The following comes from a Sept. 9 release from Thomas Aquinas College.
In the newly released 2015 edition of its Best Colleges guide, U.S. News & World Report places Thomas Aquinas College in the top third of the top tier of all American liberal arts colleges. It also praises the college’s financial aid program, listing the school as No. 26 among the Top 40 national liberal arts colleges on its Best Values list.
In discussing the basis for this Best Value ranking, U.S. News explains that it “takes into account a school’s academic quality…. The higher the quality of the program and the lower the cost, the better the deal.” It adds that “only schools ranked in or near the top half of their U.S. News ranking categories are included, because U.S. News considers the most significant values to be among colleges that perform well academically.”
In addition, U.S. News has ranked Thomas Aquinas College first in the country for the highest proportion of classes under 20 students (100%) and ninth among the top 26 national liberal arts colleges for least debt at graduation. The magazine notes that average debt among graduates of Thomas Aquinas College is $15,521 — nearly half the national average of $29,400.
Says Thomas Aquinas College director of admissions Jon Daly, “We are very happy to see that U.S. News has ranked Thomas Aquinas College so highly for academics while also applauding our financial aid program and small class size. In these difficult economic times, it is important for students and parents to be confident that the investment they make in a college education does not go to waste.”
The College has received high marks in the newest editions of all the top annual college guides, both Catholic and secular, including the Princeton Review, the Association of College Trustees and Alumni, and the National Catholic Register.
“Taken together with this report from U.S. News,” says Mr. Daly, “these reviews offer parents and prospective students a fairly good idea of the strength of our unique program. A visit to the campus will also afford them the opportunity to observe our classes firsthand and experience the vibrant spiritual life of the College and the joy students take in pursuing their studies in and outside of class.”
Adds President Michael McLean, “This year’s U.S. News review, along with the many others that highly rank Thomas Aquinas College, are strong indicators of what some do not think possible, but what we at the College have firmly held from the beginning: An institution of higher learning can be faithfully Catholic while providing excellent academics at a competitive price.”
And it is a wonderful place to attend mass! Reverent and beautiful, if you have not been to a Latin mass in a while, give it another go. Come a bit early for confession and marvel at the lines you will probably see. Oh, and by the way, prepare to receive Holy Communion on the tongue while kneeling at the altar rail.
Despite these accolades, something must be seriously amiss if the college continues to employ Fr. Cornelius Buckley, S.J. as chaplain no less(!), who had more than a passing role in the Jesuit pedophilia scandal coverup concerning (former) Fr. Donald McGuire, and the settlement of which cost the Jesuits over $19 million. I would not send my kids there; something is wrong with this picture.
I post in defense of Thomas Aquinas College. It has great Chaplains such as Frs. Joseph Illo and Paul Raftery, daily TLM and Ordinary form, generated many vocations, is in the most beautiful location one can imagine and has top rated academic tutors. Their library is most beautiful. TAC is a mayor asset to Southern California. If they employ this Jesuit I would imagine he is not that bad. Remember what a famous Jesuit said about gossip.
Please provide us with some further information, on this! I would appreciate it! Fr. Illo is now busy helping to form a branch of the Fathers of the Oratory, at Star of the Sea church, in San Francisco. I hope to attend the next lecture on this subject, on Sept. 20th. I very much appreciate the beautiful Tridentine Latin Mass, at Star of the Sea! Hope all of this will also greatly benefit the parish school!
I will clarify, what I just posted, above. I would like accurate information, on the Jesuit scandals, and the Jesuit chaplain at Thomas Aquinas College, and the College’s response! Thank you!
Be assured that TAC still employs Father Buckley. They are quite proud of him.
Buckley did report his suspicions about McGuire. Is that what you mean by “more than a passing role” in the matter? I doubt if many fair-minded people would consider that scandalous, however.
You are kicking Thomas Aquinas College out of the Real Catholic Church of your imagination? There must be little room for Hope there.
Fr Buckley reported an unsubstantiated allegation made to him to his Jesuit superiors in 2002, at a time when he had long been exiled by the order from working at any of their institutions for his own fidelity to the Faith. He has been only nominally a Jesuit for decades now, but remains proud of his Jesuit identity nonetheless, harkening back to a time when the order was known for its faithfulness to the Magisterium, which is tragically no longer the case. The Jesuits are the cause of their own problems, and Buckley has done nothing to exacerbate their woes. The Chicago province had wind of McGuire’s travails as early as 1964. Over approximately the last decade, the order and their insurers have paid out a Quarter Billion Dollars in settlement of abuse claims, almost all being homosexual in nature. The McGuire matter at $19 million is spit compared to the total. And BTW, settlements don’t “cost” money, they save money, that’s why cases are settled, rather than tried. You don’t sound like you know a thing about which you speak. And if your kids are anything like you, please don’t send them to TAC, but they probably couldn’t get in anyway.
