Name: Matt Naham
Age: 18
Year: Freshman
From: West Milford, NJ
Major: Undecided
Hobbies? Sports, listening to music, crossword puzzles.
What's your favorite class? My favorite class is probably history. Prof. McGuire is definitely one of the more entertaining professors on campus. He really makes history interesting and puts it all in perspective in a passionate and gripping way.
Do you play any sports? Baseball—there isn't a better sport on the planet.
What is your favorite thing about Christendom? I love the people here. You can go up to anyone and have a conversation—they're accessible, open, and easy to relate to.
Why did you choose Christendom? I chose Christendom because it has everything that appeals to me: a sports program, good Catholic people, and a solid curriculum. What more can I ask for?
What do you plan to do after graduation? Not entirely sure yet. I am very interested in languages so that field could be an option.

Appreciation Week

Last week was Appreciation Week at Christendom College. Each day at lunch, students recognized the various people that make their Christendom experience so awesome—from the faculty to the Cavalier Cleaning Service, the kitchen service to the administrative staff.


On Monday, students recognized the chaplains.


On Friday, students recognized the faculty. Above Senior Genie Knight gives Prof. Greg Townsend a science quiz. He passed with flying colors, earning himself one of the many prizes handed out to the faculty.

The Shenandoah Showdown

On Friday. evening students, staff. and faculty filled Crusader Gymnasium for Christendom's second boxing tournament, The Shenandoah Showdown. There were a total of four fights pitting College Chaplain Fr. Daniel Gee's boys against the boys of Special Services Manager Tom Heaston.

The first fight was for the light weight title and featured Brian Boom Shakalacka Killackey versus Steve The Iron Curtin. It was a fast paced fight, very evenly match. It was the only fight to have a split decision as to the winner. The majority gave Killackey the title.

The next two fights were easy to decide for the judges. Brian Aint Lyin' Pelletier defeated John Boots Schofield. Schofield came out strong and was thought to win, but Pelletier showed him the slow and steady wins the race. Mark The Hitman Hepler dominated The Marvelous Matt Marchand. Hepler's exacting hits proved to much for Marchand to absorb.

In the evening's main event, Admission's Associate Director Vino Mike Schmittino took on Senior Tim The Terror Lanahan. Schmittino's months-long training could not make up for Lanahan's years of experience. Lanahan moved quickly around the ring and fired every available shot. While Schmittino scored some nice jabs himself, he was no match for The Terror. Lanahan claimed the heavyweight title.

Fr. Gee's boys won every match. The tournament was a great bonding experience for the students, faculty, and staff. These boxing tournaments are quickly becoming part of Christendom's tradition.


Curtin lays one on Killackey.


The Hitman strikes again.


Shmittino gives a blow for Italia.


Lanahan sends Schmittino reeling.


The fighting was intense, but it was all smiles after each match.


The official advertising poster.

St. Theresa's Bonfire

Friday night the ladies of St. Theresa's House dorm opened their doors, and backyard, to the Christendom Community, hosting a bonfire and open house. They were excited to be hosting philosophy professor, Dr. Flippen, who spoke to the students on "Life after Christendom" sharing both personal stories, anecdotes, and practical advice, as well as how to follow God's will. The students loved his talk, and were excited to hear what he had to say.

Sophomore Stephen Tomlinson, and his roommate Freshman Michael Bobrowski both commented that Dr. Flippen's talk was really good. "We should do this more often," Tomlinson said.

Students were able to munch on brownies, and enjoyed the relaxing atmosphere of the bonfire. After Dr. Flippen's talk, Brian Pelletier organized some swing dancing, which many enjoyed. Everyone agreed that the evening was quite a success, and St. Theresa's Residence Hall hopes to have more events like this in the future!


Students enjoyed engaging Prof. Flippen in the casual atmosphere.

Spring Formal

Saturday night, swirls of satin, silk, organza, and tulle filled the Bowling Green Country Club as Christendom held their annual SAC organized Spring Formal.

The Christendom community was excited to attend the first dance since before Lent and finally get their feet moving! The students took advantage of the slightly larger dance floor than last year, and as usual had a great time dancing the night away. Those who opted to remain off the ever-moving dance floor munched on cheeses, crackers, fruit and other little tasty deserts. The room was decorated beautifully with white lights and tulle, and looked quite elegant.

The evening began at eight and continued as people enjoyed themselves till the close of the event. It was quite a success, as was agreed upon by many who attended.

"This was the best Spring Formal yet!" agreed both Juniors Liz Newcombe and Madeleine Walter.


Freshmen Colleen Harrington and Daniel Traina swing across the dance floor.


Assistant Admissions Counselor Freshman Emi Funai shares a dance with Senior Dave Long.


Sophomores Laura Osterhage and Paul Nangurai waltz around.


Sophomore Brian Pelletier shows Sophomore Mary Becher that he can dance as well as he boxes.

Singing for Life

Sunday night, music filled the Commons as students attended a Pro-Life benefit concert, to raise money for the pregnancy center in Front Royal. The event, headed up by Sophomore Kelsey McCrum was a fun, relaxed concert with several acts, including many new performers, such as Freshman Rachel Milani, and Freshman Theresa Ploneida. There was lots of talent to be had, and people really seemed to enjoy the event. Students were able to munch on the food provided in between musical acts and though it was storming outside, were relaxed and enjoyed the chance to chill and listen to some Christendom talent, while contributing to a good cause.


