Catholic Q&A Program

The Thursday Night Catholic Studies Talks Series (formerly the Catholic Q&A Program) offers students an opportunity to learn more about the Catholic thought and practice through faculty presentations and discussions. The questions are usually of the "current concern" variety and drawn from a combination of student interest and faculty expertise. The faculty presenters represent some of the University’s—and the wider community's—most engaging speakers. The environment is warm and genial so that dialogue and good will might flourish, even if there is disagreement. It is one of our most popular programs. 

Recent and upcoming events in the Thursday Night Catholic Studies Talks Series can be found here.

PAST EVENTS IN CATHOLIC Q&A SERIES

  • Video Available | Are God's Providence and My White Privilege the Same Thing? With Mara Brecht

    A Students Only Q&A with Mara Brecht, associate professor of Theology and Religious Studies at LUC.
    November 19, 2020, 7:00 - 8:30 PM

  • How Can We Have Responsible Hope in the Midst of Environmental Crisis?

    February 20, 2020, 6:00 PM
    Damen Den, LSC
    Catholic Q&A offers students an opportunity to dialogue with Jesuits in an intimate and personal setting. Br. Mackey, S.J. led discussion on what responsible hope looks like in the midst of environmental crisis. Students only. All students welcome.

  • How do Faith and Science Relate? The Case of Lourdes

    October 9, 2019, 7:00 PM
    IC 4th Floor, LSC
    A Students Only discussion about one of LUC’s most important programs: the mystery of healing at Lourdes and the spiritual dimensions of working in public health. Dr. Ann Solari-Twadell, Niehoff School of Nursing, led the conversation. Students only. All students welcome.

  • Does Ethics Sell? A Discussion about Morality and the Marketplace

    Thursday, February 21, 2019, 7:00 PM
    Information Commons, 4th Floor, LSC
    Loyola students were invited to join Catholic Studies minors and Fr. Frank LaRocca in a discussion about ethics in Corporate America. Students only. All students welcome.

  • Women and Faith: How Do We Approach Tradition after the "Me Too" Movement?

    February 26th, 2018, 7:00 PM
    Damen Den, LSC
    Loyola students were invited to join a candid conversation about the “Me Too” movement and the Catholic Church. Discussion was facilitated by leading women from the Loyola community in an intimate and relaxed setting. Students only. All students welcome.

  • Catholicism: Called to Tradition or Revolution?

    November 29, 2017, 7:00 - 8:00 PM
    Damen Den, LSC
    Jesuit scholastic Michael Martinez spoke to over 70 students about what it means to be a young adult and practicing Catholic in the 21st century. Students only. All students welcome.

  • Why do Catholics think this way? The Hardwiring of the Catholic Imagination

    Damen Den, LSC
    Fr. Mark Bosco, SJ, director of the Hank Center and professor of English and Theology, spoke about some of the tendencies of the Catholic imagination today. Students only. All students welcome.

  • What is the Relationship Between Faith and Politics?

    October 25, 2016, 7:00 - 8:00 PM
    Damen Den, LSC
    Loyola students were invited to join a candid student-centered conversation with Dr. Amanda Bryan, Department of Political Science, about faith and politics pertaining to the upcoming election. Students only. All students welcome.

  • Angels or Demons?: Exploring Vatican Politics

    Damen Den, LSC
    Prof. Miguel Diaz - Loyola's John Courtney Murray, SJ University Chair in Public Service and former U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See - led a discussion with undergraduate students about current issues facing the Vatican. Students only. All students welcome.

  • Can I really be feminist in my Church? Catholic Women at a Crossroads

    Damen Den, LSC
    A discussion led by Loyola's own Dr. Michelle Nickerson (Department of History) around the topic of feminism and the Catholic Church. Students only. All students welcome.

  • Why is a social justice agenda dangerous and risky for higher education?

    April 16 2015, 7:00 PM
    Damen Den, LSC
    Presenter and Discussion Leader: Rev. Michael J. Garanzini, SJ (President and CEO, Loyola University Chicago) Students only. All students welcome.

  • Catholic and American: What are the Politics of the Common Good?

    Damen Den, LSC
    Presenter and Discussion Leader: Fr. Brendan Horan, S.J. (Loyola University Chicago) Students only. All students welcome.

  • What is the Place of the Right to Life within Catholic Social Teaching?

    February 5, 2015, 7:00 PM
    Damen Den, LSC
    Presenter and Discussion Leader: Fr. Joseph Koterski, S.J. (Department of Philosophy, Fordham University) Students only. Students welcome.

  • How Do We Have Hope for the 21st Century Church? with Francis Cardinal George

    October 30, 2014, 4:00 PM
    McCormick Lounge, Coffey Hall, LSC
    The second Catholic Q&A session of the fall semester invited His Eminence Francis Cardinal George, OMI, the Cardinal Archbishop emeritus of Chicago, to campus to talk to students about the question of hope for the 21st century Church. Students only. All students welcome.

  • Is There a Hell and Who's In It?

    October 21, 2014, 7:00 PM
    Damen 217, LSC
    Presenter and discussion leader: Jon M. Sweeney (Independent scholar and writer) Students only. All students welcome.

  • What's t/Truth Got To Do With It?

    January 28, 2014
    Damen 217, LSC
    Fr. James Murphy, SJ, Associate Professor of Philosophy asked the question: "Catholicism: What's t/Truth Got To Do With It?" Students benefitted from Fr. Murphy's wide expertise as he led a community foray into this compelling question. Students only. All students welcome.

  • Past Catholic Q&A Presentations

    Click here to view more past Catholic Q&A conversations hosted by the Hank Center.