April 28, 2009
A
new Catholic Lecture Series intended for adults, both Catholic and
non-Catholic, will debut on Saturday, May 9 at 9 a.m. on St. John’s
University’s Queens campus. Rev. Patrick Griffin, C.M., Executive
Vice President of Mission and Branch Campuses, maintains that the
“Three Things Talks” will address issues of Catholic belief and
teaching and represent a new collaboration between the University
Mission and the Department of Theology.
The Three Things Talks will consist of three consecutive themed
lectures, each focused on an essential point that captures the
heart of a topic. Each will be presented by an esteemed member of
the Theology faculty and will be geared towards Catholic adults who
already have the basics but want to know more about their faith. At
the same time, however, each will also be an excellent source of
information for non-Catholics who are interested in learning what
Catholics believe.
“The Catholic education that many of us received as children
provided us with the important faith essentials that have sustained
us to this point on our faith journey, but there is more to learn,”
Fr. Griffin points out. “Sometimes we need someone who brings a
certain expertise and breadth of knowledge to the most interesting
and important aspects of our faith.”
When the series debuts on May 9 in the University’s magnificent St.
Thomas More Church, the topic under discussion will be “Mary, the
Mother of God.” Father Griffin will open the program with a warm
welcome and an introduction to the community. He will be followed
by:
- Joann C. Heaney-Hunter, Ph.D., who will discuss “Three Things
which Catholics should know about Mary and the Church”
- Rev. Michael Whalen, C.M., S.T.D., who will explain “Three
Things which Catholics should know about the Immaculate
Conception”
- Marian A. Maskulak, Ph.D., S.T.D., who will describe “Three
Things which Catholics should know about Devotion to Mary”
Each talk will be about 40 minutes with some time for
discussion. There will be a brief interlude with refreshments
between the talks. The entire program will run from 9 until
noon. Admission is free and all are welcome.
“The plan is to run the Three Things Talks regularly during the
year with different topics dealing with Catholic life, history, the
sacraments, liturgy, the Bible, papal writings, etc.,” Fr. Griffin
explains. “We hope they will provide a pleasant and profitable
opportunity for ongoing formation.”
Those who are planning to attend or would like more information
should contact Sue Scacalossi (718-990-3004) or visit the
University’s web site at www.stjohns.edu/threethings.