Rachel Milani wowed audiences with her first appearance on the Christendom stage.


Jason Greene and his band rock for life.

Truth Exists!

On Monday, Christendom's Founder Dr. Warren Carroll delivered a lecture entitled "The Watchwords of Christendom College: Truth Exists, the Incarnation Happened." The lecture focused on the horrors committed by the Communists in Cambodia, which he used to illustrate what happens when the existence of Truth is denied.

"If you are Christendom students, you will never even listen to anyone who tries to tell you that truth does not exist," Carroll said. "You will know that in a very real sense you are the sons and daughters of truth, who have it and will not give it up nor ever fail to speak for it."

Download this talk at Christendom on iTunes U.

Students Share their Pose and Poetry

On Tuesday night, students gathered in the Gallery Level of St. John the Evangelist library for Prose and Poetry night. Library Aquisitions Assistant Mrs. Mickey Krebs and Library Director Mr. Andrew Armstrong presided over the event, as students presented their favorite poetic selections, or presented their own original poetry. Following the literary recitations, everyone enjoyed delicious snacks and juice provided by the Library.

A Roman Perspective

As I packed my bags and sat on the long flight home, I had the chance to finally survey my Rome semester in its entirety. Although I had been up late the night before, I made sure I made an early morning run to say good by to Saint Peter’s.

Since sophomore year, I debated whether or not I should spend a semester in Rome. I was hesitant from the start, since my parents were struggling financially and had already made many sacrifices for me to attend college. However, my parents insisted Rome was the chance of a lifetime and with their help and the help of many other generous friends, I found myself in the Eternal City.

Looking back now, I realize going to Rome was one of the best decisions I have ever made—it was all worth it in the end. As soon as I saw the Pieta in St. Peter's and had my first cup of Italian cappuccino, I stopped second guessing myself. I finally forced myself to stop any worrying and just put the semester in God’s hands.

This Rome semester has brought me closer with my classmates, even ones I had never really been close with before. I experienced history full throttle by walking through the ancient Roman forum and getting lost in the ruins of Ostia. I learned to push the boundaries of my comfort zone and just enjoy the adventure, like swimming by the Azure Window in Malta. I also learned to listen more and talk less, a big thing for anyone that knows me. Most of all, I realized that prayer, a sense of humor, and coffee could get me get through anything. My friends soon learned how powerful the latter was, when my roommate Bernadette had to use a cup of coffee to lure me out of bed one morning.

I know my classmates and I grew closer to our Catholic faith by seeing the beauty and universality of the Church. We were able to experience the countless churches and relics of the saints and marvel at Pope Benedict for his leadership and strength as Vicar of Christ. I think that Rome has helped us Christendom students even more fully prepare to go out and “Restore all things in Christ.”

So now that I have returned home, I want to thank my family and friends and Christendom College for giving me this past semester in Rome. It was by no means entirely perfect or easy, but no pilgrimage ever is and I feel that I’m better for it. My Dad always told me Rome was a chance of a lifetime, and he was right. I pray and hope future students will be able to experience this as well.

Goodbye and St. Peter pray for us!

Dr. O'Donnell's tour of St. Peter's is a must-experience for all!


Florence was a definite highlight to this trip.


I'll never forget ambling down the medieval streets of Assisi.


Before one of our many Papal Audiences.


Tivoli — one the many beautiful day-trips we took.


Rome — the only city with ancient ruins in its center.

Being a Resident Assistant

Many, many groups and organizations are behind the smooth functioning of Christendom, and some are more prominent than others. Perhaps one of the more unnoticed groups of people are the RA's (Resident Assistants), who work hard to ensure that Christendom remains the good community it strives to be.

The RA's, who operate under the direction and guidance of Associate Dean Tambi Spitz, work to cultivate a life of virtue in the student body from promoting positive student behavior to implementing dress code standards.

Being an RA is a big responsibility, because it essentially involves being "on duty" all the time. You can't decide when you want to work and when you don't. When you are hired as an RA, you and your team have to be ready to help the student body whenever needed.

Not only do the RA's work to ensure that the rules are kept, they also strive to promote the community life, academic life, and spiritual life of the campus. They try to be good examples for others students, and for the residents of their respective halls.

One of the most rewarding parts of being an RA is the chance to really connect with the residents on your floor. Each RA is "in charge" so to speak, of a certain floor in the dorms. For example, RA Senior Lauren Merz is the RA of top floor St. Campion Hall. The RA's try to get their floors to really come together, and they do this by providing opportunities such as floor events, or programs in which the floor can get to know one another. Lots of dorms make an effort to go to adoration together, which is a great way to spend time with your floor while also growing closer to Christ.

Every year there are two "head RA's" who have special responsibilities. This year's head RA's are Seniors Emily Jaroma, and Zach Miller. They are both extremely hard working and are great at their jobs, being good examples for the rest of the RA's to follow.

Being an RA is not just a great responsibility, but an honor, and chance to grow not only in responsibility and leadership skills, but also a great chance to get to know the other RA's, because you work together as a team.

