Conversations with the Nesti Center for Faith and Culture

Vivian Cabrera, Assistant Editor for Digital Media at America: The Jesuit Review and University of St. Thomas – Houston alumna, joins Bridget Richardson to discuss the Covid-19 pandemic from her apartment in Manhattan in New York City. Vivian shares how the pandemic has affected her work at America Magazine (https://www.americamagazine.org/) and how taking time away from digital media can be a good thing.

Fr. T.J. Dolce, Pastor of St. Martha Catholic Church in Kingwood, TX (https://stmartha.com/), Kyle Smith, President of Young Catholic Professionals Houston (http://www.ycphouston.org/) and Digital Marketing Manager with BrandExtract (https://www.brandextract.com/), join Bridget Richardson to discuss the postponing of sports activities during the Covid-19 pandemic. They discuss how sports' stories bring us to a deeper understanding of the meaning of life and what makes us human.

Rita Simmonds, Events Coordinator for Crossroads Cultural Center (http://www.crossroadsculturalcenter.org/), joins Bridget Richardson from Brooklyn, New York. They discuss the mission of Crossroads Cultural Center and how Covid-19 has affected their programming. From the Communion and Liberation movement, Rita describes that Crossroads Cultural Center emphasizes how beauty is so integral to their work and the realities of living in a pandemic while trying to find hope.

Mari Salazar, Senior Vice President at BOK Financial Energy Financial Services in Houston (https://www.bokfinancial.com/) and University of St. Thomas Alumni Board Member, joins Bridget Richardson to discuss the Covid-19 pandemic and how it is affecting her work and her family. Mari describes energy banking and how she is trying to take care of her staff during the stay-at-home order. She also talks about her close-knit family and how they are staying connected.

Marcus Grodi, Founder and President of The Coming Home Network (https://chnetwork.org/) and host of “The Journey Home” on EWTN (https://www.ewtn.com/tv/shows/journey...), talks with Bridget Richardson about his work at The Coming Home Network and how his team has adapted during the coronavirus pandemic. Marcus dives deep into a description of his work, the first three steps of dialogue and how ecumenism is essential to the Catholic Church.

Dr. John Graham, M.D., D.MIN., President and C.E.O. of the Institute for Spirituality and Health at Texas Medical Center (ISH - https://www.spiritualityandhealth.org/), Stuart Nelson, M.A., Vice President of ISH, and Bridget Richardson discuss the mind, body, spirit connection and what people may be experiencing during the Covid-19 pandemic. John and Stuart explain what is happening in the human body when people experience stress or anxiety. They also share about ISH programming and how their small groups help with the “big questions” and self-healing skills.

Fr. Donald Nesti, CSSp, founder of the Nesti Center for Faith & Culture, Dr. Don Frohlich, professor of biology at University of St. Thomas-Houston, and Bridget Richardson discuss Covid-19 from a biological perspective. Dr. Frohlich unpacks what a coronavirus is and describes how it “works.” The dialogue then shifts to a discussion about the connection between faith and science and the value of an integrated worldview.

Dr. Shivas Amin, Associate Professor of Biology and Project Director of the HSI Stem Grant at University of St. Thomas – Houston, and Bridget Richardson discuss how, during the stay-at-home order, people should grow something in their backyard. They discuss the Querida Amazonia, Pope Francis' Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation, and how we can relate that to our understanding of respect for nature. Dr. Amin also shares about the UST Pocket Prairie on campus.

David Hao, MA, JD, Associate Vice President for Student Affairs & Dean of Students at University of St. Thomas – Houston (UST), and Shundeez Faridifar, Assistant Director of Student Activities at UST, join Bridget Richardson to discuss Celt Success Coaches. David and Shundeez describe how their team of 50 UST faculty and staff volunteers are personally reaching out to every undergraduate student. Shundeez describes the logistics and needs of students and David outlines how this framework will be implemented in the future to help the student experience at UST.

