By Joyce Rothermel

Editors Note: Megan McKenna PhD to Speak in Pittsburgh: “A Lenten Journey: Repairing One’s Soul, Repairing the World,” on Monday, March 23, 2020 at 7 PM at Kearns Spirituality Center 

On Monday, March 23, 2020 Dr. Megan McKenna, renowned theologian, storyteller, and prolific author, will bring her breadth of vision and world-wide experiences with Indigenous peoples to bear on the topic of Tikkum Olam, a Jewish concept which involves repairing one’s soul, as well as repairing the world. 

Drawing upon her recent work with First Nations in Northwestern Canada, Manitoba and in the Arctic Circle, Dr. McKenna will extend the concept of Tikkum Olam to include restorative justice, atonement, forgiveness, and reconciliation, and thereby convey to us “what it looks like to undo harm done and move towards resurrection life now.” 

As Daniel Berrigan, S.J. once put it when praising Dr. McKenna’s book And Morning Came: “Shall we proclaim Resurrection, even as creation is threatened with going under? Yes! …birth, rebirth wins out over death. Thank you, Megan.” 

Come out on Monday, March 23, as Dr. McKenna challenges us, in her clear and fiery manner, to listen more deeply to Scripture, our own experiences, and God’s messages from one another. 

Megan McKenna, Ph.D., is a renowned Catholic theologian, internationally recognized storyteller, and author of more than 50 books, one of which –This Will Be Remembered of Her: Stories of Women Reshaping the World – won a Catholic Press Award. She was named Ambassador for Peace for Pax Christi in 2002. Dr. McKenna resides in Albuquerque, where she works with Indigenous groups. 

Mark your calendars now for the second in this year’s Spring Speakers’ Series of the Association of Pittsburgh Priests for Monday, April 20th at 7:00 pm, also at the Kearns Spirituality Center, to hear John Carr speak on “Salt and Light for a Wounded Church and a Divided Nation: Directions and Dangers for Catholic Leaders.” 

What does it mean for believers to be “salt, light, and leaven” in a divided nation and wounded Church? John Carr, the founder and director of the Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life of Georgetown University, will explore the mission and message of Pope Francis and Catholic Social Teaching. He will outline the political and ecclesial context we face and the assets we bring in these tough times. He will conclude by suggesting both directions and dangers for American Catholics in an election year, for our nation and at a time of crisis for our Church. Carr, who has worked for the US Catholic Bishops Conference, will also offer principles for reflection, criteria for action and examples of faith making a difference. 

John Carr has been a leader at the intersection of faith and politics for three decades in Washington. He has served as Director of Justice, Peace and Human Development for the US Catholic Bishops and as a residential fellow at the Harvard Institute of Politics. 

He is a sought-after commentator on PBS News Hour, CNN, ABC, CBS, NBC, as well as a frequent contributor to the Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, New York Times et al. Mr. Carr currently chairs the Board of Bread for the World and is also founder of the Circle of Protection, which advocates for low-income families. 

Donations for each of the talks is $20 and can be paid at the door. For information and to register in advance (not necessary), contact Fr. John Oesterle at 412-232- 7512. Kearns Spirituality Center is located at 9000 Babcock Blvd. in Allison Park (beside LaRoche College and behind the Motherhouse of the Sisters of Divine Providence). 

The Association of Pittsburgh Priests is a diocesan-wide organization of ordained and non-ordained women and men who act on our baptismal call to be priests and prophets. Its mission, rooted in the Gospel and the Spirit of Vatican II, is to carry out a ministry of justice and renewal in ourselves, the Church and the world. 

Joyce Rothermel is on the board of the Association of Pittsburgh Priests and serves on its Church Renewal Committee. 

NewPeople Newspaper VOL. 50 No. 2. March, 2020. All rights reserved.