The Good Word 2018 January

GTCC Alumni e-Newsletter

January 2018 Vol. MMXVII Issue 10

Helluva Chaplain’s Corner

Dear GT Alumni, Parents, and Friends,

Our Spring Semester is now well under way, and we are trying to make the most of this new year. Spring is always a busy time for us. The Catholic Student Organization Board elects new officers in the late Fall, and then the new slate takes charge in January. Our new board is off to a great start, and we are thankful for all the hard work of our outgoing board. We have had a retreat for the Board already, and I am excited to see what we are able to accomplish this year.

The new Mass schedule has been great. We hoped that by adding the 7PM Mass that the other evening Masses would be less full. That has been the case so far, but now we have to figure out what to do with the 11:30AM Mass—it is frequently packed. I think my favorite conversation in the world begins with the line, “We have a problem…Mass is too full.” Patrick Williams, our new Music Director and Campus Minister, has really been making a mark. We have fantastic participation at RENEW, and it’s great to see all our musical talent among the students led to its greatest potential.

Spring always comes and goes so quickly. We are in the planning process for our Chapel Renovations which we hope to begin in the summer, and I will be able to share more about that soon. In the meantime, please pray for the ministry here, our staff, and all of the wonderful students at Georgia Tech.

Lastly, save the date for our Donor Appreciation Brunch which will be held on Sunday, April 22nd. We would love to see you!

Please be assured of my prayers, and those of the students here at the Catholic Center.

Yours in Christ,

Fall Retreat on the Jack’s River Trail
by Thomas Gaines, BA ’17 and Brady Bove, BioME ’20

Hurricane Irma forced a last minute change in destination

for the Fall Retreat from the retreat center at Camp Hidden Lake to a hiking and backpacking trip on the Jack’s River Trail in the Cohutta Wilderness of North Georgia. Over 20 of us, some with reservations about roughing it in the outdoors and sleeping in tents, ventured out into the wilderness. The theme for the Fall Retreat was ‘Building community and Godly friendships’. No one could have imagined that this experience would bring us closer to each other and closer to God with every mile.

The perfect weather enhanced the beauty of the trail. The winding river sparkled over hills and along woods. There were about 22 river crossings, a few almost waist high on some of us. It took teamwork and communication to safely navigate across rivers, climb rocks, and make it up hills. As the first day progressed, we came together as one. Everyone helped and encouraged each other. We prayed rosaries and had meaningful conversations as we hiked surrounded by chirping birds and falling leaves.

After a full day on the trail, we set-up camp. Fr. Josh and Alyshia Koerner gave inspiring talks around a campfire. We had small group sessions while enjoying smores. Fr. Josh celebrated Mass along a fast-flowing river with a newly set sun. We had adoration under hundreds of stars. God’s presence was so real. Kiersten Schutz remarked “I had never been through something like this before where you are having a close experience with nature and God at the same time. It’s a very powerful combination.” We took a peek at heaven that night.

Did we grow in community and friendship? Srishti Gupta said yes, “The way we helped and behaved with each other was the physical manifestation of how our spiritual community should be.” We definitely experienced God and grew in friendship with Him and with others on the trail. Who would have thought that Hurricane Irma would bring about a hidden blessing? We ended the retreat tired and sore, but spiritually renewed and energized. This was an experience none of us will soon forget!

Pictured at camp fire (l-r): Andrew Renuart, Kirsten Bernardo, Alice Robang, Srishti Gupta, Ludwika Pankowska, Kiersten Schutz, Brandon Gerberich, Aaron Ranallo, Chris Larkins.
Pictured in river (l-r): JC Lawton, Vincent Ceyssens, Alberto Sainz de la Peña, Andrew Renuart.

Student Leaders Gather at Summit

by Helen Beckert, FOCUS Missionary

Pictured above: the crew from the GTCC

From January 2 to January 6, thirty-three student leaders from the Georgia Tech Catholic Center attended the 2018 Student Leadership Summit (SLS18), an evangelization and leadership conference sponsored by FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students), in Chicago, IL. What a beautiful way to start the New Year – learning how to grow in relationship with Jesus Christ, and being trained in how to share the Gospel in the world!

This year, college students and FOCUS missionaries were joined by approximately 8,000 of parishioners, alumni, and priests to strive to answer the Great Commission: to make disciples of all nations in the name of Jesus (Matthew 28:19). Throughout the five days of the conference, 8,000 attendees heard from world-renowned speakers, such as Bishop Robert Barron, Sr. Bethany Madonna, Jim Caviezel, and Lisa Brenninkmeyer. Every session aimed to help students grow in authentic friendship, intimacy with the Lord, and vision for mission and discipleship. In the afternoons, attendees also had the opportunity to practice the skills they were learning in small groups and teach their small group members the skills that they had learned.

The students who came with us to SLS learned so clearly the importance of being bold and sharing the love of Christ with their peers. Senior Andrew Renuart, a fourth-year electrical engineering major, said, “For me, the big thing about SLS is that it challenges you to make your faith not just about you but to share it with others.”

As the founder of FOCUS, Curtis Martin, said in his keynote at SLS, “This generation of Catholics is responsible for this generation of people. Brothers and sisters, dig deep in divine intimacy, gather your friends close to you and love them in a crazy sort of love in authentic friendship, and then go out and reach the world by sharing both faithfulness and fruitfulness.” Please pray that our students may take their experience at SLS into the rest of their lives, and that they will have the courage to share the Gospel with love, truth, and conviction.

Pictured in right inset (l-r): Andrew Lewis, Keegan McGerry, Andrew Renuart, John Joseph Watson, Aaron Ranallo, Joseph Schultz, Ian Sebastian, Drew Donovan, Nick Williams, Zach Basel and Chris Larkins.
Pictured in left inset (top row, l-r): Julianna Alfonso, Helen Beckert, Caroline Nannis, Lindsey Hanna (bottom row, l-r) Kathy Cabezas, Erika Dupond, Elizabeth Maguyon, Sara Crozier.

Pictured left: Bishop David Ricken, Diocese of Green Bay, celebrates Mass. To his right, our own Steven Shlapak (ME ’16) serves at the Altar.

Pictured right: Over 300 priests on their way to concelebrate Mass.

Christmas Eve Midnight Mass at the CC
by Ben Dollar, AE ’19

This Christmas, a new tradition was introduced at the Catholic Center: a candlelit midnight Mass, concelebrated by our Chaplain, Fr. Josh Allen, and Fr. Michael Silloway, Chaplain at Saint Pius X High School. Steven Shlapak (ME ’16), an alumnus of the Catholic

Center currently in priestly formation for the Archdiocese of Atlanta at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans, acted as MC. Music was provided by the new Director of Music, Patrick Williams, and members of his family. It was quite apparent that Mr. Williams’ musical aptitude is not limited to his own person; his relatives sing as beautifully as he does. The assorted Williamses also gave a performance before the service, interspersed with selections from the Office of Readings for Christmas Day. Fr. Josh has a well-deserved reputation on campus as an excellent homilist, and his Christmas Eve offering did not disappoint; acknowledging the fathers in the congregation, he enjoined them to consider the unique plight of Joseph on the eve of Christ’s birth, shut out from his own town and unable to provide his expectant wife even the most basic accommodation. After Mass, the faithful were treated to panettone and refreshments. It was a beautiful celebration of the birth of Jesus, and one that we hope will be repeated in the coming years.

Catholic Student Organization Board Elected
by Keegan McGarry, AE ’19

It is my great pleasure to introduce the 2018 Catholic Student Organization (CSO) board! I am incredibly excited and undeservingly blessed to be serving the Catholic community here at Georgia Tech alongside such great leaders. This year, the only CSO board veterans are myself and Andrea Vargas, the vice president; the rest of the board members are learning for the first time how to lead our community in an executive capacity. After having spent time together on two retreats and a couple of business meetings, we have grown closer as friends and are already working well as a team. Thus far, we have been creative in our ideas and proposals, while at the same time remaining focused on developing real, effective solutions to the challenges the Catholic students at Georgia Tech are facing this year. I have no doubt that, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit and Our Lady of the Rosary, the 2018 CSO patron, we will make great strides in bringing our community into ever deeper discipleship with our Lord, Jesus Christ.

President: Keegan McGarry

Vice President: Andrea Vargas
Secretary: Matt Kinnison
Treasurer: Noah Pilz
Public Relations: Brady Bove
Faith Formation: Kiersten Schutz
Community Life: Clay Newman
Liturgy: Chris Larkins
Outreach: Natalie Pittman

Pictured: (top row l-r) Clay Newman, Chris Larkins, Matthew Kennison, Brady Bove
(bottom row l-r) Noah Pilz, Patrick Williams, Natalie Pittman, Andrea Vargas, Kiersten Schutz, Keegan McGarry

New Stations of the Cross Adorn CC Chapel

It was a Merry Christmas for the Catholic Center as we received antique Stations of the Cross as a gift from a group of recent alums. Hand-carved with beautiful reliefs and painted with vivid colors, the stations were manufactured in 1957 by the T. M. O’Connell Company, a manufacturer of religious statuary for Catholic churches based in Philadelphia. The Stations look amazing in their new home. We’re so excited and grateful for the continued generosity and support of our alums and all our benefactors!

Development Update

Patty Schmitt, Development Director, IM’88

We’ve had a great response to our Annual Appeal so far this academic year. Through December 2017 we are at 55% of our target of $470,067. The month of December was our best ever! We hope everyone enjoyed reading the 2017 Spiritual and Fiscal Report that was mailed in November. If you didn’t receive one, you can find it here. Our sincere thanks to our wonderful benefactors who make this campus ministry possible and keep the Catholic Center doors open for all our Georgia Tech community to enjoy. Please save the date for our third annual Donor Appreciation Brunch to be held on Sunday, April 22. Thank you again for your generosity and support!

Upcoming Events

February 2-4 – Women’s Silent Retreat
February 23-25 – Men’s Discernment Retreat
March 31 – Easter Vigil
April 22 – Donor Appreciation Brunch
May 6-20 – Camino De Santiago Pilgrimage
May 17-24 – Peru Mission Trip (Spring Break)

Support the Catholic Center at Georgia Tech by donating through the following links!

The Good Word

The Good Word 2017 September

GTCC Alumni e-Newsletter

September 2017 Vol. MMXVII Issue 9

WELCOME WEEK EDITION
(August 17-27, 2017)

The Catholic Student Organization (CSO) at Georgia Tech organized a fun week to welcome incoming freshmen and returning students. There were cook-outs, game nights, S’mores, praise and worship night, a day of service, field day, the highly acclaimed Family Feud night, and more. Students reunited with old friends and met new ones. Lots of freshmen joined in ready to get involved and become part of the Catholic community at GT. It was wonderful to see the Chapel filled with students once again at all the Masses. Read on for the week’s highlights and our latest addition to the Catholic Center’s staff.
Pictured below (l-r): Kirsten Chapman, Clay Newman, Owen McCarty, Drew Donovan, Aaron Renallo, Aljon Pineda.

