1979-1980 and 1982-1985
Mick Maurer in Chicago
The Federated Theological Faculty of the University of Chicago, 1943-1960. The 1943 merger of the faculties of Chicago
Theological Seminary, Meadville Theological School, Disciples Divinity House, and the University's Divinity School
created the largest group of theological institutions in the nation. Although this joint venture was discontinued in 1960, the
schools have continued to work closely under less formal arrangements.

The Association of Chicago Theological Schools
The Association of Chicago Theological Schools, known as ACTS, was formed in 1984 by twelve theological schools
located in the Chicago area to provide means for cooperation among the member institutions in the areas of student
cross-registration, library access and acquisitions, interchange among faculty members in the disciplines of theological
education, and communications between the schools. Prior to 1984, these schools had many years of successful
ecumenical cooperation, primarily through the Chicago Cluster of Theological Schools, the Chicago Theological Institute,
and the Library Council.

Northside Chicago Theological Institute
The Northside Chicago Theological Institute (NCTI) was organized in 1971 for educational and ecumenical purposes by
five theological schools: Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, North Park Theological Seminary, Seabury-Western
Theological Seminary, Mundelein Seminary and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.

The Hyde Park Cluster of Theological Schools
The five ACTS schools located in Hyde Park (Catholic Theological Union, Chicago Theological Seminary, Lutheran
School of Theology at Chicago, McCormick Theological Seminary, and Meadville Lombard Theological School) and the
Divinity School of the University of Chicago identify themselves as the Hyde Park Cluster of Theological Schools. The
cluster seeks ways to deepen academic cooperation and sharing beyond those made possible by the ACTS structure.

CTU
In 1968, three religious communities came together and founded Catholic Theological Union (CTU). Their vision was to
offer seminary students a priestly formation that mirrored the spirit of Vatican II–the renewal of the church.

Since then, CTU has become the largest Roman Catholic school of theology and ministry in North America. The school is
a richly diverse mosaic of  students who are internationally and ethnically diverse, men and women, religious and lay
people, and multigenerational. The faculty are distinguished Catholic, Jewish, and Protestant scholars who write many of
the leading books on theology and ministry, and are committed to mentoring their students. CTU is a community of
people who share a common pursuit. Faculty, students, and staff members alike are united in their quest for unparalleled
academic excellence, relevant ministerial leadership, and a life of devoted service.

Today, there are 32 religious orders within CTU. In fact, one in every six religious order priests ordained in the United
States today is a CTU graduate.

CTS
Chicago Theological Seminary is the oldest institution of higher education founded in the City of Chicago, having been
established in 1855. Chicago Theological Seminary is a seminary of the United Church of Christ. Like the UCC, CTS is
committed to ecumenism, with more than twenty denominations and religious traditions represented in the community.
Our students, faculty and staff have been raised and nurtured in a broad range of church traditions, from African Methodist
Episcopal Zion, Methodist, Unitarian Universalist, and American Baptist to Mennonite, Quaker, Church of God in Christ,
Pentecostal and Presbyterian.
Mick Maurer first went to Chicago in 1979-1980 to work at St. Francis De Sales
High School.  In 1982 Mick Maurer returned to Chicago to study at the Catholic
Theological Union, from where he graduated with an M.T.S. in Spirituality in
1984.  From 1982-1985 he worked at Hales Franciscan High School just north
of the University of Chicago on Cottage Grove.  Then from 1984-1985 Mick
Maurer studied at the Chicago Theological Seminary, from where he graduated
with a D.Min. in Pastoral Counseling in 1985.   You can read about Mick
Maurer's teaching at both High Schools at
CTU in Chicago which Mick Maurer attended from 1982-1984
Mark Zipfel, a freshman when I was a senior at Prep South,
and a good friend Steve Kazmarik in Chicago 1982
A Friar, my classmate John Lloyd who was a Precious Blood seminarian, myself
a Spiritan seminarian, and two other Friars at CTU in Chicago 1982.
While at Chicago Mick Maurer became involved with Bishop Brent
House, which was the Episcopal Campus Ministry Center at the
University of Chicago.  Most Friday afternoons during the term
seminarians and other students would gather around the fire place
at Brent House for Sherry Hour hosted by Rev. Sam Portaro, D.Min.  
Sam became a great friend an mentor, and while Mick Maurer was in
Philadelphia Sam and Chris Dionesotes reached out an extended
hand to help Mick during his time out on medical disability from
1993-1999.
A young Rev. Sam Portaro, D.Min.,  while
chaplain at William and Mary.
Bishop Brent House Episcopal Campus Ministry Center at the University of Chicago
Rev. Sam Portaro, D.Min, and Chris Dionesotes
Bishop Brent House, Chicago 2001
Rockefeller Chapel
Chicago Theological Seminary where Mick Maurer studied from
1984-1985
Robert Moore, PhD. my doctoral advisor at CTS
CTS Cloisters where the father of Clinical Pastoral Education is buried.
CTS Bell Tower and Chapel
CTS Chapel
On the porch of Bishop Brent House, University of Chicago,
on the day of my doctoral graduation from CTS in June 1985.
CTS D.Min. Graduation June 1985, Chicago.
Scenes of Chicago
Four views of University Chicago on the Midway
Interior of Rockefeller Chapel
The campus of the University of Chicago.  To the right of Rockefeller Chapel can be
seen the red brick Bell Tower of Chicago Theological Seminary
St. Francis De Sales High School, CTU, CTS, Hales Franciscan High School
The University of Chicago is a private university located principally in
the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago. Founded in 1890 by oil
magnate John D. Rockefeller, the University of Chicago held its first
classes on October 1, 1892. Chicago was one of the first universities in
the country to be conceived as a combination of the American
interdisciplinary liberal arts college and the German research university.
Alan Rockhus and Michael Dziallo
Phil Semreau, MaryAnne and Bruno De Antonio, Mrs. Semreau
Faculty from Hales Franciscan High School
Mayor Jane Byrne
Benny Goodman and Mel Tormaie
A new disease appeared in the 1980s, originally labeled as GRID it
soon became know as AIDS, caused by the HIV virus.

While I was in graduate school in Chicago in the early 1980’s, the
medical, public health and psychological processes into public health
and HIV prevention programs then under development.  This brought
about my focus on expanding in the disaster curriculum the link
between the existing and developing science of disasters and public
health.
Some of the sights and  
flavors of Chicago I loved.
Mick Maurer and John Sawicki