A Catholic University's Obligations to Its Communities: Community Engagement at Australian Catholic University in the Spirit of the Founding Religious Congregations

Abstract

Catholic universities have a particular role to play in social development and cultural progress. Through their encounter with the Gospel, they have the opportunity to provide transformational experiences for students, faculty, and staff. One powerful means of such development and progress is to promote the engagement of students and staff with local communities. This article focuses on the transformative nature of community engagement at Australian Catholic University and describes how the university fi nds the inspiration for such engagement in the charisms of its founding religious congregations.