Latest news with #JesuitCatholic
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Longtime priest at area Catholic college dies at 98
An area Catholic university is mourning the death of a beloved priest. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Xavier University announced the passing of Fr. Al Bischoff, S.J., on Friday. He was 98. Known as 'Father B,' the university said he 'made a profound impact' on the community. TRENDING STORIES: Deputies: Wood thrown at officers in high-speed chase; ends in wrong-way crash on I-75 Kohl's to close Butler County e-Fulfillment Center; over 700 employees impacted Injuries reported after car slams into Miami County home 'His deep care for each student, commitment to the Jesuit Catholic tradition and love for Xavier will never be forgotten,' the university wrote in a social media post. The university also called Father B a campus legend. Father B held several roles during his years at Xavier. He served as Emeritus Campus Minister for the Dorothy Day Center for Faith and Justice, as a longtime resident minister in Husman Hall, as Bellarmine Chapel Minister, where he presided over the 4:00 p.m. daily Mass, and as a longtime member of the Jesuit community. The university said in a statement online that he earned both his bachelor's degree and master's degree at Xavier. He was ordained in 1956 and began working full-time at Xavier in 1998. 'He was so popular with students that in 2003, a group of 130 alumni from 1969-1974 created a scholarship fund in his honor and surprised him with it on his 75th birthday,' the university said. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Salvador D. Aceves, EdD Named 29th President of the University of San Francisco
Incoming President Aceves is the first lay person and first Latino to be president in the university's 170-year history. SAN FRANCISCO, May 13, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The Board of Trustees of the University of San Francisco (USF) has elected Salvador D. Aceves '83, EdD '95 as the university's 29th president. Incoming President Aceves is the first lay person and first Latino to be president in the university's 170-year history. He will begin his term in August. Born and raised in San Francisco, the son of immigrants, and a first-generation college graduate, incoming President Aceves earned an undergraduate accounting degree from USF in 1983, as well as a doctorate in education in 1995. He is married to Carol Aceves, also a USF graduate, who holds a master's degree from the School of Education. "I have been shaped by nearly four decades in Jesuit Catholic education — years spent teaching, leading, and walking alongside students, faculty, and communities in the shared pursuit of truth, justice, and kindness," incoming President Aceves said. "That journey began at USF. This is my school. USF is where I studied, where I was formed intellectually and spiritually, and where I first committed to leading a life of service with and for others." Most recently, incoming President Aceves has served as president of Regis University in Denver, since 2023, where he was previously senior vice president and chief financial officer from 2014-22. Prior to his time at Regis, Aceves was associate vice president, Office of the Provost at Fordham University in New York City from 2011-14. "This is a historic moment for USF," said USF Board of Trustees Chair Jack Boland '78. "He is deeply committed to USF's Jesuit Catholic mission, the Ignatian vision of service to the world, and Jesuit higher education as a whole." Incoming President Aceves formerly served as a USF faculty member, teaching accounting in the School of Management and the School of Law. He also served as associate dean for graduate programs from 2000-03, associate dean for academic affairs from 2003-05, and vice provost in the office of academic affairs from 2005-11. "I believe that we have found a mission-driven, academically centered, and fiscally minded leader in Dr. Salvador Aceves, who also cares deeply for all people at the university community," said USF Provost Eileen Fung. "As provost, I look forward to working with him, especially supporting his vision and strengthening our academic enterprise." The national search for USF's new president began in January 2025. USF's Board of Trustees appointed a Presidential Search Committee (PSC) to conduct the search for the next president. It was led by USF Board of Trustees members John F. Nicolai '71 and Jeff Silk '87. A Search Advisory Committee (SAC) was established to facilitate feedback and provide input to the PSC. The SAC was led by co-chairs Mary Del Santo, vice chair of the Board of Trustees, and Eileen Fung, USF vice president of academic affairs and provost, and included 17 members of the USF community representing faculty, librarians, staff, students, alumni, and the university's Jesuit community. Presidential Search Committee Co-Chair Nicolai said, "I have known Salvador for over 30 years. He is the right person at this opportune moment to lead USF forward while focusing on academic excellence and financial sustainability." Incoming President Aceves succeeds Paul J. Fitzgerald, S.J., who served as USF's president from 2014-2024. John Fitzgibbons, S.J., has been serving as interim president since January of this year. About the University of San Francisco The University of San Francisco is a private, Jesuit Catholic university that reflects the diversity, optimism, and opportunities of the city that surrounds it. USF offers more than 230 undergraduate, graduate, professional, and certificate programs in the arts and sciences, business, law, education, and nursing and health professions. At USF, each course is an intimate learning community in which top professors encourage students to turn learning into positive action, so the students graduate equipped to do well in the world — and inspired to change it for the better. For more information, visit Media Contact Mary McInerney, University of San Francisco, (510) 846-1242, mmcinerney@ Kellie Samson, University of San Francisco, (415) 601-1915, ksamson@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE University of San Francisco Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Opinion: Supreme Court Must Not Undermine Public Education in Religious Charter Case