Service Night

The GTCC community came together in service on Wednesday of Welcome Week. Students were able to rotate through a variety of stations, including sandwich-making for the homeless, canvas painting for the elderly and infirm, and rosary-making for future GTCC mission trips. The night also saw the introduction of a new ministry at the Catholic Center: the building of portable cots for the homeless. We are excited to see how this ministry can continue to grow!
Pictured top left (l-r): Building cots are JC Lawton, Tobin Abraham, Alberto Sainz de la Peña, Joseph Samo. Pictured top right (l-r): Painting canvases are Chris Larkins, Justin Kelley. Pictured bottom left (l-r): Making rosaries are Helen Beckert, Srishti Gupta, Justin Tamayo. Pictured bottom right (l-r): Making sandwiches are Noah Pilz, David Pharis.

Renew

The Catholic Center’s monthly praise and worship event kicked off with a community dinner after Daily Mass. Students enjoyed a delicious meal of lasagna and had the chance to catch up with old friends and make new ones. Once dinner was over, everyone headed to the Sanctuary where Fr. Tim Hepburn, the Vocations Director for the Archdiocese of Atlanta, talked about the meaning of renewal and emphasized the importance of silence in prayer. The students were then led into a prayerful hour of Eucharistic Adoration with praise and worship music by Patrick Williams, the GTCC’s new Campus Minister and Director of Music. During this time, students had the opportunity to go to Confession and to encounter Christ in the Blessed Sacrament.
Pictured top left: Fr. Tim Hepburn. Top Right: Fr. Tim addresses the students in CC Chapel.

Family Feud

Friday Evening the CSO had it’s second annual Family Feud night, where Siblings in Christ were pit against each other for prizes. GTCC alum Alex Tatum returned to host this event making it a fun night full of laughter. Georgia Tech hats were won by some, but friendship was enjoyed by all!
Pictured top left (l-r): Tony D’Arienzo, Vincent Ceyssens, Valeska Lobo. Pictured top right: Alex Tatum, Kiersten Schutz, Joseph Colosimo, Helen Beckert, Erika Jensen, Clay Newman. Pictured bottom left (l-r): Rafael Murphy, Andrew Lewis, Joseph Samo, Steven Creech, Chris Larkins, Simon Cassar. Picured bottom right: Spectators enjoying Family Feud.

Field Day and
Music & Mocktails

On Saturday, the CSO took to SAC fields for pickup games of soccer, volleyball, and flag football. It was a great chance to have some fun with old friends and new. In the evening, everyone gathered again in the Catholic Center Plaza to dance and sing along to music by our own Patrick Williams, Director of Music and Campus Ministry. The CSO served several delicious Mocktails and hors d’ouvres. A great time was had by all!
Pictured above left: Matt Kinnison gets ready to catch a pass. Pictured above right (l-r): Sam Naab, Alberto Sainz de la Peña, Andres Rodriguez, Juliana Alfonso and others.
Pictured below, top left: Juliana Alfonso’s ready for the ball. Pictured below, top right: Nick Korzik has the ball with Andrew Renuart and in the back Matt Kinisson, JC Lawton, Joseph Reifenberger.
Pictured below, bottom left: Fr. Josh talks to the students. Pictured below, bottom right (l-r): Swing dancing are Andrew Renuart with Brady Love, Erika Jensen with Tony D’Arienzo.

Meet GTCC’s new
Director of Music/Campus Minister

~ Patrick Williams ~

I’m a local Georgian, born and raised in Stone Mountain and later moved to Lawrenceville. I graduated from Franciscan University of Steubenville in 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Philosophy. Since college, I’ve been a missionary (or rather a musician-ary, hahah), a music minister and music teacher at St. Brigid Catholic Church in Johns Creek, a seminarian for the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, LA, and a full time freelance musician touring and recording across the U.S. On August 12 of this year (2017) I had the greatest honor of becoming the husband of my beautiful bride Emily. We celebrated our nuptial mass at St. Luke the evangelist in St. Louis, MO where she is from. She currently works at the Cathedral of Christ the King in Buckhead as the EDGE middle school youth minister.

I am very glad to be able to call the GTCC my new home and to invest in the good students here as we continue to develop our already thriving music and campus ministry endeavors.
Pictured below: Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Williams

Upcoming Events

Fall Break – October 7-10
Homecoming – October 21
Halloween Party – October 27

Support the Catholic Center at Georgia Tech by donating through the following links!

The Good Word

The Good Word 2017 July

GTCC Alumni e-Newsletter

July 2017 Vol. MMXVII Issue 8

Helluva Chaplain’s Corner

Hiking Jacks River Trail in the Cohutta Wilderness and celebrating Mass by the river.

Dear GT Alumni, Parents, and Friends,

I have mixed feelings about summer. While I enjoy the break and the time to travel, take and lead retreats, and just rest from the hectic schedule of the normal school year, I must admit that there comes a point in the summer when I just want all the students back. I hit that point a while ago, and I am ready for students to return!

The Catholic Center has been pretty quiet, but we have been hard at work. Our Orientation team is meeting new students as they come to campus for FASET. Our Welcome Week team and the CSO Board are busily preparing for the beginning of August, and we are working on scheduling events and booking speakers. Before we know it, the students will be back and it will be full steam ahead.

I hope you enjoy hearing about some of the goings on at the Catholic Center contained in this newsletter. We look forward especially to Welcome Week and to seeing parents and students on Freshman move-in day at our open house on August 17th. Please pray that our upcoming year will be a success…we have some surprises in store that I can’t wait to announce! And as always, please let us know if we can do anything for you.

God Bless,

Holy Week at the Catholic Center
Terrence Connors, ChemE ’19

Holy Week has always been the most highly anticipated time of the year at the Catholic Center. From the solemn liturgies to the welcoming of our catechumens into the Church at the Easter Vigil and everything in between, it is truly a special time. Our Easter Vigil, in addition to our other Holy Week liturgies and events, was attended by over 350 students, parents, alumni, Georgia Tech faculty, visiting high schoolers and missionaries, and Atlanta-area Catholics alike, maxing out our humble Sanctuary’s capacity each evening with overflow into our main foyer. Confessions were offered every day during the week, with students and visitors lining up around the perimeter of our Sanctuary, prompting all three of our visiting con-celebrants to begin hearing confessions! We also had nearly 100 people participate in our Stations of the Cross and The Passion of the Christ viewing, along with numerous students who committed themselves to praying the Divine Office throughout the week in our Adoration chapel. These beautiful opportunities and celebrations wouldn’t have been possible without the help of so many incredible people. We thank Fr. Josh first and foremost, for his dedication to the CC community and its ministry. We’d also like to thank all those members of the GTCC Schola, Holy Week Team, flower donors, and community volunteers for the gift of their time in making this week truly transformative for all who participated. The joy of Easter was all the more real and alive at the Catholic Center because of the efforts and preparations of so many. We are so thankful for the opportunities we have here at the Catholic Center, and we are all looking forward to our next Holy Week and Easter celebrations!

Pictured: Fr. Josh washing the feet of
Thomas Gaines with the assistance of
Grant Aasen, Altar Server.

Church Welcomes 20 at Easter Vigil

Anthony Haskin, HTS ’16

The RCIA program at the Catholic Center had a whopping 20 people receive the sacraments at the Easter Vigil this year, including five baptisms! This was the biggest RCIA class the CC has ever had. As a sponsor for one of the confirmed, it was so awesome to watch these young souls grow in their knowledge and love for the faith over the weeks of preparation. So many of them were eager to learn and not afraid to ask tough and insightful questions. Thankfully, we had a fantastic group of knowledgeable instructors ready to help and present topics week after week. The time that these students and alumni took out of their busy schedules in order to teach is amazing. I know that the RCIA candidates really appreciated it, and many were especially impressed with the classes on the Eucharist and confession.

Fr. Josh with RCIA Sponsors and Candidates after the Easter Vigil Mass.

The RCIA process of classes, small groups and a retreat culminated on the night of the Easter Vigil. I was serving the altar, so I had prime viewing of the candidates and catechumens in the front row. It was truly a sight to behold, as they were all either beaming with joy or reverent before the Lord. After a long series of baptisms, confirmations, and first communions amidst one of the most beautiful liturgies I have ever attended, we gathered with our 20 new Catholics for pictures and celebrations. There was so much rejoicing for our brothers and sisters. The Catholic Center is rightfully very proud of the newly confirmed Catholics it is sending into the world. They will make truly great soldiers of Christ as they continue His mission here on earth.

GTCC Hosts Second Annual
Donor Appreciation Brunch

Alberto Sainz de la Peña, ID ’18

Fr. Josh speaking to all the students and guests

The annual Donor Brunch at the Georgia Tech Catholic Center was a delicious success! Rainy weather could not stop a wonderful afternoon at the GTCC. Donors and friends of the Catholic Center attended the 11:30am Sunday mass, during which they experienced the wonderful 11:30am choir and the beautifully-decorated Easter altar. After mass, they were treated to a reception and an amazing feast of savory and sweet. The lobby of the Catholic Center was abuzz as alumni reconnected and donors met with the Catholic Center staff, FOCUS missionaries, Fr. Josh, and the board the members of the CSO. Fr. Josh and CSO President Alberto Sainz de la Peña gave speeches, speaking about the wonderful growth in religious vocations at the GTCC, as well as some of the highlights of the CSO programs, trips, and events in the 2016-2017 school year. We are deeply grateful for all our wonderful benefactors who make this campus ministry possible!

Chris Larkins, IE ’20 mingling with donors Joseph Riefenberger, AE ’17 and one of our donors

Alumni Spotlight

Joey Martineck, CE ’12

Written by Patty Schmitt, IM ’88

If you haven’t already heard of “Garden,” a new musical production and adaptation of the Book of Genesis, you surely will soon. The musical premiered at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans back in March to rave reviews and enthusiastic crowds. It’s an innovative interpretation of the story of the Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.
“Garden” is the brainchild of GTCC alumnus and Notre Dame Seminarian, Joey Martineck. Joey graduated in 2012 with a degree in Computer Engineering, but his real passion lies in glorifying God through the Arts. Always drawn to music and drama, the idea for “Garden” came to him suddenly through his involvement with Theology of the Body as an instructor and advocate. Joey wrote and directed the play in conjunction with Dumb Ox Ministries, and features the music of Greg&Lizzy. “As a writer, your hope is to positively impact as many people as possible with your work,” says Joey. That it did. The world premiere reached more than 1600 audience members. “I feel like it’s given me a deeper understanding of the creation story and the depth of God’s love for us” said one viewer. Another one said “It was stupendous, jaw-dropping, incredible in the full sense of the word.” Through Dumb Ox Ministries, “Garden” is now poised to reach thousands with a message of hope. Plans are underway for licensing and larger theatre runs as well as community and high school theatre performances.

