by the Rev. Rudy Vela, S.M., D.Min.,
Vice President for Mission and Identity

"St. Mary's University will elevate and reinforce its Catholic and Marianist identity, celebrating within the University community and beyond the mission and core values that have successfully guided us in the past and that provide direction and a framework for planning and progress today and in the future."
—From Vision 2012, St. Mary's University Strategic Plan

The first of five goals stated in St. Mary's strategic plan, Vision 2012, is to "Nurture a vibrant Catholic and Marianist culture." As vice president for Mission and Identity, I will work collaboratively within the University community to ensure our Catholic and Marianist charism. I look forward to building on the good work of my predecessor, the Rev. Bernard Lee, S.M. Our University community is comprised of nearly 5,000 students, faculty and staff, and here we find a diversity of backgrounds, opinions, interests and faith traditions.

Collaborating with colleagues at our sister institutions, Chaminade University of Honolulu and the University of Dayton, and within the Catholic higher education community, is essential as we seek ways to develop or strengthen programs that help us to cultivate our Catholic and Marianist culture.

Collaborating with colleagues in Catholic higher education
My collaborative efforts were launched on June 1 – the first day of my vice presidency – which coincided with the opening of the annual Marianist Universities Meeting (MUM), hosted this year in Hawaii by Chaminade University. Discussions focused on how we can enhance the Marianist Educational Associates (MEAs) program on the campuses of our universities.

The MEA program was established to address the reality of declining numbers of professed religious at our institutions. Marianist Educational Associates, selected on each campus from within the lay community, participate in ongoing reflection and training designed to ensure the history and deep story – the Marianist charism – lives on. That charism was evident every day when most teachers and administrators at our universities were professed religious. Today we must rely on lay Marianists to help share and keep alive our culture and identity.

This is especially fitting since the religious communities of the Marianist priests and brothers (Society of Mary – S.M.) and sisters (Daughters of Mary Immaculate – F.M.I.) arose out of lay communities that our founder, Blessed William Joseph Chaminade, started as a way to reform the Church in postrevolutionary France.

During MUM, we examined the original intent of the MEA program, the successes and challenges of the program on our campuses, as well as the need to enhance the MEA formation experience. At St. Mary's, my goal for the MEA program is to develop a clear plan of formation for faculty and staff.

"Initiation by fire" in my new job continued shortly after MUM when I had the opportunity to attend the Fifth Annual Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities (ACCU) Rome Seminar whose theme was "U.S. Catholic Higher Education in a Global Context." What I encountered there – the passion and dedication of seasoned men and women dedicated to unfolding the Catholic identity and particular charisms of their respective institutions – was inspirational as well as educational.

During the week of the seminar, through a series of presentations, liturgical celebrations and formal and informal discussions, leaders of ACCU institutions had a first-hand opportunity to explore the intellectual and spiritual legacy of the Catholic Church in order to strengthen and promote the mission of Catholic higher education in the United States.

Since its founding in 1899, ACCU has been the collective voice of Catholic higher education in the United States and abroad. The organization hosts seminars (like the one I attended) that help to foster a vibrant international Catholic identity at member institutions, and supports cooperation among its membership for the greater good of society and the Church. With ACCU colleagues from colleges and universities in the United States and Canada, I explored the Eternal City's spiritual treasures and had in-depth conversations with key representatives from within the Holy See and Rome's Pontifical universities. I was able to listen, learn, interact and network with Catholic leaders and scholars.

Identity reinforced by existing and planned initiatives
In the midst of all the international challenges that Catholic higher education is facing, during the seminar we still had the time to address issues that our institutions face daily.

Given this experience, I am proud to report that at St. Mary's we have a tremendous grasp of our identity and mission.

My colleagues were impressed with our documents that describe the essential characteristics for Marianist universities (see sidebar), as well as several other initiatives that generated interest and conversation.

At St. Mary's we have so much going for us that promotes and strengthens our Catholic and Marianist identity. Among them is the Catholic Intellectual Tradition Lecture Series that brings to St. Mary's women and men whose vision has helped to shape the Catholic intellectual tradition. As a University community, we are able to examine Catholicism itself. We have three exceptional speakers scheduled this year, including Michael Galligan-Stierle, Ph.D., Vice President of ACCU, who I met during the Rome Seminar. I know he and the other speakers will generate lively and important discussion about our identity as a Catholic and Marianist university.

While we have established traditions and resources that affirm our identity, a very real challenge awaits us. As proposed in Vision 2012, we must be imaginative and courageous in the steps we take to maintain our identity. Last year the St. Mary's Board of Trustees approved a policy, "Hiring for Mission." In addition, the establishment of a Center for Catholic Studies will serve as a resource hub for discussion and deliberation of issues that may define the future Church, while elevating and reinforcing our identity.

Finally, I see the Marianist Forum and MEAs visibly continuing the implementation and development of the Marianist charism and heritage at St. Mary's. Through them we can more effectively communicate the stories, symbols and rituals that make us distinctive. I am in conversation with Marianist Forum Co-Directors Kathy Sisoian and the Rev. Richard Wosman, S.M., and I am excited about exploring MEA and Forum connections for the future.

At St. Mary's, there exists a solid foundation to "nurture a vibrant Catholic and Marianist culture," but sometimes I think we take for granted the charism that Blessed William Joseph Chaminade has shared with us.

In my new role, I hope to expand opportunities – through both existing and new initiatives – to foster formation in faith by developing communities of support and challenge, building our understanding of Mary by collaborating in Her mission of bringing Christ into our world, and striving to create unity in the midst of diversity. I am excited about what is happening, the direction our initiatives are taking us in, and what lies ahead.

Please keep me in your prayers. I will keep you in mine.

The Rev. Rudy Vela, S.M., D.Min., has his doctorate concentration in "Cross-Cultural Ministries," from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. At St. Mary's he served as program director and faculty member for the Spain Study Abroad Program and taught in the Department of Theology before his appointment as vice president. He has been program director and faculty member at the Mexican American Cultural Center in San Antonio and a missionary in Lima, Peru. Other appointments include the St. Mary's President's Peace Commission and Strategic Initiatives in International Education Committee. He serves on the University of Dayton's Board of Trustees.