Posted by Seattle University Alumni Association on Thursday, October 4, 2018 at 3:30 PM PDT

The Institute for Catholic Thought and Culture (ICTC) continues its efforts to advance the Catholic intellectual and cultural tradition through a rich set of offerings. A centerpiece is the Catholic Heritage Lecture series, which will feature “spiritual practice” in challenging situations. “People are looking for depth of meaning in the swirl of activities and barrage of data and conflicts that hit them every day,” Father Pat Howell, S.J., the interim director of ICTC, observed.

This year’s theme will explore the importance of spiritual practice in the advancement of the intellectual life, the building of resilience in the work of activism and advocacy, and the cultivation of joy when working on the margins. By inviting the speakers to campus and reading and discussing their work, the ICTC hopes to advance participant theoretical and spiritual skills in the work for racial and social justice.

The lectures will kick off on October 25 with a public lecture and discussion featuring Dr. Andrew Prevot, associate professor of systematic theology at Boston College. Dr. Prevot will speak on the topic of “Christian Prayer and the Intellectual Life.” Modern philosophers have assumed that prayer is an irrational, irresponsible and immature activity. The history of Christian thought tells a different story, and today, prayer remains the source of much creative and critical thinking. Prevot argues that prayer contributes something vital to the intellectual and moral life. You can get details on Dr. Prevot’s lecture here.

The other topics this year include:

Winter: Spiritual Practice and Activism and Advocacy
Margie Pfeil, Notre Dame
Thursday, March 7 at 7pm in Le Roux Room (STCN 160)

Spring: Spiritual Practices and Working on the Margins
Greg Boyle, Homeboy Industries
Thursday, May 9 at 7pm in Pigott Auditorium

To learn more about the Institute of Catholic Thought and Culture and the Catholic Heritage Lecture Series, click here.