A Message from Our President

As a university we continue to ponder the meaning and consequences of being born from the heart of the Church. In the last newsletter, we reflected on being a community with a “Catholic,” universal heart. Today, I would like to invite you to reflect on our work of education as a service of love, one that is attuned to the deepest human aspirations and enlivened by the hopeful insight that God calls each of us to engage the world in our own meaningful way. 

We are a center of “creativity and dissemination of knowledge for the good of humanity” (ECE, 1), where each member of our community is called to play an active role. As a university we serve society through our work of education. An education rooted in the solid foundation of Christian anthropology and the wisdom of the teachings of the Church focuses on the development of each student as a whole person, mind, heart, and body, made in the image and likeness of God. We do not tell them what they need to think, but foster in them an attentiveness to the good, as well as critical and analytical reason, and the virtues of courage, justice, and prudence, so they will desire, discern, and act for the Truth, in every discipline, in light of Christian revelation. By educating in this manner, we foster in each student a disposition to personally and proactively “confront and interpret the newness of our time and rediscover the path” to a fully human understanding of reality (Pope Francis, Message for the 58th World Day of Social Communications).



Catholic education has a long history and a proven track record of success when institutions remain faithful to their mission. “We build on the shoulders of giants who trusted in God and moved forward to build universities in time of darkness, to bring light,” as His Eminence Cardinal Tolentino de Mendonça reminded us in Rome last January. The cross is part of the Christian path, so we cannot be surprised to encounter it in our daily work. However, the source of evil that divides and brings darkness is overcome by Christ’s redemption. As members of His Church we are invited to collaborate with this work every day. Thus, the challenges we face in today’s world inspire us to renew our commitment to our mission. We have been entrusted with the future, to which all are called to contribute. Through our work of education, we awaken in each person the desire to engage the world in his or her own meaningful way with optimism, an open mind and joy. Through the Catholic Church, we carry out a great work of charity in the service of humanity.

Catholic International Reception at the

USCCB 2024 Plenary Assembly

On Tuesday, November 12, Catholic International University hosted a reception for members of the USCCB during their 2024 Plenary Assembly at the Baltimore Waterfront Marriott. Dr. Aguirre was able to share with the Bishops all of the incredible strides Catholic International has made over the past year, as well as where we are going as the University of the Future. Also on hand to promote our programs were Mario Enzler, Director of the Ecclesial Administration and Management Programs, Cindy Stalcup from the Continuing Education Department and Rebekah Smith from Admissions. Emery Long from the Marketing Department was also there to make sure the event ran seemlessly. Our team did a wonderful job communicating what a valuable resource Catholic International could be for dioceses across the nation. The Bishops provided input and direction as we move forward in our joint mission of bringing Joy from the Truth to every person, not only in the United States, but across the globe. We are so thankful for all of the tremendous work of the US Bishops as they act collaboratively and consistently on vital issues confronting the Church and society.

Fun Fact: The Baltimore Catechism was published during the 1885 Plenary Assembly in Baltimore, Maryland.

Incredible Journey of Faith

Jeffrey Shott's story of conversion to Catholicism is truly inspiring. Raised in a fundamentalist Baptist family, Jeffrey left Christianity as an adolescent due to unanswered questions about young earth creationism. He then identified as an atheist for several years before sincerely asking God to lead him back to his Church. Eventually, God answered this prayer and led Jeffrey to Catholicism. Read more to find out how studying with Catholic International University impacted his life.

Dr. Ann Brodeur, Director of our Liberal Arts Program, recently published an article entitled "Newman, Multi/Interdisciplinarity, and the Catholic Studies Classroom" in LOGOS: A Journal of Catholic Thought and Culture.

The essay explores the meaning and importance of a true liberal arts education. "Liberal arts are about intellectual and moral formation and a transformation of vision, about giving (students) the capacities to understand the shape of the world and their place in it, to know more deeply what it means to be human with all its glorious possibilities and painful limitations, to know their strengths and weaknesses, to refine their ability to recognize the true, the good, and the beautiful and to accord their lives to them so that they will be prepared for life." Dr. Brodeur offers a class on this topic entitled: Christian Anthropology, here at our global campus.

Catholic International is blessed to have Dr. Brodeur leading the way as we prepare to launch our expanded Liberal Arts Program in January 2025!



A new book, The Search for Home among Forced Migrants and Refugees: People on the Move, edited by our University president, Dr. Maria Sophia Aguirre, was just published on November 8, 2024. 

This book explores the role of "home" in the lives of displaced people, including voluntary and forced migrants, refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced people and temporary workers.

For displaced people, home is something lost, longed for and sometimes found anew. It is a community of people in an environment of relationships and a physical dwelling that provides a sense of safety, security, hope and belonging. Much of the efforts of refugees, migrants and exiles are devoted to rebuilding a home, through a combination of personal effort and collaboration with the political and social environment of the host community. Dr. Maria Sophia Aguirre and Dr. Antonio Argandoña bring together an interdisciplinary collection of contributors to analyze these challenges through the lenses of economics, law, sociology, psychology, communications, management and political science. The book offers numerous suggestions for assistance aimed not only at resolving the short-term problems of displaced people but also at ensuring their human dignity. (Available Now on Amazon)

This volume will be a valuable resource for students and scholars of the sociology of migration and of public policy related to the management of migrants.

We're looking forward to seeing you at

Catholic International University's