Report on the Apostolic Visit to DSPT

In 2006, The Holy See ordered a visitation of all Roman Catholic seminaries in the United States. DSPT was among those institutions that were visited. The visitation team had a chance to review the School’s documentation beforehand and interview students, faculty, staff and recent alumni during their on-site visit.

The Report from the Visitation, which was released in the fall of 2008, confirmed that DSPT’s academic program is excellent, with the students receiving a substantially complete grounding in dogmatic and moral theology. The report also finds our faculty both academically prepared and doctrinally sound.

Most Reverend Allen Vigneron, Bishop of Oakland, who also received a copy of the report, called Father Emmerich Vogt, O.P., Chancellor of the School, to congratulate and commend the School. The report from Sacred Congregation for Catholic Education read, in part:

The Visitation confirmed that the School's academic program is excellent… The majority of the syllabi reflect a feeling of sober, serious scholarship throughout, even in cases where a contemporary approach is taken to a traditional topic….A serene sense of confidence in the value and usefulness of the Magisterium's teaching and its central importance for those who are learning theology prevails. St. Thomas is given pride of place in many of the philosophy and theology courses, though at the same time the best of contemporary sources is also in evidence.

The Ethics and Moral Theology courses are noteworthy for their depth, scope and inclusion of magisterial teaching…Undoubtedly one of the strengths of the “Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology” is the ability it fosters in its students to dialogue, on the intellectual level, with contemporary society. The students seem to know the issues involved in the contemporary crisis of subjectivism and moral relativism, and are adequately trained to provide a response based on reason and affirming the existence of moral and philosophical truth.

New GTU Lounge!

We now have a new lounge on the first floor of the 2465 LeConte Avenue GTU Building! (i.e. the old bookstore building). The lounge is open to ALL students, faculty, and staff across the consortium, currently Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The lounge has a tiny entertainment center where you can listen to the radio or play CDs.

The lounge also has wireless. To access the wireless network you will need to use your op.dspt.edu account (if you don’t know what this is, ask Angela Becker at Reception). Once done, “find” the GTU wireless network (called “GTU”) and click on it to connect. Once connected, open your browser… it will immediately launch a page to allow you to set up a “GTU wireless network account” (different from setting up the op.dspt.edu email account). With that account set up, you can, then, sign into the network.

Lounge Rules:

The GTU would love student feedback about the space. Until they are able to get that, there are a few things they would like you to know:

• We plan to keep the front door to the lounge unlocked. Because the space is not monitored, I think we will start “closing” the door, simply to discourage traffic not intended for this space. If we do, make sure you try the door and don’t assume a closed door is a locked door.
• You are welcome to bring food and drink in, but we currently do not provide food or drink. Feel free to use the refrigerator and microwave in the lounge in the basement, and you are welcome to coffee on the second floor. We have plenty of supplies and if you need something that has run out, let Fredonia Thompson, Student Affairs Office Manager and Receptionist, know (on the 3rd floor).
• Please tidy up after yourself. If you spill or otherwise make a little mess, obviously clean it up if you can. If you can’t, Fredonia can help you locate cleaning materials and supplies;
  I plan to order a couple of newspaper subscriptions for the lounge. Same concept, help keep them tidy and inviting for your colleagues to read.
• The lounge is BOTH for conversation and study. We ask that you simply be mindful of the people around you. If folks are reading or otherwise obviously working, use your “library voice” when you chat. If, however, folks are not working, your “gym voice” or a hearty laugh is OK!
• Remember, we welcome students from all over the consortium, so feel free to meet with an MDiv colleague or a friend in a DMin program in the lounge. Even an occasional faculty member or staffer is OK, right? Ha!
• Obviously in light of California law, this is a “no smoking” area.
• We also ask that you not bring non-human animals into the lounge, e.g. pets of all kinds, unless the animal assists you to manage a disability. In those cases, students should follow the GTU differently-abled policies and protocols to be on record with the GTU Dean of Students office (see the GTU website for the link to this information).

