SPIRIT ALIVE FALL/WINTER PROGRAMS 2024
Climate: The New Catholic Imperative
Is Global Climate Change a Catholic concern? In this five-part webinar, scientists and theologians will explain how the Church’s teaching challenges Catholics to think differently about their relationship to the environment, to recognize environmental stewardship as their responsibility, and to change their behavior to promote sustainability.
View webinar descriptions, presenters and register below.
Solutions for the Climate Crisis: Why debate persists and what we can do about it
Presenter: Anthony Strawa, Ph.D., Chief Scientist Sustainable Silicon Vallley
Date: September 11, 2024
Time: 7:30 – 8:45 p.m. ET
Much has been written about the persistent denial of the science of global warming and push back against potential solutions. This presentation will discuss some of the issues that cause persistent denial and suggestions on how we can overcome these roadblocks and start a dialog on climate. I will present some of my 'go to' sources that address the most popular skeptics' arguments. Method towards developing a climate dialog derived from personal experience, discussions with others, and in the literature will be presented.
Answering the Call: Ecological Conversion through Laudato Si' and Laudate Deum
Presenter: Chelsea J. King, Ph.D., Sacred Heart University
Date: October 2, 2024
Time: 7:30 – 8:45 p.m. ET
In this presentation, I delve into the concept of "ecological conversion"—a significant shift that transcends simply gaining knowledge to involve a change in how we feel and think about our common home. I will address the pressing need for this transformation in the face of the climate crisis, which compels us to reconsider our desires and aspirations for the planet's future. Drawing from the profound teachings of Laudato Si' and Laudate Deum I'll explore how embracing the values of gratitude, community, and sacrifice is crucial for developing a sustainable relationship with our ecological world.
Climate Change, Ecological Degradation and Social Justice
Presenter: Craig Ford, Ph.D., Saint Norbert's College
Date: October 23, 2024
Time: 7:30 – 8:45 p.m. ET
The damage wrought by anthropogenic climate change demands an answer. Drawing us towards a response based in the Catholic moral tradition, Dr. Ford will not only attempt to provide a meaningfully intersectional portrait of the current state of our climate crisis, but will also offer us resources by which we might be able to imagine a more just future for all God’s creation.
Beyond Laudato Si’ & Laudate Deum: A New Theology of Creation
Presenter: Daniel R. DiLeo, Ph.D., Creighton University
Date: November 13, 2024
Time: 7:30 – 8:45 p.m. ET
Since 1990, the Catholic Church has recognized human-caused climate change as a moral issue and called for science-based policy responses in civil society. However, the Church has committed broad ecclesial sins of omission by largely failing to pursue these responses within the Church itself - especially through diocesan decarbonization policies. This collective social sin requires a new theology of creation that moves beyond Laudato Si' and Laudate Deum by empowering laity and religious to collectively encounter their bishop and synodally advocate for a diocesan decarbonization policy. This presentation will outline the theological foundations of and concrete strategies for this approach.
Transforming the Church and Society through Care for our Common Home
Presenter: Erin Lothes, Ph.D., Director, Laudato Si' Animators Program
Date: December 4, 2024
Time: 7:30 – 8:45 p.m. ET
The Catholic faith tradition offers both deep theological and ethical resources for addressing the climate crisis, as well as the inspiration and hope needed for critically needed action throughout society. The Catholic moral imagination provides a vision of an inclusive and sustainable future, and already existing practical action plans are guiding large-scale change. As Pope Francis writes, "Truly, much can be done!”
Being a Disciple in a Political Season
The 2024 election will be crucial to the future of our country and the world. Guided by gospel values, all Christians must use the privilege and power of the vote to promote peace, justice, and the common good.
View presenter and register below.
Presenter: Rev. Kenneth Himes, OFM, Ph.D., Siena College
Date: September 26, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Beyond electoral campaigns and government structures, the relationship between the political realm and Christianity has always involved the important questions of how we ought to live together, and how we should organize and govern our common life. Politics must be guided by considerations of national and global justice and peace, and, for Christians, by the teachings of Jesus as interpreted by the Church’s tradition.
