Seattle University Institute for Catholic Thought and Culture

01/22/2025

Thank you to all who joined us for the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Mass on Monday - We filled the chapel!
Following the Mass, Ms. Barbara Connor of the BCAC gave an impactful and inspiring keynote address. We are especially grateful for our continued partnership with the Black Catholic Advisory Circle, who organize this yearly event. Thank you again!

11/30/2024

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Interreligious Dialogue Initiative (IDI) event, The Role of Arts in the Jesuit Mission of Interreligious & Intercultural Dialogue in South Asia, co-sponsored with the Roundglass India Center!

Dr. Vincent Sekhar, SJ, shared profound insights on the role of the arts in interreligious and intercultural dialogue in South Asia, sparking meaningful discussions over lunch.

In the evening, Dr. Sekhar led a captivating conversation on themes from his book Religions, Ecology, and the Environment, reflecting on enduring issues and fresh perspectives since its publication.

Thank you, Dr. Sekhar, for your wisdom and dedication to fostering dialogue and understanding, and thank you to all who joined us!

11/13/2024

Join us: ICTC co-sponsored event, America’s Real Sister Act: Excavating the Hidden History of Black Catholic Nuns in the United States. Register: https://events.seattleu.edu/event/dr-shannen-dee-williams-lecture

Discover the hidden history of Black Catholic nuns in the U.S. with Dr. Shannen Dee Williams, author of Subversive Habits. Learn how these pioneering women reshaped both Catholicism and the civil rights movement.

🗓 When: Reception 4 PM, Program 4:30 PM
📍 Where: LeRoux Conference Room, STCN 160, Seattle University
🎟 Free

We look forward to seeing you there!

AMERICA’S REAL SISTER ACT: EXCAVATING THE HIDDEN HISTORY OF BLACK CATHOLIC NUNS IN THE UNITED STATES Join scholar Shannen Dee Williams for an engaging author talk on her groundbreaking book, Subversive Habits: Black Catholic Nuns in the Long African American Freedom Struggle. Williams offers the f...

11/04/2024

Please join us! ICTC Interreligious Dialogue Initiative Event co-sponsored with the Roundglass India Center: The Role of Arts in the Jesuit Mission of Interreligious & Intercultural Dialogue in South Asia.

Tuesday, November 19, 12:15-1:45pm, Student Center 210, lunch provided. RSVP Required here: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=UuAQvBywSUiZZ-5-x0_J2A1GLs1aIppIqQz32ukEUP1UNFZGVDVHTkRFUDJOWlY0NzZOOVQ3M1NQQi4u&route=shorturl

Hear from Dr. Vincent Sekhar, SJ, from Arul Anandar College, India. Dr. Vincent Sekhar, a Jesuit priest from India, has been the Conference Secretary of the Commission for Interreligious Dialogue for several years, and is an academician in Indian religions, particularly Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. Fr. Sekhar is at present an Associate Professor in the Department of Philosophy at Arul Anandar College, near Madurai, Temple City. This event is part of ICTC's "Embodying the Catholic Intellectual Tradition" series, the fall Interreligious Dialogue Initiative event, and co-sponsored with SU's Roundglass India Center.

10/30/2024

ICTC had the pleasure of welcoming Dr. Allan Figueroa Deck, SJ, to Seattle University for our Fall Catholic Heritage Lecture. Dr. Deck's lecture, "Synodal Spirituality of Unity in Diversity”, emphasized the importance of unity within the Catholic Church while honoring the richness of our diverse communities. His extensive work in Hispanic ministries and Catholic theology has paved the way for a more inclusive, empathetic Church that resonates deeply with the call for justice and community.

Dr. Deck’s insights on pastoral theology, Catholic Social Doctrine, and the intersection of faith and culture contributed to the thought-provoking nature of this event, encouraging our community to embrace diversity and unity. Thank you for joining us!

10/15/2024

🗺️ Reflection on ICTC’s Annual Immigration Summit 2024: Uncharted Trails.

We opened in prayer, stewarded by Bishop Schuster and followed by welcome remarks by ICTC Executive Director Dr. Jeanette Rodriguez. ICTC’s Artist-in-Residence, Arturo Araujo, SJ, introduced the keynote speaker, Dr. Alejandro Olayo-Méndez, SJ, who gave a moving talk on border and migration challenges.

After lunch and a walk-through of the photography exhibit “In Search of a Dream”, the Tacoma Refugee Choir engaged our audience in a moving exercise. This was followed by a presentation by Chris Koehler on welcoming migrants into our communities, and Dr. Amanda Heffernan then presented on asylum accompaniment.

The day concluded with a Vigil Mass presided by Fr. Arturo Araujo, SJ, and Fr. Alejandro Olayo-Méndez, SJ. Thank you so much to all who were able to join us, and we hope to see you next year!

10/07/2024

National Catholic Reporter Book Review: Women Called to Catholic Priesthood.

ICTC Executive Director Jeanette Rodriguez, alongside Dr. Sharon Henderson Callahan, has authored and published “Women Called to Catholic Priesthood: From Ecclesial Challenge to Spiritual Renewal”. In some exciting news: their book has received a review from the National Catholic Reporter!

Heidi Schlumpf praises the book for its ability to give a voice to the 42 women who have pursued ordination despite institutional barriers. The depth of the stories and their importance in the greater context of the Catholic Church makes for a positive review, with Schlumpf seeing the book as an important contribution to the conversation of women’s ordination. Schlumpf writes: “This book left me wanting more women's stories. Let's keep telling them.”

Get your copy of “Women Called to Catholic Priesthood: From Ecclesial Challenge to Spiritual Renewal”, and read the review here: https://www.ncronline.org/culture/book-reviews/new-book-shares-stories-roman-catholic-womenpriests

08/19/2024

Our 2023-2024 Year in Review is up and available to view! Take a look at our year, from Catholic Heritage Lectures, Interreligious Dialogue Initiative events, Faculty Research Presentations, and so much more.

We are grateful for this past year of programming and reflection with you, our ICTC community, and are looking forward to what next year will bring. Stay tuned for 2024-25 programming!

ICTC 2023-24 Year in Review: https://issuu.com/ictcseattleu/docs/yearinreview20232024