Reflections Magazine Issue #63 - Fall 2005 | Page 11

and dialogue with Christ. Saint Catherine’s Dialogue provides a glimpse
into her own theology and deep relationship with God.
Just a year after his return to Rome,
Pope Gregory died. He was succeeded
by Pope Urban VI. With the new Pope
came new problems for the Catholic
Church, and a new mission for Saint
Catherine. The great Schism began
when some Cardinals elected the antipope, Clement VIII. Catherine began
to focus much of her energy toward
healing the schism in the Catholic
Church. She remained a strong supporter of Urban VI. He summoned
Catherine to Rome and requested her
help for his cause. The remainder of
Catherine’s life was spent working to
further heal the church and bring unity
to the Catholic family.
In 1380, at the age of 33, Saint Catherine died, surrounded by a group of
devoted Dominican followers. Before
her death she endured great physical
suffering, but remained committed to
daily prayer for the church. Saint Catherine was given the Stigmata of Christ
but, by her request, it was not visible
until after her death. Saint Catherine
died after offering her life up for the
church.
In 1461, Catherine of Siena was canonized by Pope Pius II. In 1939, Pope
Pius the XII proclaimed her co-patron
of Italy. In 1970, Saint Catherine of
Siena was declared a Doctor of the
Church by Pope Paul VI. No woman,
before 1970, had ever been designated
as a Doctor of the Church; this honor
recognizes Saint Catherine’s role as
a teacher of doctrine relevant to the
church as a whole for all time. Perhaps
Catherine’s greatest spiritual contribution is her insistence that love of God
and love of neighbor are inseparable.
Bearing in mind the teachings of the
Catholic Church, Saint Catherine of
Siena, and the Adrian Dominican Sisters, we at Siena Heights work toward
the development of the whole student.
Siena Heights University believes that
caring, compassionate people are the
key to creating peace and social justice
in our world.

SIENA GOES TO
DUBLIN, IRELAND
Siena 
Heights University’s Graduate College traveled to the
Emerald Isle this summer! SHU offered GRS599 SA, Comparative
Study of Health Systems, in partnership with All Hallows College,
Dublin, Ireland. This provided our students with an international
component in their graduate studies.
Instructors for the course were John Fick, Director of our Health
Care Administration Program, Associate Professor and Dr. Patricia
McDonald OP, Director of Graduate Studies, Associate Professor.
The class was treated to several guest speakers including
Goretti Butler and Carol Thompson, representatives from Dublin
who administrate hospitals, day treatment programs, and other
mental health facilities within the city, and John Farelly, a national representative from Ireland who handles counseling and
psychotherapy accrediting programs within the country.  
The course was designed to be an introduction to the structure,
function and comparison  health care systems.  t 
of
I examined
the history, organization, roles, and relationships of consumers
and providers of health care services as well as the various
types of facilities and organizations, historical trends, and current
issues which impact the health care system. The content focused
attention  the perspectives of health care, leadership and
on
management, as well as the mental health practitioner. 
19 students participated in this venture representing all of our
masters programs. In addition to our SHU graduate students, other
participants represented Masters’ level social workers, a Michigan
elementary school principal, and an employee who works for a
Michigan state representative.
Dr. McDonald says that this opportunity to explore cultures beyond
our own provided a greater understanding of our global reality and
health care from multiple perspectives.
McDonald explained, “As we realize we are a one world community
we benefit from the richness and experience of other cultures.
Through this experience we will enhance our ability to study and
contemplate and give to others the fruits of our contemplation. We
help others to become more competent, purposeful and ethical as
we relate, interact and participate in our world community.”

Ireland at Leisure with SHU
The Board of Trustees is