The RA's are truly grateful for the opportunity they have to make an impact on Christendom students but also to grow from the experience.

2010 Resident Assistants

Ruggers Rock the Competition

Last Thursday, April 22, Christendom’s then 3-2 rugby team, the first winning team in the school’s history, headed to the University of Mary Washington to take on their squad. Missing two starters, seniors Dave Long and Nate Scrivener, Coach Brendan McGuire sparked the boys with a reminder that it was their chance to close out the season strongly.

With the challenge to come out strong, and bury Mary Washington’s team early, the boys were shocked when they were scored on in the first five minutes. A kickoff and a couple tough rucks from Zach Miller and the forward pack, and Christendom was able to control possession. Then, on a long pass from Joe Long to a charging Hugh Bratt, Christendom evened up the score. From that point until the last fifteen minutes of the game, Christendom’s squad kept possession of the ball almost continually.

Rob Hambleton and Ben Ranieri smashed their way into the end-zone multiple times, while Paddy Norton slashed through for an eighty yard try. Extra points kicker Tommy Salmon went 7 for 7, and with the score 49-7, Christendom’s second line came in. The final score of the game was 49-17, and the team capped the season with a respectable 4-2 record.


Paddy Norton's eighty yard try.


Hugh Bratt evens the score.


Ben Ranieri: unstoppable.


Robbie Hambleton charges down the field.


A winning season.


Q. I am a currently a high school sophomore and I was wondering if it is possible for me to attend one of your Experience Christendom Summer Programs? I know that your website says it’s for current juniors, but I was wondering if you ever make exceptions? Also, what exactly do the students do each day during the program? Thanks!!!

A. Although the program is first and foremost for current high school juniors, we have been known to allow current sophomores to attend, space permitting. We have found that those students entering their senior year in the fall tend to get the most out of the program, but we have given some “rising juniors” a shot in the past and a number of them have been very impressive. So, the short answer is, go ahead and register and we’ll see what we can do.

I just posted to our website a detailed description of all of the activities for the various programs and I encourage you to take a look at them. We pretty much do the same things for each of the four week sessions, but there are a couple of differences.

The mornings are spent in class (English, Philosophy, and History), followed by Mass and lunch. Then they take a Theology class from Christendom’s President, Dr. O’Donnell, followed by benediction and confessions. The afternoons are filled with various activities, including sports, chilling out, spending time going off the rope swing on the Shenandoah or canoeing. Dinner is then followed by some type of fun social activity like going bowling, coming to my house for a cook-out/volleyball, taking part in an Irish sing-a-long and dance at the O’Donnell home, being part of a talent show, and much more. Take a look at the schedules and see how jam packed the week is. Also, view the Experience Christendom video and testimonies, all from real students who attended the program. It’s definitely worth the money and right now, if you request financial aid, you can save a lot of money. Right now, the first session is full and the third session is just about full. Register soon!

Also, don't forget that you can register for our Sacred Music and Chant Program and the Latin Immersion Program.

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.

Name: Jessica Ward
Age: 20
Year: Sophomore
From: Cedar Rapids, IA
Major: History
Hobbies? I love to do anything crafty. Lately I have spent much of my time on the Student Activities Council. It's an excellent way to give back to my community. I also enjoy doing those random goofy things with friends that happen only in college.
What's your favorite class? My favorite class is History 202 with Prof. Sheehan. He teaches past events and ties them to what is currently happening today. It makes it interesting and gives a greater understanding of the world.
Do you play any sports? My hand-eye coordination is "0." I only play around my family.
Do you participate in any drama or music related activities? I've played violin since I was 6 and I've done the hair and make-up for the last three plays. Hopefully, one day I'll act in one when I have more time.
What is your favorite thing about Christendom? It is the small Catholic community. Everyone knows everyone and we all share a great love for the Church.
Why did you choose Christendom? I chose Christendom to get out of Iowa. No, I came because I believe that it would offer me the best formation I could ever receive.
What do you plan to do after graduation? Hopefully, God will hit me with a lightening bolt and let me know soon.

Hello, Dolly! Dazzles All

This past Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, the Christendom players produced the musical Hello, Dolly! at Skyline High School, to large crowds with smiling faces. The show, which was quite a feat to put on, was co-directed by alumnus Michael Powell and English Professor Dr. Patrick Keats, with the orchestra led and conducted by alumna Bridget Randolph. The costumes, hair, and makeup were amazing, and really made the show come to life.

The main character, Dolly Levi, a meddling woman who likes to match-make everyone -including herself - was played by talented Sophomore Meghan Kelly. Mr. Vandergelder, Dolly's eventual match, was played by Senior Nathan Gniewick, who did a phenomenal job in his last production at Christendom. The chorus, which was comprised entirely of Sophomores and Freshmen, was also well done, down from the costumes, to the dancing, and the singing.

"The acting and singing were really, really good," said Junior Madeleine Walter. "The costumes were really neat too!" Though the Christendom Players were initially skeptical of putting on this very complicated show with all of its components, they deserved every round of applause they received for a job well done!

Check out the pics below.


Dolly spins a web hoping to catch Vandergelder for herself.


The lead roles were well supported by the beautiful costumes and voices of the chorus.


There were many hilarious scenes: Barnaby and Cornelius hide from their boss, Mr. Vandergelder.


