September 11, 2025

“Emptying and Exaltation in Paul’s Letter to the Philippians”

The Letter to the Philippians is filled with Paul’s loving support and challenge that the community might be of one spirit and one soul, seeing in both Paul and in Christ examples of humility and strength through suffering. In this presentation, we will see that this is especially evident in Philippians Chapter 2, where Paul describes the kenosis (emptying) of Christ and his ultimate exaltation.

Biography

A Dominican Sister of Sinsinawa, Laurie Brink (Ph.D. University of Chicago) is Professor of New Testament Studies. She teaches courses in the Gospels, Acts, NT Letters, and Early Christian literature. She has authored several books and articles including the Reader’s Guide to Pauline Literature for the Anselm Academic Catholic Study Bible (2014).

Resources

• Laurie Brink presentation [2.3 MB PDF]
• Laurie Brink, Paul’s Letter to the Philippians , 3-CD series for Learn25, March, 2009. 
• Carolyn Osiek, Philippians and Philemon. Abingdon Commentary Series. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2000.

Reflection Questions

• What stood out to you most from the this  presentation/why?
• How does this presentation connect with your own experience/perspective?
• What questions or challenges does the presentation raise for you moving forward?

October 9, 2025

“As a Muslim, What do Mary and Jesus Mean for Me”

Biography

Syed Atif Rizwan grew up in New Jersey and completed his undergraduate studies at Rutgers University, where he majored in Economics and minored in Chemistry. After graduation, he spent 8 years in the financial services industry, during which time he worked in New Jersey,

New York, and Los Angeles. In 2009, he matriculated in Claremont Graduate School’s Master’s in Islamic Studies program and in 2011 he enrolled in the Islamic studies doctoral program at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Syed joined the CTU faculty in 2018 as Assistant Prof. of Islamic and Interreligious Studies and became director of the Catholic-Muslim Studies Program in 2020. His research interests include history of Islamic law; hadith studies; medieval and post-modern theories of punishment; and  interreligious dialogue and studies.

Resources

• Younus Y. Mirza, The Islamic Mary: Maryam Through the Centuries (Fortress Press, 2025)
• Rita George-Tvrtković, Christians, Muslims, and Mary: A History (Paulist 2018)

Reflection Questions

• What stood out to you most from the this  presentation/why?
• How does this presentation connect with your own experience/perspective?
• What questions or challenges does the presentation raise for you moving forward?

November 13, 2025 

Baptismal Missionary Discipleship: A Theology of Lay People in the Church

The Letter to the Philippians is filled with Paul’s loving support and challenge that the community might be of one spirit and one soul, seeing in both Paul and in Christ examples of humility and strength through suffering. In this presentation, we will see that this is especially evident in Philippians Chapter 2, where Paul describes the kenosis (emptying) of Christ and his ultimate exaltation.

Biography

Stephen Bevans is a priest in the missionary congregation of the Society of the Divine Word. He is the Louis J. Luzbetak, SVD Professor of Mission and Culture, Emeritus, at Catholic Theological Union. Steve has lectured and taught all over the world, and has written or edited 21 books, the latest of which is Community of Missionary Disciples: The Continuing Creation of the Church (Orbis, 2024).

Reflection Questions

• What stood out to you most from the this  presentation/why?
• How does this presentation connect with your own experience/perspective?
• What questions or challenges does the presentation raise for you moving forward?

Resources

• Stephen Bevans presentation [11 MB PPT]

January 8, 2026

Help People Walk through the Tomb to the Resurrection

The Order of Christian Funerals gives us a wealth of services and prayers around death, and the three main rituals are profound ways to honor the life of the deceased, recognize the death, and begin the grief process in a supportive atmosphere. But then what? In too many parishes, families, and communities, we walk people to the tomb but then we essentially leave them there. Living the Passionist charism, we proclaim Christ Crucified; how do we also proclaim Christ resurrected from death to new life? How do we support the grieving people we care about, serve, and work with all the way through the tomb to the hope that the Paschal Mystery brings? In this session, learn language, skills, and tips that correct some of the common mistakes we make and offer pathways to comfort and healing, no matter where someone is in their grief process.

