Speaking

Forthcoming

International Thomas Merton Society, Presidential Address, St. Mary’s College, June 2023

Recent and Archived

Nazareth College, Rochester, NY, William H. Shannon Lecture and Retreat, April 15-17, 2023

Ignatian Spiritual Life Center, San Francisco, virtual, November 17, 2022. “Thomas Merton’s Awakening to Sophia: The Hidden Divine Feminine.”

Thomas Merton Society of Great Britain and Ireland, virtual, September 1, 2022. “Merton and the Art of Apocalyptic Times.”

International Thomas Merton Society, Board of Trustees and Scholars Retreat, June 16-19.

St. Benedict’s Monastery, Snowmass, CO, May 2-7, 2022. Postponed.

Thomas Merton Society of Great Britain and Ireland, April 7-8, 2022. Postponed.

Baldwin Wallace University Chair in Faith and Life Lecture, TBD, Cleveland, Feb. 23-24, 2022. “Awakening the Dead: The Power of Music and Art as Hope for the Living.”

School for Contemplative Living, Contemplative Justice Reading Group, Oct. 25, 2021. “Hope Sings, So Beautiful.”

Thomas Merton Society of Argentina, September 23-24, 2021. “The Poetics of Faith: How Merton, Heschel and Levertov Upend the Theologians.”

International Thomas Merton Society, General Meeting, June 23-26, 2021. “She Who Dwells Among Us: Merton and Melissa Raphael on Theology After, and In, Auschwitz.”

College Theology Society, June 4-7, 2021. “Indwellings with the Face: The Prophetic Vision of Filmmaker Godfrey Reggio.”

Jesuit Friends and Alumni Network, April 28, 2021, 7 pm CST. “Stevie Wonder and the Ignatian Imagination.”

Bellarmine University, Louisville, KY, Fifteenth Annual Black History Month Lecture, February 21, 2021. “Lead Me, Guide Me: The Gift of Black Catholics to the Universal Church.”

Catholic Prison Ministries Coalition, “Addressing Racism: A Time for Gospel Courage,” January 13, 2021. Webinar video here and pre-webinar here.

Hohm Community, Chino Valley, AZ, November 2020.

Most Precious Blood Parish, Denver, CO, October 19, 2020. “Between Music and Silence: The Contemplative Heart of Our Hope.”

Tuesdays with Merton, November 10, 2020, 8 pm ET. “What Does God’s Gender Have to Do with It? Merton’s Awakening to the Feminine Divine.”

Mepkin Abbey, Moncks Corner, SC, October 2-3, 2020. “Hope Sings, So Beautiful: A Retreat on Racial Justice.”

Jesuits USA Central and Southern Province, St. Louis, MO, June 12, 2020. [postponed]

Washington Retreat House, Washington D.C., July 16-19, 2020. [postponed]

International Thomas Merton Society of Great Britain and Ireland, April 2-4, 2020, Oakham, England. [postponed]

St. Benedict’s Monastery, Snowmass, Colorado, March 21-25, 2020. [postponed]

Church of the Redeemer/University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada, Nov 19-21, 2019. “Merton and Wisdom-Sophia: Awakening to the Feminine Divine.”

University Budget Committee, Regis University, “Mission, Discernment, and the Budget,” November 13, 2019.

Center for Contemplative Outreach, Denver, Colorado, Oct. 3, 2019, “Bringing Wisdom Down to Earth: Notes from Thomas Merton’s Last Decade.”

Regis University, Inclusive Excellence and Diversity Workshop, August 16, 2019. “Between Speech and Silence: Ignatian Perspectives on Difficult Conversations.”

Regis University, New Faculty Retreat, August 13, 2019. “Between Music and Silence: Contemplative Ways of Knowing, Learning, Teaching.”

Regis Jesuit High School Faculty Retreat, August 7, 2019. “Between Music and Silence: The Contemplative Heart of Our Hope.”

Arrupe Program for Jesuit Scholastics in formation, Jesuit Retreat Center, Cleveland, OH, August 4, 2019. “The Arts, Imagination, and Prophetic Hope.”

Book Launch with Christopher Pramuk, The Artist Alive: Explorations in Music, Art and Theology, The Book Bar, Denver, CO, July 14, 2019.

International Thomas Merton Society, Santa Clara University, June 27-30, 2019. “Us and Them: Merton on the Dark Side of the Moon.”

