Center Message November 2022

No Caption Provided

No Author Provided

No Photographer Provided

Imagining & Shaping - Strengthening Formation For All

Hi, my name is Rose Hesselbrock, and I am a recent graduate from the Seattle University School of Theology & Ministry where I earned a Masters degree in Theology. I serve today as Pastoral Council member, Lay Presider, and on the Social Justice Commission at my local Catholic parish, St. Therese in Seattle, Washington in the United States. 

I am excited to also serve on the Advisory Council of the Center for Ecumenical and Interreligious Engagement at Seattle University. The Center is rooted in a Jesuit, Catholic commitment to ecumenical and interreligious engagement, to spiritual and indigenous pathways, and to cultural wisdom … all of which is evident in the university, in our students, and in your community in your region of the world.  

The document titled: Decree on Ecumenism from the General Congregation of the Society of Jesus in 1995 states: “In a word, ecumenism seeks what unites rather than what divides; seeks understanding rather than confrontation; seeks to know, understand, and love others as they wish to be known and understood, with full respect for their distinctiveness, through the dialogue of truth, justice, and love.” (GC34, D12, n.3).  This is the legacy and future of our focus at the Center: Commitments to unity and dialogue are at the intellectual heart of this university. 

Through its wide variety of podcasts, webinars, workshops, and a future certificate program, the Center embodies this Decree on Ecumenism, and provides a unique and exciting opportunity to enter into dialogue, for all of us to be opened up to new ways of envisioning an inclusive world, and to promote and advance dialogue among all people of faith. 

In this Newsletter, here are some CEIE-sponsored events to look forward to in the month of November, and in the months ahead:  

• On November 10, 2022, Bruce Knotts is hosting a webinar called A Spiritual Hippocratic Oath to the LGBTQIA+ Community, which will be moderated by CEIE Director and Spehar-Halligan Professor, Dr. Michael Reid Trice. 
• In addition, CEIE is offering its first Winter Workshop Series called The Art of Spiritual Direction with Carla Orlando, beginningJanuary 19, 2023. Eight well-respected spiritual directors and educators lead us to discover more about the foundations and practice of spiritual direction. There is a reduced rate for groups of four who walk through the series together! 
• You can register for both Bruce Knotts Webinar and the Winter Workshop now on our Center website at seattleu.edu/thecenter.  
• We have some exciting podcasts coming out this month, too. Bookmark our Religica Theolab website at religica.org to be up to date on our latest releases. In November, we look forward to welcoming Dr. Catherine Punsalan-Manlimosand Rev. Dr. Doris Cope as we talk about important themes in identity and individual experience. 
• There is a lot to read and see.  I’ll highlight one more: Rev. Dr. Rick Rouse shares a reflection on a Lutheran Summit that took place in October at the Center. With partners, we are working cooperatively in shared ways that support intellectual, communal and spiritual life.    

In our strained, cultural times, I pray that these and future offerings of the Center will bring you the hope, courage and resolve needed on your own faith journey and search for deeper meaning today.  Thank you for joining us and for bringing your own voice to this exchange of ideas and experiences. If you have questions or suggestions for additional discourse, please reach out to us. Our Center team includes our advisors, our core of students, staff and faculty, and our coordinator and director.  You can reach us at thecenter@seattleu.edu. 

Thanks again. We hope to see you soon.

Rose Hesselbrock