GodPods

This two-part virtual retreat is led by author, speaker, founder of Mothering Spirit, and friend of C21, Laura Kelly Fanucci. What if we could journey through the Triduum in a whole new way this year, guided by the wisdom of the labyrinth? We'll walk through each day of Holy Week, finding God in new places from Palm Sunday through Easter. Join us to learn how the labyrinth can lead us into the center of Christ's suffering, death, and resurrection. Find all the retreat resources: https://www.bc.edu/content/bc-web/centers/church21/programs/C21-Living-Lent-2025/Walking-Through-Lent---Holy-Week.html Learn more about the C21 Center and our resources: Website: https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/centers/church21.html Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/c21center/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/C21Center/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/C21Center LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/104167883 Email: church21@bc.edu 

This two-part virtual retreat is led by author, speaker, founder of Mothering Spirit, and friend of C21, Laura Kelly Fanucci. Our faith gives us an opportunity to delve into ancient spiritual practices that awaken in us a new way to walk through Lent. Learn about the history of the labyrinth in the Church and its modern use as a place and practice of prayer. We'll look at Lent as a time to walk with God and explore 5 ways to use the labyrinth with Scripture and prayer to guide our 40 days of preparation for Easter. Find all the retreat resources: https://www.bc.edu/content/bc-web/centers/church21/programs/C21-Living-Lent-2025/Walking-Through-Lent---Holy-Week.html   Learn more about the C21 Center and our resources: Website: https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/centers/church21.html Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/c21center/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/C21Center/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/C21Center LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/104167883 Email: church21@bc.edu 

In this GodPods series episode of How to Be Attentive, Reflective, and Loving, Elizabeth Shlala speaks with recent Boston College graduate Dennis Wieboldt '22, M.A. '23 about the most formative aspects of his time at Boston College. Dennis is currently a J.D./Ph.D. student in history at the University of Notre Dame, where he is a Richard and Peggy Notebaert Premier Fellow at the Graduate School and Edward J. Murphy Fellow at the Law School. The How to Be Attentive, Reflective, and Loving series is inspired by the C21 Center's 2024 issue of C21 Resources, Liberal Arts Education: Its Impact and Value. Explore the magazine and the events inspired by it here.  Learn more about the C21 Center and our resources: Website: https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/centers/church21.html Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/c21center/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/C21Center/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/C21Center LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/104167883 Email: church21@bc.edu 

The C21 Center was excited to host this year's Advent workshop on December 3rd via Zoom! This virtual workshop was led with author, speaker, founder of Mothering Spirit, and friend of C21, Laura Kelly Fanucci. Laura introduced participants to the prayer practice of lectio divina using Advent Scripture of Mary's Annunciation (Luke 1:26–38). The workshop was inspired by the themes of “slowing down in Advent” and “preparing by listening to God,” in which participants learned about and practice lectio divina as a new or renewed prayer practice to use during Advent and take into the New Year. Find each resource mentioned in the workshop below: Lectio Divina Workshop Guide: https://issuu.com/church21c/docs/listening_to_god_in_advent_workshop_guide_-_lectio Saint John's Bible for visio divina: https://saintjohnsbible.org/See/Explore The Ritual App with Kathleen Cahalan's daily lectio: https://www.ritual.io/ Example of a Catholic journaling Bible: https://a.co/d/dgd5p8k Free small program with Group Lectio Divina: Called to Life from the Collegeville Institute: https://collegevilleinstitute.org/vocation-projects/resources-for-congregations/called-to-life/ Praying lectio with kids (From Mothering Spirit): https://motheringspirit.com/2015/10/how-to-pray-lectio-divina-with-kids/ Date of event: December 3, 2024 Learn more about the C21 Center and our resources: Website: https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/centers/church21.html Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/c21center/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/C21Center/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/C21Center LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/104167883 Email: church21@bc.edu 