If Fr. Buckley was/is only nominally a Jesuit, all the more reason to call the police if one knows a crime is being committed rather than blithely writing memos to one’s “superiors.”
I blasted you out of the water and now you’re grasping at straws. Fr Buckley broke no laws. He wasn’t around the Jesuits. You stated he had more than a passing role in the Jesuit “coverup.” What kind of a vile reckless statement is that? You have no basis whatsoever for even guessing what he was told and by whom or what he knew, or didn’t know or what his legal responsibilities were or weren’t. You are a slanderer with an agenda, and again you don’t know what you’re talking about. Get off this board and keep your pea-brained opinions to yourself.
FYI
Today, The Cardinal Newman Society recognized 71 Catholic schools across the country as Schools of Excellence for their strong Catholic identity and academic excellence.
Did your children’s school make the list? https://bit.ly/SchoolsExcellence
I found the account of the shocking pedophile crimes of former Fr. Donald McGuire, S.J., of the Chicago-Detroit Midwest Province of the Jesuits– simply by looking it up on BishopAccountabiity.org. (I found noting, however, on Fr. Buckley.) I am so HORROR-STRICKEN!! This evil man was Mother Teresa’s private confessor! And also, a confessor, for her nuns! The Jesuits were totally dishonest, for many decades, regarding his sex crimes! Even Mother Teresa was obviously fooled! Or was she? Did she know?? Did she, too– betray Christ?? As it turned out– he did not get enough punishment—- and the Jesuits essentially did nothing! ZILCH!! To this day!! WHY?? I am now in a puddle of tears, over Catholic schools! And so shocked, over Mother Teresa, I can’t see straight!!
Just Google “Jesuits Keep Pedophile Hidden”. From there you can find out about Fr. Buckley.
Yeah, I did that Dave N., and what there is, is this from the San Francisco Weekly:
“In 2002, Cornelius Buckley … reported to the Chicago Province that McGuire was traveling with the same boy, who was named Dominick. … In 2007, after a phone conversation with Dominick, Buckley reported to Chicago that the boy “had been abused by McGuire…”
Noting that the Jesuits finally acted against Buckley in 2003, this is what one can “find out about Fr. Buckley”:
1) Buckley reported his suspicions about McGuire in 2002.
2) McGuire was removed in 2003.
3) In 2007, Buckley contacted the victim and confirmed that his suspicions were correct.
“Slanderer with an agenda” describes you perfectly well.
I hope it is obvious the the Jesuits acted against McGuire in 2003, and not against Buckley. Dave N.’s slander is despicable, and his “evidence” depends upon no one actually reading it.
Are both
1) a Catholic Bible;
2) the “Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition” REQUIRED texts for all students at Thomas Aquinas College?
If so for what years for each?
This is the true test so teachers can not accidentally or purposely teach against the Faith,
and most importantly to prepare students to be able to get to Heaven for eternity.
The nastiest slander of Father Buckley is being passed around quite lightly. At best, tthat can only be the result of ignorance and bad judgement. More likely it is the result of a troll.
I do recomend that those whose paranoia has grown to where they consider Thomas Aquanias College not Catholic enough retreat to the nearest catacomb they can find.
TAC’s reading list is available here: https://www.thomasaquinas.edu/a-liberating-education/syllabus
Let us never forget that Not All Our Sisters (lay & professed) are members of the ‘Twysted Systerhood’ of radical gender feminist misandrists in Academentia; rather it is just the hyper-militant radicals of the Gaystapo Thought Police who get the favorable lamesteam media coverage….
Even if the Bought and Paid for ‘free press’ spins away the facts, and only quotes the ones on the Church Payroll who hate the Church Most.
SEE
Loyola Marymount Employees File Complaint against California Abortion Mandate 9/12/14 By CNS Staff |
Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) and Life Legal Defense Foundation (LLDF) filed a complaint on Friday with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on behalf of seven Loyola Marymount University employees who argue that California’s Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) has violated federal law by mandating insurance coverage of elective abortions.
In August, the DMHC mandated that Loyola Marymount and Santa Clara University cover elective abortion as a “medically necessary” procedure, a decision that will impact all non self-insured California organizations.
Soon after the decision, The Cardinal Newman Society joined with ADF and LLDF in a letter warning the California agency that the state may lose federal funds due to its mandate.
The letter cited the Weldon Amendment, which prohibits federal funds to states that discriminate on the basis that a health care entity “does not provide, pay for, provide coverage of, or refer abortions.”
