New Interim Director

November 2010 Volume 1, Issue 1

Pastoral Ministry

Connections

2

David Pleins is Interim Director in the Pastoral Ministry program for the 2010-2011 academic year. Dr. Pleins earned his BA (Philosophy), MA (Ancient Near Eastern and Biblical Studies) and Ph.D. in Biblical Studies all from U of M. He is also a professor in the religious studies department. Read more.

Welcome to the Pastoral Ministry eNewsletter!

The newsletter has been created out of a need to reach out to and connect with alumni and current

students. We want to keep you better updated on events and news related to the Graduate Program

in Pastoral Ministries at Santa Clara University. As this is the first eNewsletter you will probably

notice some changes in upcoming issues as we continue to develop the newsletter. We hope you

find this informative and enjoyable to read!

"In contemporary culture 'spirituality' often seems vague and abstract; mystical at its best, esoteric at its worst. But spirituality is really about how we live out our faith holistically--in the context of our families, our work, our communities, and the wider world. This includes practices of compassion, advocacy, and witness that are grounded in our faith.”

Dr. Drescher, quoted above, is a professor at Santa Clara teaching Contemporary Issues in Spirituality this quarter. She has a MA in systematic theology from Duquesne and a Ph.D. in Christian spirituality from GTU. She has several publications and is a regular contributor to the magazine Religion Dispatches.

Check out her recent article, “Gen X, Gadgets, and God” here.

Learn more about Dr. Drescher here.

Faculty in the Spotlight

27th Anniversary of the Graduate Program in

Pastoral Ministries Sunday, November 7, 2010 Mass at 4pm Mission Church Reception to follow Adobe Lodge Guest speaker: Catherine Wolff ‘08 Conspiratio: Reclaiming the Voice of the Laity

Pierre Teilhard de Chardin:

A New Generation On the campus of Santa Clara University Nov. 18-21, 2010

For more information click here.

Alumni Profile

You and your family are warmly invited Twenty Dollars per person Please respond ASAP

If you did not receive an invitation by mail please contact Jane Najour here.

Upcoming Events

Catherine Wolff ’08 most recently worked as the Director of Faith

Formation for the Catholic Community at Stanford University. Prior

to that she worked in the Ignatian Center on SCU’s campus as

Director of the Arrupe Center and as chair of the national conference

Callings: Fostering Vocation through Community-Based Learning. She has

received several awards including the 2005 Archbishop Alemany

Award for Christian Service, was named a 2008 Community Hero by

Peninsula Interfaith Action, and most recently received the Tierney

Award for Service to the Community in 2009. Catherine is the guest

speaker at the upcoming 27th Anniversary of the Graduate Program in

Pastoral Ministries.

An enthusiastic and energetic group of Pastoral Ministry students is taking initiative to forge stronger ties with Campus Ministry and graduate students in other programs. In an effort to build this campus community that fosters spirituality and provides an opportunity for reflection, these students have organized a reflective hike for all graduate students on Nov. 13. Those participating will leave from the Mission Church at 8am and head to a local hiking spot. Bagels will be provided beforehand and refreshments for after the hike. If you are a graduate student and are interested in joining this event or have questions please contact Mary Dillon at mdillon@scu.edu.

A Graduate Reflective Hike

Featured Book:

Angels of a Lower Flight

“One Woman’s Mission To Save A Country…One Child At A Time”

Recommended as an inspiring true story of one woman's seeking, searching, ministry, and justice work among the unwanted and unloved children of Haiti.

For a preview of the book click here.

For more information on Susie Scott Krabacher’s Mercy and Sharing

Foundation click here.

Which Saint: …raised the Blessed Sacrament to be seen through an open window causing invaders to flee the monastery they were attacking? To find out click here.

“For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” Matthew 18:20 This picture was taken during a summer gathering of Pastoral Ministry students. Sharing a meal and building community are important aspects of a spiritual journey. The event organized by the Student Association is one event that taps into fostering this spirit of camaraderie. A successful 2010 welcome back gathering at the beginning of the quarter took place as well. Most recently the Student Association has organized an opportunity for current students to minister to the homeless population at Montgomery Street Inn on the first Saturday of the month. Helping to cook and serve breakfast to these men and women provides an opportunity for Pastoral Ministy students to build a community beyond the classroom.

Update your contact information. GPPM Student Association Events

SCU Website Pastoral Ministry Website

Comments/Suggestions

Ignatius of Loyola: We are continuously searching and seeking for that which reaches

the depths of our soul and redeems our faith.

Read Ron Hansen’s ’95 take on Ignatius’ Spiritual Exercises.

Spiritual Journey