Symposium for Spiritual Directors, USA Northeast and Maryland Provinces of the Society of Jesus, Fordham University, June 27, 2019. “The Pilgrim Heart of Ignatian Spirituality.”

Regis University, Retreat in the Workday, June 24, 2019, with Sr. Ellen Hess, VDMF. “The Soul’s Journey: Finding God in Modern Pop Music.”

Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities, West Coast Deans, Regis University, Denver, May 30, 2019. “Kinship and Contemplation: Leading and Listening from the Heart.”

Catholic Theological Society of America, Pittsburgh, June 6-9, 2019. “What You Gaze Upon You Become: The Subversive Iconography of William Hart McNichols.”

Regis University, Division of Counseling and Family Therapy, Denver, CO, March 30, 2019. “Between Music and Silence: Honoring the Sacred in Human Experience.”

University of Portland, March 20, 2019. “Amazing Grace: Diversity, Deep Listening, and the Anatomy of a Song.” Video click here. Article with adapted text here.

Hohm Community, Chino Valley, AZ, March 7-10, 2019. “Merton and the Feminine Divine” / “Between Music and Silence: Honoring the Sacred in Human Experience.”

St. Mary’s College, CA, February 26-27, 2019. “The Arts, Empathy and Racial Justice: Between What Is and What Is Possible.” 

Chicago Theological Union, December 7-8, 2018. “Bringing Wisdom Down to Earth: Notes from Thomas Merton’s Last Decade.” Conference marking the 50th anniversary of Merton’s death, December 7-8, 2018. CTU_MertonConference_SAVEDATE_2018-1. And more details here.

Most Precious Blood Catholic Church, Denver, CO, Nov. 12, 2018. “Contemplation and the Suffering Earth: Thomas Merton, Pope Francis and the Next Generation.”

Jesuit Retreat House, Cleveland, OH, Ignatian Currents Lecture and Retreat, October 5-6, 2018. “A Pilgrim Spirituality for the 21st Century.” And here: IgnatianCurrents_Flyer_Oct2018_EMAIL

AJCU Education Deans Conference, Regis University, October 4, 2018. “Kinship and Contemplation: Leading and Listening from the Heart.”

Arrupe Program for Jesuit Scholastics in formation, Regis University, July 25, 2018. “The Arts, Imagination, and Hope.”

Newman College, University of Melbourne, Australia. Dom Helder Camara Lecture Series, Newman College, Melbourne. June 30 – July 14, 2018, and various locations in Melbourne, Adelaide, and Sydney. * All titles below.

* “God Accompanies Persons: Thomas Merton and Pope Francis on Helping People Become More Fully Human and Fully Alive in their Faith Journey.” Day of Reflection, Newman College, Melbourne, Australia.

* “Wisdom-Sophia in the Life and Prayer of Thomas Merton.” Bishop Dom Helder Camara Lecture, Newman College, Melbourne.

* “In Everything Mercy: Thomas Merton and Pope Francis on the Merciful Heart of God.” Day of Reflection, Newman College, Melbourne, and Marist College, Adelaide.

* “Thomas Merton and the Future of Faith: Merton Dares to Imagine What is Possible for God and for Human Beings.” Marist Ministries Formation Day, Sydney.

* “Thomas Merton: The Scriptures and Contemplation.” Two-day retreat, Mittagong Marist Retreat Center.

Jesuits of the US Central and Southern Province, Regis University, June 18-21. “Reconciliation on Earth as it is in Heaven.”

College Theology Society, St. Catherine University, St. Paul, MN, May 31- June 3, 2018. “Proximity, Disruption, and Grace: Notes for a  Pedagogy of Racial Justice and Reconciliation.”

Festival of Faiths, Louisville, KY, April 24-28, 2018. “Merton and the Feminine Divine.” Video here.

Benedictine University, Chicago, IL, Benedictine Heritage Lecture, Mar. 1, 2018. “Contemplation and the Suffering Earth: Thomas Merton, Pope Francis and the Next Generation.” Event flyer:

McQuaid Jesuit High School, Rochester, NY, Feb. 15-16, 2018. “Reconsidering the Parables of Jesus” “Reconsidering the Parables of Jesus” (students);

“The Listening Heart of Ignatian Spirituality” (parents); “Imagination: The Realm of Hope” (faculty retreat).

Regis University, Anti-Oppression Week, Feb. 12, 2018, “The Spirituals: Songs of Memory, Resistance and Hope.”

