STU Monthly - Christmas Edition
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Transcript of STU Monthly - Christmas Edition
CONTENTS
COVER STORY
5 Campus Ministry Welcomes You
Introductions by the new Director of
Campus Ministry, the newly
appointed priest, and the Campus
Ministry student staff.
ADVICE COLUMN
13 From Stress to Success
Professor Jodi Grace gives valuable
advice to students on how to be
successful during finals week.
FEATURES
9 Battle of the Halls
View pictures from the fiercest
campus wide competition, Battle of
the Halls. During this week long
event, students were able to
represent their residence halls.
10
Editor of the STU Monthly: Carley Di Stasio
2
4 9 5
Club of the Month
The Psychology Club describe their
successes thus far in the school year
and emphasize the importance of
giving back to the community.
11 Immokalee Immersion Trip
Students experience first hand the
daily struggles faced by farm workers
in the city of Immokalee.
3
4
WE WELCOME YOU
THE 2014-2015 ST. THOMAS UNIVERSITY
CAMPUS MINISTRY
5
It is with great joy to welcome you to the Office of Campus Ministry. Our main goal is to
walk with you during your journey at the University, so you can make it to graduation!
Campus Ministry, driven by our Catholic identity, recognizes four essential
characteristics of a Catholic Institution in higher education: “1) Christian Inspiration; 2)
Faith Reflection; 3) Fidelity to the Christian Message; and 4) Service to the Church and
Humanity (Excorde Ecclesiae).” The word “Catholic” means “universal.” Therefore, the
Campus Ministry Staff is also sensitive to the ecumenical, inter-faith dimension and
diversity of the University’s population. We welcome you with open arms and we invite
you to take a few minutes and enjoy a cup of coffee in our office located in Mimi
Dooner Hall, room 114. We would like to share stories and are looking forward to
meeting YOU!
6
Claudia H. Herrera, Director of Campus Ministry and Ph.D. Candidate at STU
I am married to Andrés and we are parents of Mariana. I was born and raised in Bogotá,
Colombia where I attended Universidad del Rosario (Our Lady of the Rosary University). I
earned a B.A. in International Relations and a B.A. in Political Sciences. I moved to the
U.S. in 2006 where I was selected to join the Campus Ministry Institute of the
Archdiocese of Miami in 2008, and graduated with an M.A. in Pastoral Ministries at St.
Thomas University in 2010. This year, I had the honor of being appointed as Director of
Campus Ministry by Monsignor Casale.
I am finishing my Ph.D. in Practical Theology at St. Thomas. My research entails listening
to the lived experiences and religious identities of college-age Latinas born or raised in
the United States. I am adjunct faculty at the School of Theology and Ministry and I am
also an active member of the Academy of Catholic Hispanic Theologians of the United
States. I love watching films, dancing Zumba, seeing my little daughter bloom in the
world of music, and supporting my husband in his passion for kite surfing in the ocean.
As we enter into Advent Season (a time of preparation that leads the faithful community
to the celebration of Christmas), I would like to invite each member of our St. Thomas family - regardless of background or faith
tradition - to open our hearts and minds and to meet the human face we encounter on the journey. We are invited to carry love,
compassion, faith, hope, and joy. Our world is crossing challenging and wonderful times. It is our time to be greatly open to the
possibility of transforming and to be transformed on the journey. Like the song from the 80’s says: Today, “we are young, so let’s set
the world on fire!”
Father Carmelo A. Romanello, Chaplain
I was born and raised in Calabria, Italy up until the age of 16. I moved to the U.S. (New
York) in 1990 and worked in construction. In 1993, I moved to Miami and worked in a
hardware store. In 1996, I took the GED program and graduated high school. In 1997, I
applied to the Archdiocese of Miami and in September of the same year, I began
seminary toward Priesthood.
In 2001, I graduated College-Seminary with a B.A. in Philosophy and moved to Graduate-
Seminary. In 2006, I graduated with an M.A. in Theology and an M.A. in Divinity. On May
6, 2006, I was ordained to the Priesthood for the service of the Archdiocese of Miami. I
served as Associate Pastor of St. John Newman Church until June of 2009, and I was then
moved to St. Augustine Church. In October of 2010, I applied to serve as a Catholic
Chaplain in the U.S. Navy, and in August of 2011, I left South Florida to begin officer
training and indoctrination. In November of 2011, I was assigned to serve as the Catholic
Chaplain to the U.S. Naval Base in Sasebo, Japan. From November 2011 to August 2014,
I served alongside our women and men in uniform. In April of 2014, I was appointed
Chaplain to St. Thomas University and began on October 1st.
