Hazelton resident serves from experience

For 15 years before his parents died, Charles Zola served as their primary caregiver; an experience which birthed an interest in elder care ethics.

As his interest grew, the Hazelton, Penn., resident became involved with the Luzerne/Wyoming Counties Elder Abuse Task Force, which he co-chairs. He is also an ethics consultant for Temple University’s Institute on Protective Services.

Elder abuse takes many forms, noted Zola, a professor in the philosophy and religious studies division at Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh, NY, where he directs the college’s Catholic and Dominican Institute.

The elderly can find themselves financially exploited, sexually or physically assaulted, or verbally abused, said Zola.

Zola’s volunteer service brings awareness to the issue by providing training to professionals involved with the elderly, he said.

Strong in faith

Through the many years of caring for his parents, who died in 2004 and 2008, Zola relied on his Catholic faith.

“My faith gave me values to hold on to,” said Zola. “I can’t understand how anyone could go through the elder care-giving experience without having some faith.”

A parishioner at St. Stanislaus Parish in Hazelton, Zola serves as chair of the parish’s core committee for the Called to Holiness and Mission program that is being implemented in the Diocese of Scranton. He also sings in the choir and serves as chair of the financial committee.

Zola noted that his situation with his folks taught him to realize his limitations and seek support when needed.

Caregiving is an all consuming and often stressful task which can produce self-imposed guilt in the care provider. Taking time out for yourself is vital, he noted.

Catholic and Dominican Institute

Zola is strongly committed to the Catholic intellectual tradition that emphasizes prayerful reflection and critical, rational analysis of the issues of the day.

This is a hallmark of the Dominican Order of Preachers, and infuses a Dominican-inspired education.

At Mount Saint Mary College, overlooking the Hudson River 60 miles north of New York City, Zola serves as director of the Catholic and Dominican Institute. He also teaches medical and business ethics and philosophy classes for students preparing for careers in education, health professions, business, psychology and social services.

As director of the Institute, he’s been busy planning the inaugural philosophy workshop: Thomas Aquinas and Contemporary Philosophy, June 23-26.

Thomas Aquinas, an Italian priest in the Dominican Order, was an influential philosopher and theologian. His interest in the relationship between faith and reason, and how they work together to reveal truth, is as relevant today as in the 13th century, said Zola.

Charles Morerod, O.P., rector of the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas, known as the Angelicum in Rome, and Secretary of the International Theological Commission, will give the keynote address.

Thomas Aquinas and Contemporary Philosophy, co-sponsored by the Thomistic Institute, Dominican House of Studies, Washington, D.C., will feature a distinctive opportunity for thought-provoking presentations and to meet informally with world-class Aquinas scholars for one-on-one conversations: something that may not occur at larger conferences.

Presenters at the workshop hail from the University of Notre Dame, Mount St. Mary’s University, Fordham University, and Catholic University of America, plus visiting scholars from Ottawa, Canada, Oxford, England and Fribourg, Switzerland.

Mount Saint Mary College’s Catholic and Dominican Institute advances the Dominican charism of learning and service; provides a forum for discussion of contemporary ethical issues; and enhances Catholic and Jewish dialogue.

For information and reservations for the Thomas Aquinas and Contemporary Philosophy workshop, call 845-569-3467 or visit www.msmc.edu/cdi.