GTU Course Books at Cal Bookstore

The Graduate Theological Union is pleased to announce that its campus bookstore has moved to a new location. The new store will become part of the University of California at Berkeley bookstore and is located in the Student Union building on the UC campus.

The UC Berkeley bookstore is owned by the Student Union and operated by the Follett Higher Education Group, the nation’s largest operator of college bookstores. Follett operates more than 760 college stores nationwide, including the stores at UC Berkeley and Stanford. The GTU is pleased to partner with UC Berkeley and Follett to serve our students’ educational needs.

The UC bookstore will provide textbooks and readers for all GTU courses.

For Students
Textbooks and readers will be available for purchase at the UC Berkeley store, located in the Student Union building. Textbooks are currently located in the lower level of the store. Books of general theological interest are available on the main level of the bookstore. Students may also purchase texts online and either have them shipped to their homes or pick them up at the store.

108 Martin Luther King Jr.
Student Union, #4504
Corner of Bancroft Way at Telegraph Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94720-4504
Phone: (510)642-9000 Fax: (510)643-7836

For Faculty
If you submitted your textbook order to the GTU bookstore, it has already been forwarded to the new store. The new store will also create readers for you. If you wish to contact the store you may email the textbook department at text@berkeley.edu or contact them by phone at 510-642-9000 ext. 683.

DSPT Annual Golf Tournament

Join DSPT as it launches its first-ever golf tournament. The event will be held on Monday, July 14 at the Metropolitan Golf Course in Oakland. This year’s golf tournament will include a silent auction and a raffle following the awards ceremony. Your registration fee of $150 includes green fees, carts, BBQ, and tee prizes. Registration & Putting contest starts at 8:00 AM and shotgun starts 9:30 AM.

Please join us in this fun event. Your participation will help us to raise the funds needed to continue DSPT’s vital mission of educating and preparing its religious and lay students to become future leaders of the Church. For more information, please e-mail Advancement@dspt.edu or call (510) 883-2085.

Lam Khong to Exhibit Art Work in Boston

DSPT Alumnus Lam Khong will be presenting two series of works on paper in an exhibition entitled "Breath and Prayer." Each series contemplates the Stations of the Cross from a unique perspective. In many traditional Stations, we see a narrative of the events of Jesus' Passion. As Lam become more familiar with these specific scenes such as "Jesus is Condemned to Die" or "Jesus Meets His Mother," he reinterprets the historical Stations in order to help him better understand and appreciate the Passion in his life. In these two series, one is focused on the face of Jesus and one is focused on his breath.

Lam said, that "...while studying philosophy at the Dominican School in Berkeley in 2007, I began the series of line drawings. My mind was worn out by the amount of reading—and rereading. By the end of the day, the only thing I could concentrate on was drawing simple lines across the page. Each line was drawn in one breath, and often, I would recite a prayer with each line. Through this simple gesture, I recognized a few important lessons. Every human act, like every line, is important. Although our individual tasks may be minute, when added together, they become significant. In each drawing, there are about three thousand lines. The nature of lines and their abundance brought me to reflect on beginnings and ends and eternity."

Lam will be at the opening reception on July 5, 2008.

DIOCESE OF OAKLAND JOB OPENINGS

Week of May 27, 2008

Musician - St. Philip Neri Church, Alameda

A musician (piano, organ or guitar) is needed for the 5:00 pm Saturday liturgy. Candidate should have good knowledge of Catholic liturgy and have accompanying experience. Candidate may work with parish music director in selection of music.

