Dear University community,
Campus life has come to a full stop as students have headed home to celebrate the holidays with their families. I am grateful for the opportunity to experience a quieter campus as we prepare for the coming of the Christ child in a few days.
And in case you missed a few events in the last weeks, here are a few opportunities to catch up over the break.
University Photographer Patrick Ryan
Concert for Charity
A particularly cherished tradition we have is the annual Christmas concert at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. This year we raised more than $12,000 for The Little Workers of the Sacred Hearts. They do incredible work providing essential services to those in need in our Brookland neighborhood and across the world.
For those who were unable to attend this annual tradition, the concert will be broadcast on EWTN over Christmas break at the following times:
Dec. 20 at 5:30 a.m. EST
Dec. 23 at 2 p.m. and 10 p.m. EST
Dec. 24 at 4:30 p.m. EST
Dec. 26 at 3 a.m. EST
Dec. 31 at 10 p.m. EST
Photo by Rui Barros
Conversation with Cardinal Gregory
Cardinal Wilton Gregory, Archbishop of Washington and University chancellor, joined me recently for a conversation about how Catholics can foster civil conversations, listen to one another, and help to change our society’s culture.
The discussion, the second installment of my Presidential Speaker Series, centered on celebrating diversity as a source of unity and how to foster a culture of encounter and dialogue that promotes human flourishing for all.
Cardinal Gregory, the first African-American cardinal, reflected on the Synod on Synodality, of which he is a participant, as a reminder of the Church’s ability to call all peoples to walk together in faith. He shared with the packed Della Ratta Auditorium, “The Synod on Synodality is asking us to walk more intently on this rough road together, to look at our communities as places of vibrant life filled with diversity of all kinds, reflecting our God who made us all in his image.”
Watch the full “Celebrating Diversity” discussion with Cardinal Wilton Gregory.
More on the Bishops
As was shared earlier, on Nov. 15 I had the opportunity to represent the University before the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops during their fall plenary session. While there, I gave remarks that reaffirmed our commitment to the mission of the University.
More than 65 bishops attended a reception we hosted after the session in which they were able to get to know our faculty, and many other members of University leadership. Cardinal Wilton Gregory gave a few words of introduction, and we were blessed with the presence of former University president Bishop David M. O'Connell of Trenton, who was warmly welcomed by all of the faculty and staff.
I am sharing with you here photos of the event.
I look forward to seeing our dedicated faculty and staff at our annual Christmas party on Wednesday. If you are unable to attend, I wish you all a very blessed Christmas and joyous New Year.
Sincerely,
Peter Kilpatrick
President