Center for Dominican Studies Events

What Does it Mean to be Human?

“To find the fullness of the human in ourselves, we need to ask ourselves some basic questions, and then reflect on the answers as they are evolving within us. Where are we at this stage of the game in answering these things for ourselves? Where were we before? At what point on the moral compass would we like to be? These are the basic questions.” -Sr. Joan Chittister, OSB

All seminars will take place on the following dates at 3:30 p.m. in the Colonial Room, Sansbury hall. Refreshments will accompany.

ODU invites members of the campus and surrounding communities to attend its annual three-part series of Dominican Saints lectures scheduled for the 2024-25 academic year.

Each lecturer will present how the Dominican Saints became models for what it means to be human, and how we might learn from their examples. Presentations are free and open to the public. Registration is not required.

Spring 2024 Lenten Luncheon Series

Reasons for Hope!

"Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope..." 1 Peter 3:15

All programs in the Lenten luncheon lecture series were presented in Erskine Hall's St. Catherin of Siena Room.

Fall 2023 Seminar Series

Truths We Have Learned

ODU’s Center for Dominican Studies presented a series of four lectures in fall 2023 that focused on the university’s theme for the 2023-24 academic year: truths we have learned. The series featured ODU faculty members. Videos of each seminar are available to view on our YouTube channel (links below).

Celebration of Dominican Saints

ODU invites members of the campus and surrounding communities to attend its annual three-part series of Dominican Saints lectures scheduled for the 2023-24 academic year.

Each lecturer will present how the Dominican Saints became models for pursuing truth in their lives, and how we might learn from their examples. Presentations are free and open to the public. Registration is not required.

Fall Lecture Series | What is Our Call to Justice and Peace?

Thursday, September 8
“Reflections on Justice from the Biblical Tradition: From Lex Talionis to the Law of the Spirit”
Leo Madden, S.T.D., S.S.L., S.T.B.|  Associate Professor of Theology, ODU 
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Thursday, September 22
“Poetic Justice: Socially Conscious Poetry from the American Revolution to Amanda Gorman”
Jeremy Glazier, MFA | Professor of English, ODU 
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Thursday, October 6
"Is Justice Possible?"
Ron Carstens, Ph.D. | Professor of Political Science
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Thursday, October 20
“Coping with the Call to Justice: Tools for Working with and for Justice”
Kelsey Squire, Ph.D. | Associate Professor of English, ODU  
Katie Gorman-Ezell., Ph.D. |  Assistant Professor of Social Work, Capital University  
Emily Phillips, Ph.D. |  Assistant Professor of Exercise Science, ODU  
Anjel Stough-Hunter, Ph.D. |  Associate Professor of Sociology, ODU 
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Celebration of Dominican Saints

St. Albert the Great Lecture
Nov. 16, 2022 | 11 a.m. - Noon
Matesich Theatre, Erskine Hall
Presented by Sr. Sharon Zayac, OP
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St. Thomas Aquinas Lecture
Jan 26, 2023 | 11 a.m. – Noon
Matesich Theatre
Presented by Sr. Marcelline Koch, OP
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St. Catherine of Siena Lecture
Apr 19, 2023 | 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Colonial Room, Sansbury Hall
"Opening Ourselves to Catherine's Mind and Spirit" presented by Sr. Joan Wolf

Lenten Luncheon Series | Journeying to a New Life

Wednesday, March 1
"A Pilgrim's Journey on the Camino"
Speaker: Elizabeth Gleason
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Wednesday, March 15
"The Journey to Zero Waste"
Speaker: Mark Sigrist
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Wednesday, March 22
"Journey of Empathy for Oppressed Students"
Speaker: Dan Little, Ph.D.