As a Jesuit, Catholic university, Boston College is rooted in the Catholic intellectual tradition — the conviction that faith and reason are mutually illuminating and that each academic discipline offers the potential to reveal the sacred. This partnership of faith and reason coalesces most intensely around momentous questions about ourselves like “Where do we come from?”; “Who or what are we?”; and “Where are we going?” Gregory Kalscheur, S.J., Dean of the Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences, spoke about the Catholic intellectual tradition on Tuesday, January 30 at 5:30 p.m. in Gasson Hall on the Main Campus of Boston College. Learn more about the Catholic Intellectual Tradition: https://www.bc.edu/content/bc-web/centers/church21/programs/catholic-intellectual-tradition.html Read the Catholic Intellectual Tradition: A Conversation at Boston College developed by the C21 Center: https://www.bc.edu/content/dam/files/top/church21/pdf/Catholic%20Intellectual%20Tradition%20cropped%20pages.pdf Learn more about the C21 Center and our resources here: Website: https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/centers/church21.html Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/c21center/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/C21Center/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/C21Center 

The C21 Center hosted a conversation on the value and impact of Jesuit, Catholic liberal arts education with authors from the newest issue of C21 Resources magazine, "Liberal Arts Education: Its Value and Impact." Speakers: John L. Mahoney - Retired Vice Provost of Enrollment Management and Director of Admissions, Boston College Thomas Wesner - Professor of the Practice, Carroll School of Management, Boston College The Jesuit, Catholic liberal arts educational model is more important than ever, given contemporary challenges. This magazine explores the mission and the role of colleges/universities in accompanying students as they discern who they will become. Date of event: October 3, 2024 The painting Tom Wesner references during his talk is entitled The Church: The Educator of Mankind painted by Jesuit artist Br. Francis J. Schroen. The below photo of the painting was taken by Lee Pelligrini: Explore this issue at: https://bc.edu/c21jesuithighered Learn more about the C21 Center and our resources: Website: https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/centers/church21.html Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/c21center/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/C21Center/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/C21Center LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/104167883 Email: church21@bc.edu 

The C21 Center hosted a conversation on the impact and value of Jesuit, Catholic liberal arts education with guest editor of the new C21 Resources magazine, Elizabeth Shlala, associate dean and professor of the practice in the University Core Curriculum - AND - recent BC grad, and featured article contributor, Kyle Sutton '24. Kyle shared insights and advice on his experiences in and formation through Jesuit education. Date of event: September 27, 2024 Explore this issue at: https://bc.edu/c21jesuithighered Learn more about the C21 Center and our resources: Website: https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/centers/church21.html Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/c21center/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/C21Center/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/C21Center LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/104167883 Email: church21@bc.edu 

The C21 Center hosted a conversation with students and faculty moderated by Elizabeth Shlala, guest editor of the Fall 2024 issue of C21 Resources magazine, Professor of the Practice, and Associate Dean for the Core at Boston College. Discover the impact that the renewed Core courses can have on life, faith, career plans, and college experience. Students shared stories & advice. Professors were there to reflect. Panelists included: Lauren Evans '25 - Majors: History & English, Minor: Finance Aidan Mackey '25 - Major: Nursing Foday Nabbie '25 - Major: Neuroscience, Minor: Applied Psychology & Human Development Professors joining the conversation included: Allison Adair, Professor of the Practice, English Department Jessica Black, Associate Professor, School of Social Work Natana DeLong-Bas, Professor of the Practice, Theology Department Sylvia Sellers-Garcia, Professor, History Department   Date of event: September 17, 2024 Explore this issue at: https://bc.edu/c21jesuithighered Learn more about the C21 Center and our resources: Website: https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/centers/church21.html Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/c21center/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/C21Center/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/C21Center LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/104167883 Email: church21@bc.edu 

