"COMPASSION MEANS JUSTICE" (Meister Eckhart)

Presented by Charlene Jendry, PhD
Saturday, March 13 | 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM

Building upon our recent program’s theme of living compassionately in contemporary times, Dr. Charlene Jendry will share with us in word and image the good work of the Columbus Zoo-sponsored organization, Partners in Conservation (PIC), in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. A combination of video and slides will take us on a journey through East Central Africa where small acts of compassion combine to promote peace and justice—from the Virunga Mountains habitat for the remaining population of Mountain Gorillas, to women’s co-ops
and conservation projects, to an orphanage for genocide survivors and a center for the handicapped. Dr. Jendry will also explain her personal journey from gorilla keeper at the zoo to committed leader of PIC’s humanitarian and conservation projects.

Having worked at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium for more than twenty years, Dr. Charlene Jendry is a founding member of Partners in Conservation and a driving force in supporting its humanitarian programs and education initiatives in Central Africa and conservation outreach programs in the United States. Capital University recognized her accomplishments in 1995 by awarding her an honorary doctorate.

Suggested donation is $10.00.
Please register by March 11.

"THEY KILLED SISTER DOROTHY"

Facilitated by Elizabeth Bowyer, SND
Saturday, April 17 | 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM

“They Killed Sister Dorothy” is a narrative documentary film and a powerful drama about the work and death of Dorothy Stang, a 73 year-old Notre Dame de Namur Sister from Dayton who was shot six times and left to die on a muddy Amazon road in February of 2005. Her murder shocked the world and exposed a sordid battle going on in the Brazilian rainforest. Who was this woman? What are the complex factors that led to her brutal murder? What has been done about it? The answers to these questions may hold the key to the future of the rainforest. After viewing
the film, narrated by Martin Sheen, Sr. Elizabeth Bowyer will lead a discussion of the justice issues involved in the martyrdom of her friend and religious sister.

Sr. Elizabeth Bowyer has served the Church in a variety of ministries, from elementary school teaching to administration of a social service agency. At present
she has been assigned to initiate and coordinate activities to promote the justice message communicated through the life and martyrdom of Sr. Dorothy Stang. Sr. Elizabeth finds inspiration in Sr. Dorothy’s life and mission and is dedicated to sharing her message with others.

Suggested donation is $10.00.
Please register by April 14.

MANDALA MEDITATION

Presented by Bobbi Gill
Thursday, April 22 | 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Mandala is simply a word meaning “circle.” Throughout the ages and through many cultures, the making of a mandala, or even just the meditation on a mandala, has been a form of prayer. Since a circle is the simplest way to represent the eternal, it is easy to see why it has been chosen for this purpose. Medallions, rose windows and medicine wheels represent circular icons from various religious traditions. At
this program, participants will paint a mandala using watercolors, adding words around the circle if they choose, and will then mount the mandala on a matting
board. No artistic talent or experience is needed to take part in this meditation experience.

With degrees in both education and horticulture, Bobbi Gill has worked as a primary school teacher and a landscape designer. She currently divides her time between spiritual direction, creating art and poetry, and presenting retreats.

Suggested donation is $5.00.
Please register by April 20.

ARCH BISHOP FULTON J. SHEEN: A SAINT FOR OUR TIME?

Presented by Kathleen Riley, PhD
Tuesday, May 4 | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

At the time of his death in 1979, Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen was recognized and remembered as the most recognizable face and voice of American Catholicism in the twentieth century. His life as a priest spanned the period from World War I through the Cold War, and he was often center stage in the national spotlight, performing
many different roles: Thomistic philosopher and professor at the Catholic University of America, pioneer of the electronic gospel on radio and television, convert maker, missionary head of the National Society for the Propagation of the Faith, and Bishop of Rochester NY in the aftermath of the Second Vatican Council. His life was consistently dedicated to reading the “signs of the times,” and working out a response to the challenge of his times. Now, in the twenty-first century, the cause for his canonization rests with the Vatican, along with other famous American Catholics such as Dorothy Day. After a retrospective look at the life and contribution of Sheen (with some video highlights), Dr. Riley will explore the canonization process and how Sheen might very well be considered a “saint for our times.”

Dr. Kathleen Riley has served as a Professor of History and Humanities at Ohio Dominican University since 1995. She is the author of a book, Fulton J. Sheen: An American Catholic Response to the Twentieth Century, as well as many articles about the vocation, life and times of Bishop Sheen. Appointed by Bishop Daniel Jenky, CSC, of the Diocese of Peoria, she also serves as a member of the Cause for Canonization for the Servant of God Fulton J. Sheen.

Suggested donation is $10.00.
Please register by May 3.

THE DEATH OF MOSES, THE "MAN OF GOD":
FROM "DE NILE" TO DENIAL

Presented by Rabbi Cary Kozberg
Tuesday, May 11 | 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Jewish and Christian traditions teach that Moses died at 120 years of age, still vibrant and passionate, “his strength unabated.” But was his death expected? Was
it welcomed? Was it necessary? This session will focus on both the Scriptural narrative and poignant rabbinic depictions of how Moses understood and responded to his own impending demise. Within the discussion, spiritual/
ethical questions surrounding end-of-life issues will be highlighted.

Rabbi Cary Kozberg is Director of Religious Life at Wexner Heritage Village in Columbus, Ohio. He is coeditor of Flourishing in the Later Years: Jewish Aspects of
Long Term Pastoral Care (Victoria Press) and a member of the Institute for Maturing Spirituality’s planning committee.

Suggested donation is $5.00.
Please register by May 10.

DIVERSITY IN UNITY

Presented by Fr. Ignatius Harrington
Thursday, June 24 | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Fr. Ignatius Harrington, pastor of Holy Resurrection Melkite Greek Catholic Church in Columbus, will address diversity in the unity of the Catholic Church. As he makes some comparisons between the Byzantine Catholic Church and the Roman Catholic
Church, he will explain the historical roots of the“autonomous Ritual Churches.” The program will include a video presentation on parts of the Byzantine liturgy and time for questions.

Five years after his ordination as a priest for the Diocese of St. Cloud, Minnesota, Fr. Ignatius realized that he was being called by God to transfer to the Byzantine
Catholic Church. Since receiving permission to transfer from his bishop and the Vatican in 1987, he has served in various Byzantine parishes, including Columbus Holy Resurrection and Zanesville Holy Trinity for 17 years.

Suggested donation is $10.00.
Please register by June 22.