"It takes a woman, a dainty woman..."


Sophomores Dominic Vieira and Brianna Miller choreographed the dancing.


The 40-member cast was the largest in the Christendom College Players' history.


"It only takes a moment" to fall in love.


Dolly's hats were made by Admissions Counselor Beth Fettes.


The Library's Acquisitions Assistant, Mrs. Mickey Krebs, made a guest appearance.


Vandergeld couldn't resist Dolly's charms.

Open House

On Sunday afternoon, the guys of Christendom enjoyed the casual atmosphere of girl’s open house, enjoying a day of laughter and conversation.

In St. Catherine’s residence hall, top floor was full of activity, as students celebrated the birthdays of Sophomores Theresa King and Laura Grau.Music, face painting, and fun filled the common room, and visitors enjoyed delicious candy and snacks.

The ladies welcomed the guys into their dorms and enjoyed chatting with the guys of Christendom. The girls anticipate the next mens’ open house, when it will be their turn to explore the guys’ dorms. The next residence hall event is a bonfire at St. Theresa’s to be held on Friday night.


Out of respect for privacy, there is no inter-visitation between the men's and women's residence halls, however, several Open Houses are held throughout the semester allowing students to show off their rooms and hang out in a relaxed atmosphere.

The Last Hurrah

Second to Last Greetings from Rome!

On Tuesday, April 15th, the Rome students and our directors, the Fuertes, met with his Excellency, Archbishop Joseph Augustine Di Noia, who is the secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments. This special meeting was a courtesy of Dr. O’Donnell and the Archbishop himself. His Excellency took an hour out of his busy schedule to give us some background on his work and patiently answered any questions we had for him. At the end of the meeting, we were able to shake his hand and thank him.

This past weekend was the last free weekend of the semester, so my classmates and I took full advantage of this "last hurrah" before finals. We scattered like the wind to different countries and places, returning with some great stories and experiences. One group of my classmates went to France, another to Turin, while a third skipped off to the Island of Capri. The rest of the Christendom students stayed in Rome and did the traditional seven church pilgrimage.

The Turin group was blessed with opportunity of seeing the actual Shroud of Turin, a relic that is rarely shown to the public. Although they had to endure a six hour train trip both ways, sparse food, and very little sleep, the Turin group insisted that seeing the Shroud was well worth it. They also were able to explore the beautiful churches in Turin and visit the tombs of Saint John Bosco and St. Dominic Savio.

I traveled with the group that went to Malta, and we stayed there three days. The trip was extremely significant for me as a History major and Malta has long been a dream visit. Four of my classmates and I explored the Island and spent most of our time on the many beaches. Thomas Kelly, Nick Lowry, and Elise Anderson were able to visit Malta’s Military museum, while Noreen Daly and I visited the historical hospital building of the Knights of Malta, also known as the Hospitallers. Seeing the latter site was the ultimate highlight of my trip, and my classmates soon grew tired of me raving about it within hours. My group spent the last day of our trip on the Island of Gozo, where we were able to see the famous Azure window. Although it was windy and the water rather cold, Thomas Kelly insisted on taking a swim, and within minutes most of us had joined him. I enjoyed the impromptu adventure until Thomas yelled that he saw a jellyfish—it turned out to be a false alarm.

Now, as we drop our travel bags to the floor and shake the sand from our shoes, my classmates and I prepare to study for finals and enjoy our last weekend in Rome.

Until then…

Nick Lowry and Tom Kelly stand before the Island of Gozo's Azure Window.


Noreen Daly, Mary Harrington, and Elise Anderson discover the historical and natural beauties found in Malta.


Tom Kelly climbs the craggy coastline of Malta.


On the Seven Church Pilgrimage in bella Roma.

Wisdom From a Woman

Every few weeks or so, fifty or more Christendom girls pack into the lobby of St. Campion's Residence Hall to hear English professor Mrs. Hickson talk on subjects such as dating, spirituality, fashion, friendship, and lots more. These talks are extremely popular among the girls of Christendom, and a great way to learn from a woman who is wiser than most.

The talks were begun in the 2004-2005 school year when Student Activities Director Marie Antunes was a Junior at Christendom. Antunes says that the talks have had a positive effect on the girls at Christendom.

"It's great to have a role model like her," Antunes says. "The discussions bring up so many things that you think about for a long period of time. Mrs. Hickson really puts herself out there, and gives the girls an opportunity to ask more specific questions that wouldn't necessarily have come up in their day-to-day conversations. She creates an opportunity to be able to give counsel, and that is a really beautiful thing."

The topics are chosen in multiple ways. Flyers are put out to advertise topic choices, or oftentimes girls come up to Mrs. Hickson and tell her specific issues they are struggling with She really strives to get input from the women of Christendom and research them so she can better cater to their needs.

"I always like to go to the talks myself because she always gives really timeless advice, though the talks are more geared to women in their college years," Antunes says. "Mrs. Hickson really just has a great pulse on the challenges facing the women of Christendom."

Mrs. Hickson seems to be the best women for these talks, specifically because she is able to reach the girls, and motivate them in a unique way. When asked specifically what gives her this ability, Antunes said, "I think her integrity as a woman, her prayer life, her own continual formation, and her life experiences really add to her ability to speak to a number of different women on a number of different areas."

