Name: Joseph Stephens
Age: 21
Year: Sophomore
From: Brookfield, WI
Major: Theology
Hobbies? I play guitar and enjoy fishing.
What's your favorite class? Old Testament with Prof. Jenislawski. He has such great insight on the Bible and the Catholic Faith in general. He has the ability not just to give facts in class, but truly to see the teachings of the Faith and the reasons for them.
Do you play any sports? I play soccer. It has always been my passion and I have played since I was a kid. I've also played on the basketball team.
Do you participate in any drama or music related activities? Nothing formal, but I do get together with friends to play guitar.
What is your favorite thing about Christendom? The Catholic community, the close proximity of the chapel, and of course, the athletics.
Why did you choose Christendom? I chose Christendom because it offered a solid Catholic education. I know that Christendom will help me in any career I go into after school. Another huge factor was the well-developed Athletics Program we have here. Even though Christendom is small, its teams play at competitive levels.
Plans after graduation? Getting a job in the emergency medical field.

Blessed John XXIII Gets Blessed

Last Thursday, a group of students and faculty gathered in the Rotunda of the Library for the blessing of a statue of Blessed Pope John XXIII. Fr. William led the blessing, and followed it with a brief account of the life and works of the Pope.

Many were excited to see the statue of him, and Josh Zeringue remarked after seeing the statue, “I love Pope John XXIII. It's pretty cool.”

Refreshments and discussion were held afterwards.


The statue is now located in the St. John the Evangelist library.

Fine Music on a Fall Evening

Friday night, Kilian’s Café was decorated in colorful fall style as students and visitors gathered for Pub Night. Several different acts performed. The Killackey Bros. (Sophomore Brian and Junior John) opened up the night with their lively fiddling. They were followed by several musical acts, including the talents of: Seniors Jozeph Schutzman, Steven Ginski, and Anna Adams; Juniors Kerri Sciscilo, Margaret Antunes, and Bernadette Horiuchi; and Sophomore Joseph Long.

While hanging out with friends and listening to the Killackey Bros., Freshman Tommy Salmon, from Ireland, said with a smile, “It feels like a dancer should be up there!”

Students took advantage of the chance to take a breath, have some fun with friends, and relax after two weeks of midterms, and prepare for one more week of work before Fall Break.

Schutzman and Long sing a ballad.


When the Killackey Bros. play, you feel like you're at a pub in Ireland.


Juniors and Seniors sing some campus favorites.

Who Wants to be a Millionaire?

On Friday, the SAC hosted a movie night. Students packed in the John Paul the Great Student Center basement to watch the Academy Award-winning Slumdog Millionaire. Food and drink were provided, along with seating anywhere the students could find it. The intense mixture of real human struggle against evil, poverty, and hardship combined with a fairy-tale love story made for a captivating motion picture. The rags-to-riches tale of a poor Indian boy charmed the entire audience. Following the credits, lights went up and students discussed the film at length.


Slumdog Millionaire won Oscars for Best Cinematography, Directing, Editing, Music, Sound, Writing, and Motion Picture of the Year.

Honoring a Hero

On October 11, Christendom College named and dedicated the Crusader Gymnasium basketball court, the “Thomas S. Vander Woude Memorial Basketball Court,” in honor of former Athletic Director Mr. Thomas Vander Woude who died in 2008 while saving the life of his youngest son.

The ceremony began with Mass offered for the repose of the soul of Mr. Vander Woude in Christ the King Chapel, con-celebrated by College Chaplain Fr. Daniel Gee and alumnus Fr. Tom Vander Woude, the eldest son of Mr. Thomas Vander Woude.

At the dedication that followed Mass, College President Dr. Timothy O'Donnell welcomed all and invited Philosophy Professor and long-time friend of the Vander Woude family, Dr. John Cuddeback, to say a few words.

“We rejoice today in all the good that Tom Vander Woude did in his life,” Dr. Cuddeback said. “That good has remained with us; and so much was done right here on this court.”

Cuddeback remarked that Vander Woude set a tone for the sports program, a tone that continues to this day. Cuddeback reflected on Vander Woude’s upbringing on a farm in South Dakota, and how he brought a strong moral character to bear in all that he did. Cuddeback also noted that Vander Woude’s greatest legacy was his seven sons—five of whom attended Christendom—and their families.

Read more about this event here.


The Vander Woude family poses for a photo in front of the court's entrance.

Grüß Gott, Oktoberfest!

Christendom’s annual Oktoberfest celebration took place in the St. Lawrence Commons this last Sunday. Traditional German food was served as well as German beer for those who were of drinking age.

Dr. Robert Rice and Mr. Eric Jenislawski were an iconic sight at Oktoberfest in their customary clothing and lederhosen.

Bavaria comes to Christendom.


Jude, son of The Chronicler Online's Managing Editor Niall O'Donnell, poses for a photo with Prof. Jenislawski.