The play’s debut was made possible through the generosity of volunteers and donors who believed in the mission of the performance. One of those volunteers was Kyle Simonis, another GTCC alumnus and Notre Dame Seminarian, who served as Technical Director in this production. The Catholic Center is proud of our alums, Joey and Kyle, and wish them success bringing “Garden” to the rest of the world! For more information visit www.dumboxministries.com/garden.

So Long Seniors!
Alberto Sainz de la Peña, ID ’18

Pictured: Clare Botti ’17; Ashley Wilford ’18

The GTCC Class of 2017 was sent off with a bang! Over 30 graduates came to celebrate with their friends at the Spring Graduation Party and enjoy delicious lasagna and cake. Fellow students wrote the graduates cards of congratulations, and a fun time was had by all! Best wishes graduates, we will miss you and be praying for you!

The 2016-2017 graduates at their last home game of the fall 2016 football season.

GTCC Highlights of 2016-17

Thanks to Kathy Cabezas CE ’18, Student Board Secretary, we have a fun video to share with you highlighting some of the events and happenings at the Catholic Center. It was a tremendous year and we would like to thank our awesome students and generous benefactors who keep the Catholic Center alive. We are forever grateful!

https://youtu.be/8MrWNSAj-tQ

Development Update

Patty Schmitt, Development Director, IM’88

We had a fantastic response to our Spring Appeal. Through the end of May, we are at 97% of our fundraising goal and we’re well positioned to meet it by the end of our fiscal year in June. We are deeply grateful for the financial support of our donors! Parents, if you’re on campus on Move-In Day on August 17^th, please stop by the Catholic Center for a visit. We’re hosting an Open House throughout the day. Refreshments will be served. Once again, thank you for supporting the CC! You are in our thoughts and prayers always!

Fall 2017 Welcome Week – Sneak Peek

August 17 – Open House for Freshmen & Parents
August 18 – Freshmen Events: Midnight Breakfast
August 19 – Welcome Back Bonfire
August 26 – Music and Mocktails

Support the Catholic Center at Georgia Tech by donating through the following links!

The Good Word

The Good Word 2017 April

GTCC Alumni e-Newsletter

April 2017 Vol. MMXVII Issue 7

Helluva Chaplain’s Corner

Dear GT Alumni, Parents, and Friends,

We have begun the celebration of the Sacred Triduum at the Catholic Center. The Triduum is the Church’s memorial of those fateful three days at the end of Christ’s earthly life, including his Passion, Death, and Resurrection. We have been preparing for these days since November, when our Holy Week choir began its musical selections and rehearsals. Words cannot express how excited we are for these coming days!

Last night, Holy Thursday, we began our commemoration of those holy and mysterious events. About 375 gathered in a Chapel that normally seats 220. I was thrilled to have so many priests and several of our seminarians join us. The Chapel looked beautiful and the music was simply amazing! I was nearly brought to tears listening to the Palestrina’s Kyrie from the Missa Papae Marcelli.

I hope you enjoy this update of our activities at the Catholic Center. So many wonderful things are happening, and I am so proud of our students who are at the center of all our initiatives. We are already planning for Fall Welcome Week, and anticipate a great group of young people who will encounter Christ in a unique and profound way here at the Catholic Center next year.

A word of gratitude to all of you who support our efforts with your donations and your prayers: truly God is doing something marvelous here, and we could not do it without you. If you are in Atlanta and would like to join us for any of our Holy Week events, we would love to have you, and I look forward to seeing many of you at our upcoming Donor Brunch.

God Bless,

Students Serve the Poor in Peru
Connor Nies, BA ’18

Suffering—one of my first takeaways from the annual Peru GTCC Mission Trip was how strongly the people of Lima identify with suffering. The city is home to some 11 million people. This time of year there is high heat and even higher humidity, yet it never rains. The entire city was without running water for at least 3 days the week we stayed. There are mudslides, rockslides, and earthquakes throughout the country. The majority of the city’s people are poor and have to work long, hard hours. The air they breathe is polluted and filled with dust. It is quite easy to understand, then, how everywhere you go in the city, Catholic icons are represented graphically and sorrowfully, and with a greater focus on suffering. Even the city’s great patron, St. Rose of Lima, is known for the tremendous sufferings she took on in her life. The people of Peru have sought and relate very well to a God who came down and suffered for and with them. This special and beautiful relationship is seen all throughout their culture.

We came face to face with this suffering in our work with the residents (the “neighbors”) of Pamplona Alta. Father Josh has brought down groups to work on various projects in different areas of the shantytown over the last five or so years, but this year we returned to the area where he began. We spent the week working with a team of neighbors and missionaries to build a retaining wall over a section of the city. The wall serves a crucial purpose in elevating the standard of living of the families who live beneath it. It first provides a barrier to rockslides which could wipe out everything in their path. It also provides a foundation for a road. Once a road is in place, government water trucks can deliver to areas around the road. This is a tremendous help for folks living around the wall because if water is delivered to them, they don’t have to climb up hundreds of steps to bring water to their homes. Finally, the wall is a critical step in being able to apply for electricity and even land ownership… Full Story

Sisters of Life Speak at the CC

Stephanie Shipley, FOCUS Missionary

On March 6, the Catholic Center hosted Sister Gemma Grace and Sister Bethany Madonna, both consecrated Sisters of Life, in an event titled “Experiencing the Father’s Love.” More than 200 students filled the Chapel to hear the Sisters. Sister Gemma Grace is a graduate of Georgia Tech. She gave a moving testimony of her vocational discernment, which mostly took place while at GT. Sister Bethany Madonna is a renowned speaker who has inspired audiences all over including those at World Youth Day and SEEK conferences. With a lively disposition and captivating stories, Sister Bethany described the depth of God’s love for us and His desire for a personal relationship with each of us. She reminded us to come to Christ in our weakness so that He can relieve the burdens that we cannot carry. By listening and trusting in Him, we can discover our God-given gifts and attributes and God’s will and purpose for us on this earth.

Earlier that day, the Sisters joined the FOCUS missionaries on campus to talk to students from all walks of life about the Catholic Faith. We are so grateful that the Sisters joined us on campus and shared their beautiful witness with so many of our students. In our conversations with students at the end of the day, it was evident that the words and presence of the Sisters left a lasting impact in each and everyone.

Knights Host Valentine’s Day Dinner

Alberto Sainz de la Peña, ID ’18

The men of the Catholic Center pulled out all stops for the ladies at the annual Valentine’s Dinner, hosted by the Knights of Columbus. More than 50 men volunteered to provide the ladies of the Catholic Center with a truly special evening. The basement floor of the Catholic Center was transformed into a 5-star restaurant – complete with coat check, fully-trained wait staff, and beautifully-arranged candlelit tables. The roughly-80 ladies who attended were treated to a 3-course meal, two musical serenades, and handwritten letters from the men of the CC. The ladies were then able to enjoy the Valentines photo booth as the restaurant was converted to the dance floor. The rest of the night was spent dancing the night away!

Reflection

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Cancer Home

Kristine Lacek, Bio ’20

Louise and Franklin have been married for 57 years. They met at church when he was 18 and she was 16, and knew right away that they wanted to be together. When they were married, Franklin vowed to love Louise in sickness and in health. He has—every day as they were raising their two children, every day as she served as the executive director of the National Council of Negro Women, and now, every day he pulls a chair up to her bedside, takes hold of her hand, and he loves her. Every single day, he sits with her at OLPH, sometimes naps with her, and talks to her. Louise cannot respond much anymore, but Franklin knows she hears him.

It was through Outreach at OLPH that I had the joy of meeting this faithful couple. I have never been so humbled and astounded by the devotion I witnessed in that room. Another volunteer and I visited with Louise and Franklin for what turned out to be three hours, just listening to Franklin tell their touching love story. We witnessed so much hope in a room where, anyplace else, could be filled with so much despair.

Louise and the other patients at OLPH stay under the care of nurses for no charge to them or their families. Students from the Catholic Center visit patients with the intentions of leaving them with painted crosses and a song, but instead, we leave with so much more. We leave with their priceless stories.

Men’s Discernment Retreat
Thomas Gaines, BA ’17

On Friday, February 24th, several carloads of Georgia Tech students loaded up and travelled to LifeTeen Covecrest, 2 hours north of Atlanta. We were excited to kickoff the annual Men’s Discernment Retreat and to enter into a time of prayer and reflection. Father Josh gave several talks on topics ranging from discernment to seminary to life as a priest. After each talk throughout the day, we were given time to reflect and spend time in prayer. We also got to relax and enjoy nature. We were blessed to have Mass in a beautiful chapel a short walk away. Later in the evening we had a Q&A session with Fr. Josh along with Fr. Matthew Dalrymple, who also gave us his vocations story.

The entire weekend was filled with so many graces. Father Josh made clear how to properly discern your vocation and embrace God’s will, wherever it may call you. The entire experience was exactly what a retreat should be. You could see people scattered about between talks praying, reading Scripture, relaxing, or going to Father Josh for spiritual direction. The retreat “demystified” discernment to a lot of us who came. It was a real gift for all to be able to attend and enjoy some time off campus reflecting on God’s plan for each of us.

Alumni Spotlight

The Ediger Family
David Ediger PhD ’13

Michelle and I met at the Catholic Center in 2009. In those days, Fr. Tim Hepburn and I were trying to figure out how many Catholic graduate students were on campus and what they needed spiritually. Michelle set us on the right track by organizing a weekly Graduate Bible Study every Tuesday night that continues to this day.

A university campus is an exciting place for Christian ministry because it brings together thoughtful young people from all over the world and all walks of life. Our graduate student group became a large extended family that looked after and supported each other. More than a few people met their spouses there and we have celebrated many baptisms together over the years. Michelle and I were married in June 2012. Our daughter, Molly Elizabeth, was born in December 2014 and we are expecting another baby girl this June.

The Catholic Center is a fantastic space for young people to explore their faith and how the Church works in modern society. It is a living lab in which students learn leadership, teamwork, and business skills while at the same time deepening their understanding of the world around them. For many, it is an opportunity to be properly catechized in the foundations, history, and traditions of our faith. Students today are searching for answers to critical questions in society, and it of great importance that the Church be there to support them. It is so exciting to watch as each class of students develops into knowledgeable and thoughtful Catholic servants.

