Boston College STM Online: Encore Podcast

Holy Ones, Called to Be Holy: St. Paul and “Life in the Spirit” Thomas D. Stegman, S.J. March 13, 2015 Presenter: Thomas D. Stegman, S.J. Of all the New Testament writers, St. Paul offers the most extensive teaching about the gift and empowerment of God's Spirit.  This workshop sets forth Paul's rich and inspiring portrayal of life in the Spirit. In this presentation, Father Stegman explains St. Paul’s teaching that through the Holy Spirit, the church is transformed into the image of Christ Sponsored by the School of Theology and Ministry Thomas D. Stegman, S.J., is STM associate professor of New Testament. See the video of this presentation Check out online courses based on Fr. Stegman's books: New Testament Visions of Faith Paul's Letter to the Romans

Holy Ones, Called to Be Holy: St. Paul and “Life in the Spirit” Thomas D. Stegman, S.J. March 13, 2015 Presenter: Thomas D. Stegman, S.J. Of all the New Testament writers, St. Paul offers the most extensive teaching about the gift and empowerment of God's Spirit.  This workshop sets forth Paul's rich and inspiring portrayal of life in the Spirit. In this presentation, Father Stegman outlines St. Paul’s teaching that holiness in the Church comes from the Holy Spirit, showing the power of the resurrection. Sponsored by the School of Theology and Ministry Thomas D. Stegman, S.J., is STM associate professor of New Testament. See the video of this presentation Check out online courses based on Fr. Stegman's books: New Testament Visions of Faith Paul's Letter to the Romans  

Parishes in Transition: Learning to Live in Tabernacles April 24, 2015 Presenters: Nancy T. Ammerman and Hosffman Ospino Transitions come in all shapes and sizes, and every parish is faced with the necessity of responding to population shifts that are unlikely to stop anytime soon.  Dr. Ammerman explores the ongoing reality of change and the challenges posed by the peculiarly American ways of encouraging people to find the “church of their choice.”  She also looks for the particular habits of mind and skills of leadership that enable religious communities to thrive even when we are living in social spaces that need to be as temporary and flexible as the Israelites’ tabernacle in the wilderness.  Dr. Ospino examines major changes, tensions, questions, and possibilities in the context of U.S. Catholic parish life as Catholic communities respond to the growing Hispanic presence in an increasingly diverse Church. In this presentation, Professor Ammerman explores the habits and skills needed for ministry in the new culture of mobility. Dr. Ospino expounds the need for intercultural competencies as a response to a multicultural church. Sponsored by the School of Theology and Ministry Nancy T. Ammerman is professor of sociology of religion at Boston University. Hosffman Ospino is STM assistant professor of Hispanic ministry and religious education and director of graduate programs in Hispanic ministry. Check out online courses for parish leaders check out STM Online: Crossroads

Parishes in Transition: Learning to Live in Tabernacles April 24, 2015 Presenters: Nancy T. Ammerman and Hosffman Ospino Transitions come in all shapes and sizes, and every parish is faced with the necessity of responding to population shifts that are unlikely to stop anytime soon.  Dr. Ammerman explores the ongoing reality of change and the challenges posed by the peculiarly American ways of encouraging people to find the “church of their choice.”  She also looks for the particular habits of mind and skills of leadership that enable religious communities to thrive even when we are living in social spaces that need to be as temporary and flexible as the Israelites’ tabernacle in the wilderness.  Dr. Ospino examines major changes, tensions, questions, and possibilities in the context of U.S. Catholic parish life as Catholic communities respond to the growing Hispanic presence in an increasingly diverse Church. Sponsored by the School of Theology and Ministry Nancy T. Ammerman is professor of sociology of religion at Boston University. Hosffman Ospino is STM assistant professor of Hispanic ministry and religious education and director of graduate programs in Hispanic ministry.

What the Outsider Sees: Teresa of Avila and the Contemplative Vision July 11, 2015 Presenter: Rt. Rev. Dr. Rowan Williams St. Teresa’s thoughts on encountering and living with God are much shaped by her position as an outsider to the hierarchical world of her day—a woman, and someone from a Jewish background. With rich references to Teresa's use of Scripture, this lecture reflects on the contemplative as the outsider, and what she brings to prayer and theology.  Cosponsored by the School of Theology and Ministry and the Institute of Carmelite Studies The Right Reverend Dr. Rowan Williams is the Master of Magdalene College, Cambridge, England, and served as the 104th Archbishop of Canterbury from 2002-2012.

