About the Center for Catholic Studies
The Center for Catholic Studies at St. Mary’s University advances the Catholic and Marianist mission through rigorous research, public scholarship, and community engagement. Established in 2018, the Center supports the university’s commitment to its Catholic Marianist Identity.
Research
Holistic Impact Report (HIR)
The Center undertakes public-facing research that connects Catholic thought with contemporary life. This includes the Holistic Impact Report (HIR), which studies the outcomes of Catholic higher education in areas such as ethical commitment, community engagement and life satisfaction.
San Antonio and Texas Católico Project
The Center also includes the San Antonio and Texas Católico Project, which supports research on Catholicism in the southwest. Beginning with parishes on the westside of San Antonio and working in collaboration with the Archdiocese.
The project documents and preserves local Catholic histories while building long-term partnerships for research, archival work and future public events.
Lecture Series
The Lin Great Speakers Series
Escobedo St. John’s Bible Lecture
MacTaggart Catholic Intellectual Tradition Series
Each year, the Center hosts three major lecture series. The Lin Great Speakers Series, the Escobedo St. John’s Bible Lecture, and the MacTaggart Catholic Intellectual Tradition Series bring nationally recognized scholars and public thinkers to campus to explore Sacred Scriptures, the Catholic intellectual tradition, and the Catholic social tradition.
Podcast
The Center also produces a podcast, Beyond the Lecture!, which features conversations with visiting speakers and emerging voices in Catholic thought.
The podcast extends the Center’s mission by making these discussions accessible to listeners on and off campus and by creating space for deeper engagement with the themes explored in the lecture series.
Student Engagement Programs
Student engagement is a core dimension of the Center’s work. The center oversees the Sermino Prize for student research, supports student leadership initiatives and leads the Wayfinders Summer Program, which introduces high school students to vocation, community and faith through theological reflection, service and visits to key sites in San Antonio.
The Center contributes to the intellectual, spiritual and civic life of St. Mary’s University and the broader Church by supporting public scholarship and fostering collaborative research and community partnerships.
Marianist Approach to Education
The Center for Catholic Studies integrates the study of Catholic teachings with the nuances of the Characteristics of a Marianist University, which includes five elements that characterize the Marianist approach to education:
- Educate for formation in faith
- Provide an integral, quality education
- Educate in family spirit
- Educate for service, justice and peace, and integrity of creation
- Educate for adaptation and change
… with the ultimate goal of …
Building a community of scholars who engage in an academic environment that is nourished by our Catholic mission and Marianist identity in order to form people in faith and justice, a mission that is [in] a search for right relationship with God, self, others and creation.
Characteristics of Marianist Universities, 2019, 19
News of Note
- Study highlights benefits of Catholic higher education
- Vice President for Mission to host show on Catholic TV
- Sister shares her calling to Theology
- The Rev. Brandon Paluch revels in role at St. Mary’s University
- Outgoing president’s faith touted as benefit to University
- Integrating Catholic Intellectual Tradition helps students become critical thinkers
- SM Friends Program at St. Mary’s encourages partnership
- St. Mary’s scholars and staff preach environmentalism for Earth Day and beyond
Contact Us
The Center for Catholic Studies is located in Reinbolt Hall. For any questions, contact Jason King, Ph.D., Beirne Director and Chair.