PREACHING CITIZENSHIP IN THE WAKE OF VIOLENCE : A DOMINICAN RESPONSE TO CHARLOTTESVILLE
“ It is because of this unique formation that I have been able to engage and serve the students here at UVA – not only during everyday life , but also during times of trial and suffering .”
PREACHING CITIZENSHIP IN THE WAKE OF VIOLENCE : A DOMINICAN RESPONSE TO CHARLOTTESVILLE
By Br . Pachomius Walker , O . P .
As described in a recent Catholic News Service article , Fr . Joseph-Anthony Kress , O . P . ( STB ’ 15 , MDiv ’ 16 ), is responding to recent events in Charlottesville . When the white supremacist rally took place on August 12th , Fr . Kress had been chaplain at the University of Virginia (“ Catholic Hoos ”) for just six months . Discussions about how these events relate to the faith and how to cope with the presence of evil began immediately .
Students were greatly affected by the tragedy , and under Fr . Kress ’ leadership , organized a prayer vigil for those affected . The Hillel House was shocked by the protests , and the Catholic community has sought to support the Rabbi and show a unified religious response to hate . Ultimately , Fr . Kress hopes that by fostering good citizenship to the UVA community , “ Students can then be good citizens of a hospital , corporation , or government entity which will prepare them for and reflect their citizenship in God ’ s kingdom .”
Fr . Kress notes that his formation at the PFIC was not just intellectual . “ What we study in class builds upon and feeds our community life , spiritual life , and ministry . In the refectory , the chapel , at ministry , we live our life out of the Dominican tradition .” He continues , “ It is because of this unique formation that I have been able to engage and serve the students here at UVA – not only during everyday life , but also during times of trial and suffering . It prepared me to engage the culture and student body so that , incorporating all aspects of the human person , their identities may be found in Christ .”
It is because of your generosity that the PFIC can form friars like Fr . Kress , capable of engaging the culture with the truth of the Gospel ! To learn more about the Catholic chaplaincy at UVA , visit catholichoos . org .
Top : Fr . Joseph-Anthony Kress , O . P ., introduces FOCUS missionaries and student leaders at the Catholic Hoos academic year kick-off pig roast . Photo by Anna Harter
Faith & Reason - Volume IV , Issue III