By Kathleen Carey

kcarey@delcotimes.com @dtbusiness on Twitter

ASTON >> When the Church and Sport seminar convenes at the Vatican in May, Neumann University director Lee DelleMonache will be among the 100 athletes, coaches, university professors and faculty and sports missionaries and experts from around the globe to attend.

DelleMonache, director of the Neumann University Institute for Sport, Spirituality and Character Development since 2013, will attend the "Coaches: Educating People" conference at the Vatican on May 14-15, as part of an initiative launched by John Paul II 10 years ago to examine the integration of sports and faith.

"It's such an immense, immense privilege to go to a seminar sponsored by the Vatican," DelleMonache shared. "I want to be fully present for those two days and soak it all in and bring back the wonderful things that people are doing all over the world."

DelleMonache said her trip to Rome began about a month or so when Michael Galligan-Stierle, president of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities, visited the Delaware County campus with the Rev. Friedrich Bechina, Undersecretary of the Pontifical Congregation for Catholic Education.

During their visit, they met DelleMonache in Neumann's Mirenda Center for Sport, Spirituality and Character Development.

There, she told them about the institute's purpose to transform perspectives, inspire behavior and deepen awareness of self, others and God through the chaplain's program, the leadership development program and digital content highlighting positive sports stories.

"We have the privilege of shining the light on the positive things," DelleMonache said. Giving examples such as Cincinatti Bengals wide receiver Devon Still's experience with his 4-year-old daughter's struggle with neuroblastoma, she said sports can be more than the latest domestic violence or DUI incident. "With the digital content, we just try to draw attention to these wonderful stories and sports."

While on their tour, Bechina said to DelleMonache, "Well, you'll be in Rome in May."

More here:

Neumann University director headed to the Vatican