Catholic Spirit editor named as foundation board president

The editor-in-chief of The Catholic Spirit has been named president of the board for the Foundation for the Institute of Jewish Christian Studies in Seton Hall.

Mary Morrell, who returned to The Catholic Spirit in June 2023 after 25 years, this time as editor-in-chief, received a master’s degree in Judeo-Christian Studies in 2003 from the university.

“I was drawn to the master’s program in Jewish-Christian Studies because of my early high school experiences with Jewish friends, and I saw in the invitation to join the board of the Foundation in 2015 the opportunity to continue to promote peacebuilding through education, “she said. “I would encourage others who feel a similar call, especially during these very challenging times, to consider this enriching and fulfilling program.”

According to Father LawrenceE. Frizzell, director of the Institute of Judaeo-Christian Studies and associate professor of the Jewish-Christian Studies Graduate Program at Seton Hall, Morrell was selected to be board president because “she is experienced in our work and has a wide knowledge of the Church in New Jersey.”

Established at Seton Hall in 1953by Monsignor John M. Oesterreicher, the Institute of Judaeo-Christian Studies is the oldest institution in the world dedicated to Jewish-Christian Studies. From its beginning, he continued to foster a positive understanding of Judaism and the Jewish people among Christians through lectures in the United States and Europe and through research and book and journal publications in English and German. He launched the world’s first Jewish-Christian Studies Graduate Pro-gram at Seton Hall University in 1975.

Father Frizzell, Monsignor Oesterreicher’s colleague and successor, has carried out the mission of the institute since 1993.

One of the greatest accomplishments, said Father Frizzell – who has been associated with the institute for 50 years – is building on the work of Msgr. Oesterreicher in the master’s program to promote the education of the younger clergy and other educators in promoting the 16 documents of the Second Vatican Council and subsequent texts of the Church’s teaching, as well as sharing with other Christians, Jews and all people of goodwill to promote justice and peace.

“Now the institute and the master’s program continue to acknowledge the need for divine guidance as we strive to make a small contribution toward the future of a world in desperate need,” Father Frizzell said. “Much great work is being done in many places, for which we are grateful. We look forward to the success of sincere efforts to solve these problems.”

Under Father Frizzell’s guidance, the institute continues to make a significant local, regional and global impact in the world. As it celebrates its 70^th anniversary, those involved look for-ward to advancing and strengthening Jewish-Christian relations among a new generation of scholars, theologians, educators and students who are committed to promoting universal peace through their shared values, practices and traditions.

During the past 30 years, Morrell, who is a syndicated columnist, has worked for the Dioceses of Metuchen and Trenton, as well as RENEW International in the areas of religious education and communication. She is a correspondent for Vermont Catholic magazine and formerly the Catholic Review in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. She has also served as a long-term writer and blogger for RCL Benziger Publishers.

Among her more unique experiences, Morrell recounts, was serving as a member of the global team of transcribers of Dorothy Day’s personal diaries and writings as part of the process for Day’s canonization and writing a video presentation for renowned actor Martin Sheen. 

For more information on the Institute of Judaeo-Christian Studies go to https://www.shu.edu/judaeo-christian-studies/our-history.html.