2008
Fall Programs
Individual Series/Presentations
BIBLICAL SERIES
October 7, 8, 9, 10
The Quest for the Historical Jesus
Fr. Bill Burton O.F.M.
For the most part, our knowledge of Jesus comes to us through the first century writings arising from apostolic communities: the Gospels, the Acts of the Apostles and the Epistles. None of these texts were intended to be history as we know it nowadays. If that is the case, then, what do we know, historically speaking, of Jesus? In a series of four lectures biblical scholar, Fr. Bill Burton O.F.M, will address the scholarly "quest for the historical Jesus" which arose in the 1700's and continues to this day.
MONDAYS
September 8
Mary through the Eyes of Francis
Fr. Bob Pawell O.F.M.
St. Francis’ profound devotion to Mary, the Mother of God was rooted in the mystery of the Holy Trinity and the wonder of the Incarnation of the Word made Flesh. The little church of St. Mary of the Angels became the cradle of the Franciscan way of life. On Mary’s birthday, Fr. Bob Pawell, O.F.M. will share with us the prayers Francis composed and prayed to Mary and the rich theology and spirituality contained in them.
September 22, 29, October 6, 13
Seeds of Wisdom: Franciscan Christology in St. Bonaventure’s Tree of Life
Dr. Amanda Quantz M.T.S., Ph.D.
In 1257, St. Bonaventure was a theology professor at the University of Paris. A celebrated theologian, he had just completed a small but significant treatise on the Paschal Mystery. His Tree of Life is a meditation on the divine radiance, heartbreaking passion, and glorious ascension of the Word made Flesh. In honor of the Feast of St. Francis, we will savor the fruits of Bonaventure’s meditation.
September 22: In this introductory session we will probe the late medieval devotional context that helped shape Bonaventure’s treatise. We will explore a cross section of Christology in the thirteenth century, with a special emphasis on St. Francis’ devotion to the wounded Jesus.
September 29: Today’s presentation will examine the first set of Fruits on Bonaventure’s Tree; the mystery of the Word made flesh.
October 6: This lecture focuses on the uniquely Franciscan shape of Bonaventure’s devotion to the crucified Christ as depicted in the Tree of Life.
October 13: In this final segment we will explore the variety of Fruits offered to humanity through the resurrection and ascension of Christ.
October 20, 27, November 3, 10, 17, 24
Finding Francis, Following Christ , by Michael Crosby, O.F.M. Cap
(Book study)
Fr. Bob Pawell, O.F.M.
Michael Crosby’s book is subtitled “The Counter Cultural Message of St. Francis for the Church, the World and for Disciples of Christ Today”. In a world afflicted by violence, in a society marked by a gulf between rich and poor, in a Church polarized around issues of power and authority, the example of St. Francis of Assisi remains fresh and relevant. His mission “to repair the church” speaks directly to the crises facing the Church today. The book is available through St. Peter’s Book and Gift Store and costs $20.
TUESDAYS
September 2 & 9
Make Me An Instrument of Your Peace: Reflections on the Peace Prayer
Fr. Johnpaul Cafiero, O.F.M.
The Peace Prayer attributed to St. Francis of Assisi, is really a prayer with an interesting history. It is one of the most used and sung prayer beside the Lord’s Prayer or Hail Mary in Christianity and revered by people of other faiths or few religious convictions.. It has been prayed by Muslims, Buddhists, Jews and Christians alike. Today more than ever we are called to be “instruments of peace, joy, hope, love, pardon, faith, and light” in a world that seems to prefer the opposites. We will reflect on the prayer’s meaning for us on our journey of faith.
September 14, 21, 28
St. Francis and Non-Violence
Dr. Ken Butigan, Ph.D.
The prayer attributed to St. Francis begins with the plea: “make me an instrument of your peace.” How did God answer that prayer and how did it become realized in the events of St. Francis’ life? Dr. Ken Butigan of Loyola University will share with us Francis’ journey to peace and nonviolence by way of a number of archetypal Franciscan stories which illuminate the Poverello’s path to peace and its relevance for today’s world.
September 23
“Twelve Steps along the Natural Way to Pray” [DVD]
Fr. Bob Pawell, O.F.M..
Many of us confuse saying prayers with prayer. Jesus made the distinction clear when he spoke of those who honor God with their lips while the heart is somewhere else.. This video embodies sound spiritual wisdom while offering twelve simple suggestions to guide our prayer. This program is not a “how to” pray the rosary, or the Stations of the Cross etc. It is not about saying “prayers” but about prayer – the enhancement of our relationship with the Living God.
September 30
Let’s Take Back Christmas -- Sacred Sanity for the Holy Days
Fr. Bob Pawell, O.F.M.
