A Different Feminist Catholic Approach

MIAMI, March 25, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Every March during Women's History Month thousands of corporate, public and philanthropic organizations launch public information campaigns and educational events to create pathways to women's advance in the workforce. St. Thomas University (www.stu.edu)- small, private, and affiliated with the Archdiocese of Miami- is going about a two-prong approach that features educational workshops with business networking opportunities as well as the development of a "feminist" Catholic course series, to be offered in its Summer Program by its School of Theology and Ministry. 

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This March, St. Thomas' Department of Career Services launched a Women's History Month series that included a Career Expo that connected employers with students and alumni, resume writing workshops and a Leadership Series called Adelante! Sponsored by the U.S. Educational Fund. The University's Institute of Human Rights, led by Executive Director Christine Reis, continues providing legal support and representation to women immigrants, "Dreamers" and elderly women in public health institutions. And the University's Chief Marketing Officer – Marivi Prado ([email protected]) – also President of the non-profit Women for Human Rights International – is spearheading a New York affiliate/chapter with a Venezuelan journalist and activist committed to bringing situations of abuse and negligence affecting Venezuelan women.

Beyond the traditional approach, the Dean of St. Thomas' School of Theology and Ministry – Dr. Maria Pascuzzi ([email protected]) – is launching the first-ever Summer Program Theology Series that empowers women to preside in worship, lead in pastoral ministry, and make a marked difference in global conflict resolution. Courses start June 2013 and the series culminates with two intense weeks focused on religious peace building, religious resources for conflict transformation, violence prevention and reconciliation processes in transitional societies.

Maria Pilar Aquino, PhD, Professor of Theology at the University of San Diego since 1993 will be the visiting professor of "Conflict, Religious Peace-Building, and Reconciliation" the weeks of July 8 and 15, 5:30 to 8:30 pm. A doctoral graduate from the Pontifical University of Salamanca, her teaching and research focus on the function of theologies in societal systems and human relationships, and their implications for social justice and constructive change. Aquino has published over 50 articles and essays and has co-authored a dozen books including: Teologia Feminista Latinoamericana; Teologia Feminista Latino-americana; Feminist Spiritualities of Struggle and Feminist Intercultural Theology among other publications. She has received numerous awards for her commitment to women's theological education and has taught in Harvard Divinity School and the Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City.

St. Thomas School of Theology is committed to empowering women of God, creating high-level intellectual experiences and study areas of interest year long. Women church leaders – within an ecumenical approach – can advance their communal worship services and professionals as well as housewives looking to go into ministry work can add to their academic credentials through the University's BA in Religious Studies (also taught on-line), the Masters in Pastoral Ministry or in Divinity, a PHD in Practical Theology and various Certificate programs. For information on the University's programs in Theology and Ministry, please contact Dean Maria Pascuzzi at [email protected]. For information on other STU academic programs and Schools, contact Marivi Prado at 305.474.6880.

SOURCE St. Thomas University