Alim D. Adatia, Communication and Publications Member of the Aga Khan Council for the Southwestern US, describes to Bridget Richardson how the Shia Ismaili Muslim community (https://the.ismaili/) and the Aga Khan Council is continuing to adapt and help people during the coronavirus pandemic. Alim talks about the value of communal prayer in Islam, the foundations of the Shia Ismaili Muslim faith and how the Aga Khan Development Network's (https://www.akdn.org/) focus on improving the quality of life for people across the globe is a manifestation of faith in action . They also talk about Nowruz, Ramadan and the soon-to-be built Ismaili Center Houston along Allen Parkway.

A Call to Political Responsibility from the Catholic Bishops of the United States

Julian Ohizu, Director of Timewise Medical Services, is an alumnus of the Master of Arts in Faith and Culture program with the Nesti Center for Faith & Culture (stthom.edu/cfc). He joined the M.A. in Faith in Culture program to understand American culture when he moved to the U.S. from Nigeria. He and Bridget Richardson, with the Nesti CFC, discuss how the program changed and continues to shape his life.

Fr. Binh Quach, CSSp, director of the Nesti Center for Faith & Culture (CFC -https://www.stthom.edu/cfc), and Bridget Richardson, Assistant Director of Ecumenical and Pastoral Initiatives with the Nesti CFC, discuss how to pursue the path to holiness. Fr. Binh shares how we can discover our true selves and stop imposing ourselves on others.

Pierre Cannings, Assistant Pastor at Living Word Fellowship Church in Houston (https://www.lwfellowshipchurch.org/), shares with Bridget Richardson, with the Nesti Center for Faith & Culture (https://www.stthom.edu/cfc), the complexities and challenges of preaching to an empty church. He talks about the shared energy of preaching to church members when they are present and how preaching during the pandemic has been a humbling experience.

Dr. Richard Ludwick, President of University of St. Thomas-Houston (UST), Curtis W. Huff, Chairman of the Board at UST, and Bridget Richardson, with the Nesti Center for Faith & Culture at UST, discuss the importance of community during the Covid-19 pandemic. Dr. Ludwick and Curtis share how their leadership teams are working together and finding new ways of connecting during the pandemic. They also talk about engagement at UST and the “can do” attitude of the community.

Deacon Bob Hesse, Adjunct Professor at University of St. Thomas-Houston, Retired Vice Chairman and Faculty for the Institute of Spirituality and Health, and Co-founder and President of Contemplative Network (http://www.contemplative.net/), joins Bridget Richardson, with the Nesti Center for Faith & Culture (https://www.stthom.edu/cfc), to discuss the effects of prayer on the brain. Deacon Bob tells about his research in the study of near-death experiences and how they relate to mystical experiences. He also talks about the dynamic nature of science.

Johnie Jones, Executive Pastor at Community of Faith in Hockley, TX (https://www.cof.church/), joins Bridget Richardson, with the Nesti Center for Faith & Culture (https://www.stthom.edu/cfc), to talk about the value of staying engaged with your church community during the Covid-19 pandemic. Johnie talks about leadership and vulnerability and how he is learning to practice what he tells his team. They discuss how Community of Faith is keeping church members engaged and counseling them through digital means. https://www.youtube.com/communityoffaith

Brian Greene, President & CEO of Houston Food Bank, (https://www.houstonfoodbank.org/), joins Bridget Richardson, with the Nesti Center for Faith & Culture (https://www.stthom.edu/cfc), to discuss how the Houston Food Bank has continued to serve the community during the pandemic. Brian shares how changes in the supply chain affect the food bank and how volunteers and team members are adapting. He also shares insight about food and income securities. The two briefly discuss their love for their alma mater, University of Tennessee – Knoxville.

Fr. Donald Nesti, CSSp, founder of the Nesti Center for Faith & Culture (CFC), talks with Dr. Don Frohlich, professor of biology at University of St. Thomas-Houston, and Bridget Richardson, with the Nesti CFC, about “Laudato Si,” Pope Francis' Encyclical Letter on the care for our common home. Fr. Nesti and Dr. Frohlich discuss the power of nature and our human stewardship.

