STUEBENVILLE, OHIO — Franciscan University of Steubenville has launched a new initiative aimed at engaging students in the heart of our nation’s political and cultural life. On February 28, the university dedicated the Ward and Kathy Fitzgerald Franciscan University Homeland Mission in Washington, D.C.
This mission helps prepare students to take active roles in public service and promotes values that positively influence government policies. Approximately 175 attendees gathered for the dedication event, which followed the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast.
Speakers included representatives from the university and notable guests like Father Rob Maro, Stephen Catanzarite, and Amelia Abdalla, a senior political science and philosophy student. Father Dave Pivonka, the university president, emphasized the mission’s goal of spreading light and truth in Washington. “We believe the Lord is inviting us to do something radically different here,” he said.
Thanks to a generous $10 million donation from Ward and Kathy Fitzgerald, the Homeland Mission will serve as a hub for students to engage with the legislative process. This space isn’t just for political science students; events will cater to various academic fields, ensuring a comprehensive approach to forming well-rounded leaders.
Ward Fitzgerald expressed his excitement for the mission, noting it allows him and his wife to support a Christ-centered initiative. He referred to their role as “hollow vessels” for God’s work and thanked the university community for their commitment to glorifying God.
Ambassador Andrew Bremberg, also an alumnus, highlighted how this mission differs from typical university expansions. He called it a launchpad for training faithful leaders ready to advocate for truth and human dignity in a challenging cultural landscape.
Amelia Abdalla eagerly anticipated the impact of the Homeland Mission. “Washington needs what we have to offer,” she said. “This property is not just a gift; it’s a call to action for us as students.”
The initiative is part of a broader Franciscan University Encounter program focused on uniting resources to enhance its mission beyond Steubenville. Stephen Catanzarite, overseeing operations, expressed his eagerness to see students from Franciscan University make a difference in a city that craves truth and goodness.
As this new chapter begins for Franciscan University, students are encouraged to engage meaningfully in their communities and uphold the values they’ve learned. The Homeland Mission aims to equip them to be joyful disciples, ready to serve in the federal government and beyond.
