University events coincide with pope’s historic visit to U.S.

Salve Regina has planned two events this week to coincide with Pope Francis’ historic visit to the United States. In addition, President Jane Gerety, RSM will travel to Washington, D.C. and several students will travel to Philadelphia to participate in events related to the papal visit.

Pell Center discussion on second encyclical

The Pell Center will bring together faculty from various academic departments to host a panel discussion focusing on the impact of Laudato si’, the pope’s second encyclical. “‘Laudato si’ – Pope Francis and the Challenge of the Environment” will be presented at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23 in the Bazarsky Lecture Hall. Those interested in attending are asked to RSVP online or by calling (401) 341-2927.

Released in June 2015, “‘Laudato si’: On care for our common home” laments the environmental degradation of our planet and issues a call to global political action that could curb the excesses of rampant consumerism and unchecked technological development in exchange for more sustainable forms of development.

Speakers will include Dr. Craig Condella from the Department of Philosophy, Dr. Debra Curtis from the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Dr. Jayme Hennessy from the Department of Religious and Theological Studies, Dr. Susan Meschwitz from the Department of Chemistry and Dr. Chad Raymond from the Department of Political Science. The discussion will be moderated by Dr. Jim Ludes, executive director of the Pell Center.

The faculty experts will explore many topics, including where the encyclical falls in the context of environmental philosophy; how anthropologists might contribute to the kind of work Pope Francis is calling people to do; a theological examination of the encyclical put into a broader context of human ecology; an exploration of how the text draws heavily on science rather than scripture; and a look at some of the skeptical questions society might raise about the power of the Pope to affect any of the changes he’s calling for.

Viewing of pope’s address to U.S. Congress

The Salve Regina community is invited to view a live broadcast of Pope Francis’ historic address to the U.S. Congress at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 24 in the DiStefano Lecture Hall. Dr. Jim Ludes, executive director of the Pell Center, will lead an audience discussion following the pope’s remarks. Those interested in attending are asked to RSVP online or by calling (401) 341-2927.

Sister Jane travels to Washington, D.C.

President Jane Gerety, RSM will be present in the Capitol as a guest of Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse when Pope Francis addresses a joint session of Congress on Thursday, Sept. 24. This historic event will mark the first time a reigning pontiff has addressed Congress. A ticketed Jumbotron broadcast will be set up on the west front of the Capitol, and the pope is expected to make a brief appearance there following his address.

Students travel to Philadelphia

Salve Regina students will travel to Philadelphia this weekend, where they will join with students from other mercy institutions for discussions and attend Sunday’s closing Mass for the World Meeting of Families 2015. Accompanying the students on the trip, sponsored by the Mercy Center for Spiritual Life, will be Anna Mae Mayer, director of the Mercy Center, and Dr. Jayme Hennessy, associate professor of religious and theological studies.

Students attending are Colleen Cloonan ’16, Lauren Cronshaw ’17, Emily Cuellar ’18, Sara Johnson ’17, Caroline Kelley ’18, Kristin McDermott ’16, Julia Morisi ’17 and Racquel Pouliot ’18. On Saturday, they will travel to Gwynedd University to meet with students from other Mercy institutions and participate in discussions on the critical concerns of the Sisters of Mercy: immigration, racism, women, non-violence, earth and environment.

The group will also meet with members of the Mercy Volunteer Corps and learn about Project Home, a center that addresses hunger and homelessness in Philadelphia.

“This will be a great chance to not only participate in the papal Mass on Sunday as a mercy school contingent, but to network with other mercy schools and organizations,” Mayer said. “Our students are very excited to go and the Mercy Center is happy to be able to sponsor the trip.”

Photo: Alfredo Borba/Wikimedia Commons