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ACU delegates attend Mission Integration Institute

A message from the Vice President, Father Anthony Casamento:

For several years now ACU has been sending staff to the Mission Integration Institute at the University of San Diego to enhance their understanding of their engagement of mission in their roles. -  Br Michael Callinan, Campus Ministry Team Leader (Students) and Dr Darko Hajzler, Manager of Counselling within the Office of Student Success. I was delighted that they accepted my office’s invitation to attend this experience, which aimed at helping them explore their personal sense of mission and how it integrates with that of ACU.

Upon his return to ACU, I asked Brother Michael for his principal learnings during the formation experience:

“Gathering with close to thirty professionals from Catholic universities across the length and breadth of the United States, most of them working in direct student-facing roles similar to ACU’s Office of Student Success in the Students, Learning and Teaching Portfolio, and Campus Ministry within the Vice President’s Portfolio, created a vibrant and dynamic learning environment. I enjoyed exploring my personal sense of living out God’s mission, sharing that with others present and learning to blend the charismic tradition of my congregation, the Marists, with ACU’s particular ‘flavour’.

“One of the activities invited us to prepare an ‘elevator pitch’ about what makes our university a great place to study and work at. Part of my response was ‘It’s a great place because we’re Catholic’. That’s right, not because a particular student or staff member is Catholic (or not), but because ACU is Catholic ... corporately we stand for ‘big picture’ inclusion, diversity ... seeking the Truth in Love. What other university talks about Love in its motto?”

I hope you might have had your interest sparked to attend the 2019 program. It certainly is a rewarding opportunity for ACU staff members to grow their alignment to the Catholic mission of ACU.