Office for Mission and Ministry
In the midst of this crisis, we in Mission & Ministry reaffirm our embrace of Villanova’s commitment to being a diverse and inclusive community. Grounded in our Catholic Augustinian identity, we believe that we must never allow fear to threaten this commitment. We support all members of the University community, particularly those who are from or have connections to anywhere that has confirmed cases of COVID-19. We stand united against any targeting of people based on perceptions about identity or beliefs. And we stand with those who are most vulnerable, as together we honor the God-given dignity of every person and our call to work together for the common good.
The Office for Mission & Ministry animates Villanova’s commitment to living out its mission in every facet of University life. It promotes an inclusive vision of the Catholic intellectual tradition; coordinates initiatives relating to the University’s Augustinian heritage and Catholic identity; encourages programs and research on contemporary issues through the lens of Catholic social teaching; meets the spiritual and sacramental needs of the Catholic community; provides opportunities for the faith lives of students, faculty and staff of various religious traditions to flourish; and contributes to the continued social and spiritual transformation of our world.
Upcoming Events
The office offers a wide array of scholarly and pastoral programs throughout the year as a service to the community and the Church.
Purpose
The Committee on Mission and Social Justice shall be charged with responsibility for recommending to the University President changes in University policies in areas of mission, social concern, service, and sensitivity to cultural diversity related to the functioning of Villanova University. The charge of the Committee shall also include reviewing the University’s efforts in ensuring fair labor practices in its collegiate licensing program. As part of its review, the Committee shall have access to all reports issued to the University as a member of the Fair Labor Association and the Worker Rights Consortium. The Committee on Mission and Social Justice will also serve as the Social Justice Committee of the University Sustainability Leadership Council.
The Committee on Mission and Social Justice shall consist of: the Vice President for Mission and Ministry; the Director of the Center for Peace and Justice Education; the Director of the Center for Service and Social Justice; a representative of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion; the Athletic Director or his or her designee; one Augustinian Friar; three faculty members (representing different colleges, at least one of whom will serve as a representative of Faculty Congress, if possible); one staff member (outside of Mission and Ministry who will serve as a representative of Staff Council, if possible); one member of the Campus Sustainability Committee; three students (at least one of whom shall be a member of the Student Labor Action Movement and at least one of whom will serve as a representative of the Student Government Association, if possible); and one alumni representative. Faculty, staff and alumni representatives shall serve two-year terms, initially staggered to assure continuity on each committee. Students’ terms shall be limited to two years. Administrators shall serve at the pleasure of the President.
Membership (September 2019)
Fr. Art Purcaro, University Sustainability Council
Barbara Wall, Office for Mission and Ministry
Kathryn Getek Soltis (Chair), Center for Peace and Justice Education
Kate Giancatarino, Center for Service and Social Justice
Terry Nance, Office of Diversity and Inclusion
Mark Jackson, Athletic Director
Fr. Allan Fitzgerald, Augustinian Representative
Shawn Proctor, Staff Council Representative
George Kolb, Alumni Representative
Jean Lutes, Faculty Congress Representative
Jerry Beyer, Faculty (CLAS)
Sunny Hallowell, Faculty (FCN)
Madeline Ochabillo, SLAM Representative
Christian Miller/Connor McKenzie, SGA Representative
Claryn Spies, Graduate Student Council Representative