Mrs. Hickson says that the girls like to know there is a woman on campus who is older, and yet they can relate to and who understands them.

"They seem to enjoy it and I love the girls and have lots of fun with them. I've even thrown pajama parties at my house a couple times for them," Hickson says. "The talks have been something I've enjoyed doing, and I've gotten to know the girls a lot better, and I've learned a lot myself."

The women of Christendom continue to look forward to Mrs. Hickson's talks, and hope they are able to continue to grow from them and experience more of them in the years to come. They feel blessed to have such an amazing woman who is gifted with the ability to speak to girls in this way here at Christendom.

Intramurals Engages the Shenandoah!

After many years of the beautiful Shenandoah River being a neighbor to the Christendom campus, it has finally been tapped into for the Crusader intramural program. Last week, the Athletic department, led by freshman Zach Francis, started the first ever intramural canoe tournament here at Christendom. With the spring season in full “bloom” in the Shenandoah Valley, the timing is perfect for activity on the river.

The goal of the races is not so much the competition but to continue to make the river a part of the campus life. We are blessed to have such a beautiful campus, especially at this time of year and with everyone yearning to get outside in the nice weather, the races offer another way to be outside and enjoy mother-nature while having a little fun and competition with friends. Many students already take the kayaks and canoes out on the river at different times but the tournament offers a more structured way for people to enjoy what the Shenandoah Valley has to offer with the excitement of competition an added plus!

The tournament, which is a double elimination tournament, consists of 10 canoe teams who will be competing against each other for the next week and a half. The races, which occur in the afternoons of the weekdays and weekends, include each team canoeing across the river, going around markers in hopes of finishing in front of the opponent, while their friends cheer them on from the shore.

Last week was the first week of competitions and the tournament will continue through this week and finish up with the championships next week.

It is great to hear students comment about their enjoyment of the river and the boating experience. Last week, I overheard a group of students talking about how they love being outdoors and in particular how they really enjoy canoeing and boating. They mentioned that without the opportunity here, they wouldn’t be able to do something like boating while in college.

So if you are around campus in the next few weeks during an afternoon, take a stroll down to the “marina,” as it is called, and you might see some canoe teams racing to the other side and back or just some students out in a kayak or a canoe enjoying the river.



The dam near Christendom College creates calm high water levels ideal for canoeing and kayaking.




Q. Hey Mr. McFadden! I have two questions for you. First of all, what kinds of scholarships are available outside of need-based aid? I’m afraid my parents may make too much for me to qualify for any of that. Secondly, if I all of a sudden decided that I wanted to apply to Christendom, but it is after Christendom’s application deadline of March 1, what are the chances of me getting in? Thanks so much. I enjoy reading the Chronicler each week – Jim Maxwell, Gobles, MI

A. Thanks for the questions, Jim. First of all, because we are the only Catholic college eligible to receive Federal funds, yet chooses not to accept them, we are going to approach scholarships and grants and all aspects of financial aid in somewhat of a different manner than everyone else.

But, that being said, I believe that our academic scholarships are pretty good and can be a good source of financial aid to students. Basically, if you get SAT scores above 1920 or ACT scores of 29 or above and you have a GPA of 3.0 or higher, you will automatically receive merit-based scholarships, ranging from about $3000 a semester to $5000 a semester for all four years. Also, we offer a number of Christendom Fellowships which are based on a student’s extra-curricular activities, combined with academic excellence.

The answer to your second question is a bit more difficult to answer. As you know, 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 125 new students each fall. Right now, we actually have a waiting list for the fall so it is going to be a little more difficult to get in at this point, but there is always hope. If someone is really interested in attending in the fall, my recommendation is to apply as soon as possible and we’ll do all that we can do to try and get you in.

Thanks for asking!


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.

Name: Thomas Daily
Age: 20
Year: Freshman
From: Lawrenceburg, IN
Major: Most likely History.
Hobbies? Photography, camping, hiking.
What's your favorite class? Prof. McGuire's History class. He is really passionate about teaching and truly cares about his students.
Do you play any sports? I play rugby here at Christendom. It's more of a brotherhood than a team sport.
Do you participate in any drama or music related activities? I'm on the stage crew for Hello, Dolly!—I ended up doing it because I find it hard to say "no" to pretty girls.
What is your favorite thing about Christendom? Most of the classes and the friends I've made—they'll last a lifetime.
Why did you choose Christendom? I visited and enjoyed talking with Mr. McGuire and the students.
What do you plan to do after graduation? I plan to teach high school history and raise a family.

Mystery Dinner Theater

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights, the St. Lawrence Commons was filled with excited and hungry audience members ready to watch this year's Mystery Dinner Theater: Murder at the U.N.! The play was written by Senior Brian Gallagher, and many Christendom students participated in it, whether by acting, tech, or serving the dinner. Mystery Dinner Theater is held every year to help raise money for the senior class gift.

“We want to put in a substantial deck overlooking the Shenandoah River beyond the St. John the Evangelist Library,” Senior Class President Jobie Norton said. “Not only will this deck provide a beautiful view, but it will serve as the pivotal point of a nature trail that will circumnavigate the campus, providing a much-needed jogging and biking trail.”