Michelle and I stepped back from our day-to-day roles at the Catholic Center when Molly was born. We left the group in the loving hands of many of our closest friends, and the ministry continues to thrive. We now live in Smyrna, Georgia and attend St. Thomas the Apostle parish where we are raising our family with other young families from the Tech Catholic Center. The blessings that we received there continue to bear fruit in our lives.

(Left) Michelle and David in 2010 at Sweetwater Creek State Park with the Catholic Center Graduate and Young Professional Ministry (Right) David, Michelle, Molly, and Baby Sister

Development Update

Patty Schmitt, Development Director, IM’88

Dear alumni, parents and friends, We are so grateful for your donations and prayers! You make this ministry possible! The CC is as busy as ever with events and programs to support our ever growing congregation. Unfortunately, this academic year we are lagging behind in our fundraising efforts to cover our operational and programming needs. Through February, we have raised 54% of our goal of $362,233. We need your help! Our spring appeal went out last week with a letter from Fr. Josh and a remittance envelope. Please prayerfully consider supporting our mission and the wonderful students of Georgia Tech. Make an on-line donation, either recurring or one-time, here. I hope to see you on April 23 at Mass followed by our Donor Appreciation Brunch. All are welcome! Details and RSVP are here. Have a joyous Easter! God Bless!

Upcoming Events

April 16 – Easter Sunday
April 23 – Donor Appreciation Brunch
April 30 – Graduation Party

Support the Catholic Center at Georgia Tech by donating through the following links!

The Good Word

The Good Word 2017 February

GTCC Alumni e-Newsletter

February 2017 Vol. MMXVI Issue 6

Helluva Chaplain’s Corner

Dear GT Alumni, Parents, and Friends,

We are now well into the Spring Semester here at the Catholic Center. Already our year is off to a great start. We began the year by bringing 85 students to SEEK, a conference organized by FOCUS designed to set our hearts on fire for Christ. We just returned from the March for Life with about 60 students, and we will be bringing close to that number with us on our Mission Trip to Peru at Spring Break. Our RCIA class this year is huge, and participation in our weekly events is incredible.

I hope you enjoy this update on the goings on at the Catholic Center. Please pray for our students: they are the hope not just of the Church, but of our society. And as always, thank you to those of you who support us financially. We simply could not continue this important ministry without you.

I look forward to seeing many of your at our Donor Brunch on April 23.

God Bless,

March for Life
Brandon Gerberich, BME’19, PhD/MBA

Eager after an overnight bus ride from Atlanta, our 60-strong busload (largest in GTCC history!) of students poured onto the National Mall for the annual March for Life in Washington DC. I am humbled to have been among so many fellow GT students who would give public witness to their faith despite contrary popular opinion which sparked recent national tensions.

This year’s March was notably punctuated by the appearance of Mike Pence – the highest ranking US official to ever visit the March. Understandably, security was tight. We were in for a rude awakening when informed that we could not bring our Vatican and Georgia Tech flags into the rally. For the average person (or the exceptional UGA student) this would have been a problem. As for us, we did what Georgia Tech students do best and devised a “helluva” workaround. After promptly deconstructing the flagpoles in true engineering fashion, we instead passed through security by wearing the flags as capes (think superheroes).

Ahead, a stunning silence veiled the Supreme Court Building under a cold gray cloud cover at a distance from the gathering multitude – a silence ironically reflective of the history within. After the initial rally, we set out with what struck me as a surprisingly large number of other young marchers. A popular sign read, “We are the pro-life generation”. As one who is fortunate to frequent the GTCC, I know that if those GTCC students on the March represent our future leaders (which they most certainly do), then the future of this important movement is bright with hope.

SEEK 2017

Rachel Millsaps, IE ’19

This past Christmas break I was blessed with the opportunity to travel with 85 Georgia Tech students to San Antonio, TX for SEEK 2017. SEEK is a five day conference sponsored by FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students) that allows Catholic college students all across the nation to come together and grow stronger in their faith.

Each day of SEEK began with Eucharistic Adoration and Mass followed by talks on a variety of topics such as moral relativism, God’s existence, prayer, discernment, evangelization, and so much more. One of my favorite talks was from Father Mike Schmitz on the Sacrament of Reconciliation. After listening to Father Mike, my outlook on this Sacrament that I once dreaded, changed completely. Father Mike stressed to us that the reason Jesus came was to forgive our sins, and He gave Confession to His Church as a means of accepting the gift of His forgiveness on the cross. By going to Confession we say, “Lord, I will not let your victory on the cross go wasted on me.” That night there were 300 priests hearing Confessions. Myself and around 5,000 other young Catholics went to receive the love and mercy of our Lord through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It was an experience I will never forget.

SEEK was remarkable in so many ways, and I am a better Catholic now because of it. I am thankful to have the Georgia Tech Catholic Center in my life. It’s an environment that not only pushes me to grow in my own faith but also provides me a community of friends who like me, are striving to live an authentic Catholic life.

Donor Spotlight

Mrs. Peg Patrick

My husband, Deacon Chuck Patrick, and I moved to Georgia from the Diocese of Gary, Indiana in 2005 to be close to our children and grandchildren. Chuck served at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Douglasville until his death in 2012. Growing up, Chuck’s family could not afford Catholic school, so he wanted our children to have a Catholic education. Our three daughters went to Catholic grade school, high school, and graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College in Terre Haute, Indiana.

I had the opportunity to visit the Georgia Tech Catholic Center several times in the past. I was always delighted to meet students during my visits. It is interesting to me to learn how they found the Catholic Center. Some said a student invited them, some looked for the center while on a tour of the Georgia Tech campus, and others said they noticed the center in passing on the way to class or to the dorms. I see the Catholic Center as a gathering place for Mass, fellowship, spiritual enrichment and a good place for students to feel welcomed.

I like seeing a Catholic presence in a university environment. I am happy to support Father Josh Allen and the Catholic Center in its mission to serve the students of Georgia Tech.

RCIA Retreat

Jonathan Edwards, IE‘18

On January 20-22, twenty three members of the RCIA class and their sponsors held their annual retreat at the GTCC. The Knights of Columbus opened the weekend by hosting a game night for all members of the Catholic Center. Students took part in a ping-pong tournament, others argued over games of Monopoly and Uno, and several enjoyed the finer things in life while sitting around a bonfire on the front patio.

On Saturday morning, the sponsors cooked a hearty breakfast in preparation for a long day of talks and small group discussions. Students delivered presentations on the three Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation). The FOCUS missionaries cooked lunch and shared their personal testimonies with the RCIA community. Eucharistic adoration was held throughout the day. The sponsors adored in shifts and prayed for the candidates and for the success of the retreat. The climax of the weekend came on Saturday evening: a beautiful candlelit Mass (with over 300 candles!) followed by adoration with musician Patrick Williams who led the group in song and prayerful worship. For many of the candidates, this experience was their first encounter with Christ in the Eucharist. Following adoration, the candidates and sponsors shared one-on-one discussions where candidates spoke about the Lord moving in their heart.

It was evident that Christ touched many of the candidates’ hearts throughout the retreat. As one sponsor shared, “there are few things more beautiful than someone being in wonder of the beauty found in Christ in the Eucharist for the first time.” Please pray for our RCIA candidates as they continue this journey to grow closer to Christ and enter the Church.

FOCUS
Greek and Athletics Outreach
Deidre Merrill, FOCUS Missionary

The Lord is doing amazing things within the Georgia Tech Greek community and in athletics. We have bibles studies in seven out of the eight sorority houses. We hold monthly Greek Women’s Night where all the Greek women come together to grow in community as sisters in Christ. The men also have a Greek bible study for all men in fraternities. We were able to bring many students from sororities and fraternities to SEEK (FOCUS’ national conference for college students to grow in their catholic faith) including the president of a fraternity and the president of a sorority. Both had incredible experiences and were able to come back to campus and make a big impact within their chapters. The president of Phi Mu said, “Living out your faith in a college setting is no easy task. It has been through my sorority that I have found my support system for when life gets tough and my faith is put to the test. These women have encouraged me to grow in my faith from the first day I joined this chapter.”

God has opened some amazing doors here at Georgia Tech within the sports world. I’ve been able to meet many student athletes who are striving to glorify God in their sports. This semester we will have both female and male student athlete bible studies. Three members of the Yellow Jacket football team joined us at SEEK this year! I am continually in awe of God’s presence in the lives of these talented individuals. So many amazing men and women are choosing to glorify God with their lives and become a beautiful witness of Jesus’s love and mercy.

Thanksgiving Dinner 2016

Anthony Haskin, HTS’16

When I walked into the kitchen of the Catholic Center on the morning of Thanksgiving, my eyes fell upon a wonderful sight: a large number of volunteers helping to prepare the Thanksgiving dinner. There were students as well as women from St. Brigid all packed into the small kitchen space and focused on the task at hand. There were ten smoked turkeys on the counter that needed to be carved, mashed potatoes to be made, rolls to be baked, and stuffing and green bean casserole to be reheated. In a few hours there would be hundreds of hungry mouths to feed and all of this needed to be ready.

The Thanksgiving meal was ready to be served right after Mass. There were all kinds of people: international students, grad students, undergrads, alumni, and families. Everyone was welcomed with beaming smiles and warm food. The dinner itself went extremely well. The initial flood of people all got through the line quickly, and I never saw a backup or long wait for anyone wanting food. Seeing people from all faiths and walks of life come together to give thanks brought a real joy to me, and I’m sure the others there felt the same. The spirit of Thanksgiving was alive and well at the Catholic Center, first perfected at Mass in the Eucharist and then shared with everyone that partook in the dinner. It was once again a successful afternoon, and I hope it continues to be for years to come.

New Board Update
Alberto Sainz de la Peña, ID ’18

Another year, another CSO board! The Catholic Student Organization’s leadership board is off to a busy start in 2017. The board (comprised of 9 students – under the five pillars of Administration, Faith Formation, Liturgy, Community Life, and Outreach) has done some great new things in these first few months of its leadership. Fifty students occupy the roughly 65 leadership positions under these 5 pillars of the CSO.

On the Administration side of things, President Alberto Sainz de la Peña and Vice President Connor Nies have pulled from their previous CSO board experience to continue the growth and development of Georgia Tech’s Catholic community. A new public relations structure and strategy, headed by Public Relations Chair Juliana Alfonso, has yielded significant increases in event attendance and a more informed Catholic Center community. Secretary Kathy Cabezas and Treasurer Dan Theriault continue to keep the CSO board organized and on budget.

Faith Formation, headed up by Keegan McGarry, is offering a variety of weekly classes to educate and instruct students in various areas of the Faith. It has also seen a wonderful RCIA class of 23 candidates preparing to become true disciples of Christ and members of His Church. The first renew event of the semester tripled in normal event attendance, as students came together for a dinner, heard from keynote speaker Randy Raus (president of LifeTeen), and then partook in eucharistic adoration.

