Franciscan Speaker Series at Saint Brigid Parish
June 18 | 7 PM
Reflecting on Suffering with St. Francis and Job
By Prof. Angela Zautcke, PhD
This talk will explore the topic of mysterious suffering in light of the Book of Job in the Old Testament and St. Francis. We will consider how these figures respond to suffering with humility and a focus on relationship with God for his own sake.
June 22 | Noon
St. Clare of Assisi and the Bible
By Father Garrett Galvin, OFM, PhD
St. Clare always provided her sisters with the food of the Word of God. She demonstrates that you can only give what you have received and takes a large portion of this food for herself. While St. Francis grounded himself in Scripture, it is equally evident that St. Clare was motivated by Scripture and contributes to the Franciscan vision through an attraction to a different set of scriptural readings. This serves to round out our Franciscan approach to Sacred Scripture.
July 2 | 7 PM
How to Be Human: Wisdom from St. Clare of Assisi
By Sr. Juliet Mousseau, RSCJ, PhD
St. Clare of Assisi (d. 1253) embraced a way of following the footprints of Jesus that attracted followers and established a religious community still going strong 800 years later. What was her secret? In her writings, she gives advice for others who want to follow Jesus, too, and this advice can help us live well today.
July 6 | Noon
Where Goes the Church Under New Leadership?
By Fr. Joseph Chinnici, OFM, PhD
In his opening address to the Cardinals and subsequent preaching, Pope Leo XIV has identified many of his own priorities. He aims primarily to deepen some of the major initiatives of Pope Francis. What are these initiatives and how might they challenge the Church’s evangelizing efforts within a polarized American culture? Why are they important currently for a global community of faith? How might the new pope’s Augustinian inheritance inform his own distinctive approach? Time will tell—but what hints do we have at this time?
August 6 | 7 PM
Jesus’ Ministry and Human Dignity
By Prof. Angela Zautcke, PhD
Jesus performed many spectacular miracles during his time on earth, but another key aspect of his ministry is how he treated people in a way that recognized their human dignity. We will discuss what that looks like in a few instances in the Gospels, and then consider how we are called to do the same today.
August 10 | Noon
Francis in Film: Hippie or Mystic?
By Prof. Jeffrey Burns, PhD
This presentation will look at the way Saint Francis is depicted in several classic films, including Roberto Rossellini’s The Flowers of Saint Francis, Danny Boyle’s Millions, and, of course, the classic Brother Son Sister Moon.
Join the Franciscan Summer Series on select Tuesdays and Sundays this June, July, and August, 2024 at Saint Brigid Parish Hall.
