Pax Christi USA, along with the Catholic Nonviolence Initiative (CNI) and Casa Esther Catholic Worker, is excited to offer 2024’s online series for students focused on nonviolence and synodality, with special attention on the current Synod on Synodality taking place within the Catholic Church.
These conversations are scheduled to take place virtually at 7:00 PM ET every Monday from September 16 until October 28 (except October 14). Each session will last 90 minutes and will include a Q&A segment.
Each event will be livestreamed at https://www.youtube.com/@casaesthercw, but to receive the recordings, please register.
Registration is open to university students and staff, and live participation is strongly encouraged.
Registration links:
- Click here to register if you are university faculty or staff (No fee)
- Click here to register if you are a university or graduate student (No fee)
- Click here to register if you are a member of Pax Christi USA — you will receive all email updates for the series, live-streaming links each Monday, and links to each recorded event. You must include the name of your local or regional Pax Christi group. (No fee)
- Click here to register if you are NOT a member of Pax Christi USA — you will receive email updates and live-streaming links. The organizers ask a $25 (normally $30) registration fee to help cover costs and to keep the program accessible to university students and faculty.
Each week’s session starts at 7pm ET/ 6pm CT/ 5pm MT/ 4pm PT
Speakers, panelists and moderators
September 16 – Synodality 101: An overview
- Sr. Filo Hirota, MMB, Preparatory commission for the Synod
- Fr. Bill Swichtenberg, Diocese of Green Bay, participant at the Synod assembly for priests, Spring 2024
- Wyatt Olivas, Synod delegate, student at the University of Wyoming
- Michelle Sherman, Pax Christi USA, moderator
September 23 – Synodality: A listening Church
- Sr. Lillian Ehidiamhen, Ph.D, “Nonviolent Communication Synodality”
- Heather Thompson, D.C. Peace Team, Circle Process and Restorative Justice Circles
- Becky McIntyre, artist and synod illustrator, and “Conversations in the Spirit” facilitator
September 30 – Synodality: Journeying together towards a nonviolent Church and world
- Kevin Ahern, Manhattan College, presenting on “Synodality and social movement organizing”
- Charlene Howard, Executive Director, Pax Christi USA
- Sophia “Soda” Garcia, Global Network of Women Peacebuilders (Philippines)
- Fasika Lachore Laba, Secretary-General, International Movement of Catholic Students (Kenya)
October 7 – Living a life of synodality: Nonviolence in action – Part 1
- Dr. John Reuwer, MD, board officer of World Beyond War, presenting on Unarmed Civilian Protection and Unarmed Civilian Defense as an alternative to military defense.
- Mama Elizabeth, South Sudan Women’s Peace Team
October 21 – Living a life of synodality: Nonviolence in action – Part 2
- Stephen Niamke, Pax Christi USA, presenting on Kingian Nonviolence
- Eli McCarthy, presenting on a Just Peace Framework
- David Cochran, author of “The Catholic Case against war: A brief guide” (2024)
October 28 – Students and synodality: Where can we go from here?
This evening’s session will focus on the Synod on Synodality and will include a panel of students recently returned from Rome on a study trip to the Vatican. Moderated by Maureen O’Connell, La Salle University and Discerning Deacons.
To utilize this series:
Class use: Recordings of each session will be available the following week, with discussion/essay questions inserted after each speaker presentation. The Q&A segments will be omitted from the recordings, bringing the length to under an hour. Furthermore, you can easily select a particular 20 minute presentation with specific discussion questions.
Extra credit project: When classroom use is not practical, offering the series as an extra credit project is a great option. This series will be an invaluable education experience for your students!
Registration links:
- Click here to register if you are university faculty or staff (No fee)
- Click here to register if you are a university or graduate student (No fee)
- Click here to register if you are a member of Pax Christi USA — you will receive all email updates for the series, live-streaming links each Monday, and links to each recorded event. You must include the name of your local or regional Pax Christi group. (No fee)
- Click here to register if you are NOT a member of Pax Christi USA — you will receive email updates and live-streaming links. The organizers ask a $25 (normally $30) registration fee to help cover costs and to keep the program accessible to university students and faculty.
This is the third annual series of online presentations on Gospel nonviolence for students. Learn about the 2022 series (Advancing nonviolence and just peace) and 2023 series (Nonviolence and care for creation).
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