October 19, 2009
Father Paul Robichaud, C.S.P.
Father Paul Robichaud, C.S.P.After spending eight years as pastor of the Paulist-run Church of Santa Susanna in Rome, one of the first things Father Robichaud did after returning stateside in 2005 was to renew his membership with the American Catholic Historical Association.
“Much to my surprise, I was asked to serve as general secretary of the association in 2008,” said Father Robichaud, who is currently writing a book on the history of the Paulist Fathers.
The ACHA, founded by the famous American historian, Peter Guilday, has its home at The Catholic University in Washington, D.C. The Association sponsors the quarterly Catholic Historical Review and two major conferences a year. In January the ACHA meets conjointly with the American Historical Association. In the Spring the association meets at a Catholic college or university. This provides the opportunity for graduate students and researchers to present their work. The ACHA also gives annual awards for outstanding academic work in the area of American Catholic history.
One of the major projects currently under way at the ACHA is the redesign of the organization’s web site. To be launched this fall, the new site will include space for members to seek guidance, collaborate on projects and stay on top of current research projects..
“It will be a way for historians to work with each other on the internet.” Father Robichaud explained. “We want to encourage people to research and write.”
With the new web site, the ACHA hopes to greater serve and expand its 1,000 members by creating a place to find resources, consultation, queries and mentorship, “a forum for the broad umbrella of what we call American Catholic studies,” said Father Robichaud.
Father Robichaud, who serves as the Paulist historian, earned his doctorate in American religion and culture from the University of California at Los Angeles in 1986. He has taught in the history department of Catholic University, andalso taught American church history at Pontifical Gregorian University while serving in Rome.
The ACHA’s new website should come online later this fall.