Theology, Climatology, Hydrology Explored in Center for Spirituality Lecture Series
August 31, 2014 (Notre Dame, Ind.) — The Center for Spirituality (CFS) at Saint Mary’s College proudly announces the Fall 2015 Endowed Lecture Series titled, "Earth, Water, Air, and Fire: Theology, Ethics, and the Elements of Life." In light of Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si: On Care for Our Common Home, this series will explore the topic of ecology from a theological perspective, with a particular focus on humanity’s close relationship with the Earth. Two of the speakers have published recent books related to the topic.
There are three lectures and one panel discussion/conversation this fall. All of the following events are free and open to the public.
Thursday, September 10, 7:30 p.m.
Vander Vennet Theatre, Student Center
"Earth: For God So Loved the Soil"
Norman Wirzba, Ph.D., professor of ecology and rural life, Duke Divinity School
Authored the books Making Peace with the Land: God's Call to Reconcile with Creation (2012), Food and Faith: A Theology of Eating (2003), and The Paradise of God: Renewing Religion in an Ecological Age (2003).
Tuesday, September 29, 7:30 p.m.
Vander Vennet Theatre, Student Center|
"Water: What does Hydrology have to do with Theology in the 21st Century?"
Christiana Peppard, PhD, assistant professor of theology, Fordham University
Authored the book Just Water: Theology, Ethics, and the Global Water Crisis (2014).
Thursday, October 29, 7:30 p.m.
Vander Vennet Theatre, Student Center
"Air: Our Common Home: Pope Francis' Call to Action on Climate Change"
Dan Misleh, executive director Catholic Climate Covenant
Wednesday, November 11, 8:00 p.m.
Rice Commons, Student Center
"Fire: An Interfaith Panel on Spirituality and Energy Conservation"
An interdisciplinary and interfaith conversation on the ethics and spirituality of energy generation and conservation, co-sponsored with Campus Ministry's "Theology on Fire" series.
Roman Catholic perspective:
Margaret Pfeil, PhD, theology and the Center for Social Concerns, University of Notre Dame
Jewish perspective:
Rachel Novick , PhD, director of the minor in sustainability, University of Notre Dame
Quaker perspective:
Christopher Cobb, PhD, associate professor of English andcoordinator of the environmental studies program, Saint Mary's College
Every year CFS invites world-renowned scholars to Saint Mary’s College to share their wisdom on contemporary religious issues, and to address broader issues of how faith and reason interact. The Saint Mary’s College Annual Endowed Lecture Series Fund sponsors the lectures. Click for more information on CFS and the lectures, please call (574) 284-4636.
About Saint Mary's College: Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Ind., is a four-year, Catholic, residential, women’s liberal arts college offering five bachelor’s degrees and more than 30 major areas of study, such as business, nursing, art, chemistry, and social work. In the fall of 2015 Saint Mary’s College will offer two graduate degrees: a Master of Science and a Doctorate. All programs that fall under these degrees are co-educational and include a Master of Science in Data Science, a Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology, and a Doctorate of Nursing Practice. Founded in 1844 by the Sisters of the Holy Cross, Saint Mary’s College seeks, according to its mission statement, to educate students, develop their talents, and prepare them to make a difference in the world. Saint Mary’s College ranks among the top 100 Best National Liberal Arts Colleges for 2015 published by U.S. News & World Report. Follow Saint Mary's College on Twitter @saintmarys and @saintmarysnews.
Contact for News Media: Gwen O’Brien, director of media relations, Saint Mary’s College, gobrien@saintmarys.edu (574) 284-4579