Faith and Reason

"In a society that rightly values personal liberty, the Church needs to promote at every level of her teaching – in catechesis, preaching, seminary and university instruction – an apologetics aimed at affirming the truth of Christian revelation, the harmony of faith and reason, and a sound understanding of freedom, seen in positive terms as a liberation both from the limitations of sin and for an authentic and fulfilling life." ~ Pope Benedict XVI / Address to U.S. Bishops

The Cathedral of Saint Paul is please to offer this Fall series of lectures intended to engage all people of good will in the noble pursuit of truth. This series features three highly renowned speakers presenting timely and vital topics. These presentations are free and open to the public. 

Creation in Love

Dr. Maria Fedoryka, Associate Professor of Philosophy at Ave Maria University

Thursday, November 3 at 7 p.m. Hayden Hall

The existence of creatures—and especially of the human person—is an outpouring of divine love from within the depths of the Trinity. Since love is the foundation of his being, man’s life is, in the words of John Paul II, incomprehensible and meaningless unless he participates intimately in love. In her engaging lecture, Dr. Fedoryka will explore the significance of love for the life of the human person, showing it to be the origin, end, and meaning of human existence. Free will offerings will be gratefully accepted.

Flannery O'Connor: Encountering Christ in the Present Moment

Dr. Stephen Lewis, Professor of English at Franciscan University

Thursday, November 10 at 7 p.m. Hayden Hall

Southern Catholic writer Flannery O'Connor con-fronts her readers with the reality of God's grace in all things. Sometimes grace can take a surprising, even violent turn. It is this turn that fascinated O'Connor and now fascinates her readers. These surprises in her stories show how being Catholic does not reduce one's horizon but rather expands it. This presentation will highlight examples of O'Connor's use of the mundane and even macabre in service of grace.