Liturgy Chair Terrence Connors has continued to lead the liturgy at the Catholic Center to be as beautiful and impactful as ever. The 4 different Sunday choirs (ranging in style from Latin Gregorian chant at the 9:30am Latin mass, to contemporary band at the 9:00pm mass) provide students with a dynamic choice in Mass styles. A High Mass in the extraordinary form for the Feb 2^nd feast of Candlemas was incredibly-well attended, and received high praise as being one of the most beautiful liturgies that has ever been done at the Catholic Center.

Community Life Chair Shannon Murray has upped the game, now hosting two community dinners a month (in addition to all of the other community activities and food events already offered). For the last community dinner of every month, A new program has been introduced called “Ask a Catholic Priest”, where students can ask Fr. Joshua Allen questions about the Faith while they enjoy their food and friends.

The Outreach Pillar, headed up by Erika Jensen, continues to grow in strength and diversity of programs. Campus Outreach has been new addition to the outreach pillar, where a team has been dedicated to spread Christ to GT students, via more prevalent promotional tabling, pro-life tabling, and having a presence at other faith-based events held on the Georgia Tech campus.

Get to know our leadership board members here.

Coffee Bar News

Andrés Rodriguez, CmpE ’19

One of the Catholic Center’s “not so hidden” gems being placed under the spotlight now is the new Coffee Bar. Fully equipped with a state-of-the-art espresso machine, coffee grinder, and student-baristas trained by the one and only Father Josh Allen, the coffee bar is easily one of the more popular spots here at the Catholic Center. In addition to the delicious coffee and wonderful service, the surrounding lobby provides a great place to come and crank out some homework or lab reports, or just to hang out and chat with friends. The espresso bar is usually open after most of our events here at the CC, as well as after Masses occasionally. The coffee is always free, great quality, and open to anyone; and who doesn’t get excited by free coffee? What better way could you possibly imagine to get your caffeine fix than here at the Catholic Center?

Development Update

Patty Schmitt, Development Director, IM’88

We are so grateful to all our benefactors for their generous support of the GTCC! Through December 2016, we have raised 46% of our fundraising goal of $362,233. If you haven’t already, please consider making a donation here to support our work on the Georgia Tech campus. Also, save the date for our second annual Donor Appreciation Brunch on April 23, 2017 at the Catholic Center starting with Mass at 11:30 a.m. The students and staff had such a wonderful time meeting our supporters last year. Let’s do it again! Details and RSVP coming soon.

Upcoming Events

February 17-19 – Women’s Discernment Retreat
February 24-26 – Men’s Discernment Retreat
March 1 – Ash Wednesday
March 10-12 – GTCC Spring Retreat
March 20-24 – Spring Break Mission Trip to Peru
April 23 – Donor Appreciation Brunch

Support the Catholic Center at Georgia Tech by donating through the following links!

The Good Word

The Good Word 2016 November

GTCC Alumni e-Newsletter

November 2016 Vol. MMXVI Issue 5

Helluva Chaplain’s Corner

Dear Friends,

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your families! We are just beginning the holiday season, and we are in the middle of the crazy here at the Georgia Tech Catholic Center. In this newsletter, you’ll read about our wonderful Homecoming events, the Fall Retreat we just completed at Camp Hidden Lake in Dahlonega, GA, our 3-day mission with Matt Fradd and so much more. It’s so difficult to measure how an apostolate is growing, but as I look around and see Mass numbers growing, the participation in FOCUS Bible Studies growing, and outstanding interest in our upcoming events like SEEK (one of the largest conferences for Christian College Students in the world), the March for Life 2017, and our Spring Break Mission Trip to Peru, I cannot help but affirm that God is indeed working hard at Georgia Tech, and the students are responding!

In the aftermath of the devastating hurricane which has further exacerbated the suffering of already-beleaguered Haiti, we asked our students to make contributions in a special collection to assist our brothers and sisters in need. I am pleased to announce we raised $2,083.98, which is pretty amazing for poor college students. Thanks to all who contributed!

If you have not seen our Annual Report, that means we don’t have a mailing address for you. The online copy can be found HERE. Check out all the wondrous work God is doing on 4th Street!

To Hell With georgia,

Fr. Josh

Matt Fradd at the GTCC:
Finding Beauty in a Broken World

Elizabeth Waters, ME’16

On November 8-10, the GTCC hosted Matt Fradd, renowned Catholic apologist and speaker, in a 3-day event titled “Finding Beauty in a Broken World.” The title stemmed from the fact that, as college students, we are constantly bombarded with spiritual, ideological and moral attacks in the brokenness that is our world. We often feel God distant or hard to find in the assailment of falsehoods. Matt reminded us that God is ultimately the source of life and beauty, pointing us in the direction of Truth. We began each night with dinner, then Matt’s presentation followed by group discussion, and ended with dessert to keep the conversation going. On the final night, about 150 students stayed for Adoration. We were blown away by the attendance and response to the event: Each night we averaged 200 people from our community and beyond, with at least 100 coming early for dinner and about 100 staying late every single night. It was of the most beautiful displays of a community united in prayer. The event was nothing short of remarkable, both in numbers and in the impact that we’re already feeling at the Catholic Center.

Georgia Tech Homecoming 2016

Alicia Robang, ChBE ’19

The Catholic Student Organization had a blast during this year’s Homecoming! Student representatives fought it out against other organizations in time-old Homecoming events such as Chalking, Team Buzz, Iron Buzz, Stands, Talent Show, Egg Toss and the crowd-favorite, the Mini-500. We even placed 2nd in Tech Trivia, after the Ramblin’ Reck Club! Overall, it was a weekend of healthy competition, tradition and fellowship with GTCC friends and family.

Fall Retreat at Hidden Lake

Amanda Foutch, BME ‘16

The weekend of November 4th, 30 students traveled from campus to Camp Hidden Lake near Dahlonega, GA to take a break from campus life and spend time in community with each other and time in prayer with God. We carpooled to Camp after class on Friday night where Father Josh celebrated Mass and the students, Camp missionaries, and Father Josh enjoyed a bonfire and s’mores. Saturday was dedicated to prayer and we had the opportunity to listen to 3 talks by Father Josh on the Ecumenical Councils of Poverty, Chastity, and Obedience, as well as attend Mass, spiritual direction, confession, and adoration. In addition to the talks and sacraments, we had ample time for prayer and reflection. Saturday was a day of silence for us students, barring confession and spiritual direction. We were excited and grateful to be able to spread out and enjoy the beautiful landscape while praying and reflecting on God’s love and council. Silencing ended on Sunday morning after Mass. Students were able to spend time together in small groups to discuss Saturday’s events and share stories and fruits of their prayers and reflections. We headed back to school refreshed and convicted to continue to dive into God’s grace, mercy, and love!

Halloween Party!
Alicia Robang, ChBE ’19

The GTCC had its annual Halloween Party last October 28. It was a night filled with apple bobbing, pumpkin carving, astonishing amounts of candy and dancing!

Update on the
Burning Furnace of Charity
(Status of our HVAC system)

Little did we know that when we began reciting the Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus each day before Mass to celebrate the Year of Mercy that we would be so literally blessed. The Heart of Jesus, Burning Furnace of Charity, really poured out its abundance upon us! Fortunately, we have found a temporary fix (which will last a year at max) for our HVAC in the chapel. That said, the units are 31 years old and had a useful life of 20 years. We are thrilled they lasted so long, but it is now time to replace them. To those of you who have contributed to the Burning Furnace of Charity Fund, about $10,000 has gone to our “temporary fix,” and we are in the process of getting comprehensive quotations for the complete replacement of all units in the building. If you are interested in making a contribution to the Burning Furnace Fund, please click HERE. And be careful when you pray the Litany of the Sacred Heart.

GTCC Annual Appeal

Patty Schmitt, Development Director, IM’88

Our Annual Appeal is in full swing and once again we ask for your prayerful and financial support. Your donations are crucial in helping us keep our doors open and our ministry alive. As many of you know, the Georgia Tech Catholic Center is 100% self-funded. The cost of running the GTCC for a day is approximately $1,000. Please consider making an on-line donation in this amount or any amount here. We are deeply grateful for your support! Don’t forget we are here for you too. Please contact us if you have a specific prayer intention or a need we can help you with. God bless you!

Employer Matching Gifts Programs
Double or triple the impact of your donation!
Hundreds of companies across the country encourage employees to contribute to their favorite charitable organizations by matching dollar for dollar the amount of your gift. Some will even double or triple the amount. We encourage you to inquire about this program at your place of employment. If they require a Federal Tax ID number, please use 45-3659617. Questions? Email Patty Schmitt, Development Director, at pschmitt@gtcatholic.org. Thank you for supporting the GTCC!

Upcoming Events

November 24 – Thanksgiving Dinner
November 26 – GT Football at Georgia
January 26-28 – March for Life 2017

Support the Catholic Center at Georgia Tech by donating through the following links!

The Good Word

The Good Word 2016 September

GTCC Alumni e-Newsletter

September 2016 Vol. MMXVI Issue 4

WELCOME WEEK EDITION
(August 18-28, 2016)

Freshmen Welcome Weekend

The Catholic Student Organization hosted a 3-day welcome weekend exclusively for the new students at Tech. On Thursday, August 18, a cookout was held; Friday, a midnight breakfast and movie night; and on Saturday, a scavenger hunt all around campus. These events were spearheaded by the newly organized Freshmen Events committee, a subcommittee of the CSO that is focused
on planning events for GT Class of 2020 throughout the schoolyear.

Mass and Community Building

On Sunday, the Georgia Tech Catholic Center welcomed back the student body to start the fall semester! Students, new and old, packed the chapel for our four Sunday Masses. Father Joshua Allen welcomed back his flock and imparted words of counsel and wisdom, particularly for students new to the Catholic Center and new to Georgia Tech. The leadership of the Catholic Student Organization spoke at each Mass, introducing students to the Catholic Center and announcing the roll-out of the Catholic Center’s new smartphone app. Each Mass was followed by delicious food and community-building.

Team Trivia!

Team Trivia at the Catholic Center was a hoot! Put on by the Georgia Tech council of the Knights of Columbus, 9 teams competed in a challenging and fun-filled Monday night of trivia. Topics included sports, pop culture, music, Georgia Tech, and of course, Catholicism.

Game Night

Game Night was spent playing lots of party games including Balderdash, Reverse Charades, the Human Knot, and more! Students of all years came to enjoy fellowship and friendship through games that never get old.

Outreach Night

Welcome Week at the GTCC wouldn’t be the same without a day of giving back! Outreach Night consisted of making meat and cheese sandwiches and writing letters for the homeless at St. Francis Table, as well as decorating wooden crosses to be given as gifts to the residents Our Lady of Perpetual Help Cancer Home, and making rosaries. It was a great way to serve the community while making new friends.

