Past Events

Our sincere thanks to Mark Guevarra for joining us on January 12, 2022, to discuss the origins, processes, and possibilities of the 2023 synod on synodality. Mark's presentation explored the history of synodality, Pope Francis's vision for a synodal church, and some of the internal work we can all do in preparation for participation in the synod. We also discussed the synod as a prophetic sign of unity, communion, and fraternity so essential to our church and civic spaces today.…

Our sincere thanks to Dr. Jessica Coblentz for an insightful and engaging presentation on her new book, Dust in the Blood: A Theology of Life with Depression on March 30, 2022. Dr. Coblentz spoke of how we should conceive of and understand depression, ways of accompanying depression sufferers individually and as a church community, and the concept of depression as a "wilderness experience" that resonates with scriptural resources. She also touched on the importance of the imagination in "holding a…

Our sincere thanks to Ellie Hidalgo, co-director of Discerning Deacons, for an informative and wide-ranging discussion on the history and mission of the organization and its active discernment about women in the diaconate. We looked at the role of deacons within parish communities, how women could uniquely contribute to the pastoral, practical, and spiritual aspects of diaconal ministry, and ways in which Discerning Deacons is advancing the work of synodality. Ellie also shared details of her recent pilgrimage to Mexico…

“Do not venture to understand the teaching of the mysteries and dogmas of Holy Scripture by means of simple reading, without first praying and seeking God’s help, saying: ‘O Lord, grant me the ability to understand the spiritual power contained herein.’ Always keep in mind that prayer before reading is the key to the true concepts sheltered in the letter of Divine Scriptures.”       – St. Isaac the Syrian Our sincere thanks to Mahri Leonard-Fleckman and Amy Ekeh for sharing…

We need to make a preferential option for the young. – Synod report of the Antilles Episcopal Conference Only one way to be a disciple—grow young again. – Jean Sulivan, Morning Light Our sincere thanks to panelists Kevin Ahern, Paulina Halley, and Fr. Joe Healey, and to all of our attendees and participants, for a rich and generative discussion on March 21. We looked at the current state of campus ministry, including the role of synodality and small Christian communities,…

The church doesn’t have a mission; the mission has a church. – Bishop Raúl Biord Castillo He said to them, “Come and see.” – John 1:39 Our sincere thanks to Michael J. Sanem for joining us for an excellent discussion on his latest book, Becoming the Good News: A New Approach to Parish Evangelization (Liturgical Press, 2023). Michael spoke of evangelization as a form of "radical witness" and process of listening, ways of accompanying younger and disaffiliated Catholics, the importance…

To be the Church is to render visible the tenderness of God for all. . . . We are called by God to be the “face” of the Church for all those with whom we come into contact. – Brother Charles de Foucauld Lay Fraternity: The Little Guide (Sect. 5.13, "The Fraternity – A Cell of the Church") My apostolate must be the apostolate of goodness. In seeing me, people should be able to say to one another, "Since this…

Each of us must please our neighbor for the good purpose of building up the neighbor.      – Romans 15:2 So then, putting away falsehood, let all of us speak the truth to our neighbors, for we are members of one another.      – Ephesians 4:25 You shall love your neighbor as yourself.     – Leviticus 19:18 Our special thanks to Virginia Saldanha for joining us on December 11, 2023, to discuss the history, theology, and practice of "neighborhood" small…