Dear Faculty, Staff, Students, Alumni and Friends of Bethlehem University,
I write to inform you of the sudden passing of Dr. Monika K. Hellwig. Dr. Hellwig was a tremendous friend of Bethlehem University, an internationally renowned theological scholar and the immediate former President (1996-2005) of the Association of Catholic College and Universities, of which Bethlehem University of the Holy Land is a member. Dr. Hellwig died Friday morning, 30 September 2005 as a result of an aneurysm.
In her role as the President of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities from 1996-2005, Dr. Hellwig eagerly sought out opportunities to support Bethlehem University, working closely with Brother Ron Gallagher and Brother Vincent Malham, the then Vice Chancellors of Bethlehem University. Under her leadership and with her vision, the members of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities (http://www.accunet.org) generously supported Bethlehem University. We are most grateful for the great encouragement of Dr. Monkia Hellwig and of our colleagues in the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities.
Bethlehem University has had a great friend in the person of Dr. Monkia Hellwig and we now mourn her loss. We are grateful for her time with us as a visionary leader in Catholic higher education, for her tremendous contributions as a scholar and theologian through her writings in Christian-Muslim-Jewish relations, post-Vatican II ecclesiology, Christology, the sacraments, Catholic Social Thought, and liberation theology. Dr. Hellwig was a pathfinder in ecumenical and inter-religious dialogue, in opening opportunities for women in higher education and theological scholarship, and in efforts to foster peace with justice through education. Her life in so many ways exemplifies the mission and purpose of Bethlehem University.
It is in faith that we trust that Dr. Monkia Hellwig is now with the God whom she so passionately loved and served. Please join me in praying in thanksgiving for Monika and for the comfort of her two sisters: Mirianne Hellwig-John of the U.K. and Angela Hellwig-Collis of Switerland; for her three children: Erica Hellwig Parker, Michael Hellwig, and Carlos Hellwig; and for her three grandchildren Miles, Sterling and Quincy. You are invited to write a note of condolence which will be forwarded to the family in the Book of Condolence found in my office until Tuesday, 11 October. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the USA on Thursday, 6 October 2005 and we will offer the Friday, 7 October 2005 Mass at the University celebrated by Bishop Maroun Lahham for the resurrection of Dr. Monika Hellwig.
Sincerely,
Brother Daniel Casey, FSC
Vice Chancellor