July 22, 2015 Presenter: M. Catherine Hilkert, O.P. In Evangelii Gaudium, all members of the Church are called to be missionary disciples.  Yet the testimony of faithful women, including that of Mary Magdalene who bears the title “Apostle of the Apostles,” frequently has been dismissed or relegated to the category of “unofficial” witness.  In her lecture, Sr. Hilkert explores the vocation of women to preach the Gospel with particular attention to the testimony of women in the Gospel of John and the preaching of Catherine of Siena, the only lay woman to have been named a Doctor of the Church.  Sponsored by the School of Theology and Ministry M. Catherine Hilkert, O.P. is professor of theology at the University of Notre Dame. Click here for a transcript of this presentation.        

FIRST ANNUAL STM RELIGIOUS EDUCATION LECTURE October 22, 2015 Presenter: Thomas H. Groome The Church often repeats that the family is the primary religious educator.  Parents can well hear this as a daunting task and the Church does precious little to support them in their evangelizing and catechizing responsibilities—to sow and grow the seeds of faith.  This inaugural annual STM Religious Education presentation will reflect on why the home is so central and will make practical suggestions for how the family can be "the first educator in the ways of faith" (Rite of Baptism). Professor Groome claims that the faith to share in the home should be centered on the person of Jesus Christ and involve “witness, worship, word, and welfare” Sponsored by the School of Theology and Ministry Thomas H. Groome is Director of The Church in the 21st Century Center and STM professor of theology and religious education.

FIRST ANNUAL STM RELIGIOUS EDUCATION LECTURE October 22, 2015 Presenter: Thomas H. Groome The Church often repeats that the family is the primary religious educator.  Parents can well hear this as a daunting task and the Church does precious little to support them in their evangelizing and catechizing responsibilities—to sow and grow the seeds of faith.  This inaugural annual STM Religious Education presentation will reflect on why the home is so central and will make practical suggestions for how the family can be "the first educator in the ways of faith" (Rite of Baptism). Professor Groome discusses how practices within the home sow the initial seeds for faith that may then be grown through more catechesis. Sponsored by the School of Theology and Ministry Thomas H. Groome is Director of The Church in the 21st Century Center and STM professor of theology and religious education.

Rereading the Roman Tea Leaves: The Francis Effect in the Synods on the Family LECTURE November 4, 2015 Presenter: James Bretzke, S.J. Response by: Susan Reynolds “Mercy, and not sacrifice,” are among the chief fundamental values of the Francis Effect in the Church which the pope envisions as a missionary field hospital that re-focuses its attention on responding to the deepest wounds of souls desperately in need of the healing ministrations of the Gospel.  In a real sense the two-part Synod on the Family has functioned as an extended and in-depth clinical trial over the medicine of mercy that Pope Francis has prescribed for the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy soon to begin.  This presentation reflects on these themes by examining the recently concluded Synod on the Family in the context of last year’s much debated Extraordinary Synod and in light of Pope Francis’s September visits to Cuba and the United States. Sponsored by the School of Theology and Ministry James Bretzke, S.J. is STM professor of moral theology. Susan Reynolds is an STM PhD student.

Loss, Change, and Resilience in Communities of Faith ANNUAL MINISTRY RENEWAL DAY November 6, 2015 Presenter: Melissa Kelley Loss and change touch every individual, community, and organization.  Responding to loss and change with resilience is a critical challenge for us all.  This day invites participants to reflect on the role of resilience in our personal and communal lives, consider resilience through a theological lens, and suggest strategies to foster and sustain resilience in ourselves and in our communities of faith. Sponsored by the School of Theology and Ministry Melissa Kelley is STM associate professor of pastoral care and counseling and co-director of Contextual Education.

Loss, Change, and Resilience in Communities of Faith ANNUAL MINISTRY RENEWAL DAY November 6, 2015 Presenter: Melissa Kelley Loss and change touch every individual, community, and organization.  Responding to loss and change with resilience is a critical challenge for us all.  This day invites participants to reflect on the role of resilience in our personal and communal lives, consider resilience through a theological lens, and suggest strategies to foster and sustain resilience in ourselves and in our communities of faith. Sponsored by the School of Theology and Ministry Melissa Kelley is STM associate professor of pastoral care and counseling and co-director of Contextual Education.

