2026 Catholic House Seminars
Thursday and Friday afternoons
12:45 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.
in the Methodist House Chapel
14 Pratt Avenue on the Brick Walk between Waugh and Bowman Avenues
WEEK ONE
July 2
Living as a Community in Christ
Rev. Anthony Randazzo
Church of the Presentation, Upper Saddle River, NJ
July 3
Sister Billings and the Cause of Anti-Racism
Sister Colleen O'Toole, RSM
Sisters of Mercy of the Americas
WEEK TWO
July 9
The American Bishops Find Their Voice
Rev. Sam Sawyer, SJ
President, America Media
July 10
Anam Cara: Thomas Merton and Pursuing Relationships That Enlighten Our Lives
Sophfronia Scott
Author of The Seeker and the Monk: Everyday Conversations with Thomas Merton
Founding director of Alma College’s MFA program in creative writing
WEEK THREE
July 16
Synodality since Vatican II
Rev. Anthony Pogoreic, PSS,
Society of St. Sulpice
July 17
Flannery O’Connor: Culture Shock!
Jill Peláez Baumgaertner, professor emerita of English, Wheaton College
Poetry editor of The Christian Century
WEEK FOUR
July 23
Good Samaritanism: The Politics and Economics of Christianity
Rev. Kevin Nadolski, OSFS
Vice president for mission, DeSales University
July 24
Faith in Action: Responding to Global Humanitarian Needs with Compassion and Innovation
Ziad Al Achkar
Catholic Relief Services, humanitarian development operations and research
WEEK FIVE
July 30
Dilexi Te: Loved into Service of the Gospel Rev. Paul Novak, OSM
University chaplain and campus minister, Lewis University
July 31
The Persistent Allure of Gothic Church Architecture
Michael E. DeSanctis
Professor emeritus in fine arts and theology at Gannon University
Editor of Emmanuel Magazine
WEEK SIX
August 6
Serving the Poor as a Way of Discerning a Call to the Priesthood
Rev. Peter Santandreu
Vice-chancellor, adjunct judicial vicar, Diocese of Buffalo
August 7
Mother Marianne Cope’s Legacy of Mercy in Hawaii
Sister Louise Alff, OSF
Sister of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities
A nationwide motivational speaker and retreat leader
WEEK SEVEN
August 13
Dreams and Realities of a Priest Encountering Life in Egypt and the Middle East
Rev. Doug May, MM
St. Brendan the Navigator Catholic Church, Shallotte, NC
August 14
“Already One”: Thomas Merton’s Way to Unity
Christine M. Bochen
Professor Emerita of religious studies at Nazareth University
Founding member and past president of the International Thomas Merton Society
WEEK EIGHT
August 20
The Spirituality of Christian Discipleship
Rev. John Rose
Retired priest. Syracuse Diocese and retreat director
August 21
Laudato Si: Pope Francis’s Encyclical on Integral Ecology
Len Sauers
Adjunct professor of sustainability at Xavier University
WEEK NINE
August 27
Saint Ignatius and the Discernment of Spirits
Rev. Bob Fambrini, SJ
St. Francis Xavier Church, Phoenix, AZ
August 28
Servant of God Catherine Doherty: A Chautauqua Sensation
Lisa Lickona
Assistant Professor of systematic theology at Saint Bernard’s School of Theology and Ministry
Retreat leader on the lives of saints