– See more at: https://www.cardinalnewmansociety.org/CatholicEducationDaily/DetailsPage/tabid/102/ArticleID/3532/Loyola-Marymount-Employees-File-Complaint-against-California-Abortion-Mandate.aspx#sthash.GT7eoTGJ.1NbjLNcL.dpuf
I found a huge amount of information, on the horrible pedophile case of former “Fr.” McGuire, plus related information on the reports to the Jesuits, of Fr. Buckley and Fr. Fessio. Plus, the sad and shocking information, all about Fr. John Hardon– who did not seem to believe the pedophilia reports, and supported Fr. McGuire! Fr. Hardon’s Cause for Sainthood was opened, after his death. I am now wondering how many Catholics have been canonized, who were actually morally questionable? (Including St.John Paul II, who had healing gifts– but did not take much interest in the pedophile cases??) Well, I am also deeply shocked and disappointed, at Fr. Fessio! As for Fr. Buckley, it seems he did his best, from what I read. But Fr. Fessio, whom I have long admired– originally did not believe in reporting these crimes to police! It now seems to me– that the Catholic Church is too interested in worldly power, and is really naïve, irresponsible, and superficial– about sin, and crime! Also, it places far too much value on its clergy, and on protecting reputations! Our Church is NOT HOLY!
After reading the HORRIFIC reports on the pedophilia case of former Jesuit “Fr.” McGuire– I have changed my mind totally, about our HYPOCRITE Church! We all must beware of fallen human nature, even in trusted priests and Church leaders! And beware of completely looking up to, and trusting, ANYONE in the Church! Even those priests you know, and respect! BEWARE! Even a little child is NOT SAFE!! THE CHURCH IS IMMATURE, AND DOES NOT REALLY CARE!! We all must just take responsibility for the practice of our Faith and Morals, into our own hands, as adults, and everything else, next to God— is secondary! Tell our children, “you must run away immediately, if a priest does anything bad to you, or tries to talk to you, in a sexual manner! This is a SIN! A serious CRIME! Run away fast! Kick him very hard! Immediately tell your parents— and the police– what happened!” Well, I will never again be the same! From now on, my Catholic practice is mostly between me and God! PERIOD!!
I have now shared all of the shocking information about the Jesuit pedophile cover-up, with family and friends. They are all so completely horrified, about Mother Teresa, Fr. Fessio, and Fr. Hardon, who has a case for Sainthood! Our Church is IMMATURE, and UNTRUSTWORTHY!! I recall as a child, long ago– parish priests had a large social calendar, dining very frequently in the homes of parishioners! And they were so greatly respected! Well– everyone, no matter who they are, even someone canonized as a Saint— may or may not be truly trustworthy, and virtuous! Only God knows the truth! So, we must take full responsibility for our own lives, and the protection of family members, and friends– and especially the very weak, vulnerable, and young! All children in our care, are not going to waste any time around a church or a priest alone, no matter who the priest may be! They all will always have adult accompaniment, standing close by! And the Sacrament of Penance will be carefully watched and restricted! Let the priests stay mostly with other priests. Don’t mix with us!
Priests should mix with their flock, smell of sheep to cite the top Jesuit. It has been our great honor to have dined at home with several priests. Priests are highly educated and much better Catholics than us. Without priests we would not have the Mass or confession. What you advise is counterproductive, Linda Maria.
Whenever we see a priests or nuns dining on their own at a restaurant we anonymously take care of their tab. Terrible slander has taken place here against an honorable priest. Mr. Dave N. should repent in confession.
Gratias, I was not really “advising” anything, when I said, “don’t mix with us.” I was very emotional, shocked at what I read, about the horrific pedophile cases! Especially, the former Jesuit, Donald McGuire! And the fact that even possible saints, or saintly persons, like Blessed Mother Teresa– strangely, sadly, were involved with a horrible criminal, a “wolf dressed in sheep’s clothing!” Also, why did respectable priests like Fr. Fessio, not believe in reporting the crimes of child sex abuse, to police?? So many decades went by– and no one cared about those poor, suffering boys!1 Cant believe it!! Whom can you trust?? I am still shocked!! I thought I had gotten over this, after the sex abuse problems were publically exposed and tackled, a few years ago. The only thing one can do– is to be careful!! Well– on the other hand– it’s nice of you, to pick up dining tabs, for priests and nuns! But as I say– I am IN SHOCK!!
I will say one more thing. I once spoke with a lady who had grown up in the parish in the Stockton Calif. area, where that horrible Irish pedophile priest molested children. She had known this “monster priest” well. She was not molested, but knew others who were his victims, for many horrible years! The movie, “Deliver Us From Evil,” is about this deadly criminal priest. About ten years ago, the secretary of a California bishop also told me the horrible story of her son being the victim of child molestation by a priest, which began in grade school. I tried to get over the deep shock of these and many other cases I heard of, or read about– but it is extremely shocking, and very hard to understand! These terrible crimes destroy a child totally, body and soul! Some can never enter a church again. Some suffer so badly they are suicidal, daily! I think some can never hope to fully recover! SHOCKING!! A DEADLY crime!!