A thought-provoking series for people seeking a learning community dedicated to exploring life's meaning and purpose. The series engages the religious, sociopolitical, and scientific issues of our time to identify the best of human values and stimulate thoughtful, creative responses for the enrichment of all peoples and stewardship of our earth.
Inspired by Pope Francis’ invitation to a “culture of encounter,” and responding to Nazareth University’s Centennial theme of Uniting Education and Action, the William H. Shannon Chair in Catholic Studies is proud to offer two Centennial Summits.
The Spring 2025 Shannon Lecture Series Centennial Summit will expand the conversation to examine how spirituality informs action by featuring noted scholars from the Jewish, Christian, and Muslim traditions who will reflect on how resources in their respective tradition underpin and inspire initiatives for interfaith dialogue, peace building, and just relationships — and how being grounded in a tradition supports and challenges them to learn to live, together, in love.
Pope Francis' World Day of Peace message (January 1, 2025), reminds us that true peace comes from hearts "disarmed" of selfishness, hostility, and anxiety. In the face of social, political, economic, and religious discord, the Pope has declared 2025 a Jubilee Year of Hope. The path to peace, he affirms, calls for a "graced hope" to light the way.
Responding to Pope Francis's message and expanding on the Fall Summit's focus on the mission of Nazareth, our Spring Centennial Summit will examine how spirituality informs action — how such "graced hope" does indeed light the way. Featuring noted visionary leaders from the Jewish, Christian, and Muslim traditions, each presenter will reflect on how resources in her respective tradition support and challenge her to learn to live together in love.
During the Summit — blending presentations and dialogue — we will:
Njeeba Syeed
Title: Peacebuilding in Times of Crises
Sister Raffaella Petrini, Ph.D.
Title: Paradigm Shifts: Fostering a Leadership of Care
Rabbi Sharon Cohen Anisfeld, Ph.D.
Title: With Strong Hands and Outstretched Arms: Extending our Circle of Compassion and Care
Under the banner of “Learning to Live, Together, in Love,” the Fall 2024 Summit (September 20-21, 2024) focused on Nazareth’s mission that is informed by the charism of the Sisters of St. Joseph: to serve the neighbor without distinction. From its beginning in 1924, Nazareth has been committed to education and action — a legacy that is alive today through dynamic curricula and programs designed to respond to the needs of today. Presentations by artist Alan Pascuzzi, Sister Jean Bellini, and Sister Patricia Schoelles offered insights into how their liberal learning experience at Naz became the underpinning and incentive for their courageous, gutsy, and vigorous response to the challenges facing them. The witness of their lives offers significant testimony to how Nazareth’s mission continues today in profound and unique expressions.