Biography

Amy Florian is a nationally recognized speaker and teacher who uses her personal experience, advanced education, and knowledge from over 35 years of parish liturgy, support group, and bereavement ministries for her engaging and dynamic presentations.

Amy holds a Master’s Degree in Pastoral Studies, and she is a Fellow in Thanatology (the highest level of certification in the field of death and grief studies). She was the executive director of Stauros, a non-profit organization founded by the Passionists, for 5 years.

She taught in the graduate ministry department of Loyola University in Chicago for almost 10 years. She founded Corgenius (a company that teaches professionals how to serve people in times of transition and loss), published articles and books, and has a passion for helping people heal, explore their faith, and live fully.

Resources

• For more of my tips and skills, written from primarily a secular perspective: A Friend Indeed: Help Those You Love When They Grieve by Amy Florian. 
• For an easy read written from a Christian perspective by an ordained minister and hospice worker - Faith Doesn't Erase Grief: Embracing the Experience and Finding Hope by Kate J. Meyer
• For the academic research foundation on the ways grief affects the brain and why it takes so long to resolve - The Grieving Brain by Mary Frances O'Connor.

Reflection Questions

• In what ways were you affirmed in your communications with grieving people, and in what ways were you challenged or see the need to change?
• Who is in your personal or professional circle right now who needs your support and companionship?
• What skills, language, or ideas would you add to this presentation from your own experience?

February 12, 2026

Biography

Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Fr. Enzo spent his formative years in Italy, where he joined the Passionist Congregation in 1991 and was ordained a priest in 1996. He holds a Licentiate in Moral Theology, a Master's Degree in Human Resources, a Certification in Catholic Bioethics, and a PhD in Healthcare Ethics. His academic and pastoral journey has taken him across the globe, preaching at retreats and conducting workshops in multiple countries. Fluent in six languages, Fr. Enzo is recognized for his ability to engage diverse communities in meaningful theological discourse.

Fr. Enzo has served as an adjunct professor of ethics at CTU, contributing to courses that explore human dignity, Vatican II, and Pope Francis' Integral Ecology. Most recently, he has offered a course on Human Dignity and the Cyberworld, with particular emphasis on the ethical challenges and opportunities presented by artificial intelligence. His work reflects a deep commitment to safeguarding human dignity in the face of rapid technological change.

By combining academic rigor with pastoral sensitivity, Fr. Enzo’s teaching and scholarship align closely with CTU’s mission to prepare effective and compassionate leaders for the Church and the wider world. He was installed as President of CTU on September 28, 2025.

Reflection Questions

• What stood out to you most from the this  presentation/why?
• How does this presentation connect with your own experience/perspective?
• What questions or challenges does the presentation raise for you moving forward?

March 12, 2026

Praying with Karl Rahner

Biography

Robin is a Passionist priest of St. Paul of the Cross Province. He was born in Richmond, Virginia, and joined the Passionist Community, professing Passionist vows in 1980. Robin was ordained in 1984. He serves as Full Professor of Systematic Theology at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago and Director of the Master of Arts in Theology program. He earned a MDiv and a MA degrees at Catholic Theological Union and his PhD in Systematic Theology from The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC.

Robin’s theological interests include the thought of Karl Rahner and Edward Schillebeeckx, the theology of redemption, the mystery of suffering, and contemporary ecclesiological themes and issues. He is the author or editor of several books, including God and the Mystery of Human Suffering. Robin is a popular speaker at retreats, workshops and conferences throughout the country.

Reflection Questions

• What stood out to you most from the this  presentation/why?
• How does this presentation connect with your own experience/perspective?
• What questions or challenges does the presentation raise for you moving forward?