Throughout the history of St. Catherine University, founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, we have been dedicated as a community to our Roman Catholic heritage and identity. In light of the rich and diverse history of the church and the vision of Vatican II, we affirm aspects of that identity that are particularly appropriate to higher education:

• From the church's intellectual tradition, which has equated the search for truth with true liberation, we value an open atmosphere of critical inquiry, cross-cultural studies and interdisciplinary teaching.
• From its social tradition, with its consistent commitment to the poor and outcast, we value and reach out to those marginalized by our society and churches, and in particular, we seek to promote women's leadership.
• From its sacramental tradition, which has emphasized ritual, symbol and the use of material things as signs of grace, we value the integration of the material and spiritual, and the use of creative rituals for prayer and celebration.
• From the tradition that has stressed both communal participation and the worth of the individual, we value dialogue, respect for diversity and the nurturing of personal conscience.
• From the call of Jesus himself, that all should be one (John 17:21), we value ecumenism and collaboration among all faiths.

Drawing on those traditions, we seek to promote, through our student services, campus ministry, administration and faculty and staff, a common search for wisdom and the integration of our daily lives and work with our spirituality. Without being exclusive of other ecclesial and spiritual traditions, we will continue to ask ourselves how this Catholic heritage enhances the people we serve and the well-being of our planet.

March 26, 1996