Posts by A. Serrani
Traditions and Triumphs: Conversations with UST Campus Leader Jaime Pena
Meet Jaime, the ultimate campus leader and go-to guy for events at the University of St. Thomas.
Jaime talks about the extensive leadership opportunities he's taken on at UST, including Vice President of the Campus Activities Board, intern position with Rising Stars, Freshman Symposium Student Ambassador, and many more. He explains how he is motivated to make the college experience memorable for each student.
As a family and tradition-oriented person, Jaime enjoys enhancing the university’s community through incorporating old and new traditions to campus events. He admires his college experience as he has made meaningful connections with all his teams and developed transferable skills. Upon graduating, he hopes to shift his time on his career but remain involved with the university.
In the episode, you'll see what a life filled with UST spirit looks like through Jaime's eyes! It is never too late to get involved and make campus your home. Want to get a head start? Follow Jaime’s advice, “Make at least one friend" and “get involved."
Using Our Catholic Faith to Reclaim Our Mental Health
It is undeniable that social media has changed the way we interact with the world. But not all of those changes are positive. Over the last decade we have seen an increase in mental health struggles across all ages and demographics, from a rise in anxiety and depression to an increase in loneliness. Experts across many disciplines have recognized the growing problems, but what exactly needs to change? And how can a uniquely Catholic perspective help individuals - and wider communities - find authentic happiness?
In this conversation, Darnell Miller, Creative Director of MAX Studios at the University of St. Thomas - Houston, talks to Dr. Greg Bottaro, a Catholic psychologist and author of the book, "Catholic Mindfulness," about the practical steps we can take to respond to the concerning mental health trends and how our Catholic faith offers us a way forward.
Darnell and Dr. Bottaro discuss the basic roots of the problem and how modern technology exacerbates natural difficulties. They cover how Catholics understand human anthropology and how understanding how we are created can help illuminate what we're made for. They also talk about Dr. Bottaro's first and most important piece of advice for helping adults get out of the negative trend and how parents can try to help their children avoid it as much as possible.
Advent and Christmas Explained (in under 7 minutes)
What do you think about a breakdown of Advent and Christmas in under seven minutes?
Advent is one of the shortest seasons of the Catholic year, but there is a lot of symbolism and theology packed into those 4 weeks (or less!). The energetic Fr. Dempsey Rosales-Acosta, tenured Theology professor at the University of St. Thomas – Houston and Director of the Center Semillero for Hispanic/Latino Theology, gives a rich and quick deep dive into the season. Watch and get ready for Christmas in just a few minutes.
Fr. Dempsey emphasizes that the Scripture readings chosen to be read each Sunday at Mass can help us understand the important elements of Advent and Christmas. He reminds us of our Advent journey, how the readings progress through each week to help us investigate our own hearts and minds and understand ourselves in light of Christ.
Fr. Dempsey explains that Advent is all about waiting in joyful hope and preparing ourselves for the coming of our Savior. And as we move into the Christmas season, Fr. Dempsey encourages us to rejoice and clear a space in our hearts for the Lord to stay.
Watch The Great Big Christmas Show.
Check out our Podcasts for Advent Playlist.
Check out our Podcasts for Christmas Playlist.
How does Catholic Education Help the Mission of the Church?
Education has been a pivotal part of Catholic outreach and evangelization for centuries. Today we are sitting down with Monsignor James Shea, President of the University of Mary in Bismarck North Dakota, about how Catholic Education prepares us for living the Mission of the Church.
This is our final installment from the The Cardinal Newman Leadership Summit held at the University of St. Thomas in fall of 2024. In our first episode we asked the questions “Is college is still worth it?” We talked with Kevin Murphy from The Cardinal Newman Society about how college is a pathway for the discernment of God’s will for our life. Then Mark Brumley from Ignatius Press shared some of the key things to think about for those who are specifically looking at a Catholic institution.
In the second episode of the series, we asked “How the Catholic Church Shaped Modern Education?” We talked with Kyle Washut, from Wyoming Catholic College, about the History of Education and how it is intimately entwined with the Catholic Church. Then Dr. Helena Orellana, from the Institute for Psychological Science at Divine Mercy University, explained the role mental health plays in our education system today.
The Secret to Stress Free Nursing School
Arlette Renteria is not your average nursing student at the University of St. Thomas. She takes on the internship with the Rising Stars program and takes on her nursing education with a stress-free mindset. She goes above and beyond and uses multiple calendars and planners, to balance nursing school and her personal life. Whether she needs to organize her academic schedule, family matters, clinical work, or extracurriculars, she remains calm. Despite the challenges she faces, she has never found herself crying over an exam! Arlette explains that self-care and family time help her stay grounded to not be overwhelmed.
Arlette expresses that her family has been the primary inspiration and motivation for her to pursue a career in the medical field. She discovered her passion for nursing by finding joy in taking care of her younger family members. Growing up, she was the go-to person for looking after the babies in the family. Those early experiences sparked a nurturing spirit and led her to pursue a nursing vocation. As she continues her college experience, she has found a successful balance between nursing school and her personal life.
