FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA ADVISORY
Catholic PRWire

PHILADELPHIA, PA (September 29, 2011) - The Archdiocese of Philadelphia recently approved a new name for the Catholic studies program at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The new name, "The Graduate School of Theology (GST) and Program of Catholic Studies", previously called Religious Studies Program, more clearly describes the academic institution's identity and program offerings.

GST offers three levels of Catholic study programs: 1) Catholic certifications in catechesis and ministry; 2) undergraduate college-level theology programs with a Vatican-endorsed catechetical certification, which include specializations such as liturgical studies, youth ministry, and a program of Ministry to African American Catholics (MAAC); and 3) an internationally-recognized Master of Arts (MA) degree in Sacred Theology.

"I think a main reason for our new name is also to emphasize that our Archdiocesan-sponsored programs are not just for seminarians and religious, but for all the Catholic faithful, and especially for the laity", says Dr. Kelly Bowring, the new Academic Dean of GST. "We want to let all the faithful of the Church know that our programs are open to them, and we have students from the local area and as well as from throughout the country who come to GST to study."

The Graduate School of Theology (GST) and Program of Catholic Studies, located at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, was introduced in 1969, and today has approximately 475 students (including laity, priests, and religious) with about 50 faculty (8:1 student/professor ratio). For decades, it has had the reputation of promoting fundamental Catholic truth and doctrine within an academically rigorous environment for the study of Catholic theology. Over the years, the school's campus has proudly hosted prominent Catholic leaders, such as Blessed John Paul II (1979) and Cardinal Ratzinger (1991), who after becoming Pope Benedict XVI recently declared to Philadelphia’s Archbishop: "You have a good Seminary." The GST program of studies at the seminary has also had various noted Commencement Speakers including George Weigel, Janet Smith, Cardinal Krol, Cardinal Pio Laghi, Mother Angelica, Helen Alvare, Father David O'Connell (past President of Catholic University, now a Bishop), Carl Anderson (supreme knight of the Knights of Columbus), Cardinal Avery Dulles, and Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta.

GST offers a truly distinguished and dynamic environment to study Catholic Theology, especially with the GST programs sharing the same campus as a major place of studies and formation for 145 seminarians. The campus also has a newly opened, state-of-the-art library with one of the largest collections of theology books and technology resources in the country. Being located in such a historically important and Catholic city, so close to the major centers of New York and Washington DC, makes GST a uniquely apt place to study theology and become more acquainted with the Church on a national level.

GST’s new Academic Dean, Dr. Kelly Bowring, has had a distinguished career in Catholic higher education. He has been a dean of spirituality, chair of theology, and director of a national catechetical institute while previously teaching at Ave Maria University and Southern Catholic College. He received his masters in theology from Franciscan University of Steubenville, the licentiate from Dominican House of Studies (and JPII Institute) in Washington DC, and his doctorate from the University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome.

Dr. Bowring and his wife, Diana, have eight children. The oldest is entering college, and the others attend Blessed Teresa of Calcutta School and Pope John Paul II High School in Limerick, PA, with two young ones still at home. Dr Bowring is responsible for several publications most notably, To Hold & Teach the Catholic Faith (St. Pauls/Alba House) and several prayer and catechetical books (W. J. Hirten Co.). Dr. Bowring has recently published a best-selling book on Marian prophecy (www.TwoHeartsPress.com) and his new book, Your Life Redeemed, is forthcoming.

"We thank the Lord and the Blessed Mother," says Dr. Bowring, "for bringing us to Philadelphia to begin our new adventure in this notably Catholic city of two Philadelphia-area Saints (Saint John Neumann and Saint Katharine Drexel), a nationally-recognized and distinguished Seminary (Saint Charles Borromeo), and a great new Archbishop (Archbishop Chaput, previously from Denver). And GST is a great place to be assisting the Church in the New Evangelization."

For more information about GST or to apply for admission, go to www.StudyCatholicTheology.com or call (610) 785-6287.

For additional information, including a transcript of a recent interview with Dr. Bowring, please contact Mr. Daniel Skalski, Communications and Promotions Specialist, Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, at (610) 785-6219 or electronically at dskalski@scs.edu.

Contact

Two Hearts Press, LLC
http://www.scs.edu/academic/gst-press-release.html  GA, 30041 US
Kelly Bowring - ,  7708882248

Keywords

Catholic University, theology, masters degree, Philadelphia, Bowring, New Evangelization, ministry

Category

Catholic Schools & Religious Education