By Mariana Barillas
“Everybody in the program is very supportive of each other,” said journalist and recent convert Stephanie Green, a student in The Catholic University of America’s new MA in Evangelization and Culture program. “Everyone is here to be an evangelist and learn more about their faith. I have fallen in love with the Church, the campus — I just love everything about it.”
Her enthusiasm reflects the success of the groundbreaking collaboration between the School of Theology and Religious Studies and the Word on Fire Institute. The live online instruction, on-campus optional summer retreat, and the support of the wider Catholic University community made the program stand out to Green.
Matthew Petrusek, senior director of the Word on Fire Institute and its professor of Catholic ethics, said the program is already a “phenomenal success” before completing its first year. The inaugural cohort is 88 students, nearly double the initial high-end estimate of 50. The diversity of the student population – from recent graduates to advanced professionals to veterans and retirees – speaks volumes to the appeal of a rigorous and relevant academic program designed to evangelize the culture.
“To partner with the great legacy, reputation, and institutional support of The Catholic University of America is a great blessing,” said Petrusek. Word on Fire founder Bishop Robert Barron and proud alumnus (B.A. 1981, M.A. 1982) often discusses his time at the University as critical for his intellectual and spiritual formation, so it’s a connection rooted in a shared history and sense of mission.
Jem Sullivan, director of the MA in Evangelization and Culture and associate professor of practice in catechetics at the School of Theology and Religious Studies, said the combination of theology faculty from Catholic University and Word on Fire Academic fosters a unique educational experience and faith community. She is especially excited for the first 3-4 day summer intensive retreat that will feature expert speakers, fellowship, and prayer.
“Since evangelization is the heart of the Church’s life and its fundamental reason to exist, it is a providential and exciting moment for the University to offer excellent theological education placed, in such a direct way, at the service of the Church’s evangelizing mission,” said Sullivan.
