Dying To Meet You

Many of the stories we hear and read about death are depressing. However, for most of us, experiencing a person’s death has been a time of profound depth, meaning, and connection. We need a better cultural conversation around death and dying – one that explores death as an occasion for discovering who and what we truly are. Now, we do not so much have a culture of death as we seem to have death without culture. This talk will explore why artistic beauty, humanizing storytelling, and edifying examples are critical to restoring our cultural health when it comes to our experiences of death and dying. The talk will also offer concrete examples of how thinking about death every day can enrich your life.

Learning from the Witness of Catholic Heroes who Resisted Nazi Euthanasia

Before and during the Second World War, the Nazis performed eugenics and euthanasia. To some, these seemed like rational and scientific ways to reduce suffering. But there were always some courageous Catholics who saw this as an affront to the dignity of the human person. What were their arguments? How did they resist in an even more difficult climate than ours? Come listen to Amanda share some stories about her travels across Europe seeking historical role models who can inspire us in preventing euthanasia and encouraging hope today. There will also be time for a Q&A discussion with Amanda.

Mercy from Age to Age: Pope Francis's Catechesis on Old Age

During his pontificate, John Paul II devoted many of his Wednesday audiences to the topic of marriage, family, and sexuality, and these audiences have become known collectively as the "theology of the body." As for Pope Francis, he recently chose to dedicate an entire set of his Wednesday audiences to a "catechetical journey that seeks inspiration in the Word of God on the meaning and value of old age." Passionate about intergenerational solidarity, Pope Francis is convinced that the alliance between generations is the key to the rehumanization of society. This talk will explore some highlights of the Pope's teaching on old age, why it matters, and what we stand to gain from it personally and practically.

More Alive Than Ever! The Saints Inspire Us to Live and Die Well
A unique feature of the Catholic imagination is the way in which it is formed and enlivened by the resplendent witness of saints. In reflecting on the importance of personal influence for evangelization, John Henry Newman said, "Men persuade themselves, with little difficulty, to scoff at principles, to ridicule books, to make sport of the names of good men; but they cannot bear their presence: it is holiness embodied in personal form, which they cannot steadily confront and bear down." The Church canonizes saints for our edification and presents them as a gift to us. How are we to receive this gift? And what obstacles do we face in "bear[ing] their presence" and turning toward transformation in Christ? I discuss these topics in light of the specific witness of Bl. Carlos Acutis and/or Pedro Ballester. Both were laymen who died young and yet had been fully alive, having lived ordinary lives of extraordinary virtue. Both give an attractive example of the centrality of the faith in their lives and the noble acceptance of natural death. As with other saints, their influence grows after their deaths. When meeting examples of radical holiness among our contemporaries, how can we cultivate the right moral attitudes of gratitude and reverence – both in ourselves and others? This talk explores the role of the saints in firing up our moral imagination, especially concerning approaches to end of life.

Who's Excited for the Resurrection of the Dead? 

Every time we pray the Creed, we profess that we look forward to the resurrection of the dead. But just how much do we look forward to it, really? What does it mean for us day-to-day? Does the resurrection of the dead actually change how we live? This talk will explore how Jews throughout history have believed and hoped for the resurrection of the dead, and what Catholics stand to gain from Jewish tradition and confidence in God when it comes to truly looking forward to it.