After the sacramental life of the Church, the one thing that I enjoy the most about the Priesthood is when people give me the
privilege to be a companion on their journey; both of us get to grow together. It is good to be here at STU and I look forward to be a
part of as many journeys as I am allowed to walk.
7
Rose Berkoff, Graduate Assistant (M.S. in Mental Health Counseling, December 2015), Anderson Mai, Work Study (B.A. in Engineering, May 2016), Jennifer Gomez, Work Study (B.A. in Psychology, May 2016), Victoria Rodriguez, Work Study (B.A. in Criminal Justice, Fall 2016). In Campus Ministry, there is a sense of uniqueness when one walks into our office and a sense of peace of mind when one walks into the Chapel of St. Anthony. Ultimately, Campus Ministry is a ministry of compassion and love. It is a service of the university through which students from all different walks of life, cultures, and beliefs are empowered by fellowship, presence, and most importantly, faith. As students, we all endure struggles and we all endure victories. Our Campus Ministry team invites you to join us in fellowship as we walk by faith together. We represent the student face in Campus Ministry and we are here for the STU students with open ears, open minds, and open hearts. Our goal for the new year of 2015 is to be highly involved in cultivating a greater love and respect among the student body. Whether you come to Monday Morning Prayer and Coffee, Young Adult Group, College Mass, retreats, faith formation programs, or even just stop by our office to say “Hello,” each and every student is special, unique, and welcome. We value each and every one of you, and are blessed to have the honor of serving you while you accomplish your goal of graduation at the University!
CAMPUS MINISTRY STUDENT STAFF
8
These are some of the programs offered by Campus Ministry. Igniting prayer: We invite the community to take the
time and recognize the presence of God in our daily lives through the celebration of the Eucharist (Sunday and weekly
Mass) and before we engage in our daily tasks at the University (i.e. Staff meetings, University official events, lectures,
student events, first coffee of the week, study sessions, university games, etc.). This year, we were inspired to retrieve
the prayer of St. Thomas of Villanova and Monsignor Casale named it as the official prayer of the University.
Join us on Mondays for first coffee of the week and 2-minute morning prayer (9:15am-9:25am). Faith Inspiration: In
collaboration with ResLife, we created a bi-weekly Young Adults’ Group where we discuss topics related to daily life
experiences in light of our faith (Wednesdays – 7:30pm). Growing in the Faith: This program is offered to STU
students, faculty, and staff who might be curious about the Catholic Faith. Additionally, if they choose, this program
leads to the reception of the Sacraments of Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation. Retreats or get-aways: We
recognize the importance of taking a break off campus. Join our beach retreat in Key Biscayne at the beginning of
each semester and a weekend retreat during Lenten season; STU and Barry University Campus Ministers are working
together to offer an inter-collegiate weekend retreat (3/15). Upcoming events: We invite you to join us in celebrating
Midnight Mass and breakfast at the Halls (12/2 @ 10pm), hot dog grilling during finals week (12/8 @ 1pm) and
Christmas Mass and advent songs by our Music team (12/18 @ 12:15pm). Join us as we explore the great gift of one
another! We are young and passionate! Campus ministry is you and us. It is each person at the St. Thomas University
family. As St. Thomas of Villanueva reminds us, “In you, O God, have we hoped!”
GET INVOLVED WITH CAMPUS
MINISTRY!
9
Club of the month PSYCHOLOGY CLUB
This semester, Psychology Club has been hard at work,
giving back to the community. First, because of campus support, we
had a successful Halloween bake sale of spooky and delicious treats
that helped us raise money for supplies to create fall-inspired
mobiles and wreaths, and to buy fun bingo prizes for nursing home
residents. The Psychology Club is once again honored to have had
the opportunity to interact with residents from the Cross Gardens
Care Center, for our 6th year in a row. In the spirit of gratitude and
for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, we also hosted the new and
improved version of “Apple Appreciation Day”, called “The Gratitude
Tree”. This fundraiser allowed us to raise money to purchase special
gifts for the residents we have grown to adore for our annual
Christmas event at the nursing home. Faculty and students had the
chance to send a lovely ornament and customized message to a
special person in their lives, or have it delivered to faculty and staff
members. With such busy schedules and hectic days, we may not
always take the chance to say thank you to those who do so much
for us. However, we hope that our event helped people realize how
much they are appreciated when they received these thoughtful
tokens.