The play this year was riotous and very entertaining, having a different ending at each performance to keep audience members guessing!

In the play, Jimbo Star, a U.N. representative from Texas, was murdered, and it was the audience's job to figure out whodunnit. Junior Liz Newcombe, who helped with makeup and backstage crew, said, "It's really funny, and everybody worked so hard. There's a lot of talent there."

Check out the pics below.


Senior Jobie Norton and Sophomore Catherine Marra played the comical news casters.


The Detective, played by Junior James Hannon, caught the killer every night.


The scheming mobster Salvatore Ricci, played by Senior Kyle Kelly was the killer on Saturday night.


Discovering Jimbo's body... Death by plunger is a horrible way to go.


The Detective interrogates the English Ambassador, played by Frances Allington.


The Arab Ambassador, played by Sophomore Tim Ginski, was hilarious and far too goofy to commit a crime.


The short and polemic Army Captain, played by Senior Meghan Rubin, caused quite a ruckus: "We're going to WAR!"

There is No Time

Monday night, girls and guys came to the lobby of the women's Campion Hall to hang out, snack on great food, and listen to two of Christendom's staff members speak on what students should do with the time they have in college. Marie Antunes and Chris Vander Woude alternately discussed different elements of college life, including its social, spiritual, and academic aspects.

They had some great advice; for example, Marie talked about how a student should strive to be the friend that helps bring his friends closer to God and to Heaven, as opposed to the one that pulls them away. And Coach talked about always trying one's best and giving it one's all, whether in athletics, friendships, spiritual life, academics, or whatever the case may be. Great advice in a great talk.

Roman Easter and Weekend in Florence

Buona Pasqua a tutti voi! Happy Easter to you all!

Lent is always hard, even in Rome, so Easter Sunday was a huge celebration for the Rome students.

Thanks to the generosity of our hotel owner, Gianni, my classmates and I all received tickets to the entirety of Holy Week Masses celebrated by Pope Benedict. Thus, we were able to attend Palm Sunday Mass at St. Peter's and Holy Thursday at St. John Lateran. In order for us to receive the full benefit of Easter Week, classes let out early on Wednesday afternoon.

For Good Friday, my classmates, Margaret Antunes and Rocky Levitas, and I, joined our Residence Assistant, Beth Doherty, for an independent trip to Assisi. We had heard about the famous Passion procession that took place there every year, and we were anxious to witness it for ourselves. Our expectations were soon realized, I have rarely seen anything so solemn before in my life.

The procession began around 9:00 that evening, and was led by men carrying crosses and crowned with thorns. A beautiful statue of Our Lady of Sorrows was taken out of one of the churches and carried during the procession, as well. As we walked down the hill of Assisi, all the city’s lights were put out; we could only see the flickering candles of the procession. I was struck by the silence of the crowd, broken only by recitation of the rosary and the divine praises. Margaret, Rocky, and I later agreed that the Assisi procession was one of the most amazing events we had experienced this semester.

The Easter Vigil Mass in St. Peter's was very long, but very beautiful. My classmates and I were delighted to celebrate the joy of Easter in the Eternal City. Although the sun had long set when we left the basilica, the bells of St. Peter's rang out that Christ had risen.

Once our Easter festivities were over, the Fuertes packed us off for our last school trip of the semester, a weekend in Florence. We spent our first day touring the Monastery of San Marco, which contains some amazing frescos by the patron of artists, Beato Fra Angelico. It is said that Fra Angelico openly wept as he painted the scenes which depict the suffering of Christ. The Rome students were also able to wander in the famous Uffizi Gallery, which contains enough inspiring art pieces to render a viewer speechless.

After having had our fill of artistic works, my classmates and I spent much time shopping in the markets, where we found the famous stationery and leather goods of Florence. Although the female Christendom students are frequently teased about being excessive shoppers, in Florence no such claim could be made, since the guys of our group were just as excited about bargains as the girls.

As we drove back to Rome, it struck me how soon this wonderful semester is coming to an end. I still cannot believe that we now have less than two weeks before we leave the Eternal City and return home.

Until then…

Lauren Kavanagh, Megan Walters, and Ania Zganiacz loved Florence's breathtaking Duomo (cathedral).


Una bella vista con gelato: Nothing beats a beautiful view with gelato.


Students marvel at the impressive bronze doors of the Duomo.

Student Organizations and Clubs

At Christendom College, students stay very busy year-round—inside and outside the classroom. There's a myriad of clubs and organizations that you can take advantage of, so your sure to find something that intersts you.

1) Student Ambassadors
These students are selected by the Admissions Office to represent the College to prospective students, College alumni, and donors, primarily by giving campus tours and hosting prospective students in their rooms.

2) The Christendom Players
Under the direction of Christendom College English Professor Dr. Patrick Keats, the Players put on a variety of plays and musicals – one in the fall and one in the spring. All students are invited to audition for the plays and others are encouraged to use their talents in helping with set design, make-up, costumes, and music.

3) Shield of Roses
Following 7:30am Mass on Saturday, students travel to Washington, DC, to pray in front of a Planned Parenthood abortion clinic. They normally return to the College in time for the mid-day meal. Once a semester, the Shield of Roses leaders organize a “Mega Shield” event where they try and encourage the entire student body to take part in the prayerful protest.