Wednesday, March 29
"Walking in Rhythm with Earth's Community"
Speaker: Theresa Schell
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Core Lecture Series

Sept. 9, 2021
Core Lecture Series: “The Common Good and the Early Christian Community”
Leo Madden, STD, Associate Professor of Theology
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Sept. 23, 2021
Core Lecture Series: “Tackling Climate Change for the Global Common Good”
Daniel Little, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Chemistry
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Oct. 7, 2021
Core Lecture Series: “From Sunflower Seeds to Sugar: The Role of the Common Good in Contemporary Art”
Janette Knowles, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Art
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Oct. 21, 2021
Core Lecture Series: “Criminal Justice and the Common Good”
Sonya Goshe, Ph.D., Assistant Profess of Criminal Justice
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Nov. 4, 2021
Core Lecture Series: “Stepping Up for the Common Good”
Shaye Belcon, MSW, Sexual Violence Prevention Coordinator
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Celebration of Dominican Saints

Nov. 17, 2021
St. Albert the Great Lecture | “Wise as an Owl”
Blake Mathys, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Environmental Science
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January 27, 2022
St. Thomas Aquinas Lecture
Sr. Joan Franks, OP, Ph.D. | Dominican Sister of Peace
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April 21, 2022
St. Catherine of Siena Lecture
Ron Carstens, Ph.D. | Professor of Political Science
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Hearts Burning for Justice: A Lenten Luncheon Series

March 16, 2022
"Responding to the Cry of the Poor and Vulnerable"
Fr. Michael Hartge
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March 23, 2022
"Responding to the Cry of the Earth"
Fr. Adam Streitenberger
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March 30, 2022
"Responding to the Cry of Migrants and Refugees"
Fr. Vincent Nguyen
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April 6, 2022
"Responding to the Cry of the Sick and Dying"
Fr. Sean Dooley
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"What Does it Mean to be Human?” Seminar Series Schedule

Oct. 22, 2020
“What Does it Mean to be Human in a Capitalistic Society?”
Presenter: TJ Eveland, Ph.D., Director Graduate Programs in Business
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Oct. 8, 2020 | “What Does it Mean to be Human in Great Literature?”
Presenter: Martin Brick, Ph.D., Associate Professor of English
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Sept. 24, 2020 | A Psychological Perspective of What it Means to be Human
Presenter: John Marazita, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology
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Sept. 10, 2020 | “What Does it Mean to be Human? A Panel Presentation”
Presenters: Robert Parks, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Theology; Matthew Ponesse, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of History; Lawrence Masek, Ph.D., Professor of Philosophy; and Jessica Hall, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Biology
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Dominican Saints Lecture Series

April 22, 2021: St. Catherine of Sienna Lecture
“A Voice of Reform for our Challenged and Challenging Times”
Presenter: Br. Mickey McGrath, OSFS, artist, author and storyteller
Event Details: This event took place via Zoom and was livestreamed in Matesich Theatre (2nd floor, Erskine Hall).

Jan. 28, 2021: St. Thomas Aquinas Lecture
“Love and Justice in Aquinas and Our Lives”
Presenter: Robert Gervasi, Ph.D., President of Ohio Dominican University
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Nov. 11, 2020: St. Albert the Great Lecture
“Interdisciplinary Scientific Inquiry: At the Interface of Chemistry and Art”
Presenter: Dr. Joan Esson, Professor of Chemistry at Otterbein University
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2019-2020 Seminars on Truth

• Sept. 12, 2019 – “Truth in the Disciplines: A Variety of Perspectives”; Moderator: Michael Dougherty, Ph.D., Sr. Ruth Caspar Chair in Philosophy. Panelist includes: Marlissa Stauffer, Ph.D., Nicole Powell, Ph.D., Brian Besong, Ph.D., and Brad Nelson, Ph.D.
  
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• Sept. 26, 2019 – “The Truth about Labeling: Advocating for Inclusion”; Presenter: Presenter: Kristall Day, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Education.
  
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• Oct. 10, 2019 –"The Truth about Generation Z: Developing a Broader Appreciation of Today's Student"; Presenter: Natalie Kompa, Ed.D., Assistant Professor of Public Relations & Marketing Communications.
  
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• Oct. 24, 2019 –"Truth in the Marketplace: From Socrates to Social Media"; Presenter: Robert Gervasi, Ph.D., President of Ohio Dominican.
  