Learn Arlette’s tips and tricks as a nursing student as our host, Edgardo Giron chats with her about staying organized and remaining enthusiastic while pursuing a nursing degree at the University of St. Thomas. Discover how to prepare for a thrilling academic journey in the medical field and even see a sneak peek on how to run a code blue! Whether you are a nursing student, considering joining, or just a college student, Arlette’s story and advice will inspire you to conquer your academic dreams with minimal stress.
Education, family, and faith with Cardinal DiNardo
Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, Archbishop of Galveston-Houston, attended the 2024 Duc In Altum Schools Summit held at the University of St. Thomas – Houston (UST). While on campus, he took some time to talk with UST President Dr. Richard Ludwick. Together, they had a conversation about the importance of evangelizing in schools and in homes.
Providing a strong spiritual foundation has always been a hallmark of Catholic education. At the DIA Summit, hundreds of educators gathered to collaborate on new, innovative ways to engage students in their faith. This is a topic of vital importance for both Dr. Ludwick and Cardinal DiNardo.
In their conversation, Cardinal DiNardo and Dr. Ludwick discuss the importance of an excellent and well-rounded education to integrate faith across the curriculum. They also touch on ways educators and parents can highlight beauty and rhetoric for students. And they emphasize the central role parents play in making sure their children receive an excellent education in the faith and beyond.
Life, faith unpacked on the Camino
Fr. Eduardo Rivera is the Campus Chaplain for the University of St. Thomas – Houston (UST). When he agreed to go on the study abroad trip to walk the Camino de Santiago, he knew he would be accompanying a few students and professors, but he didn’t know how the experience would become a metaphor for life – with opportunities for spiritual growth, building community, and finding humor during tough moments.
Before walking the Camino, Fr. Eduardo thought about what to bring and what to leave behind – physically and spiritually. He encouraged all the UST pilgrims to reflect on the baggage they would carry with them because 14+ miles per day is a long way to walk when you’re carrying everything with you, and it’s a long time to be alone with your thoughts and prayers. By the end of the 80-mile trek, Fr. Eduardo and his fellow pilgrims had found new lessons to take home.
In this episode, Fr. Eduardo shares his own experiences as a pilgrim on the Camino and his unique position as the chaplain to see the growth among the other members of the UST group.
Fr. Eduardo’s story about prayer and discernment.
Dalia’s Episode about finding support and encouragement on the Camino.
Reaching people like me w/ Ricky Vazquez
On this episode of MAX Music, recording artist and worship leader Ricky Vazquez performs two original songs, “Runaway” and “All Is Not Lost.” He shares his journey of faith - from starting to sing at church for the attention of a girl to bilingually leading worship nationwide. Ricky talks about how we all sometimes feel like a "runaway" when it comes to God and how, when tragedy hits in the darkest ways, hope in God is not completely lost.
Sharing about his song “Runaway,” Ricky explains how he was constantly running back and forth from going to church and not. As he grew up, he saw that the times that he felt the most distant from God is when God was the closest to him. No matter how often he fell away, God was always consistent.
Leaning on God’s faithfulness has been a big part of Ricky’s songwriting and ministry as a Christian musician. When his community was facing an unimaginable tragedy, he found himself pouring his feelings into a new song which became “All Is Not Lost.” It is a powerful reminder that God promised to be with us in our suffering and that even in the darkest of dark, God can meet us there.
How time away changed my perspective
This is Dalia Sifuentes, a nursing student at University of St. Thomas – Houston. After months of a packed schedule, she wanted to take some time away so she could focus on her relationship with Christ and others, so she signed up to walk the Camino de Santiago. She couldn’t believe what she came away with and how it will affect her life moving forward.
Dalia is a busy person. Her classes and clinical schedule for nursing school are demanding. On top of that, she is involved in clubs and activities that fill even more of her time. With all she had to do, she found herself never leaving time to focus on what really mattered. So when she had the chance to get away on a study abroad trip to the Camino, she knew it was the perfect chance to reset.
Dalia wanted to use the trip to focus on her relationship with Christ. She knew she would have plenty of opportunities during the long pilgrimage walks to reflect and pray. What she wasn’t expecting was how her interactions with other pilgrims - from UST and around the world - would help her know herself in an even deeper way. Without tasks to complete or the pattern of busyness and stress, she had to face what was at the core of poor relationships and learn to love herself and others more profoundly when she came home.
The Beauty of the Journey
This is Dr. Trisha Ruiz. She is the Senior Director of Veteran Services at the University of St. Thomas – Houston. In this episode of MAX Stories, she shares how walking the Camino de Santiago forced her to be aware of the beauty of the journey, even when - or maybe especially when - there’s a little pain along the way.
Trisha is a planner. But when she decided to walk the Camino, she just wanted to experience what was to come without doing her usual research and meticulous scheduling. She didn’t know exactly what to expect, so she turned to silent prayer during the hours and days with plenty of time in solitude. The physical and emotional suffering was a lot. Halfway through the trip, it nearly broke her. She leaned on her experience as a veteran and a yoga instructor to help her embrace the pain instead of trying to escape. She knew that living in the moment each step of the Camino was the best way to get to the end.
When the walk was over, she realized the experience had strengthened her. She even thought that the beauty of the journey was more important than the destination.
Hear more on our challenge to make time for silence.
