Fr. Zack Swantek

Chaplain & Director of the Aquinas Institute for Catholic Life @ Princeton University

[Robert P. George @McCormickProf]

Fr. Zachary Swantek, Princeton University's Catholic chaplain, has written the following on behalf of the University's Catholic community to the University's Jewish community and its chaplains, Rabbi Eitan Webb of Chabad and Rabbi Gil Steinlauf of the Center for Jewish Life:

Dear Jewish Friends:

On behalf of the Catholic community at Princeton, I write to express to you, our beloved brothers and sisters of the Jewish faith, our deepest condolences as you mourn those who were heinously murdered during a Hanukkah observance at Bondi Beach in Australia. Please know that we stand in solidarity with you against antisemitic hatred and violence by anyone, anywhere, at any time. 

We, your Catholic friends, this year celebrate the 60th anniversary of the great document Nostra Aetate of the Second Vatican Council. Bearing in mind the history of antisemitic persecution, including by Christians, and indeed, sometimes even by those speaking and acting in the name of the Church, the fathers of the Council stated that: “The Church, mindful of the patrimony she shares with the Jews and moved not by political reasons but by the Gospel's spiritual love, decries hatred, persecutions, and displays of anti-Semitism, directed against Jews at any time and by anyone.”

That categorical and unequivocal teaching is much in our minds and hearts today as we extend to you our sympathy, our support, and our prayers. It is also much in our hearts and minds that what happened at Bondi Beach is not an isolated incident. It follows the horrific murders, rapes, and kidnappings of October 7, 2023 in Israel, when vicious terrorists attacked innocent men, women, and children for no reason other than that they were, or were presumed to be, Jewish. And it comes at a time of rising antisemitism throughout the world, including here in the United States.

It is entirely understandable that many in the Jewish community at this frightening moment are wondering who their friends are. You may be asking: Who will stand with us? Who will refuse to be complicit in antisemitism or to go silent in the face of it? We members of the Catholic community of Princeton stand with you. We pledge to resist antisemitism and speak out forcefully against it.

Please know that I spoke about this at the Sunday Masses on campus this weekend, and that our community prayed for the victims, for their families, and for the Jewish community here in Princeton and throughout the world.

In prayer,

Father Zack

Fr. Zachary Swantek
Doctor of Sacred Theology Chaplain 
Aquinas Institute for Catholic Life at Princeton University

[JD Flynn @jdflynn]

Ok, this is going to be a whole thread.

First, Protestants who marry Protestants, all things being equal, do contract sacramental marriage.

(cont)

[Fr. Zack Swantek @FrZackSwantek]

@jdflynn @pjfahey I believe C.S. Lewis used this analogy in The Great Divorce.

[Fr. Zack Swantek @FrZackSwantek]

𝐒𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐤 𝐬𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐡𝐞’𝐬 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐞𝐥𝐭 “𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬𝐭.”He is proud of the 𝐭𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭-𝐤𝐧𝐢𝐭, 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 that he leads, and how they’ve helped recent converts come into the faith.

[JD Flynn @jdflynn]

My friend @FrZackSwantek is the hard working chaplain at Princeton:

https://t.co/xwfQJtwBYG

[Fr. Zack Swantek @FrZackSwantek]

@McCormickProf On campus there are always large numbers of students for Ash Wednesday. But even larger numbers this year, despite midterms.

[Fr. Zack Swantek @FrZackSwantek]

@Sachinettiyil

[Sachin Jose @Sachinettiyil]

A Eucharistic procession at Princeton University 😍

[Fr. Zack Swantek @FrZackSwantek]

@jdflynn Was it the same one that I was on?

[Fr. Zack Swantek @FrZackSwantek]

@jdflynn

[Fr. Zack Swantek @FrZackSwantek]

@timothypomalley I did pre-engagement prep with your TA & used your book! He will be great!

[Fr. Matt Fish @frmattfish]

Into bed, falling asleep, get emergency call to anoint someone dying. Scrambling to put on clerics, grab my oils, out the door, into the truck. Saying the prayers, offering the sacraments, commending the soul to God, consoling the family. Most amazing part of my life, every time.

[Fr. Zack Swantek @FrZackSwantek]

Birthday surprises!

[Aquinas Institute @AquinasInst]

Students sneaked into our chaplain Fr. Zack's office to decorate it for his birthday yesterday! Many happy returns to @FrZackSwantek!

[Fr. Zack Swantek @FrZackSwantek]

@jamtodTwit @shannon_last I can’t speak for KA in the past, but it is definitely very good now!

[Fr. Zack Swantek @FrZackSwantek]

@jdflynn @shannon_last @AprilPonnuru 😂 @jdflynn

[Fr. Zack Swantek @FrZackSwantek]

@jdflynn @shannon_last For authentic Catholic preaching, teaching & culture: Our Lady of Mt. Carmel parish & Lumen Gentium Academy in Boonton

[Fr. Zack Swantek @FrZackSwantek]

More great speakers coming to @Princeton through the @AquinasInst

[Aquinas Institute @AquinasInst]

Next week is our first virtual lecture of the spring: Harvard astrochemist Karin Öberg will join us for a conversation about how she became an astronomer, how she became a Catholic, & how she understands the relationship between faith and science. Register—https://t.co/J03RtS1T8G

[Fr. Zack Swantek @FrZackSwantek]

@ArcEng9154644 @BishopBarron @Princeton @AquinasInst @WordOnFire No. I encourage you to listen to what he said to the students.

[Fr. Zack Swantek @FrZackSwantek]

Last semester at @Princeton we invited @BishopBarron to answer questions from the students at the @AquinasInst about God, faith, reason, and #evangelization. Today on the @WordOnFire Show Podcast Bishop Barron posted part 1 of 2 of the Q&A.

https://t.co/nh3Wzf71Ic

[Fr. Zack Swantek @FrZackSwantek]

I am thankful for the @FOCUScatholic missionary who selflessly took the time to know, love, & care for me some years ago, helping me to grow in my relationship with Jesus & discern my vocation! #SEEK21

[FOCUS @FOCUScatholic]

"The 'little way' of evangelization is how to evangelize. Jesus found a handful of men and invested deeply in them. If you find a few then everyone can be known, loved, and cared for."
#CurtisMartin #SEEK21

[Fr. Zack Swantek @FrZackSwantek]

“Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel!” 1 Corinthians 9:16 #SEEK21

[FOCUS @FOCUScatholic]

“It is our job now since we have experienced him, to tell people about him.

That you see yourself now as a messenger of the good news.”

#francischan #SEEK21