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• Nov. 7, 2019 –"St. John's Henry Newman's Search for Truth"; Presenter: Leo Madden, S.T.D., Associate Professor of Theology
  
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Common Core Fall Seminars 2018-19 (Justice)

Justice and Global Poverty: Hearing the Cries of the Poor
Ronald Carstens, Ph.D.
Sept. 13, 2018
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Justice for Immigrants: I Was a Stranger and You Welcomed Me
Julie Hart, Ph.D., Rev. Joel Miller, Joseph Mas, Dr. Austin Kocher & Edit Espinal
Sept. 27, 2018
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Women, the Heartbeat of Society
Imali Abala, Ph.D., Virginia McCormack, Ed.D., Kelsey Squire, Ph.D. & Anjel Stough-Hunter, Ph.D.
Oct. 11, 2018
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The Racial Divide
John Grant, Ph.D. and Helen McKinley
Oct. 25, 2018
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Dominican Saints 2018-19

St. Albert the Great Lecture - New Strategies for Targeting Cancer: Shining Light on Transition Metal Complexes
Claudia Turro, Ph.D.
Nov. 14, 2018
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St. Thomas Aquinas Lecture - Light Out of Darkness: Dominican Stories of Justice
Sr. Kathleen McManus, OP
Jan. 24, 2019
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St. Catherine of Siena Lecture - Justice - Seeing Catherine Through Contemporary Eyes
Sr. Megan McElroy, OP, D.Min.
April, 25, 2019
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Hearts Burning for Justice Lecture Series

I was Captive and You Ransomed Me
Sr. Mary Joel Campbell, OP
Oct. 10, 2018
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I was Homeless and You Sheltered Me
Sr. Nadine Buchanan, OP
Nov. 7, 2018
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I Am the Light of the World
Sr. Carol Ann Spencer, OP
Dec. 6, 2018
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I Am the Light of the World
Sr. Carol Ann Spencer, OP
Dec. 12, 2018
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I was in Prison and You Visited Me
Sr. Germaine Conroy, OP
Jan. 16, 2019
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I was Marginalized and You Came to Me
Sr. Margie Davis, OP and Sisters of Peace Associate Amy Thomas
Feb. 13, 2019
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Common Core Series: The Common Good

"The Theology of the Common Good"
Presenter: Leo Madden, S.T.D.
Event date: September 14, 2017

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"Building Bridges that Unite Us in Health Care"
Presenter: Shonna Riedlinger, M.MSc. 
Event Date: September 28, 2017

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"Preserving the Environment Benefits Everyone"
Presenter: Blake Mathys, Ph.D.
Event Date: October 12, 2017

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"An Educator’s Perspective on the Complexities of Servicing the Common Good through Education"
Presenter: Marlissa Stauffer, Ph.D.
Event Date: October 26, 2017

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2017-2018 Dominican Feasts Lectures

St. Albert the Great Lecture
"Interaction of Light with the DNA"
Presenter: Bern Kohler, Ph.D. | Professor of Chemistry, The Ohio State University 
Event date: November 15, 2017

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St. Thomas Aquinas Convocation
"The Common Good According to Aquinas: God on Good and Evil"
Presenter: Rev. Brian Davies, OP | Distinguished Professor of Philosophy, Fordham University
Event date: January 25, 2018

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Behold the Inheritance 2017-18

Where’s the Bathroom?
Sr. Barbara Kane
Oct. 11, 2017

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Mercy in the Streets
Sr. Nadine Buchanan, OP
Nov. 8, 2017

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Advent – A Time of Joyful Anticipation
Sr. Louis Mary Passeri, OP
Dec. 6, 2017

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Mission Across Miles
Sr. Doris Regan, OP
Jan. 17, 2018

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Welcome Into Courage
Sr. Rosemary Loomis, OP
Feb. 7, 2018

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Lent – A Time to Focus Discipleship 1
Sr. Carol Ann Spencer, OP
Feb. 21, 2018

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Lent – A Time to Focus Discipleship 2
Sr. Carol Ann Spencer, OP
Feb. 28, 2018

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Lent – A Time to Focus Discipleship 3
Sr. Carol Ann Spencer, OP
March 7, 2018

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Art – A Special Time to Preach
Sr. Thoma Swanson
April 11, 2018

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Common Core lectures (Being Human)

“The Impact of our Criminal Justice System of Human Beings”
Dr. Chenelle Jones
Sept. 29, 2016
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“The Changing Politics of Trust”
Dr. Ronald Carstens
Oct. 13, 2016
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“Laudato Si: toward a Human Environment”
Dr. Ronald Carstens
Nov. 16, 2016
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Dominican Saints Lectures