A Liberating Spirituality for a Suffering World LECTURE November 19, 2015Presenter: O. Ernesto Valiente This presentation builds on the work of Latin American liberation theologians to propose a Christian discipleship—a following of Jesus—that responds to our conflicted world.  It identifies the “path” that we are to follow and the “Spirit” that empowers us in that following.  The presentation also draws on the pastoral writings of Pope Francis to illuminate the implications that Jesus’s life and mission pose for our current life as Christian disciples. Sponsored by the School of Theology and Ministry O. Ernesto Valiente is STM assistant professor of systematic theology.

A Rebellious Son? Jesus and His Mother at the Wedding in Cana (John 2) LECTURE March 2, 2016Presenter: Adele Reinhartz     In the Gospel of John, chapter 2, Jesus, his mother, his brothers, and the disciples are at a wedding in Cana, in the Galilee.  Inexplicably, the wine runs out early, while the celebrations are in full swing. When Jesus's mother points out the problem to her son, hoping he will help, his answer is surprising: "Woman, what does this have to do with you and me?"  This lecture looks closely at this exchange in the context of the norms and expectations of parent-child relationships in Jewish and Greco-Roman societies, and considers its role in the Gospel's overall presentation of Jesus.   Cosponsored by the School of Theology and Ministry  and the Center for Christian-Jewish Learning     Adele Reinhartz is Corcoran Visiting Chair in Christian-Jewish Relations at Boston College, and professor, Department of Classics and Religious Studies, at the University of Ottawa.

Thy Will Be Done: The Function of Prayer in Mark's Gospel LECTURE IN HONOR OF RICHARD J. CLIFFORD, S.J. March 15, 2016Presenter: Thomas D. Stegman, S.J. While Luke's Gospel is known as the "Gospel of prayer," prayer also plays an important role in Mark's Gospel.  Not only does Mark present Jesus as the model of someone who prays, he also emphasizes the significance of prayer among the new family who are gathered around Jesus, committed to doing God's will. Sponsored by the School of Theology and Ministry,  and generously supported by the Kitz Family in honor of Richard J. Clifford, S.J.   Thomas D. Stegman, S.J. is STM associate professor of New Testament and chair of the Ecclesiastical Faculty.

The Spirit at Work: St. Teresa of Avila in Life LECTURE March 31, 2016Presenter: André Brouillette, S.J.  A doctor of the Church, St. Teresa of Avila's spiritual writings and efforts to renew the Church are widely recognized as divinely inspired. What can the life and works of Teresa teach us regarding the action of the Holy Spirit, whose presence is as discreet as it is potent?  This lecture explores how the movement of the Spirit can be uncovered through its surprising dynamic imprint in human life.    Cosponsored by the School of Theology and Ministry  and the Institute of Carmelite Studies André Brouillette, S.J., is STM assistant professor of systematic and spiritual theology.

Managing Connections or Building Relationships? Teens and Digital Technology WORKSHOP April 22, 2016Presenter: Theresa A. O’Keefe This workshop focuses on recent research on teens and social media, with particular attention on the uses of digital technology and how those can both support and undermine relationships.  Attendees are invited to reflect on their own practices around social media and other digital technologies as a means of uncovering helpful and unhelpful practices. Sponsored by the School of Theology and Ministry Theresa A. O’Keefe is STM associate professor of the practice of youth and young adult faith, and codirector, contextual education.

Managing Connections or Building Relationships? Teens and Digital Technology WORKSHOP April 22, 2016Presenter: Theresa A. O’Keefe This workshop focuses on recent research on teens and social media, with particular attention on the uses of digital technology and how those can both support and undermine relationships.  Attendees are invited to reflect on their own practices around social media and other digital technologies as a means of uncovering helpful and unhelpful practices. Sponsored by the School of Theology and Ministry Theresa A. O’Keefe is STM associate professor of the practice of youth and young adult faith, and codirector, contextual education.

The Catholic Voter and the Signs of Our Times LECTURE October 19, 2016Presenter:  Kenneth Himes, O.F.M. Vatican II's "Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World" encouraged believers to read the "signs of the times" in order to discern where God is to be found in the world and how we are to respond.  This electoral season can be read as revealing a number of significant social issues that ought to be considered as Catholic citizens go to the voting booths. Cosponsored by the School of Theology and Ministry and The Church in the 21st Century Center    Kenneth Himes, O.F.M., is professor of theological ethics at the Boston College Department of Theology.