As an academic club, we are committed to supporting
everyone in their upcoming exams and final projects to end the
school year successfully. On Wednesday, December 3rd from 3 to 11
PM, the Psychology Club, along with NSLS, will be hosting the final
exam study session in Convocation Hall. The final exam study session
provides students a relaxing location to study either individually or
with a group. As usual, there will be academic enhancement tutors
available for tutoring, free study break bags for all students who
stop by, snacks to keep us all going and lots and lots of coffee! With
the support of everyone at St. Thomas, and an E-board committed
to serving the campus and community in which we live, we are able
to achieve great things. And always remember “No act of kindness,
no matter how small, is ever wasted” - Aesop
10
11
At the beginning of the month, St. Thomas University students
visited the city of Immokalee, where they helped revamp the local school
and prepare food for the community. The students were also given
information about the injustices that occur in the city of Immokalee, such
as the harsh working conditions, low pay, and abuse of workers. The
workers begin work at four in the morning and do not stop working until
eight at night. They only make forty two dollars a day, which is barely
enough income to pay for their living arrangements. Each room
accommodates six people. The students learned about the struggles the
Immokalee workers face everyday and were able to participate in a Q & A
with an Immokalee worker.
At the end of the month, the students of St. Thomas University
joined Barry University, University of Miami, and Florida International
University to watch a documentary, Food Chains, based on the life of the
Immokalee farm workers and their fight to receive a decent pay. After
viewing the documentary, students were able to ask questions to the
Coalition of Immokalee Workers. The students then peacefully marched
to the Publix headquarters in Coral Gables in hopes that Publix would
agree to sign the Fair Food Agreement.
ADVICE How do you prepare for finals week?
Gina Hernandez, SGA Vice President
Finals are coming! Finals are coming! Those words alone can make any
student cry! However, if you study and review your notes at least twice
a week for 2 hours (with breaks of course), it will help you retain more
information. It’s very important for me to eat well and exercise during
finals to release stress. Keep in mind that sometimes we have a lot to
do, but often times we really THINK we have a lot to do, and we psych
ourselves out before even attempting to accomplish those things!
Good luck to you all!
Being a college freshman means adjusting to new study habits in order
to be successful for the next four years. While stress has been con-
stant throughout the semester, stress during finals week takes it to a
new level. But before you begin to stress out, take the time to relax
and do the things you love to do. After I take some time to relax, I
make a list of everything I need to study for. Writing everything down,
and then crossing them off is a feeling of satisfaction, control, and
accomplishment during a very busy time.
Watsonie Denis, Student Senator
Jessica Hopping, Peer Mentor and Student Athlete
So my advice to you would be DONT procrastinate. That is the abso-
lute worst thing you can do when preparing for a big test. If you can
I would suggest starting to study now. You can never be too pre-
pared! Finals are right around the corner. How I like to study is go to
a corner of the library that no one is at, put my headphones on to
some non-distracting music, and make flash cards. Flash cards are
definitely my best friend. Good luck students, I'm sure you'll do
great!
Rhiannon Pichel, President of NSLS
Being a biology major, I have finals the week before “finals week” and
the week of “finals week”. I try hard to read and get things done be-
forehand, so I don't have to cram so much before a final. To do this, I
like to use to-do lists. I plan out my week on Sunday and figure out
what to study on which days and for how long so that I don't pay more
attention to one subject then another unless I have to. Also, I always
try to get a good amount of sleep the night before!
As an RA, president of the Entrepreneur Club, and the captain of the
soccer team, I have a lot of duties to follow; therefore, organization is
the key to success and of utmost importance. I like to plan my upcom-
ing schedule a week ahead in order to stay on top of everything. Now
that the end of the semester is close by and finals are coming up, I
spend a lot of time at Panther's Coffee, Starbucks or other quiet coffee
houses. At the same time, my coffee intake keeps me focused and
awake. Good luck to everyone in your finals!
