Pope Invited Young People to Reach Out and Saint Mary’s College Delivered, Literally
President Carol Ann Mooney and Kristen Millar '15 hand-
delivering the "Voices of Young Catholic Women" project
to Pope Francis on Wednesday. Photo courtesy of
L’Osservatore Romano.Contact:
Gwen O’Brien
Director of Media Relations
Saint Mary's College
Notre Dame, Ind.
(574) 284-4579
December 1, 2014 (Notre Dame, Ind.)— Students at Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Ind. are encouraged to discover themselves, the world, and their place in it, to paraphrase Sister M. Madeleva Wolff, CSC, president of the women’s college from 1934-1961. Those words are alive today as evidenced by the student-led “Voices of Young Catholic Women” project.
The world got a little smaller last week when Saint Mary’s senior Kristen Millar, of Dillsburg, Penn., and President Carol Ann Mooney hand-delivered the project’s 225 letters, art, and even a custom-made stole to Pope Francis during Wednesday’s general audience.
“This is about the Church and for all women struggling to maintain their Catholic identity in a time when religion is not deemed as necessary. I am here to give a voice,” Millar said from Rome. “I am hopeful that the pope will hear our message. It is wonderful to be an outspoken and truly inspired Saint Mary’s woman.”
Kristen Millar '15 took this photo of Pope Francis
after meeting him.Millar and about nine other Saint Mary’s students, with the support of the College’s Center for Spirituality and Campus Ministry office, came up with the idea for a national letter-writing project to the pope. They invited Millennial women, born between 1981 and 1995 or so, to write him about their love for Catholic tradition and offer ideas how the Church might better reach their demographic.
The letters were not only expressions of love for the Church and Pope Francis, but also included concerns about today’s secular culture, which objectifies women. Some writers shared private sorrows, like that of sexual assault. Others recognized the problem and ideas on how to address it.
One 14-year-old from Saint Ursula Academy in Cincinnati wrote: “I propose a Mass for the women of the world that have been subjugated to sexual violence. One Mass each year could go to this cause. We must make known the strong want for Jesus and his followers’ help that so many women need. The collections in Mass as well could go to supporting work to end sexual assault. Little additions like these would make a big difference in the lives of many women around the world...” The high school submitted several student letters to the project, as well as a handmade pink and red satin stole for Pope Francis.
Students at Saint Ursula Academy in Cincinnati made this
handmade stole for Pope Francis. It was delivered to him
last week.Mooney shared, “Kristen and I presented the stole and the letters to the pope. We told Pope Francis that the letters contained the joys and hope, griefs, and sorrows of young women. The interchange was brief but truly moving. He asked us to pray for him. He said that he needs our prayers.” Bishop Kevin Rhoades of the College’s home diocese (Fort Wayne-South Bend) introduced the pope to Mooney and Millar at the general audience.
Throughout his papacy, Pope Francis has called on Catholic youth to contribute to the Church’s life and mission. “The Church needs you, your enthusiasm, your creativity, and the joy that is so characteristic of you,” he said at World Youth Day 2013. His call to action comes at a time when an estimated 35 percent of Millennial women who were baptized Catholic no longer practice their faith. (Source: General Social Survey.)
George Efta, President Mooney's husband, poses with
Grace Urankar '14 in St. Peter's Square.The College selected two people to represent the “Voices" project in Rome: elementary education major Millar, of Dillsburg, PA and Grace Urankar, who graduated with a religious studies degree in May and serves as a Dominican Volunteer at Immaculate Conception Academy in San Francisco. Urankar was also in St. Peter’s Square. She and the president’s husband George Efta drank in the experience as spectators.
“It was really incredible to be in St. Peter’s Square and so close to the pope himself. I’m sure anyone who goes to an audience would say this, but it was such a testament to the universal Church,” Urankar said. “Pilgrims from all over the world were present.”
Efta was amazed at the time the pope took with the people in the crowd as his Popemobile wound through the square. “Pope Francis spent at least an hour going around talking to people hugging them and just seeming to be so engaged and happy to be with everyone. He captivates everyone and must spend an enormous amount of energy being so present to so many people.”
A total of 16 institutions took Saint Mary’s students up on the invitation to participate in the “Voices of Young Catholic Women” project, including: Caruso Catholic Center, University of Southern California, College of Mount Saint Vincent, Franciscan University, Iona College, John Carroll University, Newman Catholic Community at the University of the Pacific, Newman Catholic Community of Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Mercyhurst University, Rosary High School, Saint Catherine University, Saint Ursula Academy, Santa Clara University, and Stonehill College.
“I absolutely never imagined the project would be what it is today at the time of its conception, “Urankar said. “I remember about 10 students meeting about this idea... looking back, this journey has proven that a lot of perceived setbacks or difficulties are really easily solved with openness, a great mission, and of course, lots of prayer.”
The “Voices” project celebrates the upcoming 30th anniversary of the Madeleva Lecture Series. The 2015 lecture, titled “Voices of Young Catholic Women” will take place on April 16.
Click to see the #SMCtoRome social media blog.
About Saint Mary’s College: Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Ind., is a four-year, Catholic, residential, women’s liberal arts college offering five bachelor’s degrees and more than 30 major areas of study, such as business, nursing, art, chemistry, and social work. The College’s single-gender environment has been proven, in study after study, to foster confidence, ethical leadership, and strong academic success. Saint Mary’s College ranks among the top 100 Best National Liberal Arts Colleges for 2015 published by U.S. News & World Report. Founded in 1844 by the Sisters of the Holy Cross, Saint Mary’s College’s mission is to educate women and prepare them for postgraduate success whether it’s a first job, graduate school, or postgraduate service.