What happened? Where did we go wrong? How is it that a college named after a saint, with Catholic foundations, and a President who is a nun could, wait... oh never mind.
I knew right from the start that D'Youville College was not a Catholic college, but I had no idea how far they had fallen until this year. As a Student Association Senator, classmate, and overall nice guy (don't laugh) I have had the chance to talk with or overhear people's concerns and questions regarding the College and it's Catholicity. One of the most frequent questions asked is whether or not the school is actually Catholic. If you need to ask that, then the answer is no. But for all intensive purposes here are a few pointers.
Last year the school paper, which I write for now, apparently published an article which gave the pros and cons of abortion. That's right, PROS and cons. At least the report is that President Sister Denise flipped out so there is some hope I guess. After that incident the paper has been more careful to not touch on such "controversial material". But the mentality still exists within the school.
During our last Student Association meeting there was a club representative present to bring forward their club constitution and to be considered for school recognition as an official club. Without going into too much detail, the club's name is Alliance and their logo involves a whole rainbow of colors. After minimal discussion in which it was clear that my fellow senators had no idea of the ideals and beliefs of St. Marguerite D'Youville they took a vote. The club was accepted almost unopposed. Open the closets! Hugs all round!
The saddest point is the total renouncement of Catholic upbringing by my classmates. In a conversation before class it was discovered that several of my classmates had been baptized "against their will". Okay, 1: what will did you have at that age and 2: If you really don't believe in any of it what difference does it make to you whether you were baptized or not? Why do you have to make being a Catholic sound so uncool? What's not cool about being a Catholic? If you're reading this I want you to comment on what makes being Catholic cool. But I digress. It seems as though Catholics are almost second class citizens or evil or something. Why all the hate?
I'm not saying that I expected D'Youville College to be Catholic when I applied here. I would have as easily gone elsewhere if they had the same program I am in right now. It's just I don't like it when people are shown vestiges of something that is not there, namely Catholicism. For anyone who is considering becoming a nurse or a teacher, the school has great programs here. Academically it is pretty good and, taken with a large grain of salt, will be very useful. I just wouldn't come here thinking of making lifelong friends or meeting soul mates (typically either an MR or MRS degree). Isn't that what St. Mary's is for? j/k
The poet returns! This one was inspired by the awesome winter sunsets, all pink and purple and gold... what else would a Catholic think of but the liturgical colors? :)
How glorious is the sky, though chill the air!
A liturgy celestial I behold;
A heavy curtain, violet, rose and gold,
Is draped across the towering branches bare.
Darkness is setting in; we must beware,
For in the dark of midnight and the cold
Our evil enemy, our foe of old,
Roams round and round, to see whom he may snare....
But we who love Our Lord will not fear night;
In blackest dark, we better see the light
That sprang from a poor stable's lowly stall,
And turned the night of fear to one of joy:
The Babe is born that will all sin destroy,
And be the loving Savior of us all!
--- Dec. 10, 2009
This article was printed last week in the Webster Journal, our student paper. It talks about the concert the Chorale and the St. Louis Chamber Chorus performed at the beginning of November. The concert was a lot of fun, and I was pleasantly surprised when I was asked to answer a few questions about Dr. Bowers and the concert for the Journal. I'm in the picture too; it was bigger in the printed version, but I think I'm pretty visible there on the left end of the picture -- the girl in the gold scarf and plaid skirt.
http://media.www.webujournal.com/media/storage/paper245/news/2009/11/18/Lifestyle/Wu.Music.Professor.GuestConducts.Concert-3836228.shtml
I was looking through some stuff and I found something of interest, it was an earlier piece I wrote; it was my fist stab at symbolism, tell me what you think. and plus now that the weather is cooling off I thought it appropriate. you'll have to forgive me it was I think the 4th poem I ever wrote; so its not very good, but its wintery......
By
Tom
The wind howled through the frozen vale,
or is that the wolves? no one can tell.
We trudged through snow five feet deep.
Oh how many lives did that winter reap!
Of fire we do dream,
of warmth, and home 'n many things
We left these in search of what?
something that this world can give us naught.
Oooohh yah and while we're on the subject of winter here is another one that I really like and I don't think is half bad, but its very short and has no title, please enjoy.
His body was stiff as frozen steel,
his face was clouded gray,
as he entered into eternal sleep
caused by the wounds received that day.
well y'all asked for posts so here was my little colluage of frozen pieces.
The Viking, as those who have been following the comments on the Judging post may (or may not) have seen, has stepped down with this gracious (or impatient! ;) little comment:
Just give the win to stick-figure-girl...I voted for her....and therefore we may proclaim the
Winner of the Halloween Essay Contest
Congrats Stick! And, in the wise words of our good friend Thomas,
Keep on keepin' on. Don't do in milk, stay drugs, and drink your school.Three cheers for the Stick!
