ESTEEM Program at Stanford:

     As we ready ourselves to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the opening of Vatican II, and to reinvigorate its spirit, it is helpful to take stock of the Council’s many achievements. One such example is the ESTEEM program here at the Catholic Community at Stanford.

     When the Second Vatican Council said that the “laity exercise their apostolate both in the Church and in the world in both the spiritual and temporal orders,” it was not thinking about secular educational institutions such as Stanford University, but it did envision an ideal program, one just like the ESTEEM program here at The Farm.  For ESTEEM is a model of young Roman Catholic lay people taking responsibility for the church’s mission of bringing about the Kingdom “initially here on earth, fully on the last day.”  Students in ESTEEEM use their competence and passion to serve others, and in particular the needs of the local church.

     ESTEEM is an acronym for Engaging Students to Enliven the Ecclesial Mission http://www.esteemleadership.org.  Now in its third year, the program is co-sponsored by The Leadership Roundtable on Church Management http://www.theleadershiproundtable.org  and the Saint Thomas More Catholic Center at Yale University http://stm.yale.edu/index.php.   Other pilot sites include UCLA, Michigan State and Yale. 

     ESTEEM at Stanford aims at harnessing the skills and talents of students, to empower them with the tools and depth of perspective to serve on parish finance boards, lead youth groups, and to be of service in traditional and entrepreneurial ways to the Christian community now and upon graduation.Our Stanford ESTEEM group begins this academic year with a retreat (this weekend), where the theme is “pilgrimage”.  We meet bi-weekly for 90 minutes. 

     Discussions revolve around the three pillars of the ESTEEM curriculum:  1. Spirituality / discernment / vocation, 2. The Catholic intellectual tradition, and 3. Developing leadership and group effectiveness skills. 

     Upcoming sessions will  feature presentations by experts on Catholic Social Teaching, models of the Church, and Vatican II.  Each student is assigned a mentor, usually a member of the CCAS Permanent Community, with whom he/she meets regularly to share ways of integrating faith with the many other aspects of their busy lives.  In April, our ESTEEM “delegation”  will once again travel to Yale to join students from 10 other participating universities for a Capstone Conference. 

     We will have the opportunity to reflect on the learnings of the past year, to develop relationships across campuses, and to gather in prayer and worship.

     By Silicon Valley “startup” standards, the ESTEEM venture at Stanford has been a success.  A few metrics: we have a “business plan,” participants’ expectations have been exceeded, and we are adding tangible value to the Catholic Community through our curriculum and emphasis on looking outward to make Christ’s presence known through service, evangelization and reconciliation. 

     Over two dozen undergraduates and graduate students have committed to ESTEEM 2013. We have been very fortunate to have the advice and participation of Fr. Nathan, Fr. Isaiah and Lourdes Alonso.  Seven ESTEEM “alumni”---Chiara Giammanco, Ellie Clougherty, Megan O’Neil, Cesar Ambriz, Luke Pappas, Sarah-Marie Chan and Geo Saba serve as leaders and group facilitators.  I am also joined by members of our Permanent Community and other locals---Bill Galliani, Tom Powers, Jane Najour, Tara DeNuccio, Sandy McNamara, Susan Marquess and Patty White in developing the curriculum, identifying mentors and leadership training.

     Please support us with your prayers and ideas.  If a member of the Permanent Community is interested in sponsoring the 2012-13 program or students, please contact me.

     In October 1962, on the eve of the Council, Pope John XXIII offered words of encouragement to the delegates and to the global church: “the aim of the Second Vatican Council is to nurture the Church’s best energies and studies... and to do our utmost to answer the needs and expectations of the world... with serenity of mind, moderation and wisdom.”  ESTEEM, along with Newman Nights and many other fine initiatives here at Stanford and elsewhere, attempts to honor “Good Pope John” and his vision by bringing students’ vitality to the life of the church. Here and now.

     We look forward to hearing from you.

Deacon John Kerrigan

johnk3@stanford.edu