of Mardi Gras, not only were masks available for all to wear, but there was also traditional "King Cake," one for the boys, and one for the girls. Crowns were given to the girl and boy who respectively found the baby Jesus in the King Cake.

The night was further enhanced by the live band that performed. The band was comprised of Seniors Rory O'Donnell and James Hannon, Junior Gabe Schuberg, and Sophomore Dominic Ginski. The band played many fun songs, including the popular "I'm a Believer" originally done by "The Monkeys". They provided a fun atmosphere for the dance, which students really enjoyed.


Fun was had by all, and the students enjoyed the opportunity to have one more dance before the more somber season of Lent begins.


Gabe Schuberg sang "Earth Angel."


The band played fantastic renditions of oldies that were great to dance to.


Sophomores Nicole Koopman and John Rogers enjoy a dance.


A merry Mardi Gras masquerade.



Greed and Generosity

Tuesday night, students gathered in the Chapel Crypt to hear the fifth of Fr. Planty's lecture series, "The Seven, Actually, There are Eight, Deadly Sins." This week, Fr. Planty spoke on "Greed and Generosity."

He opened by briefly talking about shockingly sad statistics of global monetary priorities. He showed how it is hard to grow spiritually when one is so consumed with material things, and quoted St. John of the Cross, saying, "He who seeks pleasure in something will not be empty so that God can fill him with His ineffable joy. . . because his hands are full and he cannot take what God wants to give him."

He continued by talking about how it is fine to provide for general needs, but that people neglect to remedy this problem of greed by not being generous toward those who are less fortunate—largely because we are too willing to hold onto pointless material attachments. He pointed out that the contrary virtue to the vice of greed is generosity, a poverty of spirit, and that we must strive to have a preferential love for the poor, which helps to remedy the problem of greed in mankind.

Tu es Petrus

“I, the Lord, am with you always, until the end of the world” (Matt 28:20).

View from academic center.

In the Gospel of Saint Matthew, these are the last words spoken by Christ before His Ascension, the words with which He promises constant protection to a group of eleven frightened men—to whom He has just given the seemingly ridiculous command to go out and evangelize all nations.

Two thousand years later, thirty-eight college students from a nation over four thousand miles away hear the same words as they gather in the most famous church in the world: a basilica built in honor of one of those same eleven men.

On Monday morning, we officially began our orientation in Rome with Mass in the Crypt of Saint Peter’s Basilica, at the tomb of the Prince of the Apostles. As we went forward for Communion, Christ’s words to the apostles re-echoed through the chapel, and I realized that I, and each of my companions, and the Church we were standing in, were all solid, living proof that Christ has fulfilled His promise—we are members of a Church against which the gates of Hell will never prevail.

We said our farewells to Siena on Saturday morning, and turned our steps—except that we were in a bus—towards Rome. Our wonderful week of pilgrimaging was over, and we were sorry to leave a city brought to life for us by our tour guide’s colorful descriptions of Sienese life; we had seen a Eucharistic miracle, celebrated Mass in the house of Saint Catherine, and explored the many charms of the city that several saints have called home.

However, despite our regret over Siena, many of us breathed a sigh of relief at the thought of settling down in Rome. With our pilgrimage-week at an end, it seemed as though we were going home. Of course, in more ways than one, Rome really is our home, and it’s not just because we happen to live here. It’s because this city is the center of the Church to which we belong, because it is a city sanctified by the countless saints that have walked its streets, and most of all, because it is where our father—il papa, the pope—lives.

The angelus seen and heard by students in Rome last Sunday. (Video jumps to English part of the Pope's address.)

As He fulfills his promise to remain always with His Church, Christ has indeed blessed us in the loving father and faithful shepherd who is Pope Benedict. On Sunday, I saw him for the first time—a tiny white figure, standing at a high window, looking out over St. Peter’s Square. As he lead the assembled crowd in praying the Angelus, and imparted his blessing, the voice of this one man reverberated through the surrounding streets, just as his words of wisdom and light echo throughout the world.

Benedict XVI is the two-hundred-and-sixty-sixth in the line of Popes who have fed the sheep of Christ in unbroken apostolic succession. We need have no doubt that there will be popes enough for yet another two thousand years, or longer, even until the end of the world. For Christ has promised to remain always with His Church. It is founded upon a rock.


The Duomo of Siena.


View of Siena (and the Duomo) from students' hotel.


On tour in Siena: our guide explains the 17 family districts of Siena and the Palio, an annual horse race.


On tour in Siena: in front of the house of St. Catherine of Siena.


Enjoying the Trevi Fountain while hunting for good gelato.


At home it Rome.





Teacher Formation Program
This week, The Chronicler is getting a better look at the Teacher Formation Program, a program that Christendom College offers to senior students to give them the opportunity to be an Apprentice Teacher under a Master Teacher at one of the local schools. The program counts for six credits and lasts one semester, during which Christendom students spend six hours a week first observing and then teaching lessons to both small groups and whole classes.

Dr. Eleanor Kelly Teacher Formation Program Director

The Apprentice Teacher has his or her choice of five different schools. The Apprentice Teacher also gets to choose the grade level (K-12). He or she keeps a weekly log, which is given to Dr. Eleanor Kelly, the Director of Teacher Formation. As the program director, Dr. Kelly oversees all the school assignments and conducts weekly workshops.

