Noted faculty featured in new Canon Law program at Saint Mary's

An innovative two-year Graduate Certificate in Canon Law program is now accepting applications for a summer, 2008 debut at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota.

The program, featuring noted experts as faculty, will be offered to a national student body by the Institute in Pastoral Ministries. Students will engage in a blended-learning format, with both an online delivery as well as a two-week summer residency.

The two-year program will run in conjunction with the Institute's master degree programs in Pastoral Ministry and Pastoral Administration. The first summer residency is June 16 - 28, 2008, with a second residency planned for summer, 2009.

The Graduate Certificate in Canon Law is aimed at Roman Catholic Church administrators at all levels, school and health-care administrators, and civil attorneys. The course of study is designed for those who do not seek a pontifical degree in canon law, but require canonical knowledge for administrative or pastoral duties.

The outstanding faculty include: Sr. Dominica Brennan, OP, JCL, chancellor for canonical affairs, Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis; Rev. Paul Golden, CM, JCD, Vincentian Canonical Services, Denver; Lawrence Price, JD, JCL, director of the tribunal, Diocese of Winona, Minn.; Rev. Daniel Smilanic, adjutant judicial vicar, Archdiocese of Chicago; and Prof. Greg Sobolewski, PhD, director of the Institute in Pastoral Ministries, Winona, Minn.

For more information on the Graduate Certificate in Canon Law, contact Prof. Sobolewski at 800-635-5987, Ext. 1767 or email gsobolew@smumn.edu. Or go online to www.smumn.edu/canonlaw.

FACULTY BIOGRAPHIES:

Sister M. Dominica Brennan, OP, MA, JCL has served as chancellor for Canonical Affairs and director of the Office of Conciliation for the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis for the past 12 years. Sister Dominica is a member of the Canon Law Society of America and served as a consultor on its Board of Governors from 1996–1998, and as treasurer from 2005–2007.


Rev. Paul L. Golden, CM, JCD is a Vincentian priest who has taught canon law and published monographs and canonical advisory opinions since 1968. He is a past-president of the Canon Law Society of America, which honored him in 2005 with its annual Role of Law Award.








Prof. Lawrence Price, JCL, JD is licensed to practice law in state and federal court, and was a Judge Advocate with the U.S. Air Force for six years. At the Catholic University of Leuven, he received a Licentiate in Canon Law. Since 1998 he has been an ecclesiastical judge for the Diocese of Winona and is director of the Tribunal. He edited The Tribunal Handbook: Procedures for Formal Matrimonial Cases (Canon Law Society of America, 2005).



Rev. Daniel Smilanic, JCD is a priest for the Archdiocese of Chicago, where he has worked in the Tribunal of the Archdiocese of Chicago and is presently the adjutant judicial vicar. In 2003 he was appointed the Cardinal’s delegate to the Review Board and the Promoter of Justice in penal cases. In October 2007 he was elected vice-president/president-elect of the Canon Law Society of America.




Prof. Gregory Sobolewski, PhD is a professor of theology at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota, where he has directed the Institute in Pastoral Ministries since 1996. He was an invited participant in the U.S. bishops' national consultations on Co-Workers in the Vineyard of the Lord (2005), as well as a contributing writer for USCCB’s "Proposed Foundational Document on Lay Ecclesial Ministry."

Saint Mary’s concert features jazz, percussion ensembles

Saint Mary’s will host an evening of rhythmic jazz and the unique ethnic sounds of Batucada Nossa Senhora, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, at Page Theatre.

The 18-piece Saint Mary's Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combo I, under the direction of Dr. John Paulson, will burn away any thoughts of snow when they perform with Wisconsin vocalist and swing singer Judi K.

Judi K began her career singing at weddings and in church; it was not until she met the great mandolinist, Jethro Burns, that her career truly began.

Her two recordings, “It’s Been A Long, Long Time” and “I’m Nobody's Baby,” feature the talents of Jim Beebe, Jethro Burns, Truck Parham, Connie Jones and tenor-saxophonist Franz Jackson.

