Staff

Birgit Oberhofer

Birgit Oberhofer is originally from Munich, Germany where she studied Education Science, Psychology and Theology. After two years of formation in Italy she became a consecrated member of the Focolare Movement, living in one of their houses in Cologne. There she worked as a program developer and grant writer for one of the biggest charity organizations in Germany, running programs in the field of Adult Education and Social Work. She was regional Director of the Youth Ministry Programs of the Focolare, preparing retreats and formation programs for Young Adults. She is living now in one of the two houses of the Focolare in Hyde Park, Chicago. The Focolare is an ecclesial lay movement, born in Italy in 1943.

Fr. Stephen bevans, s.v.d.

Steve Bevans is originally from Baltimore, Maryland and moved with his family to California at age 13. After joining the seminary at the ripe age of 14 (yes, 14!), he has lived all over the United States and the world. He is a member of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) a missionary congregation founded in 1875 by the German St. Arnold Janssen (1837-1909). He took his first vows in 1966 and was ordained to the priesthood, just outside Rome, in 1971.

His first assignment was as a missionary to the Philippines, where he taught theology in a diocesan seminary that served nine dioceses in the northern part of the island of Luzon. 1981 he began doctoral studies at the University of Notre Dame and graduated there in 1986 after having gotten a job here at CTU. "I knew from very young that I was called to be a teacher" he confesses, "and my greatest wishes have been fulfilled—to teach in a first-class school, with amazing colleagues on the faculty, and teach equally amazing students from every part of the world."

His main hobby is writing, but he also enjoys getting exercise, like walking and swimming, and he occasionally still plays racketball. He also loves music—especially classical music—and has series tickets with several friends to the CSO. He is a Cubs fan and tries to go to a game at least once a summer.