Growing in Radiance with Teilhard de Chardin
For Teilhard, contemplation of the Cosmic Christ increases our capacity to grow in radiance. In this course, we will engage passages from Teilhard’s mystical writings.
View mini-course description, presenter and register below.
Presenter: Kathleen Duffy, SSJ, Ph.D., Chestnut Hill College
Dates: October 15, 22, 29, November 5, and 12
Time: 7:30 – 8:45 p.m. ET
Using a Lectio Divina style, we will focus each week on a single image of the Cosmic Christ with time for input, reading together, reflection, and sharing around a central theme. Themes include the Divine Milieu, The Cosmic Christ, Christ, the Fire of Love, Sophia: Catalyst of Creative Union, and the Christic. As we engage passages from Teilhard’s mystical writings, we will come to know the Cosmic Christ as the source of all Radiance drawing the human family toward the light and stirring up passionate desire to join in the work of creation.
Curious Spirits Podcast Partners with U.S. Catholic for Second Season
How can we be pilgrims of hope in a world suffering from the impacts of war, racism, xenophobia and the climate crisis? Join host Zoe Karajian as she speaks with guests about their reasons for keeping hope alive.
Click the button below to sign up for updates.
SPIRIT ALIVE SPRING PROGRAMS 2025
Registration Now Open
Reading the Prophets 'Against the Grain' for Justice in the Twenty-first Century Globalized World
A Webinar Series That Explores New Ways of Reading The Prophetic Literature of the Bible. View presenter and register below.
Presenter: Carol J. Dempsey, OP, Ph.D., University of Portland
Dates: Jan. 16, 23, 30, Feb. 6, 13
Time: 7– 8:15 p.m. ET
For centuries, readers and interpreters of the Bible have traditionally read the text “with the grain.” Many have sought to use the Bible for personal and spiritual enrichment and nourishment Today, however, we live in the twenty-first century globalized world, and if we want to achieve global justice, then we have to begin reading the biblical text “against the grain.”and interpreting it critically. New interpretation theories help us to see how cultures and cultural attitudes have shaped the Bible and how the Bible, as the most read book in the world, continues to shape and re-inscribe various oppressive cultural attitudes today that have had an effect on our political, social, economic, and religious institutions. In other words, how does one’s reading of the Bible and its use contribute to present-day patriarchy, kyriarchy, abusive hierarchy, racism, gender discrimination, heteronormatism, ethnocentrism, classism, ableism, anti-Semitism, imperialism, and marginalization in our world today? This presentation explores new ways of reading the prophetic literature of the Bible “against the grain” to discover new understandings of ancient poems and the work to be done for global justice. Included in our discussion is the topic of the gendering of “God” as we explore hegemonic power.
American Catholic History: Telling the Story Anew
A Webinar Series That Explores Common American Catholic Narartives.
View presenter and register below.
Presenter: Thomas Rzeznik, Ph.D., Seton Hall University
Dates: Tuesdays January 28, 2025 through Tuesday Feb 25, 2025
Time: 7– 8:15 p.m. ET
History is not just a chronicle of the past, but the stories we share. This series will reexamine common American Catholic narratives and explore some of the ways that recent historical scholarship has contributed to a richer and more complex understanding of U.S. Catholic history, including confronting some of the more challenging realities of the past. It will encourage us to consider how the stories we tell can serve the church’s ongoing mission today.
Making Sense of the Atonement in Light of the New Cosmology
View presenter and register below.
Presenter: Laurie Brink, OP, Ph.D., Catholic Theological Union
Dates: Tuesdays, March 11, 18, 25, April 1, 8
Time: 7– 8:15 p.m. ET
Beginning with Scripture, this course surveys the various interpretations of atonement and how reconciliation with God might be understood in an evolving universe. Topics to be explored include Sacrifice in the Ancient Near Eastern World, Israel’s relationship with God, Interpreting the Passion of Jesus, Ecclesial and Social implications, and the role of Cosmology and Evolution.