Judi K has also performed with many musicians from around the United States. She performs at jazz festivals, outdoor concerts and private affairs. She recently returned from New Mexico, where she sang with the great Houston Person and several other musicians from across the country.

The big band's set with Judi K will include an arrangement of Irving Mill's ever-popular “Moonglow” and Johnny Mercer's “I Remember You.” Judi will also jam with Jazz Combo I on Ellington's famous tune “Don't Get Around Much Anymore.” Dave Wolpe arranged all of the pieces mentioned above. Other soloists with the big band include alto saxophonist Vanessa Grams performing a Mike Tomaro arrangement of Thelonius Monk's haunting melody “'Round Midnight.” Tenor saxophonist Tony Freeman will solo on several selections with the jazz combo as well as the big band including “Cold Duck” time by Eddie Harris arranged by Mark Taylor and Horace Silver's up tempo tune “Sister Sadie,” arranged by Bryan Kidd.

The SMU Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combo I will tour the Twin Cities in January, and then attend the International Association of Jazz Educators' Convention in Toronto, Ont., Jan. 9-13, 2008.

Also during the evening, the SMU Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Combo, and the voice of Judi K will all join forces with Batucada Nossa Senhora (percussion ensemble of our lady). Batucada Nossa Senhora, under the direction of Denny McGuire, will warm your hearts with two forms of Maracatu from Bahia in Northeastern Brazil, a West African drum medley from the Ewe people of Ghana, and a set of Sambas from Brazil.

Tickets are $6 for adults and $4 for students and seniors. Tickets are available by calling the SMU Box Office, (507) 457-1715, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, or online at www.pagetheatre.org.
Saint Mary’s concerts
feature jazz, percussion ensembles

Saint Mary’s will host an evening of rhythmic jazz and the unique ethnic sounds of Batucada Nossa Senhora, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, at Page Theatre.

The 18-piece Saint Mary's Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combo I, under the direction of Dr. John Paulson, will burn away any thoughts of snow when they perform with Wisconsin vocalist and swing singer Judi K.

Judi K began her career singing at weddings and in church; it was not until she met the great mandolinist, Jethro Burns, that her career truly began.

Her two recordings, “It’s Been A Long, Long Time” and “I’m Nobody's Baby,” feature the talents of Jim Beebe, Jethro Burns, Truck Parham, Connie Jones and tenor-saxophonist Franz Jackson.

Judi K has also performed with many musicians from around the United States. She performs at jazz festivals, outdoor concerts and private affairs. She recently returned from New Mexico, where she sang with the great Houston Person and several other musicians from across the country.

The big band's set with Judi K will include an arrangement of Irving Mill's ever-popular “Mooglow” and Johnny Mercer's “I Remember You.” Judi will also jam with Jazz Combo I on Ellington's famous tune “Don't Get Around Much Anymore.” Dave Wolpe arranged all of the pieces mentioned above. Other soloists with the big band include alto saxophonist Vanessa Grams performing a Mike Tomaro arrangement of Thelonius Monk's haunting melody “'Round Midnight.” Tenor saxophonist Tony Freeman will solo on several selections with the jazz combo as well as the big band including “Cold Duck” time by Eddie Harris arranged by Mark Taylor and Horace Silver's up tempo tune “Sister Sadie,” arranged by Bryan Kidd.

The SMU Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combo I will tour the Twin Cities in January, and then attend the International Association of Jazz Educators' Convention in Toronto, Ont., Jan. 9-13, 2008.

Also during the evening, the SMU Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Combo, and the voice of Judi K will all join forces with Batucada Nossa Senhora (percussion ensemble of our lady). Batucada Nossa Senhora, under the direction of Denny McGuire, will warm your hearts with two forms of Maracatu from Bahia in Northeastern Brazil, a West African drum medley from the Ewe people of Ghana, and a set of Sambas from Brazil.

Tickets are $6 for adults and $4 for students and seniors. Tickets are available by calling the SMU Box Office, (507) 457-1715, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, or online at www.pagetheatre.org.