Following dinner, a variety of games were set up to challenge the festive students. The cornhole station was in constant use behind the commons. Water-jug races, followed by a jug toss, were held on another part of the lawn. The men displayed their strength in a test to see who could throw a 5-gallon tank of water the farthest. Tug-of-war was the final event during the games portion of the evening.


The night was concluded, to the pleasure of the students, with a mix of polka and contra dancing.

Healthcare Reform Examined

On Monday night, Political Science Professor Dr. Bernie Way and Mr. Burke Balch, the director of the Powell Center for Medical Ethics, gave a panel presentation in the St. John Library Café on the new health care bill.

Dr. Way began the presentation by talking about the way the current system works and the kind of changes that may be put into effect. He also spoke on the consequences that such changes would have on the whole system of the United States. Mr. Balch then spoke about common misconceptions of the care and monetary systems of our country.

“It's the inter-relation between what people earn and what people pay that is important and decides the real change cost,” said Mr. Balch.

He proceeded to talk about the changes being effected and how this relates to the the consumer.

“If the government works to push the inflation rate of health care to match the average rate of inflation, this actually cuts back on the health care available,” said Balch. “The real cost of saving lives is going down, but the amount spent on it is going up.”

Both Dr. Way and Mr. Balch covered a multitude of important aspects that left the entire audience feeling enlightened on the subject. Following the talk, attendees enjoyed some refreshments and Q & A with the speakers.

The Daily Grind

Though St. Kilian's Café may not be open as much this year, students don't feel too deprived, since the Daily Grind in town still welcomes Christendom students with open arms. It is not unusual that you walk into the friendly environment of the Daily Grind, in historic downtown Front Royal, and find at least one or two Christendom students.

“It's a great place to go and just hang out, or use the wireless and study,” Sophomore Philip O'Neill said.

The cafe serves a variety of things to drink or munch on, including coffees, teas, smoothies, cookies, muffins, and plenty more for those who are looking to do a little more than study. The coffee shop's welcoming atmosphere adds a lot to the whole element of the cafe. The employees always have smiles on their faces, and are ready to serve you promptly, whether it's a drink as simple as a cup o' joe, or preparing something more complicated, like a frappucino.

The outside seating is a great way to enjoy the scenery of Front Royal's historic Main Street as you sip on your coffee, peruse your notes, or surf the net.

Students love the fact that they have a place off-campus, but still nearby, where they can escape to when they just need to have some fun hanging out or studying in a different environment.


The staff is friendly and always ready to help.


Senior Laura Judge works on her thesis at the Daily Grind.

Lady Crusader Volleyball Finishes Season
and Looks to a Strong Future!

The women’s volleyball team finished the season last night playing conference opponent Washington Bible College. The team made up of 13 women has much promise for the future, as 8 members are underclassmen. The team includes two freshmen who stepped into starting roles this year and will, no doubt, prove to be the foundation for future teams.

Middle-hitter Theresa Jalsevac was the team’s most consistent hitter and proved to be a substantial force on the front line; the Christendom faithful will look forward to seeing more of her strikes in years to come. Another newcomer, Lisa Hill, made a huge impact for the team from the first time she stepped onto the court. Her passing skills, coupled with a thorough knowledge of the game will be a great compliment to Theresa's hitting. Also freshman Katie Wunderlich has taken huge strides this season, playing her first year of competitive volleyball.

The Lady Crusaders will definitely miss their two seniors, Anna Adams and Rachel Williams, who played their last game this past evening. Both ladies were key starters for the team throughout their time here at Christendom. Anna, who started off playing as a defensive specialist, transitioned to a hitter and setter this year and provided the team with boundless energy and competitiveness, which were contagious on the court. Her attitude and personality will definitely be missed in years to come. Rachel Williams, despite her small stature played, huge during her time at Christendom. One of the best players on the team, Rachel was the do-it-all team member for Coach Mirsad Mehic, from passing to striking, not to mention an occasional set when needed. Rachel’s passion for volleyball and desire to learn and improve set her apart on the court. Her jump-serve will also be sorely missed in future years.

Overall the team finished 3-9; but that doesn’t tell the story, however, of how close many of the games were, and the improvements each player made individually and collectively as a team. The team bids farewell to Rachel and Anna, though the improvement of all the players throughout the season gives hope for the future for the Lady Crusaders volleyball team.


Anna Adams sets the ball for Rachel Williams.


Rachel prepares to add another point to the Lady Crusaders score.

See even more pics of the Lady Crusaders in action at Christendom's Picasa Web Album!

Viva il Papa!

It was worth the wait!

Wednesday’s Papal Audience brought many emotions and much excitement for all of us as we arrived at St. Peter's Square. The whole group set out early in the morning when most of Rome was still quiet. When the guards opened the gates, the massive crowd of people flooded in. Fighting the crowds and running to claim front row seats became the main objective. We successfully claimed the two first rows on the left side of the square. When his Holiness Pope Benedict XVI rode by in the Pope-mobile, the crowds went wild and a few of the students proudly held up our blue Christendom banner, while shouting: "Amamus Te! We love you Holy Father!"

