Bernardin Center appoints Director of the Peacebuilders Initiative

Chicago (September 26, 2002) – Sheila McLaughlin, director of the Bernardin Center at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, announced the appointment of Kathleen Benson as director of the Peacebuilders Initiative, a new program that prepares Catholic high school youth for leadership in peacemaking, reconciliation, and conflict transformation. Funded by The Lilly Endowment Inc., the Peacebuilders Initiative is part of its nationwide effort to raise up a new generation of faith leaders and help build vibrant and healthy congregations throughout the country.

Sheila McLaughlin commented, "Kathy's superb organizational skills and great optimism and energy will provide tremendous direction for this visionary effort to bring forward a new generation of faith leaders and peacebuilders."

Named "The 2001 Young Professional of the Year" by the Illinois Park and Recreation Association, Kathy Benson has extensive experience in planning and management. For the
last two years she has worked in a variety of positions for the Skokie Park District including: manager of the Teen Center, manager of cultural arts and teen programs, and developer/manager for teens and seniors at the Oakton Community Center. Prior to that, she was a project coordinator for the Chicago Park District. She earned her bachelor and master degrees at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and was leadership programs coordinator at the University's student union. A parishioner at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Evanston, Kathy and her husband Bob reside in Evanston.

Kathleen says, "The Peacebuilders Initiative provides an amazing opportunity to let young people know there are opportunities for them to be involved in the church. Because peacemaking and conflict resolution skills are not necessarily taught in school, it also gives them a faith-based understanding of peacemaking and the practical skills that youth need to know in order to survive in the world and make it better."

The Peacebuilders Initiative
Developed in consultation with Chicago-area Catholic high school teachers, campus ministers, and students, the Peacebuilders Initiative will offer 40 select high school students a comprehensive program in peacebuilding and reconciliation and an opportunity to consider ministry as one's life work.

The 40 students chosen as Peacebuilders will participate in an intensive summer learning experience at Catholic Theological Union and, with the assistance of individual mentors, the resources of the Peacebuilders website, and follow-up retreats, will develop their own peace projects to be implemented in their schools and communities.

Catholic Theological Union
The largest Catholic graduate school of theology and ministry in the United States, Catholic Theological Union (CTU) was founded in 1968 in the renewed spirit and vision of the Second Vatican Council. Through its world-renowned faculty, CTU is training over 500 women and men, ordained and lay, international and ethnically diverse, for service in the church and to the world. The school's 3,200 alumnae/i serve in schools, parishes, prisons, hospices, and social services throughout the United States and in 65 countries worldwide.

CTU is also home to the Joseph Cardinal Bernardin Center of Theology and Ministry, where the ideas and spirituality of the late Cardinal Bernardin flourish through scholarships, seminars, lectures, and a wide array of public programs. The center focuses on Cardinal Bernardin's signature issues, including reconciliation and peacemaking, interreligious dialogue, healthcare, the role of religion in society, the consistent ethic of life, and the Catholic Common Ground Initiative. The Bernardin Center is sponsor of the highly-respected Catholic-Jewish Studies Program and the Catholic-Muslim Studies Program.

Peacebuilder Partner High Schools and Religious Orders

Chicago-Based
Brother Rice High School
Cristo Rey Jesuit High School
De La Salle Institute
Hales Franciscan High School
Holy Trinity High School
Josephinum High School
Maria High School
Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School
Notre Dame High School for Girls
St. Rita of Cascia High School
St. Scholastica Academy

Suburban
Holy Cross High School
St. Joseph High School
Mother Theodore Guerin High School
Nazareth Academy
St. Viator High School

Religious Orders
Claretians
Divine Word Missionaries
Norbertines
Passionists
Viatorians