Saint Mary’s University earns All-Steinway distinction

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University has received the distinction of being named an All-Steinway School. The honor demonstrates Saint Mary’s commitment to excellence by providing students and faculty with the best possible instruments for both study and performance.

In order to be eligible for the All-Steinway School distinction, Saint Mary’s made the commitment to offer to its students only instruments designed and built by Steinway & Sons.

“The name Steinway brings a level of integrity and validity that is instant,” said Ned Kirk, chairman of the SMU Department of Music. “It means that Saint Mary’s is truly dedicated to providing the best for our students.”

Steinway is a name traditionally associated with excellence in piano craftsmanship. Steinway pianos are known for their longevity, and most Steinway instruments appreciate in value over time. Each piano is handcrafted, which can take up to one full year per instrument.

The inspiration to become a Steinway school came from long-time friends of the university, Bob Kierlin and Mary Burrichter. The Winona couple donated a newly restored 1931 Steinway piano to the Minnesota Beethoven Festival. The concert piano, worth more than $100,000, was carefully restored 18 months ago. Saint Mary’s University has the additional honor of using the piano throughout the school year as its concert instrument.

Only 60 colleges and universities in the United States have been designated All-Steinway Schools, including six in Minnesota: Gustavus Adolphus; University of Minnesota, Morris; University of Minnesota, Twin Cities; Bemidji State University; and Concordia University, St. Paul.

For more information about the Saint Mary’s music department programs and activities, go to www.smumn.edu/music.

Saint Mary’s University Gifts for Winona trees are up throughout community

WINONA, Minn. – Giving trees — decorated with tags for Saint Mary’s University Gifts for Winona — are now up throughout Winona. Trees are located at: the three Sinclair stations, the Winona Public Library, all three Wells Fargo Bank locations, Scrapper’s Haven, the Winona Post and Security State Bank in Lewiston.

This community gift-giving program helps less fortunate families in the Winona area have happier holidays.

Individuals who want to help should visit one of these locations, take as many tags off the trees as they wish, purchase and wrap the gifts, and return them by Dec. 13 to the tree where they obtained the tag. Each tag is labeled with a person’s holiday gift wish list. Tags should be taped securely to the outside of the gift/gifts.

The recommended amount for holiday gifts is approximately $30 per person. As the distribution is early this year — mid December — the community is asked to begin their season of giving early as well.

Through the generosity of the Winona-area community, this program assists approximately 1,500 people of all ages. Other partners include United Way of the Greater Winona Area, Wells Fargo Bank, Winona Post, Winona Radio and Winona Volunteer Services.

For more information, call the “Gifts for Winona” line at (507) 457-8719.

Conservatory plans Winter Showcase Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 at Valéncia

WINONA, Minn. — The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts Dance Repertory Company II and Young Choreographers will present a Winter Showcase Friday, Nov. 30, at 6:30 p.m., and Saturday, Dec. 1, at 3 p.m. — both at the Valéncia Arts Center Academy Theatre.

For more than three decades, the Dance Repertory Company has presented the Winona community with quality dance productions featuring local dancers performing classical and contemporary works. The DRC II is MCA’s junior performing troupe and showcases students ages 5 to 12 years olds.

The 2007 Winter Showcase presents the DRC II students in classical ballet, tap, jazz, modern, creative movement, and a special just-for-boys piece. In addition to viewing the DRC II performers, audience members will enjoy works by the MCA’s Young Choreographers. These high school- and college-aged students participated in a choreography and improvisation class throughout the semester through which they learned how to create their own works.

Cast members and Young Choreographers in the Winter Showcase include: Dot Armstrong, Pippa Armstrong, Chris Bernard, Jasmine Boynton, Carter Briggs, Austyn Burt, Taylor Cada, Keegan Eide, Max Gort, Katie Harbinson, Madison Junker, Caitlin Kamen Sydney Larson, Summer Lawson, Megan Lynch, Alec Meinke, Hayden Meinke, Justine Meinke, Lucy Nelson, Isabella Riley, Augusta Rodgers, Zach Ruben, Danielle Schleich, Laura Schleich, Natalie Schleich, Olivia Schlesser, Alyssa Schneider, Kyle Schneider, Ike Scholl, Claire Smart, Emily Strom, Lexy Valentine, Adelle Vietor, Kaitlyn Vietor, Jacqueline Vietor, Adam Volkert, Amanda Weatherhead, Lucy Wilfahrt, and Anna Wolner.

