Lecture series teach about faith

One series focuses on leadership another on culture of vocation

By ARCHBISHOP THOMAS COLLINS
Special to the WCR
Edmonton

This stepping aside from the rush of life can mean spending several days on a retreat where we can find quiet time for prayer and reflection, or it can mean attending a conference, where the emphasis is more upon active learning.

But there are other valuable opportunities that can be fit into a few hours.

This fall there are two excellent lecture series that offer the chance to learn more about life and faith, and which involve setting aside only a few hours in a day.

Each provides new perspectives on life, and allows the chance to gain insight from the wisdom of exceptional speakers who can help us to realize more clearly what it means to be a disciple in this difficult and challenging world.

The first series is called St. Peter Speaks: Leadership, Ethics, Spirituality and Success. It can assist anyone who wishes to become a better Christian, but is especially directed to people who are involved in roles of leadership.

The first speaker is Dave Duran, who will speak on Leadership for the 21st Century at Providence Centre on Thursday, Oct. 14. The event will begin at 7 a.m. with a Mass which I will celebrate with those attending, followed by breakfast, and then the talk.

The second speaker is Chris Lowney, who will speak on Heroic Leadership: A 400 year Old Company that Changed the World on Thursday, Nov. 18, again at Providence Centre, with the same format.

I have read Chris Lowney's book Heroic Leadership, and found it to be a really insightful application of the principles of St. Ignatius Loyola to the challenges of life in the modern world.

I recommend both of these presentations. For information on tickets, call Ryan Risling at 435-4171 or email at ryan@patronwest.com.

The second series is the Vital Grandin Lecture series, which was established a few years ago on the hundredth anniversary of the death of our first bishop.

The series parallels the Anthony Jordan Lecture, which occurs in the spring. Both series are presented at Newman Theological College, and are ways in which the college fulfills its mission as the theological college of our archdiocese, with a mandate not only to provide the intellectual formation of our priests and of lay people serving involved in diverse forms of ministry, but also to provide opportunities for the Christian education of the wider community.

This year's Grandin Lecturer will be Spiritan Father Donald Nesti, who will speak on Creating a Culture of Vocation and a Civilization of Love.

The first talk will begin at 7:30 p.m. at Newman College on Friday, Nov. 5, followed by talks on Saturday morning and afternoon, beginning at 9:30 a.m. For more information, call Newman Theological College at 447-2993.

The St. Peter Speaks series, along with the Grandin and the Jordan lectures allow us to step back and get a better grasp on the challenges we face as Christians. They are a real treasure, and I highly recommend them.

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