Colorado Vincentian Volunteers, Denver, CO, Day of Retreat, Feb. 9, 2018. “Faith is a Blush in the Presence of God: Music, Silence, and the Life of Prayer.”

Sisters of Loretto and the Loretto Community, Denver, CO, January 27, 2018. “Racial Justice and the Imagination: Seeing Our Way in the Dark.”

Principals of the National Jesuit Schools Network (JSN), “Imagination: The Realm of Hope,” with Fr. Kevin Burke, SJ, Regis University, Nov. 16, 2017.

Mepkin Abbey, Moncks Corner, SC, and The Sophia Institute, Charleston, SC, October 27-29, 2017. “Breakthrough to Wisdom and Peace: Thomas Merton’s Awakening to the Feminine Divine.”

College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University, St. Joseph, MN, Oct. 1-3, 2017. Koch Chair in Catholic Studies and Culture Lecture. “The Arts, Empathy & Racial Justice: Reimagining Together What is Possible.” Link to video of lecture here, about 19 minutes in.

LCWR National Assembly, Orlando, FLA. August 8-11, 2017. “Will the Circle Be Unbroken? Leaning into the Mystery of Resurrection Faith.” NCR coverage here. And here.

Ignatian Community Retreat. Bridges Foundation Board, St. Louis, MO, July 14-15, 2017. “For Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places: Engaging Diversity Through Ignatian Eyes.”

University of Notre Dame, panelist, “The New Abolitionists: Catholics Writing about Race,” “Trying to Say ‘God’: Re-enchanting Catholic Literature,” June 24, 2017.

[CTS, Newport, RI, June 1-4 / ITMS, St. Bonaventure, June 15-18.]

Creighton University Center for Catholic Thought, Interview/Podcast, February 25, 2017. “Ignatian Perspectives on Difficult Conversations.” Published April 24, 2017.

Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR). Regional meeting, Cincinnati, OH, April 24, 2017. “Seeing Our Way in the Dark: Racial Justice and the Prophetic Imagination.”

Xavier University, Mission and Identity Faculty Conversations, April 19, 2017. “Engaging Difficult Conversations on Campus through Ignatian Dialogue.”

Regis University, Denver, CO. Institutional Examen Committee. April 2-5.

ITMS, Merton Matters, Rehoboth Beach, DE, March 17-20, 2017. “Solitude and Social Engagement: Lessons from Music and Merton” / “Racial Justice and the Imagination: Between What is and What is Possible.”

Good Shepherd Church, Cincinnati, Lenten Day of Reflection, March 4, 2017. “Where Silence Meets Mercy: Thomas Merton and Pope Francis on the Merciful Heart of God.”

Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU) Faculty Conversations. “Leaning into Difficult Conversations: An Ignatian Composition of Place.” Creighton University, Omaha, NE. February 25-26.

Bridges Christian Life Community, Pittsburgh, PA, February 19, 2017. “Between Music and Silence: The Listening Heart of Ignatian Spirituality.”

St. Mary of the Mount Parish, Pittsburgh, PA, February 18, 2017. “Seeing Our Way in the Dark: The Prophetic Call to Racial Justice.”

ELCA Clergy Meeting, February 9, 2017. “The Prophetic and Contemplative: Creative Tensions in the Life of Faith.”

Anderson Hills Christian Church, “Seeing Our Way in the Dark: The Prophetic Call to Racial Justice.” Anderson Churches for Racial Unity, Anderson, OH, January 29, 2017. Info: AndersonHills.Flyer

Auburn University, “Contemplation and the Suffering Earth: Merton, Pope Francis, and the Next Generation.” January 20-22, 2017. Auburn.publicity.poster.2017

“Thomas Merton: Mystic, Monk, and Spiritual Master.” Info here: Thomas Merton 11-20-16 program flyer. Meeting at the Well Education Committee, Ft. Mitchell, KY, Nov. 20, 2016.

Archdiocese of Cincinnati Social Action Committee, Nov. 17, 2016. “Thomas Merton and Pope Francis: A Pilgrim Church.”

ITMS Corpus Christi Chapter, New York City, November 12, 2016. “In Everything Mercy: Thomas Merton and Pope Francis on the Merciful Heart of God.”

Saint Remy Initiative and Catholic Leadership Institute Project, University of Dayton, Center for Catholic Education, September 28, 2016. “Contemplatives on the Journey: Parts I and II.”

Mass of the Holy Spirit, Xavier University, September 13, 2016. “A School of Restlessness and Desire.”

