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The
History of the Sheil Catholic Center
The
First 50 Years
When the Sheil
Catholic Center celebrated its Golden Jubilee in 1989, a group
of talented and dedicated associates researched and wrote
a history of the first 50 years. We are reprinting that history
here.
Patterns in
Programming
By the '80s, Sheil's
educational programs had grown to include the catechumenate,
Pre-Cana conferences, retreats (both on campus and away),
special events for graduate students and young adults, scripture
studies, sessions on prayer and meditation and, of course,
lectures by notable speakers. A notable addition in 1989 was
the four-week "Post-Cana" series for young married
couples.
Another notable
program was "Genesis IV." Begun in 1976 by a group
of about 15 students led by Jane Antunes, it was a series
of Sunday suppers and workshops to help new students adjust
to college life.
The many priests
and several brothers from various religious orders who resided
temporarily at Sheil while pursuing graduate studies at Northwestern
also played significant roles in the life at Sheil. In the
years in the old building, where Father Mac was the sole chaplain,
they served essentially as assistant chaplains, providing
invaluable help in the liturgies and initiating or directing
various programs. That practice continued at the new center,
where, among others, two Benedictines-Brother Norman Hipps
in the Ô70s and Father Andrew Campbell in the Ô80s-helped
foster programs in meditation and prayer.
Of special significance
to the expanding variety of Sheil programs were the contributions
made from the '70s on by faculty members who joined the community.
Among them were Frank Willett, the late Charles Donnelly,
Douglas Cole, Richard Kieckhefer and Gary Wills from Northwestern;
Rosemary Ruether from Garrett Seminary; Russell Barta and
Sister Mary Pat Haley from Mundelein College; and Gerard Egan,
Frank Fennell, Carol Hayes, Father Tim O'Connell and Father
Frans Jozef van Beeck, S.J., from Loyola University.
Social programming,
too, evolved to meet changing needs. There were some things
old, such as a reception and brunch for new students and their
families during the September orientation week; a "welcome
back to campus" spaghetti dinner on the weekend before
classes began (both events initiated by students Ed Pacana
and Matt Stefanich in the late '60s); a special welcoming
social for the grad/young-adult contingent; and commencement
socials for graduates and their families. And there were many
things new: special feasts following Advent lessons and carols
and Easter Vigil services; Memorial Day barbecues; Sunday
morning breakfasts; special fund-raising benefit dinners hosted
by associates; and, in 1987, a benefit dinner-dance at the
Kenilworth Club.
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