LourdesWorld.com is only 83 days old, yet it has definitely proved its worth.

"LW," as we in College Relations lovingly refer to it, was created as an extension of Lourdes College. We are a community committed to our Franciscan values of learning, reverence and service.

LW allows the Lourdes community - students, alumni, faculty, staff and others - to communicate and share their thoughts, ideas and experiences. We chose the name "LourdesWorld" because we are not exclusive - but inclusive. Those that visit and contribute to LW represent a world of people, ideas and beliefs.

To date, there have been 3,251 visits and 10,866 pageviews at LW. Our blogs have been the most popular stop. It should also be noted that 47.37% of our hits have been from new visitors and users spend an average time of 2 minutes and 58 seconds on the site.

As you continue visiting LW, please be mindful of our Franciscan values and our disclaimer:

The opinions expressed by our bloggers and by those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of Lourdes College or our employees.

With that in mind, we invite you to continue visiting and sharing your views on LourdesWorld.com.

Monday, October 22, 2007 4:36:18 PM (Atlantic Standard Time, UTC-04:00)    Comments [0] | 

This has been one of the longest weeks of my life!  I put in 26 hours at work in two consecutive days, dealing with the physical and emotional toll of the media storm that erupted over Prism being established at Lourdes College, and then attending a conference in Chicago specifically for GLBT organizations on Catholic college campuses.  Once I get back home late tomorrow night, I have to put in a 13 hour day at work on Sunday, then come home and study for an exam in Interpersonal Communications. 

Ewwww.

I can't wait for Monday to get here!

I am enjoying the opportunity given to us to attend this conference at De Paul University in Chicago.

De Paul's campus is absolutely gorgeous.  I love the pace in a larger city like Chicago.  Most of all, it's comforting to be able to educate myself on the exact topics that are currently surrounding our college community.  It is a privilege to have been given this opportunity to bring back this fountain of knowledge to Lourdes College. 

De Paul University is the largest Catholic College in the United States.  It is also the first Catholic college to recognize a GLBT student organization.  In 2005, they established a GLBT Queer studies program that offers a minor in GLBTQ studies.  They even have a GLBTQ Student Services office.

Out There
The Second National Conference of Scholars and Student Affairs Personnel Involved in LGBTQ Issues on Catholic Campuses

The conference will take place at De Paul University, Chicago, Illinois on October 19 and 20, 2007. It is open to faculty, staff, and students involved in LGBTQ issues on Catholic campuses.

The conference will feature papers, roundtable presentations, panels, and/or workshops that address issues of scholarship, curriculum, pedagogy, campus climate, and support for LGBTQ students, faculty, and staff. The program will address a wide range of issues of relevance to LGBTQ faculty, staff, and students at Catholic institutions, from nuts-and-bolts organizing in student services to the place of LGBTQ Studies at Catholic universities and the challenges of Catholic identity for LGBTQ individuals.

 

Here is a link for the full program of the conference for those of you interested in what particular topics were discussed - http://condor.depaul.edu/~lgbtq/news/OTC/OutThere-Full.pdf

Even though De Paul first recognized their GLBT organization 34 years ago, they still deal with the controversy of a Catholic college sponsoring a conference like this.  Here is a link for the comments from Cardinal George in Chicago regards his apprehensions with the conference - http://www.catholicnewworld.com/cnwonline/2007/1014/cardinal.aspx

What can we learn from talking about this?  How can we better ourselves and our campus community?  What contribution does this have to achieving higher education?

 

Saturday, October 20, 2007 1:28:36 AM (Atlantic Standard Time, UTC-04:00)    Comments [8] | 

 OK, well, Sheena is doing a fine job with bringing PRISM to our collective consciousness, and I applaud her for that. I welcome PRISM with open arms, I believe that diversity makes this big old ball of dirt we call Earth a much nicer, more interesting place to live.

 Midterms are over for most of us, and most of us pretty much know where we stand in class. I'm doing about what I expect myself to do, I'm content with As and Bs, I'm not so driven that I need all As. I have a life outside Lourdes like many of us do, and I usually put my life first, Lourdes second. So I'm not an overachiever. Or maybe even an achiever. I'm a solid student, that's all.

