Saint Monica Prayer Panel
- An Evening of Enrichment
How is your prayer life? Have you been doing the same routine for years or do you have no routine at all? Do you pray at the same time every day or are you lucky to even remember to pray? Do you have a deep relationship with Christ or no relationship at all? Did you read the book, “Prayer: Our Deepest Longing” (which was distributed at Christmas), or did you toss it aside?
No matter how you answer these questions, the first ever “Saint Monica Prayer Panel” is an event that you shouldn't miss. This evening of spiritual, intellectual and social enrichment will begin on Saturday, February 21, immediately following the 5:00 Mass. Light dinner and drinks will be served, and then the panel will begin. First, we will hear from Fr. Zlock, who will speak about “Prayer: Our Deepest Longing.”
Next, our three distinguished panelists will discuss three particular schools of prayer: Augustinian, Merton and Ignation. Finally, there will be an open time for Q & A and sharing of prayer practices. Coffee and dessert will be served and parishioners are invited to stay and socialize.
We are extremely blessed to have the following three people on our panel:
Father Allan Fitzgerald, OSA, Ph.D., - Fr. Allan studied in Rome and Paris, and wrote his Doctorate dissertation on The Theology and the Spirituality of Penance in the Italian Church of the Fourth and Fifth Centuries. He has been a member of the Department of Theology and Religious Studies at Villanova University since 1972, editor of the journal Augustinian Studies (1989-2012), professor at the Augustinian Patristic Institute in Rome (1997-2009) and is now the Director of the Augustinian Institute at Villanova University (2009-present). He spends his research time in the 4th and 5th centuries on St. Ambrose and St. Augustine and is the editor of St. Augustine Through the Ages: an Encyclopedia. His pastoral ministry includes assistance at St. Thomas of Villanova parish and at St. Monica, as well as celebrating with the local French-speaking community one Sunday each month. He will focus his comments on the Augustinian school of prayer.
Dr. Virginia Kaib Ratigan - Dr. Ratigan is Professor Emerita at Rosemont College in Religious Studies, where for twenty five years (1981-2006) she taught courses in Spirituality, Scripture, Christian Sacraments, Ethics, Religious Education and Women and Religion. She received her B.A. degree from Wheeling Jesuit University in 1962, an M.A. in Theology in 1964 and a Ph.D. in Religious Studies from Marquette University in 1968. Outside the classroom, she has been involved in Interreligious Dialogue projects: the Metropolitan Christian Council of Philadelphia, the Women’s Sacred Music Project and in Religious Education programs in local churches and synagogues. She has served on the board of directors of the International Thomas Merton Society and continues to co-chair the Daggy youth/student Scholarship Committee of the ITMS. She will focus her comments on the prayer practices of Thomas Merton.
Mrs. Jillian Buhl - Mrs. Buhl was raised protestant but came to the Church eighteen years ago, when her scripture based faith was ignited by the sacraments and rich traditions of the Catholic church. In 2011, she took on the role of Graphic Designer and Board Member for the international Catholic women's ministry Walking with Purpose. Her board position has transitioned to Prayer and she is currently building a national prayer team as part of the infrastructure of the WWP ministry. Before joining WWP, she was on the board of Nazareth Hospital and created many prayer-based events but she always wanted to get more involved with reaching people through ministry. Mrs. Buhl has a B.F.A. from Moore College of Art & Design, where she taught in the fashion design department. She will focus her discussion on Ignatian forms of prayer.
This event is open to both parishioners and those outside the parish but registration is required. Registration will close on Wednesday, February 18.
The Adult Faith Formation Committee