Tickets cost $7 are available at MCA’s Valéncia Arts Center, located on the corner of 10th and Vila Streets. To reserve your tickets, call (507) 453-5500. For more information about MCA performances, classes and programs, visit www.smumn.edu/mca. The Conservatory is an affiliate program of Saint Mary’s University.

Saint Mary’s University choirs to present ‘Lessons & Carols’

WINONA, Minn. — The Saint Mary’s University Concert Choir, Chamber Singers and Women’s Choir will present their annual holiday tribute, “Lessons and Carols,” beginning at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 1.

The performance —a celebration of Advent and the Nativity through sung and spoken word — will held at Chapel of Saint Mary’s of the Angels, located on the Saint Teresa campus.

Music will include some familiar carols, as well as selections by Morten, Lauridsen, Hans Leo Hassler, Gabriel Fauré, Palestrina and a variety of other composers from Renaissance to the present.

Tickets are $6 for adults and $4 for students and seniors and are available by calling the SMU Box Office, (507) 457-1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, or online at www.pagetheatre.org.

Student art on display at SMU through Dec. 14

“Injya,” an acrylic on canvas by Joshua Gardner is one of several pieces on display for the 2007 Undergraduate Art Show at Saint Mary’s University. The show is not limited to art majors, but is open to any SMU art student. A variety of artwork is on display through Dec. 14 in the Lillian Davis Hogan Galleries, located in the Toner Student Center. Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, and the exhibit is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Sister Margaret Mear at mmear@smumn.edu.


“Fall,” a photograph by SMU senior Kristina Perkins, is part of the 2007 Undergraduate Art Show at Saint Mary's University. The show, currently on display at the Lillian Davis Hogan Galleries, includes painting, drawing, photography, metal sculpture and ceramics. The exhibit will run through Dec. 14 and is free and open to the public. Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. For more information, contact Sister Margaret Mear at mmear@smumn.edu.

Max Kulas services set for Monday

Max Kulas, 88, former Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds at Saint Mary's University, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 14 in Winona. Max served the university from November 1955 until he retired in June 1985. In August of 2000, the power plant on campus was renamed the Kulas-Connaughty Power Plant in recognition of Max and of his successor, Roger Connaughty.

A Memorial Mass will be offered on Monday, Nov. 19, at 2 p.m. at the Chapel of Our Lady in Saint Anne Extended Healthcare in Winona with the Rev. Andrew Fabian, O.P. officiating. Interment will take place at a later date. Friends may call one hour prior to the service at the chapel on Monday.

Obituary listed in the Winona Daily news

Saint Mary’s University Gifts for Winona application deadline is Nov. 20

WINONA, Minn. – Anyone who needs help obtaining holiday gifts for their family should pick up a Saint Mary’s University Gifts for Winona application through one of the human service agencies that they work with (Catholic Charities, Family Services of Winona, Habitat for Humanity, Housing and Redevelopment Authority, Project FINE, Semcac, Winona Area Hospice, Winona Area Learning Center, Winona County Community Health, Winona County Department of Human Services, Winona Senior Advocacy Program, Winona Volunteer Services, Winona Workforce Center or Women’s Resource Center).

Winona County families affected by the flood should contact the Long-Term Flood Recovery Center at 452-1088.

The deadline for applying is Tuesday, Nov. 20.

Giving trees will be going up Nov. 19 for the communitywide program, which provides gifts to less fortunate families during the holiday season. Tags, each labeled with a different person’s holiday gift wishes, will be placed on area giving trees beginning next week.

Trees will be located at: the three Sinclair Stations, the Winona Public Library, Scrapper’s Haven, as well as all three Wells Fargo Bank locations in Winona.

