| Students, Faculty and Staff from DeSales and Immaculata Universities Complete Program |
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It is said that the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. That journey is just beginning for Immaculata and DeSales Universities. The two institutions recently co-missioned students, faculty and staff for the Catholic Hero’s Journey, CLI’s year-long curriculum designed to help individuals realize and develop their leadership qualities. Using Jesus Christ as their ultimate model of leadership. Participants spent a year opening themselves to changing their attitudes, actions, and outlook on life.
A cohort from Immaculata became the second group from the school to complete the program. They experienced a curriculum that incorporated the teachings of St. Alphonsus and St. Teresa of Avila in order to emphasize the rich Alphonsian charism upon which the school was founded. Those who completed the program feel that it has provided them with a new and re-affirmed attitude toward their goals and mission in life. One participant noted, “The program reaffirmed my belief that God is present in my life.” From sharing personal fears to challenging themselves both mentally and physically, the group discovered a lot about each other in unique settings otherwise not available during daily, day-to-day interactions. “Getting to know the other IU individuals outside our daily roles on campus was great,” said another excited participant.
The success of the program will be a building block for future students at Immaculata. The I.H.M. Sisters and laity that finished will serve as mentors for twenty-eight students scheduled to start the program in September. The positive experiences of those involved in the program has given the university a good perspective on how well the Catholic Hero’s Journey will be received by students this fall.
A second group of students at DeSales University completed the Catholic Hero’s Journey in April and have found it an invaluable tool to be applied both in their college and upcoming professional careers. The program was adapted last year, to include the mission and values of St. Francis de Sales, the spiritual and educational model for the University.
Understanding the pressures that come with being a young adult in today’s society, the students welcomed the program as a tool to be a confident leader. “I like the practical applications of faith in leadership activities,” said Stephanie Halinski, junior at DeSales University. In addition to providing the students with practical leadership skills, it also gave them a chance to build community with classmates in an atmosphere different from the classroom or the dormitory. “I enjoyed talking and listening to all my friends about faith, love, sports, school or just life,” shared Rusty Riedmiller, junior at DeSales University.
A third cohort of DeSales students is set to embark on the Catholic Hero’s Journey beginning in August. They too will take the leap of faith that challenges them to discover the leader and hero within themselves.
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