Renew

This praise and worship night was graced with the presence of Fr. Gaurav Shroff, Parochial Vicar at St. Andrew’s, who talked about Mother Mary! Musician Patrick Williams provided inspirational music and songs. It was a fruitful night for the Catholic soul. S’mores were also served after the event, as an opportunity for students to pause and recollect that night – infusing community building with spiritual growth.

GTCC Feud

For the first time ever, the GTCC held it’s own version of “Family Feud”! Families went head to head as they competed to match answers to nationwide surveys. GTCC Feud was hosted by comedian, Alex Tatum, making it a night full of fun and laughter!

Piedmont Park/James of Mosaics

The students of the Catholic Center set off in the morning for some fun in the sun at Piedmont Park. Later that Saturday, the warm glow of the patio’s ambient lighting set the mood for Music and Mocktails Night, featuring artist and 4^th year architecture student, James Morse. James gave a 2-hour long concert, performing a mix of popular covers and songs from his new album, The Desert.

Ministry Fair and
Grad Student Cookout

After each Mass, students were given the opportunity to sign up for various groups and programs offered by the Catholic Center. These included signups for Eucharistic adoration, the Alpha/Omega mentorship program, FOCUS bible studies, and the Georgia Tech council of the Knights of Columbus. After the 5:30 Mass, students were treated to a cookout of epic proportions, put on by the grad student group of the Catholic Center.

The End of an Era for our A/C System

The 31 year old air conditioning system in the GTCC Chapel is once again down. We may be able to resurrect it one last time, but its demise is imminent. Fr. Josh continues to celebrate Mass despite the heat. Funding for a new A/C system would be over and above our Operational budget. If you feel called to support its replacement and bring relief to the flock in the newly dubbed ‘Burning Furnace of Charity’ Chapel, we would be deeply grateful.

Donations can be made here by selecting Burning Furnace of Charity Fund. Thank you and God bless!

Upcoming Events

October 1 – Family Weekend Tailgate at the CC (GT vs. Miami)

October 29 – Homecoming Tailgate at the CC (GT vs. Duke)

Friends, when you shop at Amazon Smile, Amazon donates 0.5% of the purchase price to Catholic Center at Georgia Tech. Bookmark the link
https://smile.amazon.com/ch/45-3659617 and support us every time you shop.

The Good Word

The Good Word 2016 June

GTCC Alumni e-Newsletter

June 2016 Vol. MMXVI Issue 3

Helluva Chaplain’s Corner
Fr. Josh Allen

Dear Fellow Alumni and Friends,

Our summer is already in its final weeks. New students will be arriving in about a month, and we are well into planning our Fall semester. We have a lot of exciting things coming our way, and I am looking forward to the students being back…it gets way too quiet around here!

I hope you enjoy this issue of The Good Word. You’ll find in it some short recaps of a number of our events from the Spring Semester. We just closed our books for FY 2015-2016, and we had our best fundraising year ever—still a gap, but it’s getting more manageable. I want to thank all of you who have assisted us so generously this past year.

Our pastoral lackey, Kyle Simonis, who will be headed to seminary in a few weeks, prepared an amazing presentation for new and prospective Georgia Tech students about the Catholic Center and our activities. Click here or on the picture below to view it, and please send it to anyone you know who might be considering Georgia Tech! Also, please let any freshmen you might know and their parents that we will be hosting an Open House on Move-In Day (Thursday, August 18) from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. We will have refreshments and would love to meet new students and their families.

Football season will be starting soon. Don’t forget to check our website for Mass information on football days!

To Hell With georgia,
Fr. Josh

Alumni Spotlight:

Edward Dannemiller, Physics ’13

The Catholic Center was a home to me during my time at Tech. I have many fond memories of tailgates, community dinners, praying rosaries, and serving at Mass. After the 5:30 daily Mass there would always be groups going to eat; the first years usually bound by a meal plan to go to Brittain. No matter where we went, we would wait until everyone got their food and then we said grace together. It was a small thing, but it made a big impact on me. From this gesture I began to learn that while my faith is deeply personal, it is not meant to be private. I learned that faith is not reserved for an hour on Sunday, but is meant to bear upon every moment. I learned what is was like to be in community of faith, to be surrounded by men and women who were seeking to live what they believed.

Since graduating from Tech, I joined the priestly formation program for the Archdiocese of Atlanta. Though I still have five years before, God willing, I am ordained; these past two years have been incredible. I have worked in parishes in Conyers and Dawsonville, I have gone on a mission trip to Peru, I have prayed with the homeless on the streets of Chicago, and I managed to pick up a Master’s in Philosophy and Religion from Mundelein Seminary.

While I have grown a lot since Tech, so much of what I am doing now is just building on what I had started doing at the Catholic Center. Being a part of the Catholic Student Organization’s board helped me when I was working in parishes. Going service trips with the CC prepared me for Peru and Chicago. Late night conversations with Techies about faith and life helped me when I was studying philosophy.

Currently I am preparing to attend the Pontifical North American College in Rome to continue my formation for the priesthood. I will take with me my many fond memories of the Catholic Center, and I will pray that God would complete the good work He has already begun.

Road Trip to Notre Dame Seminary

Jared Kleinwaechter, ChBE ’17

I had been discerning the priesthood for about a year when Father Josh took five of us Tech students on a trip to Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans. I had never visited a seminary before, and I really didn’t know what to expect. I was a little surprised by how small it was, thinking it would be more like a small college campus than a boarding school in size. After our tour, one guy said that the seminary was basically a Catholic and holy version of a fraternity house. And I think that’s a good description because all the seminarians were very friendly and welcoming to us, but we could definitely tell they were serious in growing closer to our Lord. We also had the chance of attending a beautifully done Mass at the seminary on Divine Mercy Sunday. Getting to see the seminary and talking with some current seminarians actually made the discernment process less scary. Even though it became more real for me with the exposure to what seminary is all about, it was a very inviting and warm atmosphere. It felt very much like the kind of place that allows men to truly discern the will of God in their lives. The visit to Notre Dame was a wonderful and beneficial experience and gave me a physical exposure to what seminary is all about that I could not have gotten from just reading about it.

GTCC hosts first
Donor Appreciation Brunch
Patty Schmitt, IM’88

The GTCC held its first Donor Appreciation Brunch on April 24th. Close to 100 guests attended the event on a gorgeous spring day. The day began with Mass celebrated by our Chaplain, Fr. Josh Allen, in our Sanctuary followed by a delicious Brunch prepared by Fr. Josh, the staff, and students. All members of the Catholic Center had a wonderful time meeting and thanking our benefactors and their families as they toured the Catholic Center and enjoyed brunch outdoors. There was a short presentation where Fr. Josh welcomed our guests and introduced the staff and Catholic Student Organization Board. Guests also listened to a beautiful testimonial by one of our recent graduates, Steven Shlapak, who talked about how the Catholic Center has made a difference in his life while at Georgia Tech. He also expressed heartfelt thanks to our donors, letting them know that our students lift them in prayer daily in appreciation for their support and commitment to this important ministry.

Students Place Second in the
2016 Inventure Prize
Ana Gomez, BMED ’17

The Inventure Prize competition is an interdisciplinary innovation competition nicknamed ‘American Idol for Nerds.’ Two members of the Catholic Center participated on a team that advanced to the final round, shown live by Georgia Public Broadcasting, and placed second! Below is Ana’s story.

It started as a spinoff from an undergraduate research project. I do research at the Emory Center for Rehabilitation medicine and found out that balance is a key biomarker for neurological health, but the average clinician doesn’t have very sophisticated tools to assess balance. There was no diagnostic device that bridged the gap between research-grade equipment and simple, easy to use clinical assessments. I brought this idea to Garrett Wallace, a fellow BME that I met through a mutual friend at the Catholic Center. With the help of a few more friends, an idea for a portable balance testing device took shape. The Wobble is a portable perturbation platform that uses motion actuation and sensors to assess balance. Force sensors track the subject’s center of pressure, and this information can be used to evaluate how effectively the brain and muscles respond to perturbations.

We placed second in the Georgia Tech Inventure Prize and won $10,000, a free patent filing, and a spot in Flashpoint, a GT business creation and innovation program. This fall we will be working on a pilot study with two local high school football teams to try to identify balance problems caused by concussions. I am so grateful for this experience and I am especially grateful for the support of my friends from the Catholic Center because it was a pretty hectic semester. My friends kept me accountable for coming to daily Mass and adoration even when school and InVenture threatened to swallow up all my time. I like to joke that we are great student entrepreneurs, except for the “student” part.

Congratulations, Fr. Josh!

On June 18th our Chaplain, Fr. Josh Allen, celebrated his 5th year as a Priest. We are so blessed to have him as our shepherd at the Catholic Center. May God continue to bless him and his work on the Georgia Tech campus!

Spring Graduation Party
at the GTCC

Teresa Prieto, AE ’16

On Saturday April 24^th the GTCC community rallied to celebrate its newest graduates. This tradition seeks to acknowledge the hard work that the GTCC students have put into their studies in order to “get out” as well as the time, love and effort that they have poured into our community in the last four, five or six years. Fr. Josh offered the weekend masses for all graduates. The community life team prepared a feast of lasagna for after the 5 pm mass. However, the most distinctive feature of this community dinner were the decorations. Volunteers spent many hours embellishing the GTCC basement, stalking the soon-to-be graduates on Facebook to obtain candid shots to recognize them in a wall display, as well as fabricating personalized envelopes for the students to write notes to the graduates. The graduation party is always a great opportunity for a good dinner and cake; but more importantly, it is a chance to recognize our seniors and graduate students’ accomplishments. In addition, it allows the underclassmen to be encouraged by the newest alumni, and remind them that their time at Georgia Tech while difficult and exhausting, it is also blessed and fleeting. Alumni encouraged students to take advantage of all the opportunities given as well as urged them to give back to their beloved community at the Catholic Center. Finally, the graduation party is the study break that all students need to face finals weeks with confidence; knowing that yes, it is possible to get out.

From the Development Office

Patty Schmitt, IM’88

We’re excited to report that as of the end of May we’re at 93% of our goal of $360,516! Our fiscal year ends in June and we hope to be able to close that gap. Through May, 457 individuals and families made contributions to our ministry. We are deeply grateful and humbled by our donors’ generosity and commitment to our ministry. You all are cherished members of our GTCC family and we pray for you and your intentions daily in our Mass and Rosary. Your gifts are invaluable as we work to build our Catholic faith in the hearts of the students of Georgia Tech. Once again, thank you for supporting our mission!

Help us spread this invitation

to new GT parents and students!