I saw the glimmer in his eyes.

What could be better than seeing the Pope up close and personal? As pilgrims here in Rome, we are thankful for every experience and opportunity, even the rough ones. Everyone here will agree that it has been a long week packed with classes and tours, including the Colosseum, the Mammertine Prison, and Santa Maria Maggiore. Class ran all day on Thursday, which tested our virtues of patience and staying awake. We were blessed with a study break however, during which our Residence Coordinator, Beth, surprised us with cornetti, a specialty sweet Italian roll!

On Sunday, part of our group attended a Mass and canonization ceremony, in St. Peter’s Square. We were able to witness Pope Benedict XVI canonize five saints—it was heavenly! At the end of this long week, we were reminded how blessed we all are to be living in the presence of such great faith and holiness.


Pope Benedict loves Christendom College.


As Pope Benedict approaches it's hard to decide what to do: snap a photo, wave, shout that you love him, or just relish the moment?


You can't help but try and do all of the above.





Q. I am interested in going into the field of education when I’m done with my studies. Is Christendom College a good choice for a person who has this goal, and specifically, what does Christendom have to offer a person who has this goal?

A. This is a very good question and, in fact, one that is asked of me quite often. As a general answer, a Christendom education is beneficial to anyone interested in any field of work because of the overall well-roundedness of our program. We educate our students, rather than train them. We believe that by giving our students a classical liberal arts education, they will be ready to meet all of the challenges that come their way upon graduation. In fact, we have seen this to be the case with our graduates. They are involved in many varied and different careers, from medicine to law, journalism to law enforcement, from owning their own businesses to working on Wall Street.

Now to address the specifics of the question: what does Christendom have to offer a person interested in entering the field of education upon graduation?

To begin with, a large percentage of our alumni have gone on to teach, mostly at the elementary and secondary levels, but some have chosen to pursue graduate school and teach at the college level. We have alumni teaching at Providence College, DeSales University, Jacksonville State University, Thomas Aquinas College, New York State University at Albany, Christendom College, and elsewhere. In fact, I used to be a teacher for a number of years and also spent a year serving as a Headmaster of a small private elementary school in New Hampshire.

Through our core curriculum, through the study of history, philosophy, political science, literature, math, science, and theology, our students are truly educated in the things that matter. They are not educated to do one thing or another, but are simply educated. Because of this, those who have an interest in teaching are always welcomed, and even sought after, by many Catholic school systems. In our own Diocese of Arlington, VA, we have probably close to 50 graduates teaching, and most of them started teaching directly after graduation (without earning a teaching certificate).

School officials realize that although teaching methods are very important, the most important thing in teaching anyone is the love and knowledge of the faith and the desire to pass on, not only head-knowledge, but more importantly, a love of God, His Church, and the good Catholic life in general. Christendom College prepares its students for that. Other colleges, in their education programs, may teach its students how to teach math to 4th graders, or how to organize your classroom to make it more learning friendly. We believe that these things will work themselves out once you are in the classroom so there is no real need to spend a bunch of money and time on being trained in specifics when you will end up learning these things on-the- job later.

Now for those who may want to get their feet wet in teaching before graduation, we do offer a Teacher Formation Program as part of our curriculum. Seniors are given the opportunity to work as teacher aids with local Catholic and public schools, helping to plan classes and teach certain subjects.

I hope this helps and 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: Katie Urban
Age: 21
Year: Senior
From: Mentor, OH
Major: Literature
Hobbies? Swing and ballroom dancing, and I love reading, but Students Activities Council is my new life now—outside of studying!
What's your favorite class? At present, The English Novel with Dr. Thomas Stanford. I also loved Shakespeare's Romances and Comedies with Dr. Lisa Marciano. I can't decide which is better!
Do you play any sports? Yes, I love soccer, but am unable to play this semester due to an injury. It is a great team sport that's always intense and requires awesome footwork.
Do you participate in any drama or music related activities? I'm thinking about doing the Mystery Dinner Theater next semester once my thesis is done.
What is your favorite thing about Christendom? The people, definitely. I'm so at home and comfortable with everyone—ever since my first day as a freshman! And the semester in Rome is absolutely incredible... a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Why did you choose Christendom? I actually didn't visit for longer than a few hours, but I had pretty much decided "yes" when I went to Mass in the chapel. It was so beautiful and respectful. I knew it must be reflected in the rest of the college.
Plans after graduation? Law or publishing.

Spirit Week Brings Color and Excitement to Campus

Each day featured a special theme and a competition at lunch.

Monday was Class Color Day: Sophomores wore orange, sported here by Christine Kelly, Lindsey Mershon, and Megan Speer.


Tuesday was Twin Day: Freshman Tim Beer and Sophomore Peter McNeely won the contest.



Twins times three.


Sophomores Mary Becher and Jane Kokes were runners-up in the competion.


Wednesday was Dress-a-Freshman Day: seniors and juniors could dress freshmen how they chose.


