Features
Cure Your Doomscrolling-Induced Writers Block
For writers there is nothing more infuriatingly useful than having all of the information in the world at your fingertips. Appreciation towards the simplicity of learning “how a spy would dress in the 1700s” or “how to best kill the fan-favorite comic relief character” may start you out feeling good, but that feeling quickly dissipates. […]
Why do you praise?
“Why do you praise?” This question can draw a variety of responses from Franciscan University students. In the words of freshman Willow Pecek: “Praise and worship music saved my life.” Praise and worship is a unique form of prayer, brought into Catholic circles through the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in the 1970s. When Rev. Michael Scanlan, […]
Senior Spotlight: Mariah Matzinger Lash
Senior Nursing major, Biology minor and member of Illuminata Pace Household, Mariah Matzinger Lash is graduating Franciscan University this coming May. From the beautiful Shenandoah Valley and the city of Falls Church in Virginia, Mariah’s trust led her to Franciscan University. She said, “Choosing to come to Franciscan was mainly to study nursing in an […]
Being a Pro-Life Leader
Every Saturday, the Abortion Outreach Ministry sends out three shifts of student teams to pray and advocate in front of Allegheny Reproductive Health Center in Pittsburgh. Each team is led by two leads who organize their respective shifts and guide everyone throughout the ministry. These leads work behind the scenes throughout the week to keep […]
Franciscan’s Abortion Outreach Ministry: A Spiritual Sidewalk Battle
Located at the east end of Pittsburgh is abortion facility Allegheny Reproductive Health Center. Through the Abortion Outreach Ministry, students gather every Saturday as a peaceful presence. Prayerful students can be seen on one sidewalk while pro-abortion clinic escorts can be seen on the other. Meeting at the Rosary Circle, a typical second-shift ministry, as there are three […]
On Love: An Interview with Dave Fatula
Love at first sight: an experience often imagined but rarely expected. For Dave and Faustyna Fatula, however, this was reality. I had the opportunity to interview Dave, the current director of Franciscan Events, about how he came to Franciscan University and his relationship with Faustyna. Dave Fatula came to play basketball at the College of […]
Which Penitent Personality Are You?
As soon as Lent rolls around, the season of penance coaxes entirely new personalities out of Franciscan students. When repenting for their sins, most Frannies fall into one of five categories. Curious about your tendencies? Here is a complete guide to the Five Penitent Personalities. THE FAT TUESDAY FANATICS On the vigil of Ash Wednesday, […]
The Downfall of Superbowl Ads
According to a 2020 ABC News study, 25% of an average NFL TV broadcast consists of commercials. This usually bothers viewers. However, during the Super Bowl, most people don’t care. The phenomenon of the “Super Bowl commercial” has become synonymous with the big game: a time for companies to get the most creative with their […]
Love: The Most Beautiful Sentiment
The word “love” is one used very often in our culture, and in a month like this, it is thrown around more often than usual. Love is a wonderful thing, of course. Most broadly defined, it is an “intense feeling of deep affection,” and flooded with positive connotations. There is a universal longing to be […]
Living Single When All Your Friends Are Dating
Picture this: Friday finally rolls around and you are ready for a fun night with your friends. But, when you text your roommate, you find out that she’s going on a hike with her boyfriend and then to dinner. You sigh and ask your best friend if she wants to drive into Pittsburgh and find […]