The spiritual journey, church leadership, and Scripture studies are some of the topics that will be explored during the College of Saint Elizabeth’s (CSE) 11th Annual Summer Institute, July 6-17, 2008. Sponsored by the College’s Center for Theological and Spiritual Development, the Institute will take place on the College campus.

 

The two-week spiritual enrichment summit features a free opening event, a variety of courses, workshops, prayer services including: a twilight retreat, Spanish workshop session, supper conversations and film festival.

 

Courses may be taken either for credit or audit. Those wishing to take courses for credit must call Mary Ann Badenoch, coordinator of Lay Ministry Student Affairs for the Center for Theological and Spiritual Development, at (973) 290-4364 for additional required application, registration forms and/or fees. Those wishing to register online can visit the Center’s web site at www.cse.edu/center.

 

International Retreat Leader Begins Summer Institute with One-Act Play,

July 16, 2008

 

 

  

Paula D’Arcy will perform a one-act play at this year’s Summer Institute’s Opening Event, Sunday, July 6 (Photo by Unknown) 

 

The College kicks off its two weeks of Summer Institute on Sunday, July 6 at 6:30 p.m. in the Dolan Performance Hall in Annunciation Center on campus. The Opening Event features a play by Paula D’Arcy entitled, “On My Way Home,” a dramatic portrait of Ms. D’Arcy’s life story of grief, loss, and the transforming power of forgiveness and love. Ms. D’Arcy is an internationally recognized retreat leader and conference and seminar speaker. Her ministry grew out of tragedy when her husband and 21-month-old daughter were killed by a drunk driver in 1975. She is the author of several books, including When People Grieve: Overcoming Pain Through Love, Gift of the Red Bird: The Story of a Divine Encounter, and Seeking With All My Heart: Encountering God’s Presence in Scripture and Literature, to name a few. The Opening Event is free and open to the public.

 

CSE 11th Annual Summer Institute Welcomes

Acclaimed Scholars to Campus

 

Participants will be able to choose from a variety of courses, workshops and prayer services, led by nationally and internationally well-known scholars, including:

 

• Dr. Megan McKenna, is an internationally known author, lecturer, retreat leader and storyteller who has a passion for the study of scripture, the work of peace and justice, a stance with the poor, and the fostering of inter-religious dialogue and cross-cultural ministry and worship with groups around the world. She lives in New Mexico but travels extensively and is the Ambassador of Peace for Pax Christi USA.

 

• Rev. Lawrence Boadt, is the president of Paulist Press in Mahwah, N.J. He has authored several books on the Bible and is professor emeritus of Sacred Scripture at the Washington Theological Union.

 

• Jane E. Ayer, CAES, currently serves in the Archdiocese of Boston as the director of Religious Education for Catholic elementary and secondary schools. She has served the catechetical ministry of the Church for 30 years, with a range of leadership roles at the parish, school, and diocesan levels. Ms. Ayer is a national speaker and continues her retreat and workshop ministries for adults, youth and children.

 

• Dr. Lucinda Mosher, is an author and Christian ethicist in the Anglican tradition who works as a consultant and educator on inter-religious relations and America’s religious diversity. Her clients include The Interchurch Center and Auburn Theological Seminary’s Center for Multifaith Education among others.

 

• Dr. Dennis Doyle, is professor of Religious Studies at the University of Dayton. He is the author of The Church Emerging from Vatican II as well as Communion Ecclesiology: Vision and Versions.

 

Also featured at this year’s Institute include:

 

• Twilight Retreat – with author, preacher, musician and university professor Rev. Patrick Collins, Ph.D. on Sunday, July 13 at 6 p.m. in Dolan Performance Hal in Annunciation Center. Rev. Collins will explore the meaning of love, connecting “head, heart, and imagination” for new insights and spiritual growth. Cost: $20.

 

• Spanish Workshop Session – Entitled, “Called to Serve in the Name of God,” the session spans four days, running July 7 – 10 from 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. on campus. The lecture, presented by Dr. Zoila Diaz, former Director of the Office of Secular Departments, will be given in Spanish. Cost: $10 per session or $35 for all four nights.

 

• Supper Conversations – will be offered from July 15 – 16 from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.; and on July 17 from 5 – 7 p.m. These in-depth conversations will delve into the themes of love, ministry and faith. Guest speakers include Rev. Collins; Dobie Moser, executive director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry CYO in Cleveland, Ohio; and Rev. Larry Lewis, a Maryknoll Missionary and the coordinator of the Chinese Seminary Teachers and Formators Project. Each session is $15.

 

• Film Festival – Rev. Lewis will host a film festival July 14 – 17 from 1:45 – 4:30 p.m. in the Dolan Performance Hall in Annunciation Center. The theme of the festival is “Life through Death: God’s Self-Sacrificing Love Revealed in Relationships.” The festival will feature four films including Pieces of April, Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, and Lars and the Real Girl. Cost: $10 per film and discussion or $35 for all four days.

 

The Center for Theological and Spiritual Development offers five distinct lay ministerial certificate programs, including Parish Life Ministries, Religious Education, Youth and Young Adult Ministry, Pastoral Administration, and Diaconal Ministry.  The Center is known nationwide for the annual Spirituality Convocation and Summer Institute programs that draw theologians from around the country and hundreds of people of all faiths to the campus in a celebration of spirituality and cultural diversity.  For more information about these Summer Institute events, the Center or upcoming events, call 973-290-4300, or visit their web site www.cse.edu/center. Those wishing to register online for this year’s Institute can visit the Center’s web site at www.cse.edu/center.