Collection supports university

Catholic University is the national university of the Catholic Church in America. Established in 1887 as primarily a graduate research university for clergy and laity, it began offering undergraduate degrees in 1904.

As the national university of the Catholic Church, the university has a "special responsibility to educate future leaders for the Church and for the nation," said Rev. David O'Connell, CM, president of CUA; and national support is vital if the University is to continue in its mission.

Gifts and donations to the collection assist CUA in offering $3,000 Parish Scholarships to 1,100 incoming high school seniors. Donations also allow CUA's student body to volunteer through campus ministry by building houses for Habitat for Humanity, serving in homeless shelters, tutoring at-risk children, and helping out in homes for children who have been removed from the care of their parents because of abuse or neglect.

Father O'Connell said that more students than ever are taking part in campus ministry events surrounding faith, social justice and volunteer work.

"What makes CUA so inviting is this wonderful community -- people from all over the nation and the world -- who want to be part of something beautiful and great, something larger than themselves," he said. "Since 1903, the Catholic bishops in the United States have taken up a collection in support of educational programs for more than 84,000 alumni, including 21,000 priests and religious. This is a wonderful testament to the commitment of Catholics nationally to participate in the future of our Church."

(09-19-02) [[In-content Ad]]