The Catholic Center would like to extend an invitation to all incoming freshmen and their parents to join us at our Open House on Move In Day (Thursday, August 18) from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Drop in to meet our Chaplain, Fr. Josh Allen, tour our facility, get acquainted with our ministry and members, and enjoy some food and refreshments. We would like to also invite everyone to our Fall Welcome Mass on Sunday, August 21^st at 11:30 a.m. at the Catholic Center followed by coffee and Donuts to welcome new parents and students to Georgia Tech.

For more information please visit www.gtcatholic.org or email Chris Martineck at cmartineck@gtcatholic.org. We hope to see you at the Catholic Center!

Coming Soon…

Alumni Announcements!

Have you recently been married and/or had a child? We would love to know how our alumni family is growing! Please email us with the names of you and your spouse (with graduation year and major if Tech alumni), and any pertinent info (Marriage date, baby(ies) name(s), etc.), and we’ll compile a list to add to our August issue! Send your announcement to Chris at cmartineck@gtcatholic.org. Thank you!

Upcoming Events at the GTCC

Open House – August 18, Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Fall Welcome Mass – August 21, Sunday at 11:30 am

The Good Word

The Good Word 2016 March-April

GTCC Alumni e-Newsletter

March/April 2016 Vol. MMXVI Issue 2

Helluva Chaplain’s Corner:
Fr. Joshua Allen

Dear Friends,

A happy Easter Season to you all! We only have a couple of weeks left at Georgia Tech before the Spring Term ends and a whole new crop of students “get out” and begin their careers as young professionals. It has been a busy semester! From the 24 Hours of Mercy to the visit of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist and the Fathers of Mercy, retreats, our mission trip to Peru, a wonderful Easter celebration in which we welcomed 14 students into their full sacramental relationship with the Church—this is really been an exciting (and a fast) semester. Summer is nearly upon us. Prospective freshmen are visiting us each day, and we are well into planning for Welcome Week in the Fall. I’m personally looking forward to some time off in the summer, and then another exciting year of forming disciples of Christ beginning in the Fall.

We couldn’t do it without you! So many of you support our mission spiritually and financially, and we are deeply grateful for your sacrifices made so that we can participate in the renewal of the Church that is happening on college campuses across the country. At the end of an amazing school year, I want to remind you of my daily prayers and appreciation. We are hosting a Donor Appreciation Brunch on April 24th after the 11:30 Mass. I am personally preparing a number of the dishes! Children are welcome, so please consider coming: I really believe our GT Catholic community is a family…and families have to get together every once in a while. To RSVP now, just click here and register the number of guests.

As always, please be assured of the prayers of our community, and let me know if we can be of any assistance!

To Hell With Georgia,
Fr. Josh

Peru Mission Trip and
Easter Highlights

Davis Aasen, ME’16

This past spring break, I traveled to Peru with over thirty other students in order to work alongside and serve the people of Pamplona Alta. The first day and a half we spent time in the city proper of Lima. The culture was vibrant, the people were happy (for the most part), and the churches were beautiful. This made the transition from tourist to missionary all the more stark. As we entered Pamplona Baja, there was a sudden decrease in the building quality. As we entered further into the hills, the quality of construction continued to decrease, and the poverty became more and more evident the closer we got to our destination.

The first three days in Pamplona Alta were spent building stairs. While this may sound strange at first, this simple piece of infrastructure is critical in the upper regions of the hills. The slopes are made of loose dust and head sized rocks, combining into a treacherous perch for the many houses. Without stairs, the locals have to carry all of their goods, including large drums of water, up these paths, which many of us needed to use our hands to navigate, to their homes each day. In spite of the grim living conditions, many of the locals were happy to work alongside us. We all worked to a student’s cycling playlist, passing stones, water, cement and food up long chains of volunteers to the work site. Those of us who could speak Spanish learned about the lives of the locals and even in one instance, helped out with homework!

Once Holy Thursday rolled around we were done with the manual labor, but the best, and most important, work was about to come. There was a mad scramble on Wednesday night to prepare for the liturgy and catechesis. People were rehearsing the living stations of the cross while simultaneously worrying about entering people’s homes to proclaim the gospel. Despite the chaos, or perhaps because of it, the three days of the triduum were incredible. The homilies, delivered in Spanish, were deeply moving. The students, despite being challenged with tough questions on suffering, showed the love of Christ and taught about his kingdom in a beautiful way. The rosary was taught en masse to the locals and the stations of the cross were acted out on the very slopes they lived on, leaving a large cross planted in their village.

Entering Pamplona, we had been told that we could not free these people from their poverty. It was too severe, to institutionalized for us to break it. We worked hard nonetheless, building fraternal bonds, showing the love of Christ, proclaiming the Good News that Christ died for each of them individually, and planting the cross more deeply in their hearts. So while we could not lift them from poverty, we did our best to help free them from misery.

Easter Sunday at the GTCC

Alex Sullivan, BA’14

Easter Sunday at the Georgia Tech Catholic Center is always a wonderful experience. The Mass is already special because it is Easter; the faithful have been fasting and doing penance for more than a month, waiting to celebrate the quintessential mysteries of the Catholic faith. For many people, though, there is another reason to celebrate: friends and family are coming into full communion with the Church. These men and women, who have been preparing for months if not years, are finally being welcomed into the Church and the fullness of her sacramental life. It is a joyous occasion, no doubt.

As usual though, Georgia Tech threw a wrench in things, as Spring Break was scheduled during the same week as Holy Week; Father Josh was committed to being in Peru when the initiation usually occurred, at the Easter Vigil Mass the night before Easter Sunday. So it was not at the Saturday Vigil, but on Sunday evening when the patient candidates and catechumens were finally welcomed into the Church. Thanks to some generous donors, the chapel was gorgeously decorated with flowers, and was the perfect setting for the celestial celebration. Feasting followed, and we welcome our new brothers and sisters into full communion with Mother Church. Glory to Jesus Christ both now and forever!

Easter as a New Catholic
Alex Hanson, BA’13

Since my introduction to the Catholic faith a little over 2 years ago, my conversion has been a long process. I did a lot of searching and discovering that made me think more about who I am as a Christian and how I wanted to be a faithful follower of Jesus as He called and intended for His disciples. My confirmation sponsor Alex and his family have been a huge blessing in my life, and each of them has really helped guide me on this spiritual journey through their love and encouragement. More importantly, though, the decision to join the Church was something that I prayed about and discerned earnestly for almost a year. There have certainly been many questions along the way but I feel like I am following my heart to where God is leading it now.

As the nerves and anticipation built for weeks, Easter Sunday at Georgia Tech finally arrived and it was simply amazing. I was fortunate to have the support of my family, Alex’s family, and some close friends who were all in attendance. It marked the culmination of one journey in my life and the beginning of another. Ever since I began to learn about the Catholic faith, I quickly realized I was missing something so important: the true presence of Christ in the form of the Eucharist! Jesus is the bread of life; He gave His body and His whole self to me, and Easter Sunday was the day I was finally able to experience what I had been missing for so long.

24 Hours of Mercy Retreat

In response to Pope Francis’ call for a worldwide day of mercy, the Georgia Tech Catholic Center held a 24 hour retreat from March 3rd to March 4th. It consisted of day-long adorations and confessions, student reflections, rosary and divine mercy chaplet prayers, benedictions, a votive mass of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, stations of the cross, and a votive mass of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, in the extraordinary form High Mass.

Men’s Discernment
Retreat

Grant Aasen, IE’17

On the evening of February 26th, 18-20 Georgia Tech Catholic Center men left campus to head to Camp Covecrest in the Georgia mountains to attend a weekend discernment retreat. This group contained men from many different walks of life: student athletes, fraternity brothers, grad students, and many more. The Archdiocese of Atlanta’s Vocations Director Father Tim Hepburn, along with Father Josh, led this retreat. Throughout the weekend, these men strenghtened fraternal bonds by taking part in activities such as playing two-hand touch football, hiking, and just unwinding and enjoying the beautiful scenery and fellowship of each other. Along with these activities, Father Tim gave a series of talks consisting of the basics for discerning one’s vocation, a vocation given to each individual by God. Plenty of prayer time, adoration, and Mass were included in this weekend retreat. For some, discernment was not a new topic; for others, they had heard the word a few times but had never really thought about it seriously. Having a mixed group all interact together and walk the same journey helped everyone grow in their spiritual lives, and get a better understanding of where God is calling them to sacrifice and serve.

From Tech to FOCUS
Aislinn Gayle Domantay, INTA’15

FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students) at Georgia Tech has been such a great blessing not just to me but to all the students that it has reached. The FOCUS missionaries and the community at the GTCC have been with me through my journey to holiness in college, they were with me as I was trying to have a better understanding of the faith and they were with me as I began to fall in deeper love with Christ and the Church. As I started my last semester at GT and began considering post-graduation plans and started looking up job opportunities, I knew that all I wanted in a job is to continue to be able to serve the Church. Becoming a FOCUS missionary fit the bill. After having gone through the application, interview process, lots of prayer and discernment, and eventually receiving a position with FOCUS; it felt right to accept. As a FOCUS missionary, I hope to be able to walk together with other people as we grow in deeper love of Christ. FOCUS will help me learn and understand better how to love and encounter other people. Further, by being in union with the mission of the Church, to “make disciples of the world”, I hope to be able to listen better to the voice of God in the silence of my heart and to understand His will for me in my pilgrimage through this world.

Alumnus Spotlight:

Dr. Annie Antón

The GTCC is proud to have Dr. Annie Antón as a member of our Advisory Board. Dr. Antón has been a part of the Catholic Center since her years as an undergraduate at Georgia Tech. We are grateful for her service and loyal support of our ministry for so many years. Dr. Antón has recently been appointed to President Obama’s Commission on Enhancing National Cybersecurity. We are delighted that a member of the GTCC community is being recognized at a national level. Our prayers are with Dr. Antón and the members of this commision as they embark on this very important task. Read all about it her e.

Student Spotlight:

John Joseph Watson, ME’19

My name is John Joseph Watson, and I am a freshman at Georgia Tech and an active member of the Georgia Tech Catholic Center. Coming into college, one of my main priorities was keeping up with my faith, and I had heard that Georgia Tech had a great Catholic Center. I went and checked it out the first weekend I was on campus and was instantly impressed not only by the amazing facility but mainly by the devotion of its members to the faith. I started going to more events with the GTCC as the year progressed such as football games, movie nights, bible studies and talks. It has provided me with a community and fellowship like no other that I have found on campus.

In a time when many people drop their faith by the wayside in college, it is great to have a place like the GTCC which enkindles my faith and connects me to an amazing community of Catholic students. I love it and plan to stay involved throughout my time at Georgia Tech and perhaps beyond.