Maureen Bellow and Michael Bobrowski: Raggedy Ann and Andy



Thursday was Christedom Apparel Day: students were challenged with Christendom College trivia questions.


Sophomore Ted Cantu and Senior Rachel Williams emceed the competions at lunch time.


Friday was East-West Colors Day, gearing up for the big flag-football game on Sunday (see Sports with Coach Vander Woude below).


Competions on Friday included a race which involved two blind folded guys being led around the room vocally by two girls.



And a wheelbarrow race.

Till Death Do Us Part

Thursday night, students gathered in the Chapel Crypt to hear Theology Professor Eric Jenislawski continue the Theology Department's series on marriage with a talk about the permanency of marriage. He spoke about marriage as percieved in the Bible and how it has changed today. Students really enjoyed the chance to hear a great professor talk about such a relevant topic in today's world.

Senior Julia Callaghan remarked, “It was kind of cool; he talked a lot about what we've touched on in class.”

The students enjoy the opportunity these talks present to learn more about their possible future vocations.

Fireside Chat

The first Fireside Chat was hosted by Philosophy Professor Michael Brown last Wednesday in St. Catherine’s Glen. At these chats one can expect to show up at the bonfire and participate in songs, rounds, and jokes. After a half-hour of merry-making, a guest speaker will begin the talk. Last Wednesday’s speaker was Philosophy Professor John Cuddeback. He spoke on the prayer life and example of St. Dominic and of the importance of the body's involvement in prayer. Various prayer positions, as exemplified by Dominic, can help to make prayer much fuller and more fulfilling.

“While it was a great way to spend time with classmates and friends, it was also a good chance to learn about something important to life,” said Sophomore Christopher Foeckler.

Sophomore Brian Killackey and Freshman Sarah Halbur played their fiddles before the discussion began.

Alumni vs. Crusaders Basketball

On Friday, the traditional Alumni vs. Crusaders Basketball games took place in the Crusader Gymnasium. Alumni visiting for Homecoming donned basketball uniforms and played against students to see who was better. Professors also joined in on the alumni teams: Mathematics Professor Dr. Myriam Buyers, Classics Professor Dr. Mark Clark, and Chaplain Fr. Daniel Gee were all out on the court showing their competitive spirit. The teams were well-matched. As the games progressed, each team plowed onward and kept nearly even scores. Viewers packed the gym, with barely a seat left unoccupied—standing room only. Surprisingly, the alumni pulled off a victory in both games against the Crusaders. Following the game, drinks and snacks were offered at the alumni reception hosted in St. Kilian's Café.

Sophomore Brian Fox leaps in the air to add 2 points to the score board.


Freshman Tim McPhee led the Crusaders down the court many times with some fancy ball handling.

Lovely Day for a Picnic

On Saturday, the regular St. Lawrence luncheon was replaced with the Alumni Picnic on Campion Field. Food was aplenty and it was a beautiful day, as was noted by the many attendees. Students, alumni, and the children of alumni had a marvelous time.


A large bouncy castle was set up at the back of the field to the delight of many of the children of alumni.


Although its use was primarily for the children, a few excited students took advantage of the castle.


Children of alumni enjoyed facepainting and string-bracelet making offered by the students.


Alumni and students purchased East-West apparel so that they could sport their team's colors on Sunday.


Two corn toss sets and a volleyball net were available for everyone's enjoyment.

Coming Home to Dance

Saturday night, the St. Lawrence commons was packed with students, alumni, and some faculty for the annual Homecoming Dance. During the dance, there was also an alumni reception in the lower level of the St. John the Evangelist Library. The swing band “Yesterday” played, and was fantastic as usual. Everyone enjoyed swirling around the dance floor with friends.

“The band is always really good. I wish we had them play more,” Junior Mark Solitario commented.

Old friends enjoyed the chance to see one another again, and current students also took advantage of the fact that they got to see previous graduates. Once again, everyone was all smiles as Christendom welcomed back all the alumni.


Matt Rensch and Jessica Inzeo go for a dip.


Dominic Viera twirls his partner to the nostalgic sound of the live swing band.



Sophomores Melanie Bright and Stephen Tomlinson enjoy a dance.


Visitor Bernadette Sartor enjoys Homecoming with her sisters Sophmore Liz and Senior Katherine.

Advice from a Swiss Guard

On Monday, entrepreneur and former Swiss Guard Andreas Widmer delivered a talk entitled “Seven Things I Learned from Pope John Paul II on Being a Catholic Business Person” to students as part of the College's Major Speaker Program.

“There hasn't been a stage in my life that [John Paul II] did not have a profound impact on as an example or inspiration,” Widmer said.

Widmer served as a Pontifical Swiss Guard from 1986-1988, protecting Pope John Paul II. He holds numerous degrees from Switzerland and the US.

The seven lessons Widmer learned from the pontiff were: live a life based on Faith and prayer; plan for the future, but live in the present focus your full attention on the moment; give yourself completely to your vocation; use your position to be a public morally compass; enjoy life; be humble; and have dignity.

Widmer, a seasoned business executive with experience in high-tech and international business strategy consulting said that Christendom College is a great and very fertile ground for business entrepreneurs.

“Any industry knowledge I can teach you; what I cannot teach you is your character,” he said. “And what they are forming here is your character. They are teaching you to think: how does one approach a problem. It doesn't matter what the problem is, the problems all end up being the same. If you have, what I would call, a pattern-recognition of how to find the Truth, then I would love to hire you.”


Widmer meets with Pope John Paul II during his service as a Swiss Guard.

Download this talk at Christendom on iTunes U.

The Final Gee

On Tuesday, Fr. Daniel Gee gave his final talk on Confession. This time, the subject was what’s happening on the other side of the box.

Gee used a question and answer format to cover several main points. He explained that a confessor prepares to hear confessions by keeping up a good prayer life and going to confession himself.

When asked whether the priest is ever shocked by the sins confessed, Fr. Gee answered that "the chances of you going in and telling a sin that’s new is astronomically small. If you go to anyone who’s been a priest for at least five years, you’re really not going to be confessing anything they haven’t heard before.”

People were also curious to know whether priests will forget the sins confessed to them.

“God grants priests two graces: to forget sins and to remember sins," Gee said.

He mentioned that it was remarkable how fast some sins would be forgotten after the penitent had left the confessional. There are cases, however, especially if a person keeps returning with the same problem, in which it is important for one's confessor to remember a particular sin.

With this end to the series, everyone was able to leave feeling enlightened about all aspects of confession.

Download this talk at Christendom on iTunes U.

The 2009 East vs. West Football Game
Too Close for Comfort!

Every October, with Alumni present and decked out in red and yellow or blue and white depending on their affiliation, Campion field is turned into a battleground: faces are painted, heads are shaved, shirts—and shorts for that matter—are torn. To the winner, pride and bragging rights. To the loser, next year.

This year saw the closest game in recent memory, if not in the history of the contest, as the West snuck by the East with a final score of 13-12.

The first half of the game showcased a difference of styles: the East stuck to their plan of run first and throw, well, when you absolutely have to. The West, with their gun-slinging quarterback Jason Greene, attacked through the air and to the ground as a last resort. The result of halftime was a 12-0 lead held by the East due in large part to the running of Senior Ryan Doughty and the solid defense of the East led by Robbie Hambleton and Matt Hadro.

The game did have a very serious moment when Robbie Hambleton, while diving to grab a flag from the West’s ball carrier suffered a serious concussion and lay on Campion field before being taken to the hospital; he turned out to be okay.

The 2nd half saw a shift in momentum as the West began running the ball more and shut down the running game of the East. The West also capitalized on an East turnover to get on the board 12-6. In the final moments of the game, the West drove the length of the field and scored the tying touchdown to setup the important extra point conversion.

Sophomore Pat Norton got the handoff and dove into the end zone as his flag was pulled for the extra point. The point was was signaled good, despite protests from the East!

All in all, the game was a very good contest between two equally matched teams, and one can only hope that this is a signal of more to come. This marks the 7th consecutive year the West has won, following on 8 previously won by the East.


Francis Aul intercepts the football.


Robbie Hambleton dives for Joe Stephens' flag.


Ryan Doughty takes Peter McNeely for a ride.


Joe Long makes a dash for the endzone.


Quarterback Pat Stein looks down the field.


Pat Norton bounds past defenders.


Jason Greene threw the ball with authority.

See even more sweet action from the East-West Game at Christendom's Picassa Web Album!

Let the Explorations Begin

After class ended on Thursday afternoon, no one wasted any time kicking off their extra long free weekend. Homework has taken second priority this weekend. As Mark Twain said: “never let school get in the way of your education.” Twain’s advice came in handy, as Christendom students traveled all around Rome and Europe.

On Thursday afternoon, Catherine Briggs, Theresa Manssuer, Katie Lademan, Janie Wells and I made our way to the Pantheon and multiple churches along the way. We stopped in at St. Maria Sopra Minerva and lit devotion candles to St. Catherine of Siena in front of her tomb. We finally made it to the Pantheon and discovered the infinite worth of our walk. The sun shone through the circular opening in the second biggest free-standing dome in the world, as choirs competed for the biggest echo. On the way back we were sure to try a cappuccino at Caffè Sant'Eustachio, an exceptional little café in Rome.

The definition of a free weekend during the Rome Program is exactly what it sounds like. Students are free to go anywhere they so desire. Some traveled up to Paris to get their fix of crepes and the Eiffel Tower. Others stayed closer to home, by way of a relaxing weekend trip to the beautiful Lake Como or a more intense trip to Pompeii.

Back in Rome, very few things compare to making a wish in the Trevi Fountain or experiencing the immensity of the Colosseum for the first time. No matter where you go in and around Rome, seeing European culture first-hand definitely qualifies as an educational experience.