Individuals who want to help make someone's season a littler merrier should visit one of these locations, take as many tags off the trees as they wish, and return the gifts by Dec. 13 to the tree where they obtained the tag. The recommended amount for holiday gifts is approximately $30 per person. Tags should be securely taped to the outside of the presents.

As the gift distribution is early this year — mid December — the community is asked to begin their season of giving early as well.

Through the generosity of the Winona-area community, this program assisted 1,413 people last year. Other partners include United Way of the Greater Winona Area, Wells Fargo Bank, Winona Post, Winona Radio, and Winona Volunteer Services.

Any organization or group that wishes to help 10 or more people should call the “Gifts for Winona” line at (507) 457-8719 as soon as possible.

SMU’s Burchill recognized locally, nationally for philanthropy work

WINONA, Minn. — The late Tim Burchill, longtime Saint Mary’s University administrator and director of the Hendrickson Institute for Ethical Leadership, will be honored three times in the next week for his work in philanthropy.

Burchill will receive the Outstanding Contribution to Philanthropy Award from the Minnesota Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals on Nov. 15. A celebration of National Philanthropy Day — at which awards will be presented — will be held at the Crowne Plaza Riverfront in Saint Paul.

Each year AFP honors individuals and groups who, through their hard work and dedication, have enhanced philanthropy, their communities and the world. This will be the first time the Outstanding Contribution to Philanthropy Award has been given posthumously; Tim’s wife Barb of Winona will accept the award on his behalf.

Burchill will be honored in La Crosse, Wis., on Nov. 14 by the local Upper Mississippi Valley chapter of AFP, which he co-founded.

And the Winona Community Foundation will present Burchill with the Founders Award on Nov. 13 during its Thanks for Giving event. As part of the award, Burchill’s family will receive a $5,000 grant. The Burchills have asked that the grant be used for the SMU Philanthropy and Development program, which Tim co-founded.

USA Today makes NSSE results public; SMU ranks above national average

WINONA, Minn. — A different kind of college assessment survey shows that Saint Mary's University students are engaged with, and learn more from, their college experience.

Saint Mary's is one of 610 colleges and universities who participated this year in the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE). The NSSE, conducted through Indiana University, looks at how actively involved students are with their studies, professors and the campus community. Research shows that the more engaged students are, the more likely they are to learn. NSSE is becoming increasingly recognized as a more authentic indicator of college quality than traditional rankings.

USA Today has partnered with NSSE to publish a guide in print and online to show how NSSE can enhance the college search. Of the 1,000 schools recently surveyed by NSSE, only 257 — including Saint Mary’s — agreed to make their results public. Go online to www.usatoday.com/news/education for NSSE survey stories and college data; go to www.smumn.edu/nsse for Saint Mary's results and the NSSE college guide.

"The NSSE allows colleges to understand what they do especially well, and what they can improve upon, based on comparison with data from other colleges," said Dr. Thomas Mans, SMU vice president for academic affairs.

Mans said NSSE results show that Saint Mary’s provides a distinctive and superior college experience compared with institutions nationally and even with other small, liberal arts colleges in the Midwest. In many important categories, SMU students’ responses were much more favorable than the comparison groups.

Freshman and senior students were asked last spring to answer 85 questions. Their responses were combined to form summary benchmark scores in the areas of academic challenge, student-faculty interaction, supportive campus environment, enriching educational experiences, and active/collaborative learning.

For freshmen, the average Saint Mary's score on four out of the five benchmarks was significantly higher than the national average. (In the category of enriching educational experiences, Saint Mary's scored slightly below the average.) For seniors, the scores on all five benchmark areas were higher than the national sample.

"The scores show that our students are engaged in activities that aid learning, by faculty with whom they interact well, in a setting that supports them," according to Dr. Patrick Barlow, SMU director of college assessment.

Barlow noted that "while the results paint a good picture of the quality of the learning experience at Saint Mary’s, the survey also indicated some areas for further growth — specifically in the areas of freshman appreciation of and experience with diversity. The college community is looking at ways to improve this aspect of our students' learning experience."