Where Two or Three Are Gathered: Transforming the Parish through Communities of Practice SECOND ANNUAL STM RELIGIOUS EDUCATION LECTURE October 27, 2016Presenter: Jane E. Regan Ministers in today’s parishes face a variety of challenges as they strive to create a context within which the faith is proclaimed, preached, taught, celebrated, and lived.  Forming this kind of dynamic community requires that the adult believers embody maturity of faith and a spirit of evangelization.  Using the concept of “community of practice,” this presentation sets out a new way to think about the life of the parish and a model for effectively leveraging and enhancing present parish dynamics and structures. Sponsored by the School of Theology and Ministry Jane E. Regan is STM associate professor of theology and religious education, director, STM continuing education, and chair, STM Department of Religious Education and Pastoral Ministry.

Tending Your Own Garden: A Spirituality for Active Ministry ANNUAL MINISTRY RENEWAL DAY November 4, 2016Presenter: Colleen M. Griffith The demands of ministry often seem overwhelming. What are the core elements of a spirituality that is oriented towards ministry? What insights can figures from the Christian tradition offer us about the role of spirituality in our ministry? This annual gathering represents an opportunity for all those in ministry to address questions and renew their ministries together.  Sponsored by the School of Theology and Ministry Colleen M. Griffith is STM professor of the practice of theology and faculty director of spirituality studies.

The Francis Pontificate: Historical Anomaly or the Beginning of a Postmodern Papacy? November 10, 2016 Presenter: Richard Gaillardetz Both supporters and critics have recognized the distinctive character of the pontificate of our first Jesuit and South American pope.  Some have been skeptical, however, as to whether the “newness” is a matter of style or substance.  Is the Francis moment just that, a moment, one easily set aside by his successors, or are we seeing the beginning of a new ecclesial trajectory for the ministry of the Bishop of Rome? Cosponsored by the School of Theology and Ministry and The Church in the 21st Century Center  Richard Gaillardetz is Joseph Professor of Catholic Systematic Theology, and chair, Boston College Department of Theology

The Psalms: Jewish-Catholic Dialogue through Shared Praise LECTURE   March 2, 2017 Presenter:  Andrew R. Davis This lecture explores the Psalter as a valuable resource for Jewish-Christian dialogue.  Christian readers of Scripture have long been enlightened and inspired by Jewish exegesis, and today we have more opportunities than ever to read Scripture through the eyes of other faith traditions.  Reading “shoulder to shoulder” with Jews is a way to learn the Psalms’ significance in Jewish tradition and also to reflect in new ways about their importance for Christian faith.  Cosponsored by the School of Theology and Ministry and  the Center for Christian-Jewish Learning Andrew R. Davis is STM assistant professor of Old Testament.

Deepening Catholic Citizenship Today: Drawing from Scripture and Tradition LECTURE March 9, 2017 Presenters:  Richard J. Clifford, S.J. and Thomas Massaro, S.J. In the wake of the 2016 campaign season and election, a number of concerns have surfaced regarding the dual identify of Catholics as committed believers and citizens.  This presentation addresses how Catholics today may draw from the Church’s tradition of reflection on public affairs in ways that honor Catholic moral teachings and foster agency.  To help articulate the Catholic voice, Fr. Clifford will speak on the biblical tradition of the Old Testament prophets, and Fr. Massaro will present elements of Catholic Social Teaching that provide a framework for critically engaging key issues through our unique perspective as citizens.   Sponsored by the School of Theology and Ministry Richard J. Clifford, S.J., is STM Professor Emeritus of Old Testament, and Thomas Massaro, S.J., is professor of moral theology at the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University.

Hope in a Time of Climate Change: A Conversation between Religion and Science ANNUAL LECTURE IN HONOR OF RICHARD J. CLIFFORD, S.J. Thursday, April 6, 2017 Presenter:  Carol A. Newsom Human induced climate change is the most serious problem confronting the ecology of our planet.  Was this an inevitable consequence of the appearance of humans in the ecosystem?  How should we think about how we got to this terrifying state, and how can we think hopefully about the future?  Anthropologists who study the emergence of homo sapiens present an account of our origins that engages in intriguing ways with the Israelite reflections on human origins in Genesis 1-11.  Here is a conversation between religion and science that offers true insight into how our unique nature is both a danger and a promise in this fragile world. Sponsored by the School of Theology and Ministry,  and generously supported by the Kitz Family in honor of Richard J. Clifford, S.J. Carol A. Newsom is the C. H. Candler Professor of Old Testament/Hebrew Bible at the Candler School of Theology, Emory University. 