The C21 Center celebrated its latest issue of C21 Resources with conversation moderated by guest editor Elizabeth Shlala, Associate Dean for the Core at Boston College. Panelists included: David Quigley, Provost & Dean of Faculties, Boston College Jaime L. Waters, Associate Professor of Old Testament, Clough School of Theology and Ministry Gregory Kalscheur, S.J., Dean, Morrissey College of Arts & Sciences, Boston College The Jesuit, Catholic liberal arts educational model is more important than ever, given contemporary challenges. This magazine explores the mission and the role of colleges/universities in accompanying students as they discern who they will become. Explore this issue at: https://bc.edu/c21jesuithighered Learn more about the C21 Center and our resources here: Website: https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/centers/church21.html Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/c21center/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/C21Center/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/C21Center LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/104167883  Email: church21@bc.edu 

Listen to our Good Morning Faith Feeds conversation on the theme of Parish Life Today with guest speaker and C21 friend Dan Cellucci, CEO of Catholic Leadership Institute. In this Faith Feeds, Dan shared an update on the national Catholic parish landscape, some challenges for parishes ahead, and what is working for parishes now. In addition, please feel free to explore the C21 Center's Faith Feeds Guide on Parish Life at bc.edu/faithfeeds.  Date of Event: Friday, June 21, 2024 | Zoom   Learn more about the C21 Center and our resources below: Website: https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/centers/church21.html Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/c21center/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/C21Center/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ C21Center Email: church21@bc.edu 

What is the role of the Church in the age of polarization? What resources can our Catholic faith offer to heal fierce partisanship of our times? How might the sacramental imagination and wisdom of Catholic Social Teaching transform the "us" vs. "them" mentality that holds so many in its grip? It is tempting to feel fatalistic about the growing polarization around us, but there are good reasons for hope. This is what this latest issue of C21 Resources magazine means to inspire. Join us for a conversation with the guest editor, Brian Robinette, Associate Professor of Theology at Boston College, and Fr. Ken Himes, O.F.M., Professor Emeritus of Theology at Boston College and one of the featured authors in this issue.   Learn more about the C21 Center and our resources here: Website: https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/centers/church21.html Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/c21center/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/C21Center/ Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/C21Center 

In this episode, I was incredibly grateful to host a conversation with Sr. Carlotta Gilarde, a Sister of St. Joseph. Sr. Carlotta joined the Sisters of St. Joseph in 1954, and as we'll learn in this episode she has since served from Boston to Peru. Enjoy!   Within this episode, Sr. Carlotta recounts her time tap-dancing to a song from the film Happy Feet for a Boston Children's Hospital event. Please enjoy the photos of her from the event below:    

Listen in to authors, Joan Luise Hill '75 and Katie Mahon, during a special FAITH FEEDS small group conversation about their book, The Miracle Collectors, as part of our FAITH FEEDS Book Series.

Kerry Campbell, Catholic writer, musician, teacher and creator of the podcast, "Raised Catholic," shares how prayer and God whispers have led her to new opportunities to grow her faith and the faith of others. Her podcast has become a place for Catholics on the margins to feel heard and to find God in their every day.

Professor Emeritus Paul Mariani and Associate Professor of the Practice Allison Adair discuss poetry as a reflection of and exercise in faith. They consider how the Catholic intellectual tradition helps us understand poetry, how repetitions in religious ritual encourage revision, and how the process of composing poems can itself become a kind of prayer.

Boston College professors, Kerry Cronin and Brian Braman discuss finding God in art and architecture. Professor Braman delves deep into the expressive meaning and values that architecture conveys while offering insights on how the artistic qualities of sacred spaces guide us all in becoming more fully human. 

On November 17, 2020, Cardinal Czerny discussed with panelists his work with Pope Francis on issues surrounding refugees and migration around the world, particularly in the age of COVID-19. What challenges are refugees and migrants currently facing? How can we help support and accompany migrants and refugees, as well as advocate for effective public and international policy on these issues so that “no one is forgotten?” Panelists include Kristin E. Heyer, Ph.D., Professor and Director of Graduate Studies, Boston College Theology Department, Alejandro Olayo-Mendez, S.J., Assistant Professor, Boston College School of Social Work, and Marjean Perhot, Director of Refugee and Immigration Services, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Boston.