The girls took part in the old Trevi Fountain tradition: to ensure good fortune and a fast return to Rome, visitors toss a coin in the fountain by throwing it over the left shoulder while standing with one's back to the Trevi.


Castel S. Angelo: a fortress that protected the pope when Rome was under seige.


The Roman Forum is amazing to explore and is located right in the city center.






Q: Since Christendom is a purely liberal arts college, do the students have any opportunities for dancing, acting, or playing instruments, etc?

A. Yes we do! Throughout the year, students have ample opportunity to use their God-given talents for the entertainment of the entire College community. Here is a partial listing of some of these types of events:

Piano Night, Pub Nights, St. Cecilia’s Eve, the Fall Play, Coffee House, Spring Play, St. Patrick’s Day, Mystery Dinner Theatre, and Cup O’Coeli Night. Plus, we have a swing dance club, a contra dance club, and a swing dance competition each year.

The amount of talent on our campus is absolutely amazing. We have award-winning bagpipers and Irish dancers; incredible pianists and violinists; accomplished painters and artists; talented actors and singers; and energetic jugglers and acrobats.

Although we don’t offer any degrees in the performing arts, the opportunities to perform are numerous. In fact, maybe it is because we don’t have a music department or drama department that anyone who has a talent may be able to put it to good use. At many colleges, only those who are in the drama department are involved in plays and theater. And those that are majoring in music are asked to perform in various recitals. At Christendom, the philosophy major who has a talent in acting may try out for whatever play or musical is going on. And the classics major may tickle the ivories during piano night just as well as the theology major.

So, if you are interested in continuing your extra-curricular talents, but you wish to receive a solid classical Catholic liberal arts education, then Christendom may be the place for you

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.

This issue of The Chronicler Online is dedicated to Mrs. Kimberly McWhirter, the mother of three Christendom College students - Denise, David, and John - who died last week from a sudden illness. Please pray for the repose of her soul and for her husband and 8 children that she has left behind. May she rest in peace. Amen.

Name: Peter Hill
Age: 18
Year: Freshman
From: Woodstock, MD
Major: Undeclared
Hobbies? I play piano, guitar, organ, and clarinet. I also like dancing, singing, talking, and laughing with friends.
What's your favorite class? Latin 201 with Dr. Clark. He takes a dead language and manages to give it more life than you would believe. The way he teaches us with energy, joy, and simplicity really keeps learning fun.
Do you play any sports? Yes, I am the goalie for the soccer team, and I play on the basketball team... I also plan on doing all the intramurals.
Do you participate in any drama or music related activities? Not currently, but I do plan on singing in the choir or possibly auditioning for a Christendom play before I graduate.
What is your favorite thing about Christendom? The excellent formation of body, mind, and soul. I am learning from excellent professors, receiving sound instruction in the Faith, and playing sports with great guys, excellent coaching, and healthy competition.
Why did you choose Christendom? I have two older sisters that came to Christendom, and I had the privilidge of visiting them occasionally during the school year. The exposure to the faithful community and wholesome atmosphere convinced me that Christendom was the place for me.
Plans after graduation? After graduation I see myself as a teacher, lawyer, FBI agent, pilot, musician, astronaut or possibly working as a salesman for Christendom.

Life on Tap

Last Thursday night, Seniors and Juniors came to Kilian’s café, to hear Keith Robinson and John Donovan speak about career exploration. They gave the Seniors and Juniors four steps to help them on a career exploration process. Students were advised to start investigating now, and not to wait until after graduation to start this sometimes long process. This was the first “Life on Tap” of the year, and students will be offered many more opportunities to attend this kind of event.

John Donovan explains the strategy of searching for a good career.

Outstanding Talent at Piano Night

On Friday the annual Piano Night was held in an elegantly decorated St. Lawrence Commons. Dozens of students enjoyed the performances of some of Christendom’s finest musicians. Fourteen pianists thrilled the crowd with music ranging from vocal pieces to classics and original arrangements.

This year the underclassmen were more strongly represented with five freshmen and seven sophomore performers, while Junior Steven Curtin and Senior Matthew Lancaster represented their classes.

“The performances were all outstanding,” said Christendom Professor of History Anthony Sheehan. “The skill of the musicians, despite there being no music program at the college, was excellent.”

Sophomores Elizabeth Sartor and Alex Kecskes both presented original compositions. Freshman John Rogers and Senior Matt Lancaster had self-arranged medleys. But original or not, the incredible talent of the room was undeniable; the full audience was testament to that.

“Christendom has many great performances to look forward to over the coming years,” said Lancaster.

Chronicler Online Reporter and Sophomore Liz Sartor performs an original composition.

Western Movie Night

Due to rain, Texas Western Night was postponed, so a group of students gathered in the Pope John Paul the Great Student Center basement for an evening of western-themed entertainment. The Magnificent Seven was screened, and students hung out and munched on snacks provided by the Student Activities Council.

