Staying Put

THE NEW YORK TIMES, Nov. 21—In a victory for Catholics at New York University, the Archdiocese of New York decided Nov. 20 not to move the school's Catholic Center.

Costly renovations and the high cost of running the center led the archdiocese to consider closing it and relocating its services off campus, to nearby St. Joseph's Church in Greenwich Village, the Times reported.

The archdiocese said no final decision had been made, but Auxiliary Bishop Timothy McDonnell told Father John McGuire, the director of campus ministry, the center could stay at its prime location next door to the university's student center and close to the library.

New Leader

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, Nov. 17—Mary Lyons has become the new president of the University of San Diego, its third president since the college combined its men's and women's programs in 1972.

Lyons, 56, came to the 7,130-student university from the College of St. Benedict in Minnesota, where she was also president, the Associated Press reported.

In an address to students, faculty and staff at the start of her term, Lyons called for a greater emphasis on public service.

“This university can be a mediating influence,” she said, “on behalf of many of its own neighbors who are poor, sick or culturally or linguistically isolated.”

Pontifical Observer

CHRISTENDOM COLLEGE, Nov. 19—Pope John Paul II invited Franciscan Sister of the Eucharist M. Timothy Prokes, a professor of theology at the Front Royal, Va., college's Notre Dame Graduate School, to be an observer at the Nov. 7-11 meeting of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences.

The meeting, held at the newly restored Casina Pius IV in the Vatican Gardens, marked the 400th anniversary of the academy. Galileo was one of its first members.

The Holy Father received in audience members and observers. They had the opportunity to greet the Pope personally.

More Study Abroad

UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME, Nov. 19—Two Catholic universities were among the top three schools with the highest percentage of students studying abroad during the 2001-2002 school year.

According to a report released Nov. 17 by the Institute for International Education, Georgetown University ranked second with 52% of students studying abroad and the University of Notre Dame ranked third with 51%. Yeshiva University in New York City ranked first with 75%.

The report, which ranked programs at American research universities, showed an overall 4% increase from last year in student participation in international study programs.

Worth the Wait

THE DAILY TIMES (Md.), Nov. 20—Keeping up with the trend of more and more Catholics moving south, Most Blessed Sacrament School in Ocean City, Md., opened its doors this fall as the only Catholic school in two counties.

Planning for the new school began in 1996, when Bishop Michael Saltarelli was installed as the head of the Wilmington, Del., Diocese.

The kindergarten-through-seventh-grade school plans to open an eighth grade next year, but after students graduate there is not yet a Catholic high school in the area for them to attend.