Now that we are in the midst of Fall, it seems like it’s a good time to update you on the newly forming Alumni committee. Our committee members include:

Catherine Branly, Daniel Cheely, Francis Henderson, Dr. Angelo Giardino, Clarissa Hutcheson, Dr. Araceli Carnazzo, Adrian Marcellus, Dr. Marianne Mount, Daniel Nemethy, William Smith, Virginia Taylor, Kathryn Vestermark, Joseph Wetterling, and Davin Winger.

Our mission statement:

The CDU alumni association works in partnership with the university to connect, support, and coordinate the global network of graduates to promote the mission of the university and the Church community.

Membership Criteria:

CDU Alumni Association membership is inclusive and open to all CDU graduates of continuing education, certificate and degree programs throughout the world. We also welcome you to be members of the committee and join our quarterly planning calls. We are exploring regional events in locales that have a concentration of CDU alumni, an alumni program in conjunction with the annual CDU gala and graduation ceremony, and “virtual” events that would allow broader participation just like in our courses and degree programs. We would appreciate your thoughts or suggestions about what the CDU Alumni association could offer that would be of value to your spiritual journey. Please send your comments and suggestions to alumni@cdu.edu.

We are enthusiastic about helping you stay connected with CDU, our former classmates, and the vast mission of the Church.

At our August meeting, we turned to a prayer used by Pope Francis for inspiration and we share that with you now in hopes of offering some wonderful insights from the Holy Father using the simple imagery of one’s hand:

• The thumb is the closest finger to you. So start praying for those who are closest to you. They are the persons easiest to remember. To pray for our dear ones is a “sweet obligation.”
• The next finger is the index. Pray for those who teach you, instruct you and heal you. They need the support and wisdom to show direction to others. Always keep them in your prayers.
• The following finger is the tallest. It reminds us of our leaders, the governors and those who have authority. They need God’s guidance.
• The fourth finger is the ring finger. Even though it may surprise you, it is our weakest finger. It should remind us to pray for the weakest, the sick or those plagued by problems. They need your prayers.
• And finally, we have our smallest finger, the smallest of all. Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself.

When you are done praying for the other four groups, you will be able to see your own needs but in the proper perspective, and also you will be able to pray for your own needs in a better way.