 So now is the time to admit.... I haven't started my paper for my Process class. And it's due on Tuesday, all 4 to 7 pages of it, APA style, cover sheet, bibliography. I have a topic, but I have no idea where to go with it.

 Maybe some people would panic in this situation. I'm not panicking - I'm going camping. I work best under pressure. I'll wake up Tuesday morning and start on it. I'll be cussing at myself for waiting so long, but in truth, if I start it earlier, it will be, pardon the mild language, crap. I'll have too much time, so I won't be concise, my paper will be bloated and hard to read and overdone. But put me under a tight deadline, and I'm actually a much better writer. I'm sure a few people out there reading this are thinking, Oh good, I'm not the only one.

 I've known people who are excellent paper writers. They do outlines, they proof-read, they edit. They research for months before putting anything down on paper. I admire them, much as I admire people who have climbed Mt. Everest. I see them as much the same - planners, who take a lot of time to ensure nothing goes wrong. Their papers are flawless. They get awards for them. I am in awe of them, but that just wouldn't work for me. Slapdash is much more my style. I wouldn't survive Everest - I would be the person who didn't make it out of the parking lot. But that's OK - there's room for all of us, right?

 So I hope everyone survived midterms, and if you do have a paper, that you have already started it. Or at least, thought about starting it.

Friday, October 19, 2007 2:30:40 PM (Atlantic Standard Time, UTC-04:00)    Comments [0] | 

Some of you know that Sheena is my daughter & I love her dearly. Yes, I'm the Mom she's talking about & also the wife of Bill Keen. Knowing what she's been through I'm extremely proud of  how far she's come. From day 1 (& I've given birth to her) our relationship has not been an easy one. We are both stubborn people & very passionate about our beliefs. There have been numerous conflicts that have been detrimental to our relationship. These detrimental parts of our relationship have also been a connecting point for us. We have grown to respect each other's beliefs, views, & opinions. Yes, she does come to me for advice, but I also go to her for advice as well.

Now, having said this I feel the need to make known my views & beliefs about the hot topic of GLBT organizations on CHRISTIAN campuses as people have been asking me questions about this controversy for the last few days. I am an alumnus of Lourdes College & have continued to be part of the Lourdes community. I currently work in TRiO SSS as a professional tutor. I have been asked about my stance on homosexuality from some of the students that I've worked with, especially once they know that Sheena is my daughter.  In fact, I’ve been asked about by beliefs on this issue before Sheena became a student. These questions have been brought to the forefront this week. So, for all those who are still curious, here goes nothing! Please remember one thing, I'm not judging anyone. That's God's job! I believe that the Bible is totally against homosexuality, fornication, adultery, etc. A sin is a sin is a sin. No, I don't believe that a Christian college should have a GLBT organization. Do I condemn homosexuals? OF COURSE NOT! Jesus wants us to love one another. He didn't say we had to agree with each other, just love one another. We need to meet each other where we are at just like He did. I don't hate the individual; I hate the sin or act. As human beings we sin on a daily basis. We must learn to forgive ourselves & each other. That's just part of loving each other. I also believe that homosexuality is a choice, whether it’s consciously or unconsciously.

I had someone ask me this afternoon if my beliefs interfere with my ability to work with the extremely diverse population of TRiO. I was a bit taken aback at first as this person has known me for 5 years now. This person knows my views on homosexuality, God, etc. & knows how close I am to Sheena. Let me reassure everyone that while I may not agree with another person’s lifestyle, religious beliefs, views, or values I don’t let that interfere with my tutoring. I don’t push my views, beliefs, morals, or opinions on anyone. If asked about them I will talk about them with the inquiring party. While I may not agree having a GLBT organization on this campus, my position will not interfere with my tutoring/working with ANY student. If anyone feels this is not the case, let me know because while we may differ on certain things it all comes down to respecting each other as individuals & I strive to respect every individual. We hall have to live in this world together. This campus is diverse, heck this whole world is diverse & that is what makes life interesting as well as challenging. I respect the faculty, staff, & students of Lourdes College even if I may not agree with them. I remember some very heated debates in my religion classes, but in the end we agreed to disagree because we realized that no one human being has all the answers. Sometimes I really think that God may just be chuckling a bit to Himself as we come into conflict with each other & then I think maybe He is feeling a bit sad for us because we just don’t get the big picture.