Salary Information: M-1, exempt

Position Begins: August 1, 2008

Please email resume to parish office at spirit_ruah@yahoo.com

or mail to:
3108 Van Buren St.
Alameda, CA 94501

Administrative Assistant - Department for Evangelization and Catechesis

The administrative assistant provides administrative and clerical support services to department staff and programs, handling details of a confidential nature and operating with great latitude for independent judgment and initiative. This position provides administrative support to all facets of the School for Pastoral Ministry including application processing, correspondence, database and records maintenance, space needs, hospitality, and on-site assistance during class time. The administrative assistant uses PC equipment in performing assigned tasks and often serves as first-line of contact for the School for Pastoral Ministry, la Escuela de Ministerios Pastorales, and on-going formation for lay ecclesial ministers. Fluency in written and spoken Spanish and some availability to work evenings and weekends is required. View a complete position description and list of candidate requirements and preferences at www.oakdiocese.org/pastoral/AdminAsst.pdf.

Salary information: Non-exempt (N-7), Full Time

Applications will be taken until position is filled.

Send resume and letter of interest to:

Keith Borchers
Director, Department for Evangelization and Catechesis
Diocese of Oakland
2900 Lakeshore Ave.
Oakland, CA 94610
510-893-4711 Fax: 510-272-0738
kborchers@oakdiocese.org

Cantor - Church of the Assumption, San Leandro

A cantor is needed for the 5:00 pm Saturday liturgy and/or the 12:00 noon Sunday liturgy. The position is available immediately. We are a warm, supportive parish with a developing liturgical music program under new leadership. Those who apply should have strong vocal and visual presence before the assembly. Regular Sunday liturgies are $75.00 per service. Weddings and funerals are $150.00. Please contact Mr. Stacy Piontek, Director of Music, at the Assumption Parish Office, 510-352-1537.

Part Time Food Service Worker - San Damiano Retreat Center, Danville

San Damiano is a Franciscan retreat and conference center located on 50 wooded acres in Danville that serves 3 hot buffet meals daily for up to 160 guests and staff. Food Service Workers oversee the food preparation and service, as well as cleanup and maintenance of health and safety standards. We are looking for someone who is available to work both day and/or evening shifts, from 7 am - 2 pm, or 4:30-8:30 pm - especially on the weekends when we are busiest. As no buses run near San Damiano, you must have your own transportation. Please call or send resume to the contact listed below.

Salary Range: Start at $10/hr

Start Date: ASAP! Until filled

Contact: Email or fax cover letter and resume to Laurie Landis, lauriel@sandamiano.org, 925-837-9141 ext 308

Website: http://www.sandamiano.org/

Part Time Front Desk Coordinator - San Damiano Retreat Center, Danville

San Damiano is looking for a very special person to fill this important position. We are a Franciscan Retreat Center, and our goal is to provide warm and welcoming hospitality to all those who visit or stay with us. We are located on 50 wooded acres in Danville, dotted with deer, turkey, beautiful gardens and walking trails. The Front Desk Coordinator is a key position, with responsibility for answering phones, greeting guests, assisting in our Gift Shop, and coordinating volunteer projects. The work days are Monday-Thursday, 8:30 am -4:30 pm. Please send cover letter and resume to the contact listed below. We would like to fill the position as soon as possible.

Salary Range: $10-$12/hr DOE

Start Date: ASAP, until filled

Contact: Email or fax cover letter and resume to Laurie Landis, lauriel@sandamiano.org, 925-837-0522

Website: http://www.sandamiano.org/

Job: St. Martin de Porres Middle School

The St. Martin de Porres Middle School (in Oakland, CA) has an emergency need for a religion teacher for the last two and half weeks of school, starting next week. This is due to a family emergency for one of the teachers. Sr. Barbara Dawson, the principal, is looking for someone to teach the Middle School Religion for about 10 days. She will pay the person $100 a day if they will be here all day (8am-3pm and $75 if they work from 8-Noon.

This is an urgent need!!!! Please call her at 510-832-1757, or email her at bdawsonrscj@sbcglobal.net

Jill Marshall
Dean of Students
Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley
1735 Le Roy Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94709
510-549-5017