4) Legion of Mary
The Legion of Mary is a world-wide organization of the lay apostolate. Students in the Legion seek to take the light of faith they receive at Christendom to the wider world. They do so by accepting a routine of prayer and apostolic works— at least two hours a week— thus deepening their faith while bringing it to others. Works include door-to-door evangelization, comforting of the sick and dying in nursing homes, and visitation of inmates at a local prison.

5) Chester-Belloc Debate Society
The Debate Society exists to provide students with the opportunity to sharpen their intellectual wit and provide practice in extemporaneous speaking. The Debate Society meets numerous times throughout each semester and all members of the student body are invited to participate.

6) Schola Gregoriana
The Schola Gregoriana assists in the College community’s worship in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass by chanting the traditional propers. This all-male group thus beautifies the weekly Sunday Mass, helping to elevate the hearts of the Faithful to interior participation in the Holy Sacrifice. The group also chants the propers for the high feasts celebrated during the school year as well as at the graduation Mass.

7) Choir
Men’s and women’s choir which sings for Sunday and feast day Masses on campus. The choir sings sacred polyphony by such noted masters as Palestrina, Victoria, and Josquin des Prez. Occasionally the group gives performances off campus.

8) The Rambler
The student journal dedicated to training the next generation of Catholic journalists and intellectuals to engage the world through the media. Rambler journalists gain invaluable experience reporting and writing about the news, arts and culture, and faith and reason from the perspective of their liberal arts education.

9) Holy Rood Guild
This group of women students cares for the vestments and altar linens used in the Chapel, and coordinates displays and decorations for religious celebrations.

10) The Film Club
The Film Club is a group of dedicated amateur filmmakers interested in producing films of high quality and good content while building up the Christendom community. The Film Club hosts a Film Fest at the end of every academic year. This event provides a forum for all student filmmakers to display their work.

11) Outreach
Outreach is a club for those interested in performing some of the corporal works of mercy. Students volunteer at the local crisis pregnancy center and Habitat for Humanity, participate in a Meals on Wheels program, and help out at the local parish’s soup kitchen. On Sundays, students go to an area nursing home to visit with the elderly and sometimes put on small concerts for their enjoyment.

12) Shogi Club
The Shogi Club is made up of students who are interested in meeting on a weekly basis and playing this Japanese chess game.

13) Students for Life
Students for Life is different from the Shield of Roses pro-life group in that it focuses on more activism, particularly, political activism with regards to the sanctity of human life issues. They meet twice a month throughout the school year and normally focus on doing one big project a semester, for example, a literature drop prior to an election.

14) Contra-Dance Club
Students meet on Thursday evenings to enjoy each others company contra-dancing. Contra-dance is a type of English country dance, where someone “calls” out the various dances.

15) Swing/Ballroom Dance Club
Students interested in improving their dance moves meet on Sunday nights to swing dance and to learn such dances as the foxtrot, the rumba, the waltz, and the tango. Students who are talented in these dances offer personalized instruction to those who are interested.

Even if you don't see something that really gets you excited, each year new clubs & organizations are formed by students with different interests. If you are interested in starting a new club, contact the Student Life Office: studentlife@christendom.edu.

Crusaders Place 2nd in East Coast Rugby Tournament

The following comes to us from Rugby coach (and History Professor) Brendan McGuire. Photos by Sophomore Richie Lancaster:

On April 10th and 11th, the Christendom Crusaders rugby team headed up to Pennsylvania to compete in the Philadelphia Collegiate Cup Tournament. Placed in a division with three other college teams, the Crusaders would play two matches on Saturday, which would determine seeding for the semifinal round Sunday morning. Only semifinal winners would advance; there would be no consolation final Sunday afternoon.

Knowing the serious challenge that awaited them, the Crusaders were further sobered by the news that they would be traveling to Philly short-handed—three of the team’s best players, including the starting fly-half (who “quarterbacks” the play of the back line) had to be left behind, either due to illness or other commitments. This meant that several players would have to play out-of-position, with inexperienced players filling in starting spots and getting unprecedented playing time.

The team responded to these challenging circumstances with courage and poise. The first match pitted Christendom against the Angry Young Newts club of Haverford College, from suburban Philadelphia. The patchwork Crusader side dominated from the first whistle to the last, with a physicality and speed that simply overwhelmed the Newts. Senior co-captain Dave Long, playing the fly-half position for the first time in his life, directed the back line with remarkable skill, assisted by the blazing speed of freshman Rob Hambleton. Freshman Tommy Salmon moved from his flanker position, and filled in admirably for absent scrum-half Paddy Norton, who was battling illness, while Senior co-captain Zach Miller and Junior Ben Ranieri set the tone for the forwards, playing with a savage ferocity that was too much for the young and talented side from Haverford. The match was played cleanly, and although the final score stood 34-0 for the Crusaders, both sides could hold their heads high.

Christendom was left with little time to rest or recuperate and had to face a very seasoned team, from rugby powerhouse Kutztown University, after only a 90-minute break. Two-hundred-and-sixty-pound Junior Bill Waller shocked referees and spectators alike by playing out-of-position as a wing (usually a position for small, agile players), showing a level of speed and passing finesse that, combined with his size, made him one of the most intimidating players on the field. In the first half, Waller drew gasps with a spectacular pass that led to a “try,” giving Christendom an early 10-7 lead. Nevertheless, the Crusaders eventually wore down and succumbed to Kutztown 26-15, with the all-important fly-half Dave Long being sent off the field for visible bleeding, after the referee had been lobbied by Kutztown’s coaching staff.