I know I’ve said quite a bit so far, but please bear with me a little longer. I do have to say one more thing. While I don’t agree with my daughter’s lifestyle or having a GLBT group on campus I do value & love my daughter dearly. We treat her girlfriend as part of our family; in fact, we consider her our daughter also. Those of you who know us or have seen us together on campus for any event will know this to be true. We don’t hide it or put on a “show” of  family cohesion. We’re a family & are there for each other know matter how our beliefs & values may differ. This is what should be happening on Lourdes campus.

I’m so proud of Sheena, for she has truly shown grace under pressure as well as being professional & respectful of other people. If this isn’t an illustration of Christianity, I don’t know what is.

Thursday, October 18, 2007 8:10:36 PM (Atlantic Standard Time, UTC-04:00)    Comments [0] | 

Well, this is the week of the famed "Spike the Spirit" Volleyball tournament. When I was a student this was one of the few activities on campus—minus final exams that could get my adrenaline pumping. I loved strategizing about how I would take on the competition. I loved the camaraderie that developed between my teammates and I as well as between us and our competitors—after all we were playing each other Lourdes College students, faculty, staff and administrators.

Before last year I hadn’t played in a Spike the Spirit tournament in 5 yrs. Although I considered myself an athlete in my “younger” (5-40 ) years and I am in good physical shape today I knew there were some muscles that required some vigorous tuning up. So, I decided to prepare my body by participating in the intramural volleyball program.

I expected to see the net, the volleyball; people in shorts and I even expected to see 20 year olds who believed that some of us are too old to play. What I wasn’t expecting is the lack of competition—and the audacity of these same 20 year olds who didn’t think that I (my team excluded) could WIN a game. Well being the mature person I am I decided that instead of feeling maligned I would do the Lourdes College thing and educate the “young” about etiquette on the court.

First, competition requires someone who can meet you on your level and if they don’t then it is ok to assist them in developing the skills they need to improve their game

Second, it is unwise to make “fun” of the opposition by making light of their abilities for as soon as you turn your back all bets are off and the ball will whiz by your head (less about competition and more about adrenaline pumping)

Third, competition does not necessarily mean winning a game a tournament it could mean sustaining a rally, making a great save or getting a point

Lastly, if you should ever meet someone who happily announces they come from the old school of volleyball—which means you only got a point when you deserved it and not by default (rally rules), that you can’t kick the ball if it comes down by your feet (that used to be called soccer) and that regardless of which team makes a great shot they are congratulated for their skill.

It also means before the old schooled relinquishes their drive to WIN they will willingly ignore the brutal spike as the ball slams against their face, they will gladly dive for a ball no matter how far out of their reach—and lastly in the face of defeat they will know that in their hearts, minds and at the sacrifice of the skin on their knees they are competitors, champions and Winners

—I’m definitely a Franciscan Gray Wolf—Enjoy the game!

Thursday, October 18, 2007 1:12:01 PM (Atlantic Standard Time, UTC-04:00)    Comments [0] | 

Taking Action

Once you have set your goals, figured out where your time is currently spent and decided on a plan that will help you to reach your goals, the next step is to take action. Now you must do the tasks that converge on your goals. By producing a plan, you have written down your decisions about how to spend your time so that you don't have to get stuck deciding whether to do tasks that have nothing to do with your goals. As you begin working on the tasks, keep your focus on doing the best you can to execute what you have set out for yourself. Stay very clear on the fact that the plan is an ideal and that in action you will not execute it perfectly. Some things will take longer than you planned. Some new tasks will emerge. There will be enticing distractions that may take your attention away from your work, but you can diminish the impact of distractions if you remember that the tasks listed on your plan lead you to goals you have chosen for yourself. The main thing is to do the very best you can to follow the plan and monitor your progress so that you can learn from your good and bad experiences along the way.

Thursday, October 18, 2007 11:29:51 AM (Atlantic Standard Time, UTC-04:00)    Comments [0] | 

Well - that last blog definitely got the people talking, didn't it?  Well, hold on to your seats ladies and gentlemen, because 13 ABC news ran another segment of the story tonight.

http://abclocal.go.com/wtvg/story?section=local&id=5710633

Yes - that is my father, a pastor, speaking in one of the interviews.  He actually called me to tell me that he was going to be in the news speaking out against my group tonight.  He wanted me to hear it from him and not anyone else, and I appreciated that.