Tony Mamodaly, Resident Assistant
Dorcas Jean, SGA Treasurer
I would definitely start studying my notes early and seek help if
there is anything I don't understand. That way the week of finals will
be more like a review instead of cramming so much new infor-
mation at the last minute. Also, I manage my time and try to slip in
an hour of working out maybe 2-3 times a week to release some
stress. Most importantly, I believe in myself, stay motivated and
pray that God crowns my efforts with success. 12
FINALS WEEK
Three papers, 2 presentations, 1 group project, and 4 exams in 7 days! Does this describe what you are facing? If so, you may be experiencing high levels of STRESS! -- a word most college students know all too well. We all have stressors in our lives, but have you ever noticed how some people handle stressors calmly, while others tend to react negatively? Why the difference? Here’s a clue.
Think of an upcoming paper or project that you have for a class that feels overwhelming.
You can think of this upcoming paper as a threat. A threat implies that something bad is
going to happen. Thus, you may be thinking to yourself, “I’m going to get a low grade on
this paper, and then, I’m going to fail this class!”
However, a better way to view the upcoming paper is as a CHALLENGE. A challenge implies
that although the paper is going to be tough to write, you can complete the paper
successfully. Thus, you should think to yourself, “I know this paper is tough, but I can do
well on it, and I bet it will help me with my upcoming final.”
Here are 4 additional quick tips to cope with stress at the end of the semester! (Who has
time to read a long essay at this point?)
Study well! As you study for a final, be sure to test yourself. (Don’t just reread your
notes!) Simply close your books and quiz yourself by writing out the information.
Another great study tip is to teach the information to someone else.
Break it up! If you have a research paper or big project, break up the overwhelming
task into small manageable goals. Plan step-by-step how you will accomplish the
task. When you see yourself achieving small goals, it will motivate you to continue.
Utilize your resources. Talk to your professors about how to prepare, go to tutoring at
Academic Enhancement/Writing Lab, and study with dedicated classmates.
Remember time is an important resource so reduce time wasters. (Now is not the
time for unnecessary social media, TV, or complaining about the task).
Stay healthy! Although you may not get a restful 8 hours of sleep, get as much as you
can to concentrate. Make healthy choices for food. Take breaks like a quick walk
with a friend. (Be sure to time your breaks. Set an alarm on your phone so you
know when the break is over, and it is time to get back to work.)
If you feel anxious, the best way to reduce anxiety is to start working on what is making
you anxious! You can do it! Stay focused and finish strong!
“I’m not telling you it is going to be easy. I’m telling you it’s going to be worth it.” –Art
Williams
From Stress to Success!
Jodi Grace, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of
Psychology
Kennedy Hall 217-J
13
St. Thomas University recently invited the students of Teen Upward Bound to our campus to celebrate Halloween and Trick
or Treat around the offices. In addition. every Tuesday from 3:00-5:30PM the St. Thomas University Bobcats are invited to
volunteer their time at Teen Upward Bound. This is an after school program designed to give positive role models to local
elementary and middle school students. While participating at Teen Upward Bound, volunteers are welcomed to tutor,
interact, and play with the students. By doing this, the students are given a positive environment to spend their time after
school, while also teaching them to prioritize homework before playtime. The Teen Upward Bound students look forward to
our T.U.B. Tuesday’s! If you are interested in this volunteer opportunity, please stop by the SGA Office any Tuesday and we
will provide transportation.
14
WE LOVE
T.U.B. TUESDAY’S
HOME GAMES
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Monday, December 15 vs. Texas Wesleyan 6 p.m.
Tuesday , December 16 vs. Grace College 6 p.m.
Monday, December 29 vs. University of Quebec 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday, December 31 vs. Trinity International 5 p.m.
MEN’S BASKETBALL
Saturday, December 6 vs. Southeastern 4 p.m.
Saturday, December 13 vs. Coastal Georgia 4 p.m.
Monday, December 29 vs. Edward Waters 8:30 p.m.
Tuesday, December 30 vs. Bethel 8:30 p.m.
15
University Events December 2014
UPCOMING EVENTS
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 2
10pm Late Night
Mass followed by
breakfast
3
Psychology Clubs
Final Study Exam
Session at Convoca-
tion Hall
4
Festival of Lights–
Student Center
5
6
7
7:00pm Mass
8 Final Exams !!
9 Final Exams !! 10 Final Exams !!
Finals Break
(Common Hour)
11 Final Exams !! 12 Final Exams !!
FL - Fall term ends
NSLS Induction
13
14
7:00pm Mass
15 16 17 18 19
5pm Int’l Student
Reception 7pm
Graduation Mass
20
10am Graduation
21
22 23 24 25 26 27
28
29 30 31
SGA wishes you a happy holiday!