The 1-1 record on Saturday had earned the Crusaders the #2 seed in the next morning’s semifinal round, meaning that they would be slotted against a big, strong side from Susquehanna University. Paddy Norton, the starting scrum-half, shook off his flu and drove up to Philadelphia on Saturday night, giving the Crusaders a needed morale boost. The semifinal got underway at 8:30 AM, and it was quickly apparent that Christendom had a serious challenge on its hands, as the Crusaders withstood two strong drives by Susquehanna in the first 5 minutes. With both teams playing to avoid elimination, the tide gradually turned, as Christendom punched in two tries and a conversion within a 3-minute period. Having thus staked themselves a 12-point lead, the Crusaders placed a strangle-hold on the game, with fierce defense from Ben Ranieri, Zach Miller, Tommy Salmon, Karl Haislmaier, Nick Scrivener, and Thomas Daily. Fullback Hugh Bratt made several spectacular tackles to help goose-egg Susquehanna, while Bill Waller and outside-center Gabe Schuberg combined for a series of clever plays that baffled the opposition’s defense. The final score stood 24-0, and Christendom moved on to the final, where they would again face Kutztown University.

The final was to be held after a brief 2-hour break, once again leaving little time for the Crusader side to rest. Kutztown, on the other hand, was fresh—they had a bye through the semifinal round due to the departure of the Haverford squad. Moreover, Kutztown’s depth became apparent right away, as many of the players fielded for the tournament final were not the same men that Christendom had faced the day before. Within the first five minutes, however, Christendom shocked the spectators by seizing the advantage, keeping the ball deep in Kutztown’s territory with strong play from forwards Nick Kelly, Matt Cavanagh, Dominick Donahue, and the omnipresent Ben Ranieri. Dave Long, Rob Hambleton, and the backs played their hearts out as well, but could not score a try. Eventually, the difference in rest manifested itself, as Kutztown scored two quick tries before halftime. The second half was brutal for the Crusaders, who left everything on the field but had a very hard time slowing down the fresh legs of the Kutztown side, falling 27-0.

The second-place finish in the tournament, however, was an amazing achievement for Christendom College’s young rugby program. Two shutout wins against teams from larger schools highlighted the weekend in which Christendom’s rugby team truly came of age. Their record now stands at 3-2 for the season, and with one game left Christendom College can sew up its first ever winning rugby season. Congrats to the guys!


Thomas Daily wrestles through the defense.


Ben Raneri breaks through the opposition.




Q: What are your dorms like?

A: That’s a good question, and one that is important to know about because if you come to Christendom, you will be spending a lot of time in them. In general, our dorm rooms are pretty big and they have drywall walls, rather than cement walls as some colleges have.

First of all, we have separate residence halls for men and women, and inter-visitation is not allowed. We have three main dorms for the women: Blessed Margaret of Castello Hall, St. Edmund Campion Hall, and St. Catherine of Siena Hall. We also have three main residence halls for the men: St. Francis Hall, St. Benedict’s, and St. Joseph’s. Additionally, we have three houses which are located directly across the street from our main entrance to campus: St. Augustine’s (men), St. Pius’ (men), and St. Theresa’s (women). Students who need to be off the meal plan, or who have special needs, normally live in these houses. And finally, we have Cardinal Newman Apartments, which are located about a mile up the road from the campus, housing even more of our men.

Blessed Margaret’s, St. Fran’s, and St. Joe’s are similar in design. Blessed Margaret’s has 8 rooms in it, with two girls in each room. Each room also has its own bathroom, and has a desk, a dresser, a closet, and a bed for each student. St. Fran’s has 11 rooms and St. Joe’s has 9 rooms. Since men apparently need less space, there are three men in each of these rooms, with the same furnishings as Blessed Margaret’s.

St. Ben’s, St. Catherine’s, and Campion are similar in that the rooms do not have their own bathrooms, rather, they share bathrooms on each floor, or wing. And there are normally three men in each of the rooms in St. Ben’s, while, again, there are normally only two women per room in Catherine’s and Campion. Campion has three floors, with a total of 38 rooms; Catherine’s has three floors with a total of 36 rooms; and Ben’s has three floors with 24 rooms.

The houses across the street for the men hold 9 students each and St. Theresa’s houses 5 women, and of course, they have full kitchens in them, as well as all the normal furnishings. The Cardinal Newman Apartments are a little larger, with two rooms in each of them, a living room, and small kitchen, with a total of 12 men living in them.

Laundry machines are in most of the residences and every student gets a laundry card at the beginning of the semester which they then use anytime they want. Students may have small refrigerators, popcorn poppers, and plug-in hot pots for heating water. All coffee pots and irons must have automatic shut-off features. Microwaves are available in various common areas of the dorms for use by the students.

Here is a link to our campus map, which shows you the layout of campus and where the dorms are.

I hope this helps and if you want to see the dorms for yourself, I suggest that you schedule a visit in the near future.

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.