My father and I have had several discussions about my sexual orientation.  We have also had several discussions about Prism being at Lourdes College.  Many of our early conversations turned into ugly, heated arguments.  We can both be very stubborn! :)  However, we have pretty much agreed to disagree.  We both know that neither one of us is ever going to be able to convince the other to "see things our way".   We have come to learn what each others breaking points are, are keep from crossing those lines when we do have these discussions. We have the respect for each other not to cross those boundaries.  What my father said on television tonight was nothing new - he has said those exact words to me before.  I will admit that it was quite difficult though to hear them being announced on the 6:00 news for everyone else to hear them as well. 

I know that my parents love me.  I am fortunate that I do not have to hide who I am to them.  I am grateful that we are still able to have the close relationship that we do have with each other.  I am blessed that my parents accept my girlfriend, Jenna, as part of our family and refer to her as their daughter.   

Thank you to everyone who has stood behind Prism and Lourdes College in regards to this ordeal - the e-mails and phone calls were greatly appreciated.  

Thank you to those who do not agree with the purpose of Prism and the decision that Lourdes College made to stand behind this organization.  While we may not see eye to eye, you are allowing this group and its members to grow and educate themselves through this experience.

Tuesday, October 16, 2007 10:37:03 PM (Atlantic Standard Time, UTC-04:00)    Comments [16] | 

I had never heard of federal work studies until FASFA said that I qualified here at my second chance at college.  I signed up and filled out the application hesitant of what all a work study would entail.  I was also worried about the ability to be able work being a work study into my already busy schedule.  I received a phone call from my very excited supervisor who was impressed with what I had to offer.  I was hired in just before the ground breaking of the new building.  I spent plenty of time helping get things together all of which was so exciting.  I felt special to have a part in such a big experience on campus.  After the ground breaking I was given different projects to work on.  Each day brought with it something new.  It became an adventure coming to work.  I truly enjoy working as a work study in the Institutional Advancement department.  I have learned so much about how a college works.  Being the naive student, I thought that you went to class and paid your bills so your teachers could stick around one more day.  I never would have imagined the complexity of running a college if I wouldn’t have been given the opportunity to work as a work study.  As a work study I have also been given the opportunity to improve my networking and communication skills.  The group that I work with is such a diverse group and each has given me a glimpse of their knowledge.  I could spend a year in each one’s head and still not have nearly the wisdom that they have.  I have also learned so much about office work.  I had never worked in an office before this position and I find it very invigorating to have a work study position totally opposite of what I do for a living and plan on doing.  Working in the step-down intensive care unit is so much higher paced and stressful than office work.  I did come to the realization that I am not required to work as a floor nurse my whole life.  I have developed workforce competence and improved my leadership skills.

Tuesday, October 16, 2007 11:32:26 AM (Atlantic Standard Time, UTC-04:00)    Comments [0] | 

Monday is my day to sleep in and concentrate on my schoolwork.

I eventually pulled myself out of bed around 11:00.  Sitting in my Pj's, I stayed in bed and pulled out my laptop to begin working on my paper that was to be due in Internet Marketing later that night.

The phone rang around 11:30.  It was Helene calling about possibly being interviewed by a news station about Prism.  Of course, I was all for it.  We ended the call and I went back to working on my paper.  About 10 minutes later, she called back asking if I could be on campus at 12:00 for the interview.

12:00 today?  That was in like 20 minutes.  I was still in Pj's, no make-up on, and my hair was a wreck.  I also live about 10 minutes from the college.  Impossible!

Of course, how could I pass up this opportunity?

I was nervous for once.  I'm usually not nervous when publicly speaking.  However - most of the time, I am speaking for myself, and not speaking for and representing a student organization as well as a college campus community.

How did it go?  You be the judge.  Read the article and view the video at the 13 ABC website.

http://abclocal.go.com/wtvg/story?section=local&id=5708648

Monday, October 15, 2007 7:23:05 PM (Atlantic Standard Time, UTC-04:00)    Comments [9] |