The Treasure of Hispanic American Catholicism PANEL DISCUSSION February 11, 2016 Panelists: Marilú Del Toro and Hosffman Ospino Moderator: Thomas H. Groome American Catholicism in the 21st century is in the midst of a major demographic and cultural transformation driven.  It is driven largely by the fast-growing presence of Hispanics, who currently make up about half of all Catholics in the United States. This presentation reflects on the challenges and possibilities of being Catholic in the United States in an increasingly Hispanic Church. How does such transformation affect our commitments to Catholic ministry, social action, and theological reflection?   Cosponsored by The Church in the 21st Century Center  and the School of Theology and Ministry Marilú Del Toro is an STM student, and Hosffman Ospino is STM assistant professor of Hispanic ministry and religious education.  Moderator, Thomas H. Groome is director of The Church in the 21st Century Center. 

Evolution and the Primacy of Love ANNUAL EVELYN UNDERHILL LECTURE IN CHRISTIAN SPIRITUALITY July 16, 2016Presenter: Ilia Delio, O.S.F.  According to Teilhard de Chardin, evolution ushered in a new understanding of reality based on love-energy.  This year's annual lecture explores Teilhard's philosophy of love and the import of conscious love for the direction of human evolution. Sponsored by the School of Theology and Ministry Ilia Delio, O.S.F., is the Josephine C. Connelly Endowed Chair of Christian Theology at Villanova University. Presentation Transcript

Who are the "Nones"? LECTURE February 25, 2016 Presenter: Nancy T. Ammerman Roughly one-third of younger adults now say they have no religious affiliation; but who are they and why aren’t they in church?  What do they mean when they protest that they are “spiritual”?  This presentation examines the demographic, political, and cultural trends that have expanded the ranks of the unaffiliated, and asks what local communities of faith can do in response. Sponsored by the School of Theology and Ministry Nancy T. Ammerman is professor of sociology of religion at Boston University.

  Ask the Beasts: Spirituality and the Evolving Earth EVELYN UNDERHILL LECTURE IN CHRISTIAN SPIRITUALITY July 13, 2013Presenter: Elizabeth A. Johnson, C.S.J.  “Ask the beasts and they will teach you; the birds of the air, and they will tell you; ask the plants of the earth and they will instruct you; and the fish of the sea will declare to you ... “ (Job 12:7-8) Guided by this often unheeded advice, this lecture asks the creatures formed by life’s evolution for their wisdom about the creative love of the living God. Their beauty and agonies disclose in new ways the energizing presence of the Spirit, the solidarity of Jesus in the flesh of suffering, and the immense power of the Origin and Goal of all. As a fellow species, human beings are summoned to a spirituality of relationship and ethic of care in this time of ecological distress.  Sponsored by the School of Theology and Ministry Elizabeth A. Johnson, C.S.J., is the Distinguished Professor of Theology, Fordham University, and author of the forthcoming book Ask the Beasts: Darwin and the God of Love(Bloomsbury, 2013). Click here for handout to accompany viewing the lecture

Thomas Merton: A Prophet for Our Time LECTURE October 29, 2015 Presenter: Colleen M. Griffith In an age of unrest and distraction, Thomas Merton poses many challenges to contemporary culture, inviting a deeper sense of the human, a broadened grasp of catholicity, and a way of communal solidarity.  Celebrating the 100th anniversary of Merton's birth, this presentation recognizes the degree to which Merton's contemplative vision has become only more prophetic in our time.   Cosponsored by the School of Theology and Ministry and The Church in the 21st Century Center Colleen M. Griffith is STM associate professor of the practice of theology and faculty director of spirituality studies.