Before we know it the Christmas holidays will be upon us and if we wait any longer to make plans for how we want to celebrate the Incarnation of the Lord it will be too late. Don't let the buying season kidnap the Baby Jesus! Fr. Bob Pawell will offer some creative tips on how you can enhance this holy time of year and not get burned-out with "the chestnuts roasting on an open fire."
November 4, 11, 18, 25
Sexuality and Sexual Relations in the light of the Resurrection of Jesus
Dr. James Halstead, O.S.A., Ph.D, S.T.D.
Fr. James Halstead, O.S.A, Chair of the Religious Studies Department of De Paul University, will explore with us several ways in which Catholics of yesterday, and today have understood, and understand human sexuality and sexual behavior in light of the Resurrection of Jesus and of our Baptism into the life of Christ. Participants will read magisterial texts, listen to the stories of individual Catholics and study a bit of social science as we seek wisdom and moral guidance. In particular, we will examine issues of sexuality and the aging, sexuality and single people, homosexuality and Christian celibacy.
WEDNESDAYS
September 3, 19
Contemplative Prayer, a Communion with the Holy
Br. Clarence Klingert, O.F.M.
Br. Clarence Klingert, O.F.M, will explore the why and way of the “Prayer of the Heart” (Contemplative Prayer), a mature Christian response to the Holy, which fulfills the directive to pray always. He will also look at teachings from the Spiritual Masters of the Catholic Contemplative Tradition with practical suggestions for today.
October 15
Coming Home to Your True Self.
(Talk and book signing)
Fr. Albert Haase, O.F.M.
Fr. Albert Haase O.F.M., the popular preacher working with Mayslake Ministries will offer a basic overview of his book, Coming Home to Your True Self: Leaving the Emptiness of False Attractions. We will explore the fact that God is closer to us than we ever imagined. We are challenged to come home to who we really are and discover our lives awash in the presence of God.
October 22, 29, November 5, 12, Dec 2
Repair My House – Difficult Relationships, part I
Dr. Jerry Hiller, Marilynn Rochon M.A., LCPC
Repair My House, "mind, body, and soul skills for the journey", offers practical and positive psychology for everyday problems. These presentations will look at the life-long patterns that interfere with coping, balancing, and "bearing fruit" in our very stressful lives. Over 29,000 participants have attended these lunchtime programs, now in their 18th year.
THURSDAYS
September 4, 11, 18, 25, October 2, 16, 23, 30,
November 6, 13, 20
Celebrating the Pauline Year: The Letters of St. Paul
Fr. Bob Sprott, O. F.M.
On June 28th, Pope Benedict XVI inaugurated a year-long celebration in honor of St. Paul and invited the Church throughout the world to come to a deeper appreciation of the inspired teaching as contained in the life and letters of the apostle. Fr. Bob Sprott O.F.M. will initiate a study of some of St. Paul’s major Epistles.
FRIDAYS
September 5, 12, 19, 26, October 3,10, 17, 24, 31,
November 7, 14, 21, 28
The Sunday Scriptures
Fr. Lawrence Jagdfeld, O. F,M.
Explore the Scripture readings for the coming Sundays with Fr. Lawrence Jagdfeld, O.F.M. as your guide. The texts are provided. You need not attend every week. You’re welcome whenever and as often as you are able.
BIO’S
FR. JAMES HALSTEAD O.S.A., Ph.D, S.T.D. is Associate Professor of Religious Studies and Chair of the Department of Religious Studies at DePaul University in Chicago. He is a member of the Order of St. Augustine and a priest for the past 31 years. In addition to his work at DePaul, Fr. Halstead has been a weekend associate pastor at St. Nicholas Parish in Evanston, IL, for the past 17 years.
Combining his extensive pastoral experience and an underlying Augustinian spirituality, Fr. Halstead brings to the discussion of sexuality a keen sense of the historically-rooted nature of all theological and moral statements as well as the power of God's grace to renew all men and women, our ideas, and the institutions in which we live.
Awarded an "Excellence in Teaching" award by DePaul University, Fr. Halstead will facilitate a careful, thoughtful reading of magisterial documents in their original contexts, raise questions regarding the texts, and help us come to a new understanding and enthusiasm concerning our place and our role in promoting the Reign of God.
FR. ALBERT HAASE, OFM, was ordained a priest in 1983 and received a Ph.D. in Historical Theology from Fordham University in 1990. He has preached parish missions and retreats across the United States and in Cameroon, West Africa. In 2004, he returned to the US after spending 12 years as a missionary in mainland China where he ministered as pastor for the English-speaking Catholic community of Beijing while working as the Director of Human Resources for Deloitte Touche. Author of five books on popular spirituality, he is currently an adjunct professor of spirituality at Catholic Theological Union and Director of the School of Spirituality at Mayslake Ministries. Together with his sister, he is a regular monthly contributor to Morning Air on Relevant Radio. His web site is www.AlbertOFM.net
DR. AMANDA QUANTZ, M.T.S., Ph.D. is Assistant Professor of History of World Christianity at Catholic Theological Union, Chicago. She holds a Masters of Theological Studies (M.T.S.) from Harvard Divinity School and a Ph.D. from the University of St. Michael’s College. Her doctorate is in the interdisciplinary area of historical theology and visual art.