Dr. Stuart Squires, Associate Director of the Nesti Center for Faith & Culture (CFC - https://www.stthom.edu/cfc) and Associate Professor of Theology at University of St. Thomas – Houston, and Dr. Andrew Staron, theologian and instructor at Regis University in Denver, Colorado (https://www.regis.edu), share with Bridget Richardson, with the Nesti CFC, about the Doctor of Grace, St. Augustine of Hippo. They discuss how St. Augustine chose to live out his last days before death and how we can use St. Augustine as an example for evaluating our lives during this time of pandemic.

Tommy Rosson, Executive Director of Houston Responds, (https://www.houstonresponds.org/), joins Bridget Richardson, with the Nesti Center for Faith & Culture (https://www.stthom.edu/cfc), to discuss the work of Houston Responds during Covid-19. Tommy describes how the organization has had to pivot from only Hurricane Harvey relief efforts to help those in need during the pandemic, including their “Masks for All” campaign. He talks about how Houston Responds brings all faith traditions and churches together to help meet the needs in our community.

Cynthia Colbert, President & CEO of Catholic Charities in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, (https://catholiccharities.org/), and Bridget Richardson, with the Nesti Center for Faith & Culture (https://www.stthom.edu/cfc), discuss how the work continues at Catholic Charities during Covid-19. Cynthia shares about the hotline Catholic Charities has set up and the three main needs from those calls. She also talks about correlations between poverty and the pandemic, and how she and her team see Christ in others.

Colleen Campbell, Coordinator of Formation Programs at Catholic Apostolate Center in Washington D.C. (https://www.catholicapostolatecenter....) and Ph.D. Student at Catholic University of America (https://www.catholic.edu/), and Bridget Richardson, with the Nesti Center for Faith & Culture (https://www.stthom.edu/cfc), discuss what it looks like to accompany others during Covid-19. Colleen talks about what accompaniment is and the book she co-authored titled, “The Art of Accompaniment.”

Ann Schorno, Executive Director of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVDP) in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston (https://www.svdphouston.org/), joins Bridget Richardson, with the Nesti Center for Faith & Culture (https://www.stthom.edu/cfc), to discuss how SVDP has adapted its home visits and services during the Covid-19 pandemic. Ann describes the importance of love and service and how working together is the only way to fully impact a community.

Fr. John Huber, CSB, Ed.D., Director of Catholic Education at University of St. Thomas-Houston (https://www.stthom.edu), joins Bridget Richardson, with the Nesti Center for Faith & Culture (https://www.stthom.edu/cfc), to discuss Catholic education and schools during the Covid-19 pandemic. Fr. Huber shares about the importance of true Catholic identity and the questions surrounding the future of Catholic education.

Mary Ann Addis, Music Teacher, and Gabrielle Bergeron, Art Teacher, both teach at Christ the Redeemer Catholic School in Northwest Houston (https://ctrschool.com/). They talk with Bridget Richardson, with the Nesti Center for Faith & Culture (https://www.stthom.edu/cfc), about how they have had to adapt their teaching and be innovative during the Covid-19 pandemic. Mary Ann and Gabrielle share how they are staying connected with students and parents and the different ways their community is reaching out.

Fr. Donald Nesti, CSSp, founder of the Nesti Center for Faith & Culture (CFC), and Stephen Arbogast, author and professor of the Practice of Finance at University of North Carolina Kenan Flagler Business School (https://www.kenan-flagler.unc.edu/), join Bridget Richardson, with the Nesti CFC (https://www.stthom.edu/cfc), to discuss the effects of the pandemic on the economy. They touch on how people of faith should make sense of this and how business owners will have to use discernment in their decision making on how to move forward. They also discuss the “myth of autonomy” and the role of reflection and repentance during this time.

Jeff Olsen, Vice President for Marketing and University Relations and Adjunct Professor of Screenwriting at University of St. Thomas-Houston, (https://www.stthom.edu), joins Bridget Richardson, with the Nesti Center for Faith & Culture (https://www.stthom.edu/cfc), to talk about what we look for in movies and television and how we find meaning in what we watch. Jeff recommends a few movies and television shows and encourages people to try something during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Krisanne Vaillancourt Murphy, Executive Director of the Catholic Mobilizing Network (https://catholicsmobilizing.org//), joins Bridget Richardson, with the Nesti Center for Faith & Culture (https://www.stthom.edu/cfc), to discuss the “Statement of Solidarity: A Catholic Response to COVID-19 Behind Bars” released on May 19, 2020. Krisanne describes how the pandemic is affecting those in prisons and the work of Catholic Mobilizing Network. They discuss the death penalty in Texas and how these issues of human life relate to Catholic Social Teaching.