New Camaldoli Hermitage, Big Sur, CA, July 2-3, 2016. “Bringing Wisdom Down to Earth: Notes from Merton’s Last Decade.”

Jesuit Schools Network Colloquium, Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH, June 21, 2016. “Imagination and Jesuit Education: Between What is and What is Possible.” Video here: Keynote I and Keynote II

Nazareth Retreat Center, Nazareth, KY, June 17-19, 2016. “At Play in Creation: Merton’s Awakening to the Feminine Divine.”

College Theology Society, Kansas City, MO, June 2-5, 2016. “Embodying God in God-Forsakenness: Exploring Melissa Raphael’s Work with Undergraduates.”

Xavier University, Fortin Award Ceremony, April 29, 2016. “Imagination and the Humanities.”

St. Xavier High School, Cincinnati, OH, Faculty/Staff Retreat, March 18, 2016. “The Listening Heart of Ignatian Spirituality.”

Thomas Merton Center, Bellarmine University, Feb. 26-27, 2016. “In Everything, Mercy: Thomas Merton and Pope Francis on the Merciful Heart of God.”

St. Xavier High School, Cincinnati, OH. “Racism and the Imagination: Lessons from Stevie Wonder,” The Summit: Exploring the Opportunity Gap, Feb. 24, 2016.

Xavier University, Martin Luther King, Jr. Week Events, January 17, 2016. “Jesuit Education and the Bursting of Soap Bubbles.”

Cathedral of Christ the King, Lexington, KY, “A Pilgrim Church: Thomas Merton’s Witness to the Life of Faith,” December 10, 2015. Bulletin announcement here, p. 8.

Call to Action, Columbus, OH, “Merton’s Awakening to the Feminine Divine.” November 18, 2015.

Northeast Guild for Spiritual Formation, Mount Desert Island, ME, September 11-13, 2015. “Awakening through Wisdom.” 

Jesuit Spiritual Center at Milford, OH, Contemplative Retreat, August 16-18.

The Association for Student Affairs at Catholic Colleges and Universities (ASACCU), Providence College, July 21-23. Keynote panel: “Widening Our Embrace.” Breakout session: “Connecting Students with the Black Catholic Experience.”

Ignatian Spirituality Conference, St. Louis, MO, July 16-19, 2015. “Between the Notes: Ignatian Spirituality and the Listening Heart.” Link to audio here – select 2nd keynote address (Saturday).

Sisters of Divine Providence, Melbourne, KY, June 29, 2015. “Inclusivity and Presence in a Fragmented World.” Day of reflection, announcement posted here, p. 5.

Church of the Good Shepherd, Lexington, KY, June 24, 6 pm. “Thomas Merton and Sophia: Awakening to the Feminine Divine.”

International Thomas Merton Society. Louisville, KY, June 4-7, 2015. “God Accompanies Persons: Merton and Pope Francis on Gender and Sexual Diversity.”

Good Shepherd Catholic Church. Montgomery, OH, May 23, 2015, 9-11 am. Merton on Presence & Prayer.

St. John Fisher Church. Newtown, OH, May 19, 2015. “Between Music and Silence: Merton and the Future of Faith.”

2015 Festival of Faiths. Center for Interfaith Relations, Louisville, KY, May 12-17, 2015. “Merton and Race,” video here. “Contemplation and Action,” video here. Blog contribution here. Interview with Louisville’s NPR station here. RNS story here. Blog by young artist attendees (Roots & Wings) from Louisville here. Photos from the Festival here. 

Xavier University Honors Convocation. Bishop Fenwick Teacher of the Year Address, April 25, 2015. “The Will to Wonder.”

Mercy Center by the Sea Retreat House. Madison, CT, March 27-29, 2015. “At Play in Creation: Merton’s Awakening to the Feminine Divine.”

Sisters of Charity Spirituality Center, Lenten retreat, March 18, 25, 2015, 6:30-8:30 pm. 

Pleasant Ridge Presbyterian Church, Cincinnati, March 8, 2105, International Women’s Day. “The Images We Live By.” Link to presentation here.

Institute for Spirituality and Social Justice, Xavier University, March 7, 2015. “Wisdom in Our Life of Prayer: Thomas Merton and the Feminine Divine.”

Thomas Merton 100th Birthday Celebration, Corpus Christi Chapter of the International Thomas Merton Society, New York City, January 31, 2015. “Between Music and Silence: Merton and the Future of Faith.”