The 32nd issue of C21 Resources magazine focused on the national Catholic parish landscape and sharing ideas that were shaping parishes for the better. “Catholic Parishes: A Conversation about Trends Challenges, and Grace at Work” provided an opportunity for Catholic voices to offer insights. Guest panelists included; Michael Simone, S.J. (Assistant Professor at Boston College School of Theology and Ministry and guest editor), Jeanne Creegan (Faith Formation Director at Holy Family Duxbury), Bob Fanning (educator and parishioner) & Karen Kiefer (Director for the C21 Center.)

This conversation was recorded in partnership with the Roche Center for Catholic Education to celebrate the Angels Unawares sculpture at Boston College, during the month of November 2020. It features insights from Canadian artist Timothy Schmalz whose commissioned sculpture was originally installed in St. Peter's Square in Rome on September 29, 2019 – for 105th World Day of Refugees and Migrants. 

Karen Kiefer, Director for the Church in the 21st Century Center speaks with Catherine Wiley, (Founder of the Catholic Grandparents Association), and Marilyn Henry about grandparents. Catherine and Marilyn highlight how and why grandparents are the true bearers of the faith. 

Professor Emerita M. Shawn Copleand and Nathan Wood-House, ABD, discuss signs of our times concerning police violence and movements to secure the dignity of Black lives in light of the development of race and racism inside chattel slavery in the United States as well as insights from Black churches and theologies. Their dialogue also takes up the concrete implications of the gospel for those benefiting from and struggling against white supremacy, suggesting ways listeners can enact compassion and confront injustice.

George Floyd’s autopsy report indicated that he was positive for COVID-19. Prof. Craig Ford and Chanelle Robinson reflect on the intersecting issues of race, police subjugation and the pandemic his murder raises in light of resources from Catholic social teaching and scripture. They highlight the relevance of Catholic commitments to the dignity of work, a preferential option for the poor, and solidarity for the shared challenges we face today, offering practical suggestions for listeners and signs of hope alike.

Karen Kiefer and Dan Cellucci (CEO for The Catholic Leadership Institute) discuss the future of the Catholic parish by unpacking trends and talking about generational and cultural shifts. They address declining vocations, leadership and the increase in multi-cultural parishes and share examples of creative ministry in the backdrop of the Pandemic. Dan also shares what makes a parish effective by highlighting some parishes ‘make-overs’  and presents opportunities and projects that are out there for parishes to take advantage of in the future. For those working or participation in parish life, this is a must-listen!

In this series we are speaking to young Catholic innovators who are taking up the mission of revitalizing the Church. These twenty and thirty-something men and women have identified challenges that the Church is facing and have devised creative, forward-thinking solutions that are bringing vitality and energy to the Faith. At a time when many young people are questioning their commitment to institutional religion, these young folks are working hard to ensure that the Church is stronger than ever for future generations. Our guests are twin brothers, Marcellino and Anthony D’Ambrosio. Both brothers come from a youth ministry background, but after seeing the need for creative revival in the Church, they founded Sherwood Fellows, a creative agency dedicated to Catholic renewal, and Catholic Creatives, a movement of Catholic designers, filmmakers, photographers, creative thinkers, artists, entrepreneurs, and others working to bring the gospel to the world in fresh, and beautiful ways.

In this series we are speaking to young Catholic innovators who are taking up the mission of revitalizing the Church. These twenty and thirty-something men and women have identified challenges that the Church is facing and have devised creative, forward-thinking solutions that are bringing vitality and energy to the Faith. At a time when many young people are questioning their commitment to institutional religion, these young folks are working hard to ensure that the Church is stronger than ever for future generations. Our guest today is Molly Burhans, at 30 years old Molly is one of the leading women innovators in the Catholic Church and in the environmental movement at large. She is the founder of an organization called “Goodlands” which aims to help Catholic communities around the world use their properties for good. Molly was recently named one of the united Nations young champions of the earth she was the only person selected from North America, and the only winner to represent a religious organization.