St. Thomas Aquinas Lecture
“Virtues, Reasons and Causes: The Fullness of Action in Thomas Aquinas”
Rev. John D. Corbett, OP, Ph.D.
Jan. 26, 2017
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St. Catherine of Siena Lecture
Sr. Patricia Twohill, OP
April 6, 2017
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St. Catherine of Siena
“Catherine of Siena and the Jubilee Year of Mercy”
Sr. Mary Ann Fatula, OP, Ph.D.
April 7, 2016
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St. Albert the Great Lecture

• "Energy, Environment and Chemistry" Presenter: Umit Ozkan, Ph.D.
  Event Date: November 11, 2015 (no video available)

St. Thomas Aquinas Lecture

• Presenter: Sister Barbara Reid, O.P., Ph.D.
  Event Date: January 28, 2016
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St. Catherine of Sienna Lecture

• Presenter: Sister Mary Ann Fatula, O.P., Ph.D.
  Event Date: April 7, 2016
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Fall Lecture Series: Seeking Truth

• "Seeking Truth: Truth in Science"
  Presenter: Becky Graham, Ph.D.
  Event date: October 15, 2015
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• "Seeking Truth: Truth in Sports"
  Presenter: James Strode, Ph.D. 
  Event Date: October 29, 2015
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• "Seeking Truth: Truth in the World of the Internet"
  Presenter: Timothy Walker, Ph.D.
  Event Date: November 5, 2015
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The Vatican Prophecies

• Presenter: John Thavis, Journalist and Author of "The Vatican Prophecies:  Investigating Supernatural Signs, Apparitions, and Miracles in the Modern Age"
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Francis at the Vatican: A Pope for Our Times

• Presenter: David Willey, BBC Vatican correspondent and author.
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St. Catherine of Siena Lecture

• Presenter: Perry Cahill, Ph.D., Professor of Theology and Academic Dean of the School of Theology for the Pontifical College Josephinum
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St. Thomas Aquinas Lecture

• Presenter: Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P., S.T.L., Ph.D., President of Providence College
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Fall Lecture Series: The Common Good

• "The Common Good in the Arts & Media"
  Presenter: Ann Hall, Ph.D., ODU professor of English 
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• "The Common Good & American Political Thought"
  Presenter: Kathleen Riley, Ph.D., ODU professor of History 
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• "The Common Good & Historical Challenges"
  Presenter: Matthew Ponesse, Ph.D., ODU associate professor of History
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• "The Common Good & the Global Community"
  Presenter: Sr. Teresa Tuite, O.P.
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• "Practicing Non-Violence in a World of War"
  Speaker: Father John Dear
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St. Catherine of Siena Lectures

• "What We Have Seen, Heard & Touched with Our Hands"
  Presenter: Father Brian Pierce, O.P.
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• "The Death Penalty in Our Penal System"
  Presenters: Father Neil Kookoothe and Joe D'Ambrosio 
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• "Immigration"
  Presenters: Anton Flores and Eduardo Samaniego 
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St. Thomas Aquinas Lectures

• "Reflections on Earth Justice: That We Might Live"
  Presenters: Sister Sharon Zayac, O.P., Director of Jubilee Farm
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• "Decoding the Vatican: Insights into All Things Vatican"
  Presenter: John Thavis
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Spirituality Series

• "Spirituality in the Marketplace: Is it Possible?"
  Panelists: Dr. Julie Hart, ODU Associate Professor of Sociology; Dr. Ann Hall, ODU Professor of English; Jonathan Beshears, ODU Senior Accounting & Finance Major
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• "Dominican Spirituality: How is it Unique?"
  Presenter: Jay Jackson, M.A., O.P.A., ODU Adjunct Professor of Theology
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• "Spirituality Only on Sundays: Is That All There Is?"
  Presenter: Sister Louis Mary Passeri, O.P., M.A., Dominican Sister of Peace 
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• "Spiritual but Not Religious: What's the Meaning?"
  Presenter: Alison Benders, J.D., ODU Professor of Theology
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Life of the Mind Series

• "How Can We Touch the Imagination of Our Contemporaries?"
  Speaker: Timothy Radcliffe, O.P., Ph.D. 
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• Does Christianity Have Anything to Say About How We Should Love?"
  Speaker: Timothy Radcliffe, O.P., Ph.D. 
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Big Ideas of Vatican II

• This eight-week series drew large crowds excited about revisiting the Vatican documents as the Church celebrated the Second Vatican Council’s 50th birthday.
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