FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Gwen O’Brien
Director of Media Relations
Saint Mary's College
Notre Dame, Ind.
(574) 284-4579
November 6, 2009 (Notre Dame, Ind.)-This Sunday students will share in faith and fellowship with a very special guest. Bishop John D’Arcy of the Fort-Wayne-South Bend diocese will make a visit to Saint Mary’s to celebrate Mass with the campus community. The Mass will be held Sunday, November 8, at 9:15 p.m. in Regina Chapel in Regina Hall at the College.
Students have prepared questions to act as conversation starters for a reception and discussion with the Bishop after Mass. Over 200 students are expected to attend. “The Bishop sees this as a great opportunity for the students to ask questions about the Catholic Church, their faith, and to get to know the Bishop of the Fort Wayne-South Bend Diocese,” says Judy Fean, director of Campus Ministry. “He greatly enjoys entering into dialogue with the students of Saint Mary's and celebrating the Eucharist with them.”
A group of students will act as Eucharistic Ministers. Kelsey Robertson ’10 is the leader of song and cantor for the Mass. She is a pastoral music leader with Campus Ministry. ”I am genuinely excited to help welcome the Bishop to Saint Mary's at our Mass, and I'm glad that I get to do it through song! He is so charismatic and friendly, and it's interesting to see where he stands on particular issues.”
The Bishop typically comes to Saint Mary’s twice a year: once to celebrate mass with all of the students, and once for the Senior Baccalaureate Mass held during Senior Week. His visits offer students an opportunity to learn about and discuss the Catholic faith. Says Fean, “This mass and discussion is a great opportunity for our students and we are very grateful for the time and support the Bishop offers to this community.”
About Saint Mary’s College: Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Ind., is a four-year, Catholic, women’s institution offering five bachelor’s degrees and more than 30 major areas of study. Saint Mary’s College has six nationally accredited academic programs: social work, art, music, teacher education, chemistry and nursing. Saint Mary's College ranks among the nation's top 100 liberal arts colleges in U.S. News & World Report's 2010 annual survey. Founded in 1844, Saint Mary’s is a pioneer in the education of women, and is sponsored by the Sisters of the Holy Cross.