Ignatian spirituality offers us the vision that we can “find God in all things.” In this episode, we will continue to explore how we can find God during Lent.   Throughout this Lenten podcast series, we want to help you find tangible tools to deepen your relationship with God -- or to jump start it if it’s been idle for awhile. One of those tools which we’re going to take a closer look at today is the examen prayer, and how introducing it into your daily routine might just change everything.    Our guest today is  Father Casey Beaumier. Father Casey is a Jesuit priest who lives and works at Boston College and is the Director of Boston College’s Institute for Advanced Jesuit Studies. If anyone can speak with authority about Ignatian spirituality, prayer, and its practical application in the lives of believers, it’s our guest today.

For most people, the word “Lent” conjures up images of fasting from sweets, alcohol, or meat on Fridays, or maybe saying a few more prayers here and there between Sunday Masses.  Prayer and fasting are two of the practices we intentionally incorporate into our Lenten practice.  But what about that third practice, almsgiving?  How can we better incorporate acts of charity into the 40 days of Lent?    Our guest today chronicled one Lent in which she took almsgiving very seriously - although she wrote about it with a good deal of humor.  Kerry Weber, who is an Executive Editor at America Media, authored the 2014 book Mercy in the City: How to Feed the Hungry, Give Drink to the Thirsty, Visit the Imprisoned, and Keep Your Day Job.  Kerry is married with two children and, since 2012, has served as Mercy Associate.  She joins us today to talk about finding God through works of mercy. 

Our guest today is Gretchen Crowe.  Gretchen is the editor-in-chief of Our Sunday Visitor Newsweekly, which is the only weekly Catholic newspaper in the United States. In addition to planning and editing the print publication, Gretchen oversees all digital content on OSVNews.com and Our Sunday Visitor’s social media platforms and is a member of the Catholic Press Association.  In 2015, Gretchen got a big surprise while reporting on Pope Francis’ trip - her husband proposed to her at the end of the canonization Mass for St. Junipero Serra.  Gretchen and her husband Michael have one child and one on the way. In 2017, Gretchen wrote her first book, Why the Rosary? Why Now? published by Our Sunday Visitor.  Her second book, available this October, is a devotional called, “Praying the Rosary with St. John Paul II.” If anyone can speak to the power of praying the Rosary this Lent, it’s our guest today.

“So what are you giving up?” That’s the proverbial question that Catholics face during Lent.  While fasting from some material thing can be done as an act of penance, it also has real spiritual perks. Fasting helps us to reorder our priorities when they’ve fallen out of alignment.    Our guest today is Haley Stewart.  Haley is the author of The Grace of Enough: Pursuing Less and Living More in a Throwaway Culture. In her book, Haley reflects on lessons she and her family learned after quitting their jobs, selling their house, and shedding most of their belongings -- all to live on a sustainable farm for a year.  Haley is a wife and mother of four children and blogs at Carrotsformichaelmas.com.  While her debut book is a great addition to any Lenten reading list, I think you’ll find that the lessons she shares are meant for a lifetime. 

Karen Kiefer reflects on how desperately our world needs God's message of love and mercy made present in the Christ Child. 

Karen Kiefer reflects on Mary's "yes" to God and on Fr. J. Donald Monan, S.J., who said "yes" to God by accepting the presidency of Boston College in 1972. 

Sculptor, Jacob Wolfe had a strong Catholic upbringing. He first began to study music but soon realized it wasn’t the path God intended him to take. 

Karen Kiefer reflects on joy this Gaudete Sunday and Fr. William B. Neenan, S.J., a late Boston College administrator whose life was defined by rejoicing in God's grace. 

Karen Kiefer shares the story of Harold, a World War II US Army veteran whose experience of sharing bread with a stranger reminds us to be messengers of the faith.

