By Nate West
News Assignment Editor
University Ministries is sponsoring Faith, Politics and Culture, a series of programs that discuss religion in politics.
The first event will be held on Monday, Oct. 1 at 4 p.m. in the University Chapel. “Good Life Choice: The Formation of Conscience in the Catholic Franciscan Tradition” will feature guest lecturer Father. Ken Himes O.F.M.
“We asked him to come to give us ideas on how to make good life choices,” Father Francis J. Di Spigno O.F.M., executive director of University Ministries said.
The second program, An Evening of Respectful Discourse, will be held on Oct. 25 at 7 p.m. in the Walsh Auditorium. The event will be hosted by Julianne Wallace and Dr. Chris Stanley.
“In our 24 hour news cycle, we have Fox News, CNN and everybody spouting off things and yelling at each other,” Wallace, associate director of faith formation, worship and ministry, said. “Respectful Discourse is an attempt to have differing opinions spoken, heard and understood. Talking together and actually learning something from one another.”
The final event is the Spirit of Assisi, an ecumenical prayer service run by Sister Suzanne Kush, on Nov. 5, the night before the election
“We’ll get the four or five major religious denominations in the area to gather, and basically just pray for God’s presence in our election process; to pray for us as we discern who we’re going to vote for,” Di Spigno said.
The Spirit of Assisi is the final event for the first part of Faith, Politics and Culture. The second part will begin next semester. Three topics will be discussed: the federal budget, immigration and healthcare.
“We thought these were three primary issues in the United States and asked ‘What’s religions perspective on that?’” Di Spigno said.
Wallace said that next semester also focuses on advocacy of said issues.
“We, as Catholics and as people of faith, aren’t just called to vote, we’re called to be advocates for people,” Wallace said.
This is the first time that University Ministries has done events like this. University Ministries will also be dovetailing the Father Ken Himes O.F.M. lecture so he will also be the featured speaker for Francis Week.
“Anyone can come,” Di Spigno said. “It’s open to the public and we encourage all to come.”
westnl11@bonaventure.edu