Saint Thomas More Chapel at Yale University, New Haven, CT, January 18, 2015, annual Martin Luther King, Jr. and Black History Month lecture. “Real Presences: Racial Solidarity and Communion with the Dead.”

Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, IN, November 11, 2014. “Crossing the Color Line: A Catholic Perspective on Racial Justice and Responsibility.” Article here.

Jesuit Spiritual Center, Milford, OH, October 17-19, Thomas Merton Retreat: “Wisdom in Our Life of Prayer.”

St. Christopher Parish, Columbus, OH, October 12, 10 am. “The Witness of Black Catholics.”

Jesuit Spiritual Center, Milford, OH, August 19, 2014. “Wisdom in Our Life of Prayer.”

“Solitude, Prayer, and Social Engagement: Lessons from Thomas Merton.” Institute for Spirituality and Social Justice, Xavier University, August 16, 2014.

“Thomas Merton: Breakthrough to Wisdom and Peace,” keynote and summer course, Vancouver School of Theology / Thomas Merton Society of Canada, July 10-13, 2014.

“Hope Sings So Beautiful.” Elephants in the Living Room, Detroit, MI, May 15, 2014.

St. Monica-St. George Parish Newman Center, Cincinnati, May 18, 2014. Workshop: Hope Sings, So Beautiful.

Institute for Religion and Science, Chestnut Hill College, Philadelphia, PA, April 13, 2014. “Where Hope Rises: Wisdom-Sophia in the Writings of Thomas Merton.” Video Part I: link here. Part II: link here.

St. Monica-St. George Parish Newman Center, Cincinnati, April 5, 2014. “One Silence, One Mercy: Lenten Retreat with Thomas Merton.”

“Pope Francis: The Jesuit and Franciscan Legacy.” Bellarmine Chapel, Xavier University, March 18, 2014.

Wisdom House Retreat and Conference Center, Lichtfield, CT, March 21-23, 2014. “Merton and Sophia: Wisdom in Our Life of Prayer.” Blog post about the weekend by Patricia St. Onge (scroll down page to April 1, 2014).

St. Anthony Parish, Cincinnati, Feb. 27, 2014. “Hope Sings, So Beautiful.” Blog responding to the book by the reading group at the parish is here.

“Healing and Hope in Haiti.” Roselawn Lutheran Church, Cincinnati, Jan. 2014.

Archdiocese of Chicago, Anti-Racism Implementation Team, Day of Reflection, Nov. 18, 2013.

St. Monica-St. George Parish Newman Center, Cincinnati, October 15, 2013, 7-9 pm. Presentation, Q/A, and book signing: Hope Sings, So Beautiful.

Call to Action, Nov. 1-3, 2013, Milwaukee, WI. “Are You With Us?: Unfinished Business with Sr. Thea Bowman.”

Xavier University, Loyola Lunch Seminars. “Race and Ignatian Spirituality.” Sep. 26, 2013.

Knox Presbyterian Church, Cincinnati, OH, September 15, 2013, 9:15 am. Presentation and Q/A: Hope Sings, So Beautiful. 

International Thomas Merton Society, 13th General Meeting, Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, CT, June 13-16, 2013.

“`She Cannot Be a Prisoner’: The Lure of Wisdom as Bearer of Hope.” Reviewed in America magazine by Dan Horan, OFM, see here.

“Wisdom of the Desert: Lenten Retreat with Thomas Merton.” Transfiguration Spirituality Center, Cincinnati, OH, February 22-24, 2013.

“What Happened at Vatican II.” Nativity Catholic Church, Cincinnati, OH, Jan-Feb 2013.

“Making Joy Out of Our Love,” Romero House 20^th Anniversary Celebration, Regis University, Denver, Colorado, Nov. 2012.

“Healing and Hope in Haiti,” Manresa Orientation, Xavier University, August 2012.

“The Street is for Celebration: Racial Consciousness, and the Music of the Inner City.” The Thomas Merton Center, Bellarmine University, Louisville, KY, October 2012.

“Wisdom-Sophia in the Life and Prayer of Thomas Merton.” Day of Teaching and Weekend  Retreat, Northeast Guild for Spiritual Formation, Alcyon Center, Seal Cove, Maine, September 2011.

“Newman on the Imagination and the Jesuit Catholic University.” Xavier University, April 2011.

“The Rising and the Dead: Bruce Springsteen and the Ghosts of 9/11.” Xavier University, February 2011. Article here.