“The workshops include lesson planning, educational resources and materials, and effective teaching techniques,” explains Dr. Kelly. “The major emphasis of the course is on the analysis of effective teaching behavior, both verbal and non-verbal.”

Dr. Kelly further describes how she, along with a group of the Christendom Apprentice Teachers, observes each Apprentice Teacher twice. “At the post-lesson observation conference, all share their analyses of the lesson presentation,” says Dr. Kelly. “The Apprentice Teachers consider this experience most valuable.”

“The Teacher Formation Program is of great benefit to Christendom students because it gives them an opportunity to experience the teaching profession,” says Dr. Kelly. “In addition, the students in the program gain increased confidence, effective communication skills, and a professional attitude.”

After graduation, many Christendom students who participated in the Teacher Formation Program go on to teach in Catholic and lay-run private schools, and many others pursue a Master’s Degree.

Senior Katie Cruser

“I’ve always wanted to be a Kindergarten teacher, and the Teacher Formation Program has really given me hands-on experience,” says Senior Katie Cruser. Cruser goes twice a week for a few hours and helps a teacher, as well as observe and take notes, though helping out in Kindergarten leaves little time for note taking, she says.

"The Kindergarteners get so excited when I come in, and I really look forward to going, Cruser says. "Dr. Kelly really knows what she is doing and gives excellent pointers, and she really makes me and all the other students in the program excited about teaching. It is a great way to get some experience and grow in knowledge of a great profession.”

“I encourage anyone who might be considering a teaching career and all who are interested in home schooling to register for the program,” Dr. Kelly says.

For more information about Christendom's Teacher Formation Program click here.


Members of the Teacher Formation Program, Spring 2011.

Indoor SoccerTakes Over on Campus!

One of the highlights on campus is intramural experience that occurs on Monday and Thursday nights. From 9pm to curfew Christendom students flock to the gym to compete in or to support the different intramural games that are going on. Since the beginning of the intramurals here on campus, the program has achieved great success. Last year about 200 students played an intercollegiate or intramural sport, that equates to over half of the entire student body. Commanding the top spot in the popular in-house sporting events along with volleyball, was indoor soccer.

Like so many other intramural sports, indoor soccer is played in the ever-bustling Crusader gymnasium where it is converted into a den of soccer mania two nights a week. With hockey goals, 4 player teams and no out of bounds one can see what this sport might be the most exciting on campus. Last year the indoor soccer season boasted over 20 teams and a total student participation of about 115 out of 350 students on campus. This year seems to be following suit.

This past Monday evening was the opening night for indoor which consisted of 12 teams and 6 games. The goal of intramurals is to have as level a playing field as possible in terms of the talent of the teams. The more teams capable of winning on any given night, the more fun each team will have and the more excited they will be to play. Coordinators Joseph Stephens and Nicholas Blank have done a great job forming the teams and setting up the whole season which surely will be a successful one.

The games consist of 10 minute halves with free substitutions and no outs, except for rare circumstances. Because of the different rules and regulations in regard to forming teams, it really forces some people to go outside their comfort area and play with people they wouldn’t usually play with, which builds a stronger community—not just in the intramural arena, but on the campus as a whole.

With all the rosters in, the early odds look to favor team 7 which consists of Mike Bugin, Lisa Hill, Blaise Buckner, Francis Aul, Mike Inzeo, and Philosophy Professor Mark Wunsch. Prof. Wunsch is an avid European soccer follower who looks to teach some of his students something outside the classroom!

They will definitely be challenged by a number of other teams including Team 14 which includes Rob Hambleton, Hugh Bratt, Brendan Krebs, Scott Lozyniak and Lauren Oligny. However, with multiple solid teams this season looks to be a very exciting one upcoming.

The entire intramural program here at Christendom is a great example of what students are capable of. Most of the program is organized and run by the students. From helping form the teams, to making the schedules, to refereeing the games—all these things are done by the student workers of the athletic department. These students —especially Joseph Stephens—deserve the credit for the resounding success the program has experienced over the past few years. With plenty of excited students ready to participate and a talented group of student workers, this indoor soccer season has all the makings for another exciting and successful season.

For information regarding the indoor soccer schedule as well as current rosters and standings please visit the intramural blog or sign up to follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

Junior Robert Fetsko fights his way to the goal.


Junior Tim Ginkski challenges Sophomore Chris Roberts.


Sophomore Dean Dewey and Prof. Wunsch fight for control of the ball.




Q. If I apply after Christendom’s application deadline of March 1, what are the chances of me being accepted?

A. The answer is pretty simple. I don’t know! But here’s what I can tell you. We are a small college and we do not plan on growing which means that we have a limited amount of housing available. Therefore, we only plan on enrolling about 115-120 new students this upcoming fall to remain at around 410 total students.

Right now, as of this writing, we have received close to 120 deposits for the fall. Last year at this time, we had only received 70 deposits, the year before that, just 42, so it looks like we may fill up faster than usual. And on top of that, we are awaiting the decision of about 55 other accepted students.

Between now and May 1, we will have some of the 53 send in their deposits, and we will have some of the 120 ask for their deposits back. By May 1, we should have a more solid idea about how things look for the fall. So, right now, I believe that many of those who missed the March 1 deadline and still want to apply will very likely be placed on a waiting list until we can determine if there is any room. Over the past two years, people on the waiting list are usually notified if there is room sometime in late May or early June. And many on the waiting list have gotten in, so don’t despair…

Apply today!

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.