In Brief – Summer 2023

Faith and Reason Website Launched

Franciscan University launched FaithandReason.com, an exciting online platform that makes Franciscan’s original Catholic content and resources more easily accessible to a wider audience.

Franciscan University’s Faith and Reason website offers Catholic content that educates, evangelizes, and encourages people to dive deeper into their faith journey and grow in their love for Jesus Christ.

FaithandReason.com includes:

• Full, recent episodes of Franciscan University’s long-running EWTN show, Franciscan University Presents, covering a variety of theological and cultural topics. Hosted by Franciscan University President Father Dave Pivonka, TOR ’89, with theology professors Dr. Regis Martin and Dr. Scott Hahn, the show features guests such as Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone, Noelle Mering, and Father Gerald Murray.

• Franciscan Magazine stories highlighting academics, student and alumni profiles, current and historical events, theology, and more.

• Podcasts from Franciscan University, including the Legends From the Hill alumni podcast and They That Hope podcast hosted by Father Dave and catechetics professor Deacon Dr. Bob Rice.

The platform also features a brand-new podcast, Franciscan University Presents. The podcast brings episodes from the hit EWTN television show to an audio-only format for the first time.The Franciscan University Presents podcast is available to stream on FaithandReason.com, as well as most major podcast apps.

The site’s name draws inspiration from St. John Paul II, who said, “Faith and reason are like two wings on which the human spirit rises to the contemplation of truth.”

To learn more, visit faithandreason.com.

Five Bishops Commit to New Episcopal Advisory Board

Franciscan University recently formed a new Episcopal Advisory Board comprised of five leading bishops across the U.S. The new board draws upon the bishops’ experience, wisdom, and insights as the University seeks to grow our enrollment and respond to the demand for our evangelization and renewal initiatives.

The bishops serving on the inaugural Episcopal Advisory Board include Most Reverend Salvatore Cordileone, archbishop of San Francisco; Most Reverend Frank J. Caggiano, bishop of Bridgeport, Connecticut; Most Reverend Joseph L. Coffey, auxiliary bishop of Military Services; Most Reverend Andrew H. Cozzens, bishop of Crookston, Minnesota; and Most Reverend Earl K. Fernandes, bishop of Columbus, Ohio.

“Along with the whole Franciscan community, I am so grateful for the bishops who serve the Church,” said Father Dave Pivonka, TOR ’89, president of Franciscan University. “Having a group of bishops to meet with and discern the most pressing needs of the Church and how Franciscan University can help address them is a great privilege.”

Members of the board have committed to a five-year term that includes an annual meeting and one visit per term to Franciscan’s campus to address the students, faculty, and staff.

“I am honored to join the Episcopal Advisory Board of the Franciscan University of Steubenville,” said Archbishop Cordileone. “When people think of points of light in the Catholic Church in the United States, where the Church is flourishing, Franciscan University is at the top of the list, where the fullness of the Catholic faith and tradition are joyfully embraced. I look forward to working with my brother bishops and the University to keep the light of hope alive in a world so often in darkness.”

Christ the King Chapel Renovation

Following a successful year of planning and design efforts, Franciscan University will begin a renovation to expand and beautify Christ the King Chapel in spring 2024. The goal of the renovation is not only to increase the seating capacity from 325 to 540, but to enhance the qualities that have made the chapel a beloved and sacred worship space for the Franciscan community.

“We are excited to be renovating Christ the King Chapel!” said Father Jonathan St. André, TOR ’96, vice president of Franciscan Life. “Christ the King Chapel has been the heart of our campus for over 50 years, and in this house of God, many students, faculty, and staff have experienced deepened conversion to the Lord through a vibrant encounter with the Holy Spirit in the Eucharist and the other sacraments of the Church. We initiated this process of renovation of Christ the King Chapel in light of the spiritual priority of St. Francis of Assisi who renovated the churches of his time so they would be enhanced as places of worship of God.”

Father St. André emphasized the primary goal of beautifying the expanded chapel so that it gives glory to God through its design, while also increasing seating capacity and preserving the intimacy of the chapel as a place where worshippers can engage actively in the liturgy.