While observing that a large amount of the audience was male, Senior Katherine Sartor said with a smile that the film "was good, but it’s definitely a guy’s movie!”

Students enjoyed the movie, and are looking forward to a real western experience at the rescheduled Texas Western Night!

Open House

Men’s Open House took place last Sunday. On this special occasion, women are allowed to tour the men’s dorms and see how life goes on the other side of campus. The men, chivalrous as always, made their rooms ready to receive guests by preparing an extra-clean environment and having a supply of food that would please any visitor. The women, in general, seemed to move in packs and were willing to follow a leader on a tour through the houses. They were able to gain a lot of insight into the lifestyle of the Christendom male.

Gregorian Chant and Active Participation in the Mass

Sunday night brought a very interested audience to St. John's Library for a lecture by Dr. William Mahrt of Stanford University. Dr. Mahrt is also the President of the Church Music Association of America and his presentation was on Gregorian chant and active participation in the Mass. He spoke about how to actively participate in the divine worship using Gregorian chant, and how it can bring us to a higher degree of participation (and appreciation) for the different parts of the mass.

Senior and music minor Nathan Scott commented, “I thought it was really interesting what he said about how the entrance hymn doesn’t give as much focus to the procession, because we are singing and are distracted, whereas if we have an introit chanted by a schola, we benefit a lot more from the beauty of the procession.”

The talk was followed by questions and a brief reception. It was the first event of the Beato Fra Angelica Fine Art Series.

Mahrt directs the St. Ann Choir at Stanford.

Senior Visit Day

On Monday the Admissions office hosted it's first Senior Visit Day. Visiting students learned about Christendom's unique academic, spiritual, and cultural life from various presenters. They were also able to have lunch with faculty members and sit in on classes. The next Senior Visit Day is scheduled for Monday, October 12, 2009—Columbus Day. Find out more here.


Visitors enjoy lunch with Literature Professor Dr. Patrick Keats.


A student panel answered a wide array of questions: from sports to the spiritual life.


Admissions Director Tom McFadden explains Christedoms one-of-a-kind location in Rome—right next to the Vatican.

The Death of Lenin

On Monday afternoon, Founding President and Professor Emeritus Dr. Warren Carroll gave a lecture in St. Kilian's Cafe on the death of Nikolai Lenin.

"On January 20, 1924 Lenin died in his bed in agony and terror, his body racked by convulsions so violent that they flung it into the air," Carroll said. "Such was the death of Lenin, and the proof that God's vengeance on an evil soul can take place in this world as well as in the next. 'Vengeance is Mine,' says the Lord."

Download this talk at Christendom on iTunes U.

Temperaments and Treats

Monday night, ladies packed Kilian’s café as Philosophy Professor Dr. Doug Flippen gave them a talk on the temperaments. Tasty treats were provided for the girls to munch on as they listened to Dr. Flippen tell them about the four temperaments, and the virtues and vices of each one. He gave girls a brief test in the beginning to figure out what their primary temperament is, and then explained each one. The girls enjoyed the talk and had fun discussing the temperaments afterwards.

“I had heard some of it before, but not in that way," Freshman Lisa Vincente said. "It was a great talk—really interesting.”

The girls appreciated the opportunity to learn not only more about themselves, but more about others too.

Dr. Flippen explains how you can know if you're Sanguine, Choleric, Melancholic, or Phlegmatic.

The Grace to Seek Forgiveness

On Tuesday, Father Daniel Gee gave the fourth lecture in his series on Confession. His talk reviewes all the important parts of the sacrament.

First is preparation, outlining our sins, but not looking too hard to outline the source of the sins. Second is contrition, and this is the part where we recognize "this is what I am." We also must remember at this part that God is giving us the grace to seek forgiveness. Third is the resolution: how, practically and concretely, can I strive not to sin? We must ask ourselves this and work out ways for our own situation. Fourth comes confession. In confession we must remember to be specific, but not in too much detail. Fifth is the exortation and penance: we must listen carefully to the confessor at this time.

“It is also a good idea to do the penance as soon as possible, immediately after confession if we can,” explained Fr. Gee. “If you ever get a penance you absolutely cannot do, don’t be afraid to ask for another penance.”

Sixth is absolution: at this time the confessor says the prayer of absolution and asks God to grant us pardon and peace.

“Bonus time!” said Gee. “We’re getting pardon and peace, the good old-fashioned shalom.”

Finally, we do our penance and complete the sacrament of reconciliation.

Download this talk at Christendom on iTunes U.

Equestrian Program

At the beginning of this academic year, it was announced to the student body that there would be an Equestrian Program available through the Royal Horseshoe Farm. Several of the students have already taken advantage of the program and go weekly to the stables.

The instructor, Tina Anderson, teaches more than just the basics. Last week, Junior Elise Anderson was working with keeping an uncooperative horse under control.

“It’s a great way to relieve stress,” said Sophomore Grace Bellow, “and it’s also good exercise.”

The riders certainly do more than just sit on a couple horses. Even keeping oneself in the proper posture is a workout.