Karen Kiefer shares the story of Alexandria Lynch, a young girl who died just fourteen months after her sister. Her story reminds us to be patient and present in the Advent season. 

Writing is part of so many people’s faith journey. They find a deep connection to God with words. In this episode of GodPods we want to develop this more with our guest Jon M. Sweeney and see how his writing life has helped him connect with God in a very powerful way. Jon is a scholar and author of 30 books on popular history and spirituality. Many of his books are about Francis of Assisi, most recently he has a new series of fiction for young readers, The Pope’s Cat.  Jon’s faith journey has included two decades spent as an involved evangelical, followed by two decades as an active Episcopalian, and on the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi in 2009 he was received into the Catholic Church. Today, he is a practicing Catholic who also prays regularly with his wife, a congregational rabbi. Jon is the father of four and lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He works in book publishing and he is the Publisher and Editor and Chief of Paraclete Press.

In this episode, we will explore ways to find God working in our imagination, and we have the perfect conversation partner: Paul Reynolds. Paul is a Boston College alum and CEO and Co-Founder of FableVision. FableVision is a Boston-based company that creates and distributes original educational media, mobile games and apps designed to move the world to a better place. Paul oversees Reynolds Center for Teaching, Learning & Creativity—Reynolds TLC, a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering purposeful, creative human potential around the globe. Paul is also an award-winning children’s book author, creating stories about creativity and innovation. His book Going Places, which is illustrated by his twin brother Peter Reynolds, recently won the Library of Congress MassBook Award for Best Picture Book of the Year. The creative duo also created the STEAM-powered adventures of Sydney & Simon for early readers, which features twin mice who love creative problem solving. Paul has also been teaching creative media production and digital storytelling at Boston College for over 20 years.  Learn more about The North Star, The DOT , International DOT Day and the Blue Bunny Bookstore.

Our faith reminds us that we are never alone. God is always with us. In this GodPod episode, we explore finding God in loss. Meet Gretchan Pyne, mother, wife, author, motivational speaker and – bereaved parent. Yes, Gretchan, her husband Warren and their twin sons, Drew and Dylon lost their precious daughter/sister, Lulu, when she was just 4 years old. After a beautiful family day at the beach, Lulu suffered a tragic accident at an ice cream stand. It was on a July day, seventeen years ago, that her family and her life changed forever. Listen in as Gretchan talks candidly about her Lulu, her faith, the unspeakable and ongoing pain and a hope that is everlasting. For more on Gretchan Pyne visit: www.lulubellebooks.com

Ignatian spirituality offers us a vision to find God in all things. In this GodPod episode, find God—in the kitchen. Meet the Gourmet Nuns, Sr. Irene and Sr. Estelle, from the Community of Jesus in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Both women have devoted their lives to God and the sharing of food for others through the Benedictine charism of hospitality. In 2014, they launched the popular food blog, www.monasterykitchen.org. Find out what they are serving up at the monastery: Silky Zucchini Soup, Vegetarian Frittatas, Summer Strawberry Rhubarb Parfait or maybe it’s decadent chocolate cupcakes. Whatever their food creation, they both believe, the kitchen is one of the places where they truly meet Jesus…

Women's Voices Series | Faith in Friendship: A Conversation with Victoria Reggie Kennedy Victoria Kennedy is the President of the Board and co-founder of the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the US Senate, senior counsel at Greenberg Traurig, and wife of the late U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy.

Professor Groome speaks with Martin O'Malley, Former Governor of Maryland and 2016 Presidential Candidate, about the role of Catholic faith in his political life. 

Professor Groome speaks with Michael Naughton, Evelyn J. and Robert A. Ferris Professor in the Boston College Department of Physics, about the intersection of faith and science.

Professor Groome speaks with Tiziana Dearing, Professor for Macro Practice in the Boston College School of Social Work, about putting faith into work in the public arena.