FR. BILL BURTON, O.F.M. holds an MDiv and a MA in Theology from Catholic Theological Union, Chicago. He received his SSL (Licentiate in Sacred Scripture) from the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome and his Doctorate (STD) from the Pontifical Gregorian University also in Rome. He also earned a M Ed in Higher Education Administration from Loyola University in Chicago. He has taught undergraduate and graduate courses in Biblical Studies at Quincy University, Quincy, Il and undergraduate courses at De Paul University in Chicago. Fr. Bill is a member of the Society of Biblical Literature, the College Theology Society and the Catholic Biblical Association. He has authored articles in The Bible Today and Commonweal.
DR. KEN BUTIGAN, Ph.D is an adjunct professor at DePaul University and The Loyola University Institute of Pastoral Studies. He has taught at the Franciscan School of Theology in Berkeley, California and is the director of Pace e Bene Nonviolence Service, a Franciscan inspired organization dedicated to building a more nonviolent culture. Dr. Butigan has worked with numerous peace and justice initiatives and has published five books.
Fr. JOHNPAUL CAFIERO, OFM,. is a member of the Franciscan Province of the Sacred Heart. He was born and raised in the New York metropolitan area and is a former New York city police officer. He has worked as a counselor and chaplain at the Cook County Juvenile Detention Center in Chicago. Friar Johnpaul’s academic background is rich and varied. He holds a M.A. in Counseling Psychology from Boston University, a M. Div. from Catholic Theological Union, and D. Min. from the University of St. Mary of the Lake, Mundelein. A much sought after preacher, Friar John Paul is known throughout the Chicago area and its suburbs. He has given parish missions and workshops in New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Ohio, Florida, Michigan, Ireland, Italy and on his study Pilgrimage to Israel. Friar Johnpaul also serves on the board of trustees of Hales Franciscan High School and is a pastoral associate and preacher at Holy Family Parish in Inverness, IL, a chaplain for A.G.L.O., and chaplain for the Illinois State Police - District Chicago.
Dr. JERRY HILLER is a licensed clinical psychologist and is co-founder of Living Skills International. He worked for 12 years at Christ Hospital in the Departments of Physical Medicine and Rehab, and Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine.
Fr. ROBERT HUTMACHER, O.F.M., is on staff at St. Peter's Church as Director of Worship, sacramental minister and confessor. He holds graduate degrees in liturgy from Notre Dame University and Catholic Theological Union. He is also the founder and director of Chiesa Nuova, a Franciscan center for the performing arts.
Fr. LAWRENCE JAGDFELD, O.F.M., is on staff at St. Peter's Church as a part-time sacramental minister, confessor and Bible Study teacher. Ordained in 1975, Fr. Lawrence has been involved in a ministry of preaching and teaching, through retreats, days of recollections, Scripture and Liturgy workshops. He has graduate degrees in Divinity and Education.
Br. CLARENCE KLINGERT, OFM, is on staff at St. Peter's as manager and organizer of the St. Peter's Book and Gift Shop. For over 28 years he has studied and practiced prayer, meditation, contemplation and solitude. Br. Clarence has explored various Buddhist traditions and compared them with the historic Catholic contemplative tradition.
Fr. ROBERT PAWELL, O.F.M., is on staff at St. Peter's Church as Director of Programs, sacramental minister and confessor. Before coming to St. Peter's he was Director of Programs at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel House of Study and Prayer, Chicago, and prior to that he spent twenty years in the French Quarter of New Orleans where he founded and directed Tau House, a ministry to people outside the church’s ordinary care. Fr. Bob’s personal and professional background includes academic degrees in Theology and Pastoral Ministry with a specialization in Spiritual Direction.
MARILYNN ROCHON, M.A., LCPC, is a licensed clinical professional counselor and therapist with Living Skills International. She has taught at the DePaul School for New Learning and presently works with heart patients at Rush Hospitals in conjunction with the National Institute of Health.
Fr. ROBERT SPROTT, O.F.M., is a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Province, New Mexico. He is in residence and on staff at St. Peter's Church as sacramental minister and confessor. He holds a doctorate in linguistics from the University of Chicago. Fr. Bob is a frequent lecturer at St. Peter's and the Newberry Library, and is the author of the Friars Legion Newsletter.