University of St. Thomas

I heard the voice of the Lord, saying,
Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?
Then said I, Here am I; send me.
Isaiah 6:8

Is God calling you to integrate your faith
into your career choice?

Is God calling you to something greater?
Do you want to know more about the life
you think you want to live?

Beyond Career to Calling offers many avenues to assist faculty and staff as they seek to fulfill the University of St. Thomas' mission to "actively engage Catholic intellectual tradition, which values the fundamental compatibility of faith and reason and fosters meaningful dialogue directed toward the flourishing of human culture."

Church and the Biomedical Revolution lectures offer faculty and staff the opportunity to participate in discussions of issues in the medical field. In addition, public lectures are given in order to fulfill the overarching aim of the program, which is to engage the question of the nature and shape of the Church’s contribution to the public/global debate occasioned by the biomedical revolution. The lectures comprise topis of medicine and law, policy, and morality, as well philosophy, and, ultimately, theology.

A Faculty Discussion Classical Book Program gathers faculty from across the University in an informal setting to discuss classic texts of the western tradition and explore their vocational implications for the participants as intellectuals and academics in a Catholic university. The project seeks to create a climate of reflection, foster critical engagement, and create friendships among St. Thomas faculty. Approximately 15-20 faculty from a variety of disciplines come together weekly on Friday afternoons throughout the academic year to discuss the chosen reading. Readings have included Dante's Divine Comedy, Plato's Republic, Flannery O'Connor's, The Habit of Being, Augustine's City of God, Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics, and Cicero's On Duty and The Nature of the Gods.

Beyond Career to Calling offers many avenues to assist students as they integrate their faith lives and vocational paths.

•  Leadership Interns: Catholic Studies majors and minors who demonstrate leadership abilities in their Catholic faith meet weekly to enhance their leadership capabilities. This program will continue in its entirety for the 2009-10 academic term.
  
• The Latino Leadership Program accepts students who integrate their Latino faith into their undergraduate life receive scholarships to further their vocational choices.This program will continue in its entirety for the 2009-10 academic term.
  
•  Our Catholic Living Communities develop lasting friendships while allowing students practice their faith and explore their academic coursework. The Catholic Men's and Women's Houses will continue for the 2009-10 academic year.
  
• Read 'A Day in the Life of...' journal entries! Experience what it is like to live in our Men's or Women's House, be a Leadership Intern, Myraim Companion, an SJV student, or a Latino Leader.

The Lilly Foundation grant, Beyond Career to Calling, has been a wonderful opportunity to explore the integration of faith and vocation. The grant period will end at the conclusion of the 2009-10 academic year, and thus, some programs are offered on a limited basis for the upcoming academic year.