Last week, the Supreme Court held oral arguments in a case that could undermine public education across America. The question the court is looking to answer is whether a religious institution may run a publicly funded charter school — a move that would threaten not only the separation of church and state, but the right of every student to access free, high-quality learning. In 2023, Oklahoma's Statewide Virtual Charter School Board approved St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School, an action that would make it the nation's first-ever religious charter school. It would be governed by Catholic religious doctrine in its syllabus, operations and employment practices. It would use taxpayer dollars to pay for religious instruction. And it could turn away students and staff if their faith or identity conflict with Catholic beliefs. Get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter Here's the issue: Charter schools were created to be public schools. They are open to all students, from every background, tradition and faith community. They are publicly funded and tuition-free. And they are secular. That's not an arbitrary distinction – it's a constitutional one, grounded in the law and embedded in charter schools' very design. The First Amendment's Establishment Clause bars the government from promoting or endorsing any religion through public spaces or institutions. This foundational rule has ensured that students of all backgrounds can access public schools. It does not stifle religious expression — the Constitution fully protects this freedom, and religious education is available in other venues. Personally, I was, in fact, educated at Jesuit Catholic schools for my entire academic career. Parochial education has long been an accepted and important part of the education ecosystem, serving a variety of students and often filling an important need. Religiously affiliated schools have a long history of educating and caring for children who are new to this country and underserved, and supporting families who are overlooked. But promoting the exclusive teachings of a specific religion with public funds in a public school violates a clear constitutional principle. The issue isn't only a legal matter; it's about the character of public education itself. Muddying the boundary between public and religious institutions would undercut a fundamental commitment made by the nation's public charter schools: that they are accessible to every student. It would undermine legal protections that keep public services available to the public. Rather than creating more opportunities for America's students, it would constrict opportunities for a high-quality education, especially in states that are hostile toward charters or alternative public school models. Legislative bodies could seek to eliminate funding for all unique school types if the court decision forced them to fund religious schools operating with public dollars. This would curtail or dismantle strong independent schools, 30-year-old public charter schools and schools with unique programs designed for special populations. Related As executive director of the DC Charter School Alliance, and a long-time public charter school advocate, I've seen the importance of public charter schools firsthand. Here in the District of Columbia, charter schools serve nearly half of the public school students in the city. Outstanding educators from all walks of life teach a wide range of subjects with enthusiasm and expertise to prepare young people for success. Our students bring to the classroom an incredible range of experiences, including faith traditions. And every student, family and faculty member is welcome. D.C.'s charter schools reflect a core American value: the promise of a high-quality public education for all. The justices of the Supreme Court face a clear and critical choice: They can bolster that promise, or they can tear it down. If the court allows a religious school to operate with public funds, there is no doubt that it will open the floodgates to other proposals across the country. Taxpayers could be forced to foot the bill for countless new and converted schools, draining resources from an already financially strapped education system. True public charter schools — the ones committed to high standards, positive results and opportunity for all — could bear the cost. And the students who rely on them could suffer. Public education is one of America's most vital institutions. It offers all children, no matter their background or beliefs, access to free, high-quality learning. Charter schools play an essential role in making that promise real. But allowing a religious school to operate with public funds turns public education into something much more restrictive, dismantling its very foundation. The court must reaffirm this indisputable truth: Public schools should remain public — and open to all.
CBS News
27-04-2025
- General
- CBS News
Maryland Catholics celebrate life of Pope Francis on first Sunday after his death
Catholics in Maryland and nationwide attended their first Sunday Mass without Pope Francis leading the church. At Loyola University Maryland, the late pontiff was celebrated at every service. Patrons told WJZ they are remembering what they loved about Pope Francis and honoring his legacy. The "People's Pope" The 11 a.m. Mass at Loyola University Alumni Chapel started like it always did. However, those attending saw a picture posted up at the front. It was Pope Francis's smile. Rev. John Conley, during his homily, talked about some of Pope Francis's last moments. "'Thank you for taking me back to the square,' these were the last words of Pope Francis on Easter Sunday, just a week ago, a day before his death," Conley said. Conley went on to talk about how relatable Pope Francis was and how he truly earned the title of being the "People's Pope." "I'm the one Jesuit here at Loyola who does not drive, so I'm often at the mercy of the 51 bus traveling along Charles Street," Conley said. "I heard by a commentator...[Pope Francis] preferred to take the bus and the subway. So, I said, 'Now there's a pope after my own heart on the mysteries of public transit.'" Pope Francis was the first Jesuit to lead the church. It's why John Bruce Schmitt of New Jersey attended Mass at Loyola, which is a Jesuit Catholic university. He said Pope Francis is his favorite pope. "He was a man for others, very inclusive, very humane, and he was for the poor," Schmitt said. "Just a great man, I almost feel like crying talking about him." Honoring Pope Francis's legacy Jessica Morrison, a Loyola alumna who teaches at an all-girls Catholic school, said Pope Francis inspired her to fully live her faith. It's something she tries to teach her students now. "You didn't have to kind of say, how are people going to respond to this? He gave us the courage to be able to just say this is how we live the gospel message in our own lives," Morrison said. "Really showing us what that can look like."
Malaysiakini
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
Core and periphery: Pope Francis and Asia
COMMENT | The passing of Pope Francis, the Jesuit Catholic 'people's pope' leaves a vacuum of global moral leadership. Laid to rest yesterday in an unadorned coffin marked simply with Franciscus, the decision to be buried outside the walls of the Vatican is both symbolic and substantive. In the 12 years he led the Catholic church, Pope Francis' vista was broad. His outreach to those on the margins is inclusive.