Not only are the lessons comprehensive, but they’re affordable. “It’s the cheapest you’ll ever find for horseback lessons,” exclaimed Sophomore Katie Gutschke.

The fun, benefits, and great price make this a wonderful program.


Junior Elise Anderson heads out on a trail.


Sophomore Katie Gutschke leads her horse into a canter.


Freshman Lisa Hill and Sophomore Grace Bellow make use of the Royal Horseshoe Farm's extensive grounds.

View more pictures at Christendom's Picasa Web Album!

Why Wouldn't You Come to Christendom?

This week I decided to write about a question and answer that strikes close to my heart as a coach of sports and the Athletic Director here at Christendom, and the question is this: If someone plays varsity sports in high school and wants to continue to play in college, why would that person go to Christendom?

My answer is exactly the opposite: if you are a strong Catholic and committed to your Faith and want a solid education, and for icing on the cake you want to play varsity intercollegiate sports, why wouldn’t you come to Christendom?

The intercollegiate sports program at Christendom exists for student-athletes that have been given athletic gifts from God to train those gifts and compete in the sports which they love, all the while not giving up the Catholic environment and education. Often I talk to my old players who are now in college and some of my friends that played sports in college and sometime it seems as though the risk is not worth the reward. The risk of being overrun with the immoral behavior that is rampant on many college campuses across the country or the risk of receiving an education that merely trains one to perform an occupation and not training to form a person capable of making decisions and making a difference in the world which we live in; all for the reward of being able to play intercollegiate varsity sports.

Some don’t even play sports in college; they work hard and play all throughout high school and then go to a big university and have to stop playing these sports, which they worked hard at and thoroughly enjoyed for so long.



At Christendom we offer intercollegiate varsity sports for men and women, and opponents range from smaller Christian bible college to larger Division III schools, covering states from New York to North Carolina. Athletics, particularly intercollegiate varsity sports, offer such a great place to form friendships and build character and virtue, while enjoying a sport that an individual person loves. On top of that, it is a great place for evangelization and Christian sportsmanship to be shown, such as when our soccer teams huddle up at center field following each match and sing “Non Nobis Domine.”

The bottom line is that here at Christendom, student-athletes compete in the sports they love, often against Division III talent, all the while receiving a great education in a Catholic environment that is second to none in its formation and building of friendships.

Intensive Italian and Santa Marinella

Waking up in Rome is an experience like none other. It still feels like a dream to many of us. Though, this Tuesday we woke up to reality quite a bit as we began our week of intensive Italian, which kicked-off our academic semester in Rome. It is a fifteen-minute walk to class at the Istituto SS Maria Bambina around the walls of Vatican City. While walking through St. Peter’s Square, every so often one of the students will be asked to take their picture (by a tourist or even an Italian couple) in front of the obelisk. Taunting the pigeons, while walking through the square, has quickly become a favorite pastime of Nick Freeman, James Hannon, and Troy Spring. During free time in between classes, some of the students will go out to explore and shop. Others attend daily Mass in the chapel at the Istituto.

On Saturday, a group of us took a day trip to Santa Marinella, a beautiful coastal town on the Mediterranean Sea. After an hour's train ride, we arrived on the sandy beaches, which were warm, inviting, and much-appreciated after a week of studying Italian.

Everyone took advantage of what the beach had to offer. Liz Newcombe, Janie Wells, Nick Freeman, and James Hannon were just a few who spent a good part of the day playing frisbee and soccer. Others devoted their time to building an amazing sandcastle, which was appreciated by many curious passers-by.

Sunday, the day of rest, definitely lives up to its name in Rome, as one is hard-pressed to find a store or restaurant that is open. Though, if there is one place to go on a Sunday afternoon after Mass, it is Old Bridge Gelateria, located right outside the Vatican walls. A big serving of gelato for a great price makes it well-loved by Christendom students.


Chillin' at the beach: Roman style.


The famous sandcastle at Santa Marinella.


Sarah Massett and Lynn Fraysier get a drink in St. Peter's Square.


Study break on the terrrace.


The view from the terrace of the Istituto where the students study.





Q: I am interested in applying for the upcoming Spring semester. What do I have to do, and when?

A: If someone wishes to enter Christendom in the Spring, they need to fill out our regular application and simply mark on it that they are interested in attending in Spring 2010. Both first-time freshmen and transfers are accepted at this time. For those who are transferring, we need to receive your college transcripts before we can send your application to our Admissions Committee.

Applications should be submitted prior to November 1, although I would recommend submitting it even earlier, if at all possible. The Spring 2010 semester begins on January 16. Normally, we admit about 15-20 students each Spring, and we should be able to admit about the same this upcoming Spring as well.

If someone is interested in applying for financial aid, the financial aid form (found on our website) must be completed and filled out in a timely fashion as well.

So, anyone interested in attending Christendom this Spring should fill out the application, fill in the financial aid form, and expect to hear from us near the beginning of December.

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.