This is our final installment from the The Cardinal Newman Leadership Summit held at the University of St. Thomas in fall of 2024. In our first episode we asked the questions if college is still worth it and talked with Kevin Murphy about how college is a pathway for the discernment of God’s will for our life.

Then we talked with Kyle Washut about the History of Education and how it is intimately entwined with the Catholic Church.

Today we are sitting down with Monsignor James Shea, President of the University of Mary in Bismarck North Dakota, about how Catholic Education prepares us for living the Mission of the Church.

Learn more about the Cardinal Newman Society: https://cardinalnewmansociety.org/

Learn More about Monsignor Shea: https://www.umary.edu/about/office-president

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Before walking the Camino de Santiago, Fr. Eduardo thought about what to bring and what to leave behind – physically and spiritually. By the end of the 80-mile trek, he’d found new lessons to take home.

Fr. Eduardo Rivera is the Campus Chaplain for the University of St. Thomas – Houston. When he agreed to go on the trip, he knew he would be accompanying a few students and professors, but he didn’t know how the experience would become a metaphor for life – with opportunities for spiritual growth, building community, and finding humor during tough moments.

Mentions:

• Fr. Eduardo’s story about prayer and discernment: https://youtu.be/V1dFpawGtao?si=4bfmZI2Dc8UOUyut
• Dalia – Support and encouragement: https://youtu.be/02Q4rhcMsLU?si=TkfwWOWMfCGaS03F
• Dr. Ruiz – Journey vs. Destination: https://youtu.be/xYIw9Go4IcU?si=MaS-bOFGwfgTKiug

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In his youth, Ricky Vazquez was constantly running back and forth from going to church and not. As he grew up, he saw that the times that he felt the most distant from God is when God was the closest to him - even in the wake of senseless tragedy.

On this episode of MAX Music, recording artist and worship leader Ricky Vazquez performs two original songs, “Runaway” and “All Is Not Lost.” He shares his journey of faith - from starting to sing at church for the attention of a girl to bilingually leading worship nationwide. Ricky talks about how we all sometimes feel like a "runaway" when it comes to God and how, when tragedy hits in the darkest ways, hope in God is not completely lost.

Produced by MAX Studios, University of St. Thomas-Houston

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Website: www.rickyvazquezmusic.com

Dalia is a busy person. Despite all she had to do, she never left time to focus on what really mattered. However, without tasks to complete or the pattern of busyness and stress, she had to face what was at the core of poor relationships.

This is Dalia Sifuentes, a nursing student at University of St. Thomas – Houston. After months of a packed schedule, she wanted to take some time away so she could focus on her relationship with Christ and others, so she signed up to walk the Camino de Santiago. She couldn’t believe what she came away with and how it will affect her life moving forward.

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Trisha is a planner. But when she decided to walk the Camino, she just wanted to experience what was to come. The alone time and silent prayer through physical and emotional suffering nearly broke her. However, she realized what really broke her when the walk was over.

This is Dr. Trisha Ruiz. She is the Senior Director of Veteran Services at the University of St. Thomas – Houston. She shares how walking the Camino de Santiago forced her to be aware of the beauty of pain on the journey.

For more on our challenge to make time for silence: From Cancer to Camino

Check out our series on prayer:

• Prayer in War and Tragedy: Prayer in war and tragedy
• Betrayal and Silence: Betrayal and Silence
• Prayer Isn’t “One-Size-Fits-All": Prayer isn’t “one-size-fits-all"
• Anger, Venting, and Prayer: Anger, Venting and Prayer

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Despite her fulltime career in Christian music, Sarah Kroger found herself with more questions than answers in her faith. She felt anxiety about where the questions would lead. The honesty and vulnerability of the songs written during this period of wrestling, and the way Sarah tells her own story, are a powerful testament to faith that’s not afraid of the difficult questions that can come from trying to know our mysterious God.

On this episode of MAX Music, Sarah performs her original songs “Still Yours” and “No Filter,” and shares more about the meaning behind each one.

Produced by MAX Studios, University of St. Thomas-Houston

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Jo’s cancer diagnosis nearly prevented her from hiking “The Camino.” But despite her worries, she found calm in simply walking the walk.

This is Dr. Jo Meier-Marquis, Professor of Psychology at the University of St. Thomas-Houston. Hear her story of overcoming physical and mental obstacles as she walked the Way of St. James, the Camino de Santiago. Be inspired by her courage.

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This is not your ordinary hike. It involves walking about 15 miles each day, contemplating the steps of St. James on your way to his burial site in Spain - a pilgrimage that’s been popular since the Middle Ages. Now, it is known as the Camino de Santiago, or the "Way of St. James," which is a network of routes across Europe which meet at tomb of St. James in Santiago de Compostela. Beyond the physical exertion it takes for the pilgrimage, spiritual fruits await for those willing to walk the walk.

This is Dr. Ulyses Balderas. He is an Associate Professor at the Center for International Studies at the University of St. Thomas – Houston. He led a group of students to walk the Camino pilgrimage. He stresses the importance of stepping away from life’s routines and reflecting upon where you're headed.

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