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9 Catholic student scholars learn at the Sister Thea Bowman Foundation’s Summer Symposium – Bishop’s Assistance Fund
Last summer, the Archdiocese of Atlanta’s Bishop’s Assistance Fund provided generous grants, enabling nine scholars to attend the Sister Thea Bowman Black Catholic Education Foundation’s 3rd Annual Summer Symposium. These students, from Catholic universities nationwide, lived and learned their Catholic faith at the event in Chicago’s South Loop.
What is the Bishop’s Assistance Fund?
The Bishop’s Assistance Fund – not to be confused with the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal – supports evangelization, serves the poor, and advances the Church’s mission by empowering organizations to do good works both locally and across the United States. All fund recipients are hand-chosen quarterly by the bishops of the Archdiocese of Atlanta.
The 3rd Annual Summer Symposium
Over the course of three days during the July 4th week, nine university students delved into the symposium’s theme for the year: “The Saintly Six.”
They explored the lives and faiths of (1) Julia Greeley, OFS and Servant of God, (2) Venerable Pierre Toussaint, (3) Venerable Mary Elizabeth Lange, founder of the Oblate Sisters of Providence, (4) Venerable Henriette Delille, founder of the Sisters of the Holy Family, (5) Venerable Father Augustus Tolton, and the foundation’s namesake (6) Sister Thea Bowman, FSPA and Servant of God.
Instructors from Georgetown University and the University of Notre Dame led illuminating class lectures which included:
- Future Saints, Part 1: Lay Black Catholics and Future Saints, Part 2: The Religious Life, presented by Dr. Andrew Prevot, Theology Professor at Georgetown University
- Indigenous Practices of Wholeness, presented by Dr. Steven Battin, Professor of Theology at the University of Notre Dame
- Prophetic Truth-telling: The Story of Daniel Rudd, presented by LaRyssa Herrington, Doctoral candidate at the University of Notre Dame
Ending In Fellowship and Faith
After an academically and spiritually fulfilling day, scholars were then able to build community and friendship with activities throughout the city of Chicago, including visiting Chicago Tilt360, Navy Pier, the Tolton Spirituality Center, and going to Wrigley Field to watch the Cubs play.
Joseph Barker II, MTS, Executive Director of the Sister Thea Bowman Black Catholic Education Foundation, enjoys seeing this community-building.
“We continue to see the community of scholar’s bond and grow in the mission of our Foundation and to feel empowered to return to their schools and engage in ministry and community with others and to not feel isolated on their respective campuses.”
– Joseph Barker II, MTS, Executive Director of the Sister Thea Bowman Black Catholic Education Foundation
On their final day, scholars celebrated Mass with Father David Jones at St. Benedict the African in the Archdiocese of Chicago. Following the liturgy, Father David provided students with a captivating tour of historical art found throughout the church.
“We here at the Foundation are so grateful for the support of the Archdiocese of Atlanta. As a parishioner of Saint Anthony of Padua for almost 50 years now, I have seen first-hand the great works you do in Atlanta to serve so many, what a blessing to have your support for our scholars.” said Barker.
Learn more about the Sister Thea Bowman Black Catholic Education Foundation.
Learn more about the Bishop’s Assistance Fund.