Saint Mary’s Chemistry Night awards announced

WINONA, Minn. — The Saint Mary’s University Chemistry Department has announced the award winners for the Chemistry Night events, held on Thursday, Oct. 25, and Thursday, Nov. 1. Area high school students participated in chemistry activities involving departmental instrumentation and wet chemistry under the guidance of Saint Mary’s chemistry majors.

Based on the National Chemistry Week theme of “The Many Faces of Chemistry,” the high school students were able to simulate many roles of a chemist. They worked as environmental chemists, food chemists, nanotechnologists, film critics and artistic chemists. The high-school student teams were evaluated on their use and interpretation of experimental results. Based on those evaluations, the following awards were made:

First-place winners: Joe McMartin, Matt Schultz and Emily Kronebusch of Lewiston-Altura High School; and Luke Ward, Robert Kim and Christine Pulido of Lourdes High School in Rochester.

Second-place winners: Hannah Flatten, Joel Hanson and Tia Thompson of Winona Senior High School; and Amy Yin and Sharon Christopher of Onalaska High School.

Third-place winners: Mark Lower, Emily Monk and Mark Painter of Lourdes High School; and Maja Kanebley and Leah Wooden of LaCrescent High School.

The SMU Chemistry Department would like to congratulate these students and thank the 50 students — and their dedicated teachers — who participated in Chemistry Nights.

SMU Concert Band, Wind Ensemble to present instrumental showcase

WINONA, Minn. — The Saint Mary’s University Concert Band and Wind Ensemble will present an instrumental showcase at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 18.

The concert, performed under the direction of Dr. Janet Heukeshoven, will be held at Cotter High School’s Saint Cecilia Theatre.

The concert band — including the talents of various small ensembles including a brass quintet, clarinet choir, flute choir, wind ensemble, and percussion ensemble — will entertain audiences with a varied selection of music with an international flavor. Highlights include the Irish tune “Molly on the Shore” by Grainger; “Rondeau” by Jean-Joseph Mouret; and “Madrigals for Six Flutes,” inspired by familiar folk melodies from Japan and Israel, by Samuel Adler. As the weather turns colder, audiences can warm up with the Latin rhythms of “Carnaval De Caribe” by Moses Mark Howden or enjoy the whimsical new piece, “Firefly,” By David J. Gordon, which captures the essence of dancing fireflies.

Tickets are $6 for the general public, $4 for students and seniors and are available online at www.pagetheatre.org or the Performance Center box office, (507) 457-1715, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. Tickets will also be available at the door one hour prior to the performance.

SMU Page Series presents Koresh Dance Company Nov. 17

WINONA, Minn. — The Saint Mary’s University Page Series will host the unique and exciting Koresh Dance Company, featuring “Looking Back: Music of the ’40s & ’50s” on Saturday, Nov. 17.

The program will feature original dance pieces that break through boundaries of traditional choreography. “Looking Back: Music of the ’40s & ’50s” evokes all the romance and rebellion of the era, complete with lively jazz and swing choreography, along with a delightful cast of characters and stories. Koresh will showcase a dance experience that will excite audiences of all ages beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the SMU Performance Center’s Page Theatre.

The dancers will perform to such well-known artists as Louis Armstrong, Dean Martin, Nat King Cole, Elvis Presley, Ray Charles and many more.

Make it dinner and a show. Pre-show dinners are provided by Chartwells Catering. Seating begins at 6:30 p.m. in the Toner Student Center, located next to the Performance Center. Adult dinners cost $20 and include chicken, beef, and vegetarian options, along with beverages and dessert. Bottles of wine may be purchased for an extra fee. Children’s dinners cost $12 and include mac-n-cheese or chicken fingers with sides, beverages, and dessert. Orders will be accepted up to three days prior to the event; order online or by phone.

Tickets are $22, $16 for seniors, $14 for students and are available by calling the SMU Box Office, (507) 457-1715, during regular office hours 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, or online at www.pagetheatre.org.

This Page Series event is co-sponsored by the Kaplan Forum on the Jewish Experience.