The Practical Theology of Jean Vanier: Faith in a Vulnerable Community ANNUAL PYNE MEMORIAL PRESENTATION October 13, 2016 Presenter: David O. Jenkins   The theology of Jean Vanier, founder of L’Arche and Faith and Light, continues to be formed within intentional communities of adults with intellectual disabilities and those who share community with them.  The particular daily practices of these communities reveal theological convictions about the vulnerability of humanity and the vulnerability of God, about the location of faith itself, and about the significance of individual and communal bodies for revealing our capacity for transformative relationships. Sponsored by the School of Theology and Ministry and generously supported by the Pyne Endowment Trust in memory of Professor Margaret E. Pyne, a lifelong advocate for persons with disabilities.  David O. Jenkins is associate professor in the practice of practical theology, Candler School of Theology, Emory University. About Jean Vanier...  For more than fifty years Jean Vanier has lived in community with adults with intellectual disabilities.  Son of the Governor General of Canada, Vanier took a transformative turn when he joined a center for lay Roman Catholic formation and met a French priest named Father Thomas Philippe.   Through Father Thomas, Jean was introduced to the residents of an institution for men with intellectual disabilities in the rural village of Trosly-Breuil, the village where Jean still lives.  On another visit to a large psychiatric hospital near Paris, he met Raphael Simi and Philippe Seux, and soon thereafter invited them to share a home with him in Trosly-Breuil.  L’Arche (the ark) was born of these unlikely friendships.  Jean reflects on that first year in community with Raphael and Philippe: “Essentially, they wanted a friend.  They were not very interested in my knowledge or my ability to do things, but rather they needed my heart and my being. What was clear … from the very beginning was the aspect of “living with” people who have [intellectual disabilities], a desire to create family with them.”   As former students and personal friends visited Jean, Raphael and Philippe in their home called L’Arche, they began to extend this intimate vision. When L’Arche expanded to India, then Canada, its Roman Catholic foundation was contextualized in Hindu and Muslim neighborhoods, in ecumenical and interfaith settings.  L’Arche now finds a home in 147 communities in thirty-five countries, eighteen of which are in the U.S. Jean Vanier, approaching 88, is the author of thirty books and was the recent recipient of the Templeton Prize.  He was friends with Mother Teresa, Brother Roger of Taize, and was the one who called Henri Nouwen into L’Arche where he spent the last ten years of his life.  Yet the friendships that continue to shape Jean’s theology and his heart are the day-to-day friendships with the women and men with intellectual disabilities – and their assistants – who share community in L’Arche.

Islam for Catholics 101 LECTURE   March 5, 2015 Presenter: Natana J. DeLong-Bas This presentation covers major themes in Islam, including the role of the Qur'an and the Prophet Muhammad, the 5 Pillars, and common beliefs and scriptural ties between Islam and Christianity. Specific attention is given to the status of Jesus and where Muslims and Christians agree and disagree.  We also address issues of contemporary concern, including the status of women, Islamic law, jihad—what it is and isn't—and interfaith dialogue and relations.  Sponsored by the School of Theology and Ministry   Natana J. DeLong-Bas is editor-in-chief, The Oxford Encyclopedia of Islam and Women, and visiting assistant professor, Boston College Theology Department and Islamic Civilization and Societies Program.

Lament and Hope: The Contributions of the Biblical Lament Psalms LECTURE IN HONOR OF RICHARD J. CLIFFORD, S.J. October 6, 2010 Presenter: Daniel J. Harrington, S.J., STM professor of New Testament Fr. Harrington offers reflections on the key elements of the biblical laments, including Psalms 3, 5, and 22, and their message for those who suffer today. Sponsored by the School of Theology and Ministry and generously supported by the Kitz Family in honor of Richard J. Clifford, S.J.

Politics, Faith, and Prophetic Witness EVELYN UNDERHILL LECTURE IN CHRISTIAN SPIRITUALITY July 12, 2014 Presenter: Simone Campbell, S.S.S. Too often the intersection of faith and politics becomes a crossroad of judgment and certitude; but trying to follow Christ requires a different approach. This lecture explores the call to touch the pain of the world and release hope into the darkness. Only a broken heart can lead to anything even approaching prophetic witness. Using current examples, we will wrestle with this challenge for 2014. Sponsored by the School of Theology and Ministry Simone Campbell, S.S.S., is executive director of NETWORK, a Catholic social justice lobby organization.  She has been instrumental in organizing the "Nuns on the Bus" tours, and is the author of A Nun on the Bus: How All of Us Can Create Hope, Change, and Community (HarperCollins, 2014).

