PROMISING PRACTICES BY SHU PRESS ENCOURAGES COLLABORATION AMONG BISHOPS AND COLLEGE PRESIDENTS
The most recent book published by Sacred Heart University Press is only 43 pages, but the thin volume carries powerful possibilities to inspire changes for the better in communities nationwide and beyond.
”Promising Practices: Collaboration Among Catholic Bishops and University Presidents” contains essays from 20 bishops and 20 university presidents citing concrete examples of collaborative initiatives currently occurring in some of the country's 180 dioceses and 250 Catholic colleges and universities.
The book includes examples of collaborations from those as simple as maintaining an open line of communication between the bishops and presidents to dioceses and universities working together to address imperative social issues in their local region.
Some work in defense of human dignity, human rights and the pursuit of justice and peace. Some have developed community outreach programs for the homeless and elderly. Others provide tutoring in underprivileged communities, sponsor student service-learning missions in foreign countries and service-related spring break trips.
Some professors were very instrumental in putting together a pastoral letter on the watershed in the northwest, and there's a group of professors working at the U.N., said General Editor Michael Galligan-Stierle, Ph.D, who has a doctorate in scripture, a masters in psychology and a masters in theology and more than 30 years in higher education.
An essay by Anthony Cernera, Ph.D., president of Sacred Heart University, describes initiatives such as the University's Center for Christian-Jewish Understanding which provides "vital opportunities for educational collaboration." The CCJU encourages interreligious dialogue through programs and publications that promote scholarship, while also educating leaders and teachers of parishes and synagogues.
John M. D'Arcy, bishop of Fort Wayne-South Bend, Indiana, said in his essay having a Catholic university in one's diocese is a great privilege. He recommends bishops be present on campus as often as possible to say Mass and offer the Sacrament of Reconciliation, attend public lectures and speak in classrooms, at graduations and baccalaureate events when invited.
Bernard W. Schmitt, bishop emeritus of Wheeling-Charleston, West Virginia, said in addition to the sacraments, he leads retreat weekends for students and regularly meets with campus ministry staff.
"There is no substitute for the bishop's presence on campus for the baccalaureate Mass, for other significant liturgical celebrations, or as a participant in a forum," said Brother James Gaffney, F.S.C., D.Min., president of Lewis University in Romeoville, Illinois.
The book “Promising Practices” is "an effort to collect the thoughts of bishops and college presidents on issues of paramount significance both to the Church and the university," said Carol Jean Vale, S.S.J., Ph.D., president of Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia, in her introduction.
In her essay, Alice B. Hayes, president emerita of the University of San Diego, suggests a relationship between bishops and presidents "can lead to the production of new and revitalized programs for development of Catholic identity and culture."
Galligan-Stierle intends "Promising Practices" to be used as a resource handbook, an inspirational tool, and a call to action. "We're hoping we stir the imagination so that people can see a way in their human condition to take their gifts and match them with a need in their local community and then come forward to make the world better," he said.
Campus communities are incredibly gifted and the civil society around the university generally has many needs. The bishop has resources and also has needs for his flock. By pooling resources and working in partnership, dioceses and universities can create collaborative programs to affect positive change in their communities, with either one taking the lead, he continued.
Abundant potential is realized when members of the faith community work together, said William Skylstad, bishop of Spokane, Washington.
“Promising Practices” was published as a joint project of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Education Committee and the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities.
DETAILS:
Promising Practices: Collaboration Among Catholic Bishops and University Presidents
General Editor: Michael Galligan-Stierle, Ph.D.
Published by Sacred Heart University Press, Fairfield, Connecticut
A project of the subcommittee of the USCCB Education Committee, in collaboration with the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities
Softcover: 43 pages
ISBN: 0-9675719-4-4
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