“This renovation gives us opportunities to highlight Christ the King and our Franciscan spiritual heritage,” said Father St. André. “Please pray that we may cooperate with the Holy Spirit as we move forward in this process of renovation.”

Bob Hickey ’96 MBA ’01, vice president of Advancement, said the projected cost of the renovation will be approximately $10 million, adding, “Due to the overwhelming generosity of many faithful donors, we have raised more than $7.4 million for this exciting and much-needed project. This amount provides us the confidence and momentum to move forward. We will offer alumni and friends the opportunity to help finish fundraising for our beloved chapel in the near future. Thank you to those who have made this vision a reality!”

Artist renderings are conceptual only.

Permanent Ice Rink Coming to Franciscan Square

On May 1, Franciscan University revealed plans to build a permanent ice skating rink at Franciscan Square this summer. The Rink at Franciscan Square is a community outreach of Franciscan University for the benefit of the Ohio Valley as well as its students, faculty, and staff.

“This will greatly impact the existing Franciscan Square businesses and restaurants, create new jobs, and be a draw for new retail businesses that are considering our location,” said Phil Rook, director of Real Estate Development at Franciscan University.

In 2020, a temporary skating rink at Franciscan Square was created to provide the local community with outdoor recreation. The Rink at Franciscan Square will be permanent and 60 percent larger than the original rink.

“We are excited to offer the ice rink at Franciscan Square,” said Father Dave Pivonka, TOR ’89, president of Franciscan University. “My hope is that this rink will bring together our students and local families. We are so grateful for our numerous partners and benefactors who make this possible, especially Trinity Health System for their continued partnership.”

“Being a part of our community at large is something Trinity Health System holds as most important,” said Matt Grimshaw, CEO of Trinity Health System, the title sponsor of the new venture. “This partnership with Franciscan University is one way we are putting our community first.”

Tom Gentile, president of Franciscan’s Community Relations Board, said, “The rink is going to be amazing. It is just one more example of all the wonderful things Franciscan University of Steubenville brings to our community.”

“We’re grateful for the hard work put into making this happen, both by Franciscan and the supportive community,” said Franco Carapellotti, Fraspada owner and developer of Franciscan Square. “We’re eagerly looking forward to seeing everyone at the Square this winter.”

Construction of the $1 million project began in May and is expected to finish in August. The Rink at Franciscan Square is scheduled to open in November and operate through February each year.

For more information, visit franciscansquare.com/ice-rink.

Franciscan Saint

St. Dulce Pontes (1914-1992)

Not many people would think to turn a chicken coop into a hospital. But St. Dulce Pontes didn’t let something as inconsequential as the lack of a building stop her mission to care for others.

She was born in Brazil in 1914 as Maria Rita. Inspired by a visit with her aunt to an impoverished neighborhood at age 13, Maria began to minister to the poor out of her family’s house. Then, following her high school graduation, she joined a Franciscan order called the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Conception of the Mother of God. She took the name Dulce in honor of her mother, who had passed away when she was just 6 years old.

Sister Dulce initially taught with her congregation, yet her passion for serving the poor grew. She started to provide medicine and food to the sick using abandoned buildings in an area known as “Rat Island.” However, she and her patients were eventually evicted.

With permission from her mother superior, Sister Dulce converted the convent’s chicken yard into an impromptu hospital. In turn, she also cared for the chickens, often using them to help feed her patients. This humble coop would go on to become Santo Antonio Hospital, which continues to provide free medical treatments. Another one of her organizations that still exists is the Charitable Works Foundation of Sister Dulce; founded in 1959, the philanthropic organization provides health, welfare, and educational services.

Despite suffering from respiratory problems for 30 years, Sister Dulce devoted her life to caring for the poorest of her community. Recognition for her work spread, and the president of Brazil nominated the “Good Angel of Bahia” for the Nobel Peace Prize. Pope John Paul II even visited her hospital bed before her death in 1992. In 2019, she was canonized as the first female saint of Brazil.

St. Dulce’s feast day is August 13.

Jessica Walker