The Gospel of John and the "Parting of the Ways" LECTURE April 8, 2014 Presenter: Adele Reinhartz The question of when and how the Jesus movement—one first-century Jewish group among many—became a separate and distinct set of institutions, communities, beliefs, and practices, is perhaps the most contentious issue in the study of early Christianity.  A key text in this debate is the Gospel of John, which is thought by many to allude to the expulsion of Jewish believers in Jesus from the synagogue.  This lecture examines the ways in which the Fourth Gospel has been used in this debate, and considers the expulsion theory as well as its alternatives in the context of the larger question of the “Parting of the Ways.” Cosponsored by the School of Theology and Ministry and the Center for Christian-Jewish Learning  Adele Reinhartz is general editor, Journal of Biblical Literature, and professor and director of Graduate Programs, Department of Classics and Religious Studies, University of Ottawa.

The Practices of Discipleship LECTURE October 18, 2011 Presenter:  Terrence W. Tilley, Avery Cardinal Dulles, S.J., Professor of Catholic Theology and chair,Theology Department, Fordham University This presentation explores the Gospels and the Creed to understand, in part, how disciples embody and transmit the faith through Christian practices. Sponsored by the School of Theology and Ministry

Hope in a Wintry Season Lecture October 14, 2010. Rev. Michael J. Himes, professor of theology, Boston College Theology Department Hope, which should never be confused with optimism, is much more about the present than the future.  This lecture discusses how it is not a matter of keeping one's fingers crossed about tomorrow, but rather of remaining attentive to today.  Cosponsored by the School of Theology and Ministry and the Boston College Alumni Association

Telling Stories about Women EIGHTH ANNUAL MARY OF MAGDALA CELEBRATION July 22, 2016 Presenter: Amy-Jill Levine A woman hides yeast; a widow threatens a judge; a woman seeks a coin; wise and foolish virgins await a bridegroom….  These parables can be read as universal teachings about theology or salvation.  They should also correct erroneous stereotypes of Jewish women, prompt necessary questions about gender, and offer provocative insights into ancient and modern relationships. This celebration of the feast day of St. Mary of Magdala began with Mass, followed by lunch and a lecture. Sponsored by the School of Theology and Ministry   Amy-Jill Levine is  University Professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies and E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Professor of New Testament Studies at Vanderbilt University.

Mission, Evangelization, and Discipleship   PLENARY ADDRESS "THE NEW EVANGELIZATION: RENEWING THE CHURCH," 2013 Presenter: Anthony Gittins, C.S.Sp., professor emeritus of mission and culture, Catholic Theological Union With more than 80 definitions of "evangelization" presently circulating, we should perhaps recall that the word applies, first and foremost, to Jesus.  This plenary address from the 2013 conference, The New Evangelization: Renewing the Church, considers what Jesus did and why, and poses the question: what happens to evangelization after the resurrection and ascension?  The answer links God's eternal mission with our own Christian response. Cosponsored by the School of Theology and Ministry and Paulist Reconciliation MInistries

Women and Interreligious Dialogue LECTURE   September 20, 2012 Presenter: Rosemary Radford Ruether Respondents: Nelly van Doorn-Harder and Marianne Moyaert This lecture takes stock of the contributions of women to interreligious dialogue and of interreligious dialogue to feminist thinking within particular religions, while also critically reflecting on present and future challenges and avenues for reflection and collaboration. Rosemary Radford Ruether is the Carpenter Emerita Professor of Feminist Theology at the Pacific School of Religion and the Graduate Theological Union. 

Jesus: A Pilgrimage LECTURE   September 25, 2014 Presenter: James Martin, S.J. Encounter Jesus in a new way.  Father Martin offers fascinating details about the "historical Jesus," the real-life man who walked the earth in first-century Palestine, and also invites you to meditate on the "Christ of faith," the one risen from the dead.   As he does in his new book Jesus: A Pilgrimage, Fr. Martin combines stories from a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, the most up-to-date biblical study, and profound spiritual insights to help answer the question that Jesus first posed to his disciples: "Who do you say that I am?" Cosponsored by the School of Theology and Ministry and The Church in the 21st Century Center James Martin, S.J., is editor-at-large of America magazine, bestselling author, and “official chaplain” of The Colbert Report.

The Power of Boundless Compassion: An Evening with Fr. Greg Boyle LECTURE October 25, 2012 Presenter: Gregory Boyle, S.J. In this presentation, Fr. Greg shares his reflections on community and the sacredness of life through the lens of Ignatian spirituality, drawn from more than 20 years of work with formerly gang-involved and recently incarcerated men and women in Los Angeles.   Gregory Boyle, S.J., is founder and executive director of Homeboy Industries and author of Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion (Free Press, 2010).