Letter from the Director
Dear Faculty:
I am both honored and enthused to assume the directorship of the Institute for the Study of Catholic Culture and Tradition. The Institute is poised to make significant contributions to Loyola's core mission of bearing witness to the faith in the intellectual milieu. The hard work done by Fr. Robert Gerlich, the first director of the Institute, will certainly facilitate the work of the Institute. Under his direction the aims and procedures of the Institute were formulated and the first grants were awarded. I look forward to building upon the work that Fr. Gerlich has done.
The mission of the Institute, through the sponsoring of course development grants, lectures, symposia, and projects, is to promote the study of the Catholic tradition and its cultural impact. As Fr. Gerlich stated so well in his inaugural statement, "the institute is confident that by encouraging debate on contemporary and cross-cultural issues within the context of an informed discussion of Catholic values and principles, the dialogue between faith and reason will proceed to a higher synthesis of knowledge, one in which there is a greater appreciation for the mediating role of Catholicism as a living and vital spiritual and intellectual tradition."
I would encourage the faculty, departments, students, and staff to consider ways in which the Institute might facilitate their work and interests through the generosity of those interested in furthering the mission of Loyola University. The Institute has the resources to support the development of courses and programs. The applications for grants can be found on the Institute's web site. In addition, I would be most happy to talk to individuals and groups concerning the Institute and the assistance which it can provide to promote an understanding of and reflection upon Catholicism and its role in history and the contemporary world.
Sincerely,
Bernard Cook
Director
Members of the Advisory Board
- Fr. Peter Bernardi, S.J.
- Dr. Patrick Bourgeois
- Dr. Francesco Cesareo
- Fr. Mark Massa, S.J.
Contact Dr. Bernard A. Cook by e mail at cook@loyno.edu
Telephone: 504-865-2564; FAX: 504-865-2010
Office Bobet 427