Dr. Brian C. Reed is the Chair of the Clinical Sciences Department at the University of Houston College of Medicine (https://uh.edu/medicine/), Board Chair for Doctors for Change (https://doctorsforchange.org/), a practicing family physician and an Advisory Board Member for the Nesti Center for Faith & Culture. He joins Bridget Richardson, with the Nesti CFC, to discuss health in Houston. They discuss health disparities exposed by Covid-19, the differences in life expectancy by zip code, the humanity of health care and how working during the pandemic has been one of the most challenging things he's seen in his career.

Director General Peter Chen, with the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Houston (https://www.roc-taiwan.org/ushou_en/), joins Bridget Richardson, with the Nesti Center for Faith & Culture (https://www.stthom.edu/cfc), to discuss the office's efforts during the Covid-19 pandemic and specifically the Tzu Chi Foundation (https://tzuchi.us/). Director General Chen shares how Tzu Chi has helped people in more than 50 countries and how their volunteers are trying to help people find inner peace during this time of anxiety. They also discuss the efforts of Tzu Chi in Taiwan and Houston.

Nicole Labadie, MDiv., Director of Campus Ministry at University of St. Thomas-Houston, (https://www.stthom.edu/campusministry), joins Bridget Richardson, with the Nesti Center for Faith & Culture (https://www.stthom.edu/cfc), to talk about cultivating joy and hope during times of uncertainty and suffering. Nicole discusses how lament and hope go hand-in-hand and how carving out time for stillness will help us better encounter God.

Danielle Brown, Associate Director of the Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (usccb.org), joins Bridget Richardson, with the Nesti Center for Faith & Culture (stthom.edu/cfc), to discuss the recent events of racial injustice and protests in the United States. They talk about the USCCB pastoral letter, “Open Wide Our Hearts,” the diversity of the Body of Christ and the Black Lives Matter movement.

Fr. Donald Nesti, CSSp, founder of the Nesti Center for Faith & Culture (CFC), Fr. Binh Quach, CSSp, director of the Nesti CFC, Chief H.E. Jenkins, Chief of Police of the University of St. Thomas Police Department, and Bridget Richardson, with the Nesti CFC, discuss the death of George Floyd, the nationwide protests and the most recent statement by United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (http://www.usccb.org/news/2020/20-83.cfm). The participants talk about the need to allow people to have the freedom to express their voice, the role of police and the importance of trust, community building and relationships.

Fr. John Huber, CSB, Ed.D., Director of Catholic Education at University of St. Thomas-Houston (https://www.stthom.edu), and Fr. Paul English, Director of Novices for the Basilian Fathers (https://www.basilian.org/), join Bridget Richardson, with the Nesti Center for Faith & Culture (https://www.stthom.edu/cfc), to discuss the death of George Floyd and how the dignity of the human person has been minimized. They discuss the role of Christians, white men and how our faith needs to orient our understanding of politics.

Reyna Anderson is a Legal Fellow with ADF International at the United Nations in New York City (https://adfinternational.org/regions/...) and an alumna of the Nesti Center for Faith & Culture master's program (https://www.stthom.edu/cfc). She talks with Bridget Richardson, with the Nesti CFC, to discuss the cultural understanding of the common good in the United States. Reyna shared her thoughts on individualism in our culture and how Christians can and should transcend their cultural experience.

Dr. Ben Pickett, Executive Minister at West Houston Church of Christ, (https://westhoustonchurch.org/) talks with Bridget Richardson, with the Nesti Center for Faith & Culture (https://www.stthom.edu/cfc), about protocols for coming back together for church amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Dr. Pickett shares how mood and attitude is very important as people come back together and how Christ transcends our fear.