From the Development Office
Patty Schmitt, IM’88

Thanks to you we have raised 84% of our fundraising goal of $360,516. We are so grateful! Your gifts are making a big difference in the lives of our students. The Catholic Center truly is their home away from home. We’d like to say THANK YOU by inviting you and your family to our Donor Appreciation Brunch on April 24th^.Join us at Mass at 11:30 and brunch immediately following. Free parking is available on Peters Parking Deck across the street from the CC. Please RSVP by registering HERE so we can plan for food and refreshments. It’s not too late! Questions? Email me at pschmitt@gtcatholic.org I hope to see you there!

Upcoming Events:

April 24 – Donor Brunch
August 17 – Freshman Open House (Move In Day)
September 30 – Family Weekend Reception

Do you know a Prospective Student? Click and Share to Learn More About the Catholic Center!

The Good Word

The Good Word 2016 Jan-Feb

Jan/Feb 2016 Vol. MMXVI Issue 1

Helluva Chaplain’s Corner:
Fr. Joshua Allen

I pray that you are having a wonderful and fruitful Lent! This is the first edition of what we intend to become a bi-monthly newsletter for our alumni, parents, and friends. We hope to give you some small glances at the many wonderful things happening around the Catholic Center…more than we could ever possibly describe in our Annual Report. Just this morning I drove Sr. Mary Elizabeth FSE and Sr. Marie Benedict FSE to the airport after completing our excellent mission, which you can hear on the Helluva Catholic Podcast. They wrote me a note amazed at how kind, loving, and intentional our students are. I was so happy they shared their amazement, because I have the same experience every day: these students are outstanding. When I hear about all the nonsense in the world and fear about the future, I am so encouraged by the faith and apostolic determination of our Catholic Center students. I hope you find this first edition of the newsletter inspiring. Please count on our prayers, and let me know if I can do anything for you.

To Hell with Georgia,

Fr. Josh

March for Life

-Shannon Murray, CHEM ’17

This January the Catholic Center sent a contingent of students to DC to join the March for Life on the anniversary of the Roe vs. Wade decision. The annual pilgrimage started with a bus ride to the National Basilica for Mass before heading to the March. The contingent joined the crowd of fellow protesters for the peaceful rally for the end to abortion. As the March began, so did the blizzard. Spirits remained high though because babies and snow are two things Catholic southerners love by nature.

The plan to leave on Saturday night was derailed when snow closed the city. The students remained active and adventurous with many escapades in the snow and Mass in the hotel basement with many games of cards interspersed between. The trip ended after arriving home to the Catholic Center early Tuesday morning, just in time for class. It wasn’t exactly what we planned, and we were all exhausted, but it was worth it to show our support for the Pro-Life cause.

Eucharistic Mission:
Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist

Starting February 14, Sisters Mary Elizabeth Endee and Marie Benedict Elliott led a three day mission on the Eucharist at the Catholic Center. As Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist, their knowledge, wisdom, and reflections were well received by all those attending.

Quoting from Pope Francis, past popes, famous saints, and Church Doctors, the Sisters spent time weaving a beautiful story of the Eucharist in adoration, in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and in the Mass. Each day’s talk either ended in quiet reflection or adoration, so that the students could grow in this new understanding through prayer.

Outside the talks, many of the students were excited to hang out and speak with the Sisters. Students accompanied them to lunch, gave a tour around campus, and enjoyed providing simple hospitality in the newly renovated GTCC main room. On Tuesday morning, the GTCC hosted an “Ask a Catholic Nun” event on Skiles Walkway during the 11am-12pm lunch hour, and the Sisters were able to meet with students from all walks of life and religions, answering any questions and providing a glimpse into the life of a religious sister.

Click here to listen to recordings of the three talks.

For more information on the Sisters of the Eucharist, please click here to visit their website.

GTCC Renovations

Over winter break, the Catholic Center underwent major renovations on the main level:

Major wall removed
New floor installed
New presentation space created
And more!

Click here for pictures of the new look. Thank you to all the generous donors who helped fund these renovations.

Students Celebrate Life Through Volunteer Work

-Alicia Robang, CHBE ’19

Last February 6, volunteers from the Catholic Center conducted the first in a series of monthly outreach efforts to the Pregnancy Aid Clinic in Hapeville, Georgia. There, they sorted mailings and baby clothes, labeled baby bottles and learned more about the origin and functions of the clinic.

The Pregnancy Aid Clinic “aims to promote the sanctity of human life as recognized in the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.” Through parenting classes, fertility awareness programs, private consultations, free pregnancy tests and ultrasounds, the clinic promotes the sanctity of the person, God’s plan for human sexuality, and the sanctity of life.

With help from the Sovereign Order of Malta Federal Association and other supportive donors, the Pregnancy Aid Clinic has been able to maintain their facility, gather used clothing and baby supplies, and has even obtained a mobile RV clinic.

To learn more about the Pregnancy Aid Clinic, visit http://www.pregnancyaidclinic.com/

Alumnus Spotlight:

Jack Scalley, IM ’51

When I started at Tech, in 1947, it was a different world. There were many veterans in our Freshman Class. They were returning from the war. Their ages and their experiences made it a more enriching experience for all of us. The Catholic congregation was quite small. We met, once a month, at the YMCA building on North Ave. We attended Sacred Heart Church. There was no official connection with Tech and Sacred Heart.

I had just turned 17. Atlanta is a long way from home (via Greyhound bus): Bronx, NYC, New York. I did go home for Christmas, but other breaks were long and lonely. At best, there may have been only 3 or 4 other inmates left in the dorms. Going to Tech was one of the best decisions I have ever made; however, it was a difficult adjustment. I needed all the support I could find.

Fast Forward – it’s 60 years later.

I knew of the Catholic Center, but had never visited. My wife and I decided to attend Mass at the Center, 4 or 5 years ago. We were blown away by the facility (old but nice). More importantly, we were overwhelmed by the wonderful Tech students we met. We feel that the GTCC is a very important anchor to a Catholic student’ s faith. Tech is tough and the environment is rough. We have and will continue to support the Catholic Center. Our desire is to make certain the the Catholic Center is always available for future Tech folks.

Meet the New
Catholic Student Organization Board

CSO President – Elizabeth Waters

I’m originally from Louisiana, but after living in Texas for almost 10 years, I consider myself a Texan. Knowing that I wanted to study mechanical engineering, Tech became my dream school…and I found myself at the Catholic Center, a place that feeds and nurtures me spiritually, unlike any other environment in which I’ve been.

As President, I hope to be part of that nurturing process by facilitating students’ growth through encounters with God through any and all Catholic Center events. It is my prayer that by serving this community, I both deepen my faith and provide opportunities for you to deepen yours through involvement with this great Catholic Center.

St. Teresa de Los Andes, patron saint of young people, pray for us!

St. John Paul II, pray for us!

Click here to learn more about the rest of the CSO Board members!

Development Update
-Patty Schmitt, IM ’88

I would like to sincerely thank all our wonderful benefactors for supporting the Georgia Tech Catholic Center. To date we have raised 67% of our fundraising goal of $360,516 through contributions from 368 individuals and families to our Annual Appeal, Sunday collection and In-Kind gifts. THANK YOU!

We still have a significant gap to close to meet our operational needs. Please prayerfully consider helping the Catholic Center so that we may continue to do God’s work on campus reaching out to all students and bringing them closer to Christ. There are many ways to donate. Donate now via our secure on-line system. You can also mail a check, send a matching gift, or make a gift of stock.

Please contact Patty Schmitt at pschmitt@gtcatholic.org for questions or assistance.

DONATE NOW

Upcoming Events:

Shroud Encounter: March 9
Peru Mission Trip: March 18 – 27
Donor Brunch: April 24

Click on the calendar for this month’s events!

Helluva Chaplain’s Corner

Student Leaders Gather at Summit

New Stations of the Cross Adorn CC Chapel

Development Update

WELCOME WEEK EDITION (August 17-27, 2017)

Renew

Family Feud

~ Patrick Williams ~

Helluva Chaplain’s Corner

Church Welcomes 20 at Easter Vigil

GTCC Hosts Second Annual Donor Appreciation Brunch

Alumni Spotlight

GTCC Highlights of 2016-17

Development Update

Helluva Chaplain’s Corner

Sisters of Life Speak at the CC

Knights Host Valentine’s Day Dinner

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Cancer Home

Alumni Spotlight

Development Update

Helluva Chaplain’s Corner

SEEK 2017

Donor Spotlight

RCIA Retreat

Thanksgiving Dinner 2016

Coffee Bar News

Development Update

Helluva Chaplain’s Corner

Matt Fradd at the GTCC: Finding Beauty in a Broken World

Georgia Tech Homecoming 2016

Fall Retreat at Hidden Lake

GTCC Annual Appeal

WELCOME WEEK EDITION (August 18-28, 2016)

Freshmen Welcome Weekend

Mass and Community Building

Team Trivia!

Renew

GTCC Feud

Helluva Chaplain’s Corner Fr. Josh Allen

Alumni Spotlight:

Road Trip to Notre Dame Seminary

GTCC hosts first Donor Appreciation Brunch Patty Schmitt, IM’88

Congratulations, Fr. Josh!

On June 18th our Chaplain, Fr. Josh Allen, celebrated his 5th year as a Priest. We are so blessed to have him as our shepherd at the Catholic Center. May God continue to bless him and his work on the Georgia Tech campus!

Spring Graduation Party at the GTCC

From the Development Office

Patty Schmitt, IM’88

Helluva Chaplain’s Corner: Fr. Joshua Allen

Peru Mission Trip and Easter Highlights

Easter Sunday at the GTCC

24 Hours of Mercy Retreat

Men’s Discernment Retreat

From the Development Office Patty Schmitt, IM’88

Helluva Chaplain’s Corner: Fr. Joshua Allen

March for Life

Eucharistic Mission: Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist

GTCC Renovations

Students Celebrate Life Through Volunteer Work

We are physically located at:

On Campus Post Office Address:

Quick Links:

WELCOME WEEK EDITION
(August 17-27, 2017)

GTCC Hosts Second Annual
Donor Appreciation Brunch

Matt Fradd at the GTCC:
Finding Beauty in a Broken World

WELCOME WEEK EDITION
(August 18-28, 2016)

Helluva Chaplain’s Corner
Fr. Josh Allen

GTCC hosts first
Donor Appreciation Brunch
Patty Schmitt, IM’88

Spring Graduation Party
at the GTCC

Helluva Chaplain’s Corner:
Fr. Joshua Allen

Peru Mission Trip and
Easter Highlights

Men’s Discernment
Retreat

From the Development Office
Patty Schmitt, IM’88

Helluva Chaplain’s Corner:
Fr. Joshua Allen

Eucharistic Mission:
Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist