Siena Center Past Events

2021-2022

2020-2021

2019–2020

  • More Incisive Roles for Women in the Church, Catherine Hilkert, PhD (canceled)
  • Resources for Ramadan, Ramadan and Eid 2020
  • A Celebration of Earth Day’s 50th Anniversary, Virtual conversation to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day. (online)
  • Easter 2020: Easter Blessings from the Dominican University Community, Rev. Eddie De León
  • Easter 2020: Preaching for Good Friday, Sr. Diane Kennedy, OP
  • Easter 2020: Preaching for Holy Thursday, Sr. Marci Hermesdorf, OP
  • Resources from the St. Catherine of Siena Center during the COVID-19 Pandemic
  • Diane Kennedy, OP Lecture and Dinner, Donald Goergen, OP (canceled)
  • One Earth Film Festival Screening, The Green Lie
  • What Truth Sounds Like, Michael Eric Dyson
  • Seventh Annual Caesar and Patricia Tabet Poetry Reading, Naomi Shihab Nye
  • Mazzuchelli Lecture: “River of Fire: One Woman’s Spiritual Journey to Get Jesus Right,” Sr. Helen Prejean, CSJ
  • Mini-Course: Faithful People, Living Word VII Making Sacred our Lives, “Celebrating the Religious Lifecycle and Following the Religious Calendar in the Three Abrahamic Traditions,” Team from the Chicago Coalition for InterReligious Learning (CCIRL)
  • The Stories We Tell: Latinx Narratives and the Future of Catholicism, Natalia Imperatori-Lee, PhD
  • Science and Religion: Prerequisites for an Integral Ecology, Nancy Tuchman, PhD and Michael Schuck, PhD
  • 2019 Catholic Imagination Conference, Paul Mariani, Tobias Wolff, Alice McDermott, Paul Schrader, Richard Rodriguez, Dana Gioia, Angela Alaimo O'Donnell, and others
Albertus Magnus Society
  • Albertus Magnus Lecture: "Biblical Themes on Laudato Si'," Dianne Bergant, CSA, PhD

 

2018–2019

  • Mini-Course: Life in the Catholic Church: Ministry and Authority, Thomas O'Meara, PhD, OP
  • Mini-Course: Delving into the Prophetic Experience with Jeremiah as Our Guide, Pauline Viviano, PhD
  • Barking to the Choir: The Power of Radical Kinship, Fr. Greg Boyle, SJ
  • Mini-Course: The Power and Mystery of Archive, Dominican University Follett Chair Verne Harris
  • Biennial Interfaith Artist Panel, Gregory Deddo, Carole P. Kundstadt and Rachel Braun.
  • How Do We Measure Up? A Report Card on Health Care for "the least of these our brethren,” Kristi Kirschner, MD
  • Diane Kennedy, OP Lecture and Dinner: “Samuel Mazzuchelli, Rose Hawthorne, and the Search for an American Saint,” Kathleen Sprows Cummings, PhD
  • Spirituality, Health, and Justice, C. Vanessa White, PhD
  • Carrie Newcomer & Over the Rhine, Carrie Newcomer and Over the Rhine
  • The Recurring Call of Advent to Become What We Pray, Fr. James Marchionda, OP
  • Mazzuchelli Lecture: “The Next Generation of Catholic Higher Education: Promise and Challenge,” Hosffman Ospino, PhD
  • A Native Perspective on Caring for the Earth: The Journey of an Anishinaabe Water Walker, Kathy Heskin and Maryellen Baker 
  • Mini-Course: Faithful People, Living Word VI: Muhammad: The Man and the Message
  • Siena in the City: “Finding God in All the Wrong People,” Rev. Nadia Bolz-Weber
Albertus Magnus Society
  • Albertus Magnus Lecture: “The Complex Science of Simple Faith: Why a Healing Faith is a Good Experiment,” Fr. John Kartje, PhD

 

2017–2018

  • Mini-Course: Biblical Themes in Laudato Si’, Dianne Bergant, PhD
  • Mini-Course: The Prophets: Bearers of God’s Message, Pauline Viviano, PhD
  • Mini-Course: Hamlet's Education, Yates Hafner, PhD
  • St. Catherine of Siena Lecture: “Creating a Culture of Mercy—Pope Francis as a Merciful Leader,” John Allen, Jr.
  • Fifth Annual Caesar and Patricia Tabet Poetry Reading, Julia Alvarez
  • Tradition on the Move: Leadership Formation in Catholic Health Care, John Shea, Senior Fellow of the Ministry Leadership Center
  • Mind-Body Approaches to Mental Health and Wellness, Inger Burnett-Zeigler, PhD
  • Mini-Course: Poetry: Bringing Faith to Life, Jon Nilson, PhD
  • Diane Kennedy, OP Lecture and Dinner: “Fire in My Bones: Biblical Foundations of the Dominican Charism,” Sr. Laurie Brink, OP
  • The World Will Be Saved by Beauty: Reflections from Dorothy Day's Granddaughter, Kate Hennessy
  • Mazzuchelli Lecture: “Living a Life of Depth and Meaning,” David Brooks
  • To Redeem the Soul of America: Martin Luther King's Vision and Its Challenge to American Catholics, Rev. Bryan Massingale Recording
  • C Suite, Chris Lowney Recording
  • The Vocation of Health Care—A Journey of Accompaniment, Kristen Bayer, MSN, APN, FNP-C
  • Mini-Course: Faithful People, Living Word V: Describing the Moral Person from the Jewish, Christian and Muslim Perspective, Team from the Chicago Coalition for InterReligious Learning (CCIRL)
  • Spirituality, Health Care Reform, and the Happy Death, Charles Bouchard, OP
Albertus Magnus Society
  • Albertus Magnus Lecture: “Faith, Spirituality, and Caregiving.” Myles Sheehan, SJ, PhD

 

2016–2017

  • Summer Series Mini-Course: The Rejection of Renaissance Humanism and the Corruption of Political Discourse, Yates Hafner, PhD
  • One Book, One Oak Park: Being Mortal, Atul Gawande
  • Summer Series Mini-Course: Jesus in the Gospels, Mary Deeley, PhD
  • Summer Series Mini-Course: Four Great Biblical Themes: Fertility, Covenant, Sin, and Redemption, Fr. John Kartje, STD, PhD
  • Families, Love, and Justice in the Era of Pope Francis, Julie Hanlon Rubio, PhD Recording
  • St. Catherine of Siena Lecture: “The Ecclesiology of Pope Francis,” Massimo Faggioli, PhD Recording
  • NEW! Is the Future of American Religion Already in the Past? Kenneth L. Woodward
  • Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, Michel Andraos, PhD
  • Mini-Course: Paul’s Letters in Context, Tim Milinovich
  • Laudato Si: Human Rights’ Guidelines for Environmental and Climate Justice in the Postmodern Era of Science, Technology and Medicine, Dr. Sylvia Hood Washington
  • Diane Kennedy, OP Dinner and Lecture: “The End of the Beginning,” Ann Willets, OP
  • Shakespeare’s Tempest in The Year of Mercy, 2016, Yates Hafner, PhD ( rescheduled)
  • Lessons and Carols, University Ministry
  • No Justice, No Peace: A Catholic Perspective on Israel and Palestine, Donald Senior, CP Recording
  • Mini-Course: God and The Mystery of Human Suffering, Robin Ryan, CP, PhD
  • Religion & Politics 2016, Thomas Reese, SJ, PhD (Sold Out)
  • Reconciling Our Privileges in Order to Build Peace, Tina Taylor-Ritzler, PhD with respondent Anthony Suarez-Abraham
  • On the Side of the Poor—The Theology of Liberation, Gustavo Gutiérrez, OP, PhD Recording
  • Mini-Course: Faithful People, Living Word IV: Who Do You Say That I Am?, Team from the Chicago Coalition for InterReligious Learning (CCIRL)
  • Building a Better Peace, Maryann Cusimano Love, PhD Recording
Albertus Magnus Society
  • Albertus Magnus Lecture: “All is Connected: Relationships and Truth in Laudato Si',” Dan Misleh Recording

 

2015–2016

  • Crucifixion: How a Terrible Form of Capital Punishment Became a Symbol of Abundant Life, Don Senior Recording
  • Three Week Mini-Course: You searched me God, and you know me” (Psalm 139:1)—An Introduction to Biblical Spirituality, Laurie Brink, OP, PhD
  • St. Catherine of Siena Lecture: “Catherine of Siena: Accidental Theologian,” Elizabeth Dreyer, PhD
  • Time: Faith, Science, and Science Fiction, Br. Guy Consolmagno, SJ Recording
  • Water: Sustainability, Climate Change and Future Conflicts, Recording
  • The Church as Field Hospital: Chicago’s Catholic Church in Action, Archbishop Blase Cupich
  • Three Week Mini-Course: Meet the Dominicans: Saints, Mystics, Gadflies, and Villains, Richard Woods, OP, PhD
  • Things Change, Mark Massa, SJ, PhD, Recording
  • Diane Kennedy, OP Dinner and Lecture celebrating Caritas et Veritas: “Truth Serving Love: A Dominican Charism for the 21st Century,” Rev. Timothy Radcliffe, OP Recording
  • Deciding in Time: Moral Relativity and God’s Eternal Now, William George, PhD with respondent Irina Calin-Jageman, PhD Recording
  • Deciding in Time: Moral Relativity and God's Eternal Now (Part 1), William George, PhD and Irina Calin-Jageman, PhD Recording
  • Deciding in Time: Moral Relativity and God's Eternal Now (Part 3), William George, PhD and Irina Calin-Jageman, PhD Recording
  • Lessons & Carols, University Ministry
  • The Anatomy of Violence: The Biological Roots of Crime, Adrian Raine, PhD with Tobias Winwright, PhD Recording
  • Three Week Mini-Course: What Is Hope?, Yates Hafner, PhD
  • Mazzuchelli Lecture: “So Proudly Dominican: 800 Years and Counting on You,” Donna M. Carroll
  • Three Week Mini-Course: The Science of Climate Change and the Consequences of Global Warming, Gerald Gulley, PhD
  • New Faces, New Voices, New Ways of Being Church, Maria Pilar Aquino, STD; Rev. Bryan Massingale, STD; Jamie Manson, and Joan Chittister, OSB (Sold Out)
  • Cosmic Time in “Big History,” Grace Wolf-Chase, PhD, Recording
  • Time: Eternal, Infinite, Finite, David Tracy, PhD
  • Catholic Sisters: Who They Are and Why the World Needs Them, Sr. Mary Johnson, SNDdeN, PhD, Sr. Patricia Wittberg, SC, PhD, and  Mary Gautier, PhD
Albertus Magnus Society
  • Albertus Magnus Lecture: “An Astonishing Wonder: Albert the Great (1200-1280)—Scientist and Theologian,” Rev. Thomas O’Meara, OP, PhD

 

2014–2015

  • American Women and Women of the World, Sr. Joan Chittister, OSB
  • Faith in Flux? Is There a Place for Spirituality in the Later Years?, Clemente Davlin, OP
  • El Futuro Is Here!, Timothy Matovina Recording
  • El Futuro Is Here! Faculty Panel Discussion: “Latinos and the New Moment of Faith” Recording
  • El Futuro Is Here! Student Panel Discussion: “Latinos and the New Moment of Faith” Recording
  • Three Week Mini-Course: The Catholic Imagination in Literature and Life, Diane Kennedy, OP, DMin.
  • The Seven Last Words of Christ, The Vermeer Quartet (Sold out)
  • Three Week Mini-Course: Moses, Prophet, and Leader, Team from the Chicago Coalition of InterReligious Learning
  • Violence and Victims: Caritas for Victims of Trauma, William Jenkins, MFA Recording
  • Crucifixion and Abundant Life: Crucifixion: How a Terrible Form of Capital Punishment Became A Symbol of Abundant Life, Fr. Donald Senior Recording
  • Restorative Justice and the Abolition of Capital Punishment, Margaret Pfeil, PhD Recording
  • The Present and Future of Jewish/Catholic Dialogue: “Arguments for the Sake of Heaven (Pirke Avot 5.20): The Present and Future of Jewish/Catholic Dialogue,” Amy-Jill Levine, PhD
  • Diane Kennedy, OP Lecture: “A New Evangelization of the Economy: Possible Contributions from the Dominican Family,” Helen Alford, OP, PhD
  • Lonergan’s “Law of the Cross”: Transforming the Sources and Effects of Violence, Mary Gerhart, PhD Recording
  • Lessons and Carols, University Ministry
  • Three Week Mini-Course: The Focus and Forms of Liberation Theology, Jon Nilson, PhD
  • Mazzuchelli Lecture: “Caritas et Veritas: The Case for Cultural Competence,” Tina Taylor-Ritzler, PhD
  • The Past, Present and Future of Using Neuroscience to Achieve Moral Perfection, Bob Calin-Jageman, PhD Recording
  • Three Week Mini-Course: The Provenience of Moral Evil, Yates Hafner, PhD
  • Living Water: The Story of St. Gabriel the Archangel Church, Still Point Theater Collective
  • The Power of Boundless Compassion, Father Gregory Boyle, SJ (Sold Out) Recording
  • “Hidden behind a Veil of Blood:” God and the Violence against Women in the Bible, Susan Ross, PhD and Pauline Viviano, PhD Recording
Albertus Magnus Society
  • Albertus Magnus Society: “The Anatomy of Violence: The Biological Roots of Crime,” Adrian Raine, PhD with respondent Tobias Winright, PhD

 

2013–2014

  • The Seven Last Words of Christ, Vermeer Quartet
  • St. Catherine of Siena Lecture: “Catherine of Siena and the Church, Unauthenticity and Conversion,” M. Shawn Copeland, PhD Recording 
  • Feelings, Emotions and the Spiritual Self: Affective Neuroscience and the Problem of Consciousness, David Hogue, PhD
  • Exploring the Mystery Around Us: An Introduction to Doing Theology, Rev. Stephen Bevans, SVD, PhD and Louis J. Luzbetak, SVD
  • A Forgiveness that Heals, Avis Clendenen, PhD; Sister Irene Dugan; and Troy Martin, PhD
  • Women, Religion & Dialogue, Jeannine Hill Fletcher, ThD; Paula Hirschboeck, PhD; and Jenan Mohajir Recording
  • Mini-Course: Wisdom: A Way of Life, Sr. Dianne Bergant, CSA, PhD and Carroll Stuhlmueller, CP
  • We are a People who Become with Others: A Trinitarian Reading of E pluribus unum, Miguel H. Díaz, PhD Recording
  • All in Your Mind: A Buddhist Perspective on Consciousness and Reality, Gen Kelsang Dorje Recording
  • Inaugural Diane Kennedy, OP Lecture Celebrating Caritas et Veritas: “Beggars of God's Word: The Way of the Preacher,” Rev. Brian Pierce, OP
  • Mystical Consciousness: Brain, Mind, and the Presence of God, Rev. Richard Woods, OP, PhD
  • American Women and Women of the World, Sr. Joan Chittister, OSB
  • Mazzuchelli Lecture: “Leading from the Center: The Genius of Samuel Mazzuchelli,” Sr. Diane Kennedy, OP, DMin Recording
  • Do Catholics Make Good Americans?: The Catholic Church and Political Homelessness in America, William Cavanaugh, PhD Recording
  • Mini-Course: Adam and Eve, Our First Parents, Team from the Chicago Coalition for InterReligious Learning
  • Mini-Course: Shakespeare as Spiritual Guide, Yates Hafner, PhD
  • Mini-Course: Murder, He Wrote: An Introduction to Theological Ethics, William George, PhD
Albertus Magnus Society
  • Albertus Magnus Lecture: “The Coming of the Cosmic Person: God, Evolution and the Power of Love,” Sr. Ilia Delio, OSF, PhD
  • The Dynamics of Consciousness: From Experience to Insight to Transformation, Mary Gerhart, PhD
  • On Consciousness and Criminal Responsibility, Katrina Sifferd, JD, PhD

 

2012–2013

  • “Band of Sisters,” A documentary film by Mary Fishman
  • Things Change, Rev. Mark Massa, SJ, PhD Recording
  • History in the Making: Three Generations Reflect on the Council, Hugh McElwain, STD; Glodagh Weldon, DPhil; Cathy Jaskey Recording
  • Vatican II Vision for a Globalized World, Susan Abraham, ThD Recording
  • St. Catherine of Siena Lecture: “True Reform: Assessing the Legacy Fifty Years after Vatican II,” Rev. Paul Philibert, OP Recording
  • Election 2012: Voting Beyond the Water's Edge, Gerard Powers, PhD Recording
  • Elections, Economics, and Ethics, Dan Finn, PhD Recording
  • Mazzuchelli Lecture: “All Are Immigrants featuring Rev. James Barnett, OP,” Mary Jo Leddy, PhD
  • Advent Lecture: “The Other Face of God: When the Stranger Calls Us Home,” Mary Jo Leddy, PhD
  • Reading Jesus Book Discussion, University Librarians
  • Reading Jesus: How Story Shapes Us, Mary Gordon
  • Peace is Possible. Peace is Practical, Maryann Cusimano Love, PhD
Albertus Magnus Society
  • Albertus Magnus Lecture: “Making Waves: Life in the World's Oceans,” Alyssa M. Braun, PhD Recording Part 1; Part 2
  • Albertus Magnus Lecture: “Human Uniqueness Reconsidered: Human Evolution and the Image of God,” Celia Deane-Drummond, PhD, PhD
  • City by the Lake: The Health and Welfare of Chicago's Water Resources, Nancy C. Tuchman, PhD Recording
  • Water: Sustainability, Climate Change and Future Conflicts, Gerald Gulley, PhD Recording
  • Living Water: Ecology, Sacramentality, and the Hydrography of Faith, Christina Z. Peppard, PhD
  • Human Uniqueness Reconsidered: Human Evolution and the Image of God, Celia Deane-Drummond, PhD
  • Water 101: Adventures of the Miracle Molecule, Paul Heltne, PhD
  • A University Awash, Br. Guy Consolmagno, SJ, PhD Recording

 

2011–2012

  • Caritas et Veritas Dinner and Lecture: “God-talk That Nourishes and Delights,” Angel Méndez Montoya, OP
  • Catholics in the Public Square: Prophecy, Civility and Truth,  M. Cathleen Kaveny, JD, PhD Recording
  • Conversations and Lessons with Dominican Theologians, Richard Woods, OP, PhD, and Clodagh Weldon, DPhil,
  • Lent Lecture: "Taking up the Cross: From Atonement for Sins to Birthing New Life," Barbara E. Reid, OP, PhD Recording
  • "A Question of Habit," A film and panel discussion, including filmmaker Bren Ortega Murphy, PhD
  • St. Catherine of Siena Lecture: “From Spotless Bride to Working Partner: Images of the Laity in the 21st Century Church,” Susan Ross, PhD Recording
  • "Science, Salvation, and Side Effects" Nuclear Power promise or peril, William George, PhD and Thomas George, PhD, Recording
  • Peace is Possible. Peace is Practical, Maryann Cusimano Love, PhD
  • Reading Jesus: How Story Shapes Us, Mary Gordon
  • Lund-Gill Lecture: “Acts of Faith: Interfaith Leadership in a Time of Global Religious Crisis,” Eboo Patel, DPhil
  • Mazzuchelli Lecture: “Resistance, Faith and Social Change,” Jeanette Rodriguez, PhD
  • Advent Lecture: “How the Pendulum Swings: The New Translation of the Roman Missal,” Edward Foley, Capuchin
Albertus Magnus Society
  • Albertus Magnus Lecture: “Children of a Fertile Universe: Chance, Destiny and a Creator God,” George Coyne, SJ Recording
  • Dr. Frankenstein's Footsteps: A Critical Look at Some Key Films, Dan Dinello
  • Nuclear Power: Promise and Peril, William George and Thomas George
  • In the Beginning...Recasting the Christian Story in the Light of Scientific Developments, Heidi Russell, PhD
  • Children of a Fertile Universe: Chance, Destiny, and a Creator God, George Coyne, SJ
  • Discernment and Community in the Twitter Age, Trevor Betchel, PhD
  • Defining the Human Person in an Age of Technology, Jame Schaefer, PhD

 

2010–2011

  • Life-Long Aging and the Baby Boom Phenomenon, Martha Jacob, PhD
  • Tradition and the Fabric of Life: How Ordinary People Future Our Past, Orlando Espin, PhD
  • The Formative Years, Dennis Kirchen, EdD
  • Is Dreaming Illegal? Seeking Sustainable Solutions, Mark Lopez, PhD; Craig Mousin, JD, MDiv; Elizabeth Collier, PhD; Elena Segura
  • Radical Disciple: Fr. Pfleger, St. Sabina Church and the Fight for Social Justice, Fr. Michael Pfleger, Bob Hercules, Bob McClory
  • St. Catherine of Siena Lecture: “Young Adult Catholics Today: Finding Power, Passion and Voice,” Donna Freitas, PhD
  • Trade vs. Aid: Haiti's Growing Social and Economic Opportunities, Steve Hollingworth, Erica Green, and Most Rev. Thomas Wenski
  • Finding Sacred Space in Cyberspace, Cathleen Falsani
  • Caritas et Veritas Lecture, Timothy Radcliffe, OP
  • What Was Handed On To Me–Passing the Faith from One Generation to the Next, Melissa Musick Nussbaum and Anna Keating
  • Mazzuchelli Lecture: “Dominican by Adoption: Growing in a Life of Service,” William Lies, CSC, PhD
  • Advent Lecture: Is God’s Reign of Peace Really Possible?, Dianne Bergant, CSA, PhD
Albertus Magnus Society
  • Albertus Magnus Lecture: “Genomic Research and the Catholic Moral Tradition: Opportunities for a New Synergy Between Science and Religion,” Kevin T. FitzGerald, SJ, PhD
  • Unequal Distribution of Health Services in the U.S. and Across the Globe, Aana Maria Vigen, PhD
  • The Secrets of the Gourd: Chinese Pharmacology, Chia-Feng Chang, PhD
  • The Mathematics of Morality in the NICU, William Meadow, MD, PhD
  • Genomic Research and the Catholic Moral Tradition: Opportunities for a New Synergy Between Science and Religion, Kevin T. FitzGerald, SJ, PhD, PhD
  • Stem Cell Therapy: Clinical Possibilities and Ethical implications, Irina Calin-Jageman, PhD
  • Three Women in My Life: Ethical Issues at the End of Life, Kevin O'Rourke, OP