Editor's Desk: Faith Essentials

By Michael F. Flach
Herald Editor
(From the issue of 8/12/04)

Local college students preparing to leave for school can receive a monthly dose of Catholic theology, history and tradition thanks to a free, online publication that begins in September. "Faith Essentials for the Catholic College Student" will attempt to help college students and others stay in touch with their faith.

It is published by the Association of Students at Catholic Colleges (ASCC), a venture of the Cardinal Newman Society. Each monthly issue will feature articles by leading Catholic scholars and bishops. The publication hopes to inspire anyone looking to deepen their faith. Subscribers will receive an e-mail announcing each new issue. It also will be posted on ASCC’s Website.

The inaugural issue includes an article by Dale Ahlquist, president of the American Chesterton Society, on British author G.K. Chesterton’s ideas on education. Another article by Jesuit Father Brian Daley of the University of Notre Dame will focus on Mary and the early Church.

Future writers will include former Arlington Bishop Thomas J. Welsh, Jesuit Father Mitch Pacwa, Father Peter Stravinskas, Bishop Robert Morlino, Peter Kreeft and Mark Shea. Topics will range from "Law and Catholic Social Teaching" to the "History of the Bible."

To subscribe, visit ASCC’s Website at www.catholiccollegestudents.org and click on "Faith Essentials" or write to ASCC, 10562 Associates Court, Manassas, Va. 20109.

Another great way for college students to stay in touch with their faith and the diocese is to receive a gift subscription to the HERALD. We offer a special student rate of $10 from September through May. Call our circulation office at 703-841-2565 for details or visit us online at www.catholicherald.com.

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The chill in the air last weekend reminded us that fall is just around the corner. We also can tell that summer is almost over when we start preparing for our annual "Back to School" issue. The Aug. 26 special section will introduce Barry Breen, the new president of Bishop O’Connell High School in Arlington, and St. Veronica School in Herndon, the newest diocesan elementary school. Call our advertisement department at 703/841-2598 to become part of this popular edition.

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The Arlington Diocese turns 30 on Aug. 13. We celebrate the milestone this week with a four-page section that includes an update on the continuing progress of the Diocesan Capital Campaign "Rooted in Faith — Forward in Hope"; an interview with Father David Whitestone, the diocese’s new Judicial Vicar; a feature on the Diocesan Choir directed by Dr. Rick Gibala; and the text of the 30^th anniversary prayer prepared by Father Paul deLadurantaye. Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde will celebrate the 12:05 p.m. Mass at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More on Aug. 13 to mark the occasion.

The face of the diocese changes at an accelerated pace. The new St. Ann Church in Arlington is expected to be completed around Thanksgiving. Site preparation continues for St. Raymond of Penafort Church in Fairfax Station and Our Lady of Hope Church in Potomac Falls. Groundbreaking for Holy Trinity Church in Gainesville will take place Sept. 12.

Congratulations to Holy Martyrs of Vietnam Church in Arlington, which will celebrate its 25^th anniversary on Aug. 14, and All Saints Church in Manassas, which will observe its 125^th anniversary as a mission and 75^th anniversary as a parish on Aug. 31. — M.F.F.

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