See below for some talks I’ve given in the past; I’m certainly happy to do something specific, or more tailored for your group or event.
Resurrection Faith
The resurrection of Jesus is a central tenet of Christian faith. It can be so foundational that we overlook its meaning. In this session we will explore what the resurrection meant to the New Testament authors, and how it is understood and expressed today. These insights will contribute to a renewed motivation and inspiration for our own faith life.
Ancient Faith for the Modern World
The Apostles' Creed -- not the longer and more formal Nicene Creed that is usually proclaimed at Catholic Mass -- is the most ancient statement of the Christian faith still in regular use in the church today. Children are taught to memorize it, anyone who prays the Rosary says it at the beginning of each set of mysteries, and it remains one of the basic prayers in the Catholic canon. Yet where did it come from, what does it actually mean, and why are we called to believe it? In this session we’ll explore each of what the church calls the twelve "articles" of the Apostles' Creed and find their meaning for a twenty-first century faith.
The Rome of Peter and Paul
We bring the Rome of Peter and Paul to life for a modern audience, in what functions as something of a visual tour for those who are interested in Roman sites and the New Testament. More significant churches and locales that reflect Petrine and Pauline legends include St. Peter's at the Vatican, St. Paul's outside the Walls, St. Peter's at Montorio, and Tre Fontane. Participants survey what is known (and not known) regarding Peter and Paul's time in Rome, and the legends that have attempted to fill in the gaps. These various legends as well as the New Testament itself become key to interpreting many sites and their significance.
Signs, Superstitions and God’s Plan
When events happen in daily life, do we discern the hand of God, providence, serendipity, or mere chance? Does ‘everything happen for a reason’ or am I merely (un)lucky? Is there a grand plan or am I here to navigate life on my own? What was ‘meant to be’ or what occurred due to random events? Are dreams, the stars, or the wrinkles in my hands a window into what might be? Can we glimpse into the future? Is tragedy or happiness pre-determined? For centuries, human beings have tried to make sense of daily life in the midst of the larger structure of the cosmos.
This session is a mix of historical survey, headlines from the world, and popular culture. By drawing on recent events, modern cinema, the classical world of Greece and Rome, biblical sources, and more, participants are ushered into a gripping, thought-provoking analysis of human experience and our shared quest to find meaning. What results is a Copernican revolution in thinking about the human condition, a reframing of one’s understanding of how we make sense of reality.
Blessed are the Peacemakers: The Christian Call in the Midst of Violence
Our world, both at home and across the globe, seems engulfed by violence. We each have our own fears, hopes and coping mechanisms when confronted by violence. How does our faith inform our response? What do the teachings of Jesus and the Church say? Join popular speaker Brian Schmisek for an engaging discussion about the issue of violence and our response as Christians.
Pauline Spirituality for the Modern World
Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles, was a multi-lingual, multi-cultural minority living in the multi-religious Roman Empire. His experience of the Risen Christ radically changed the trajectory of his life. Rather than a mere recitation of doctrine or creeds, Paul's very life gave witness to the power of God. His letters are often the second reading of the Sunday liturgy but can be overlooked in favor of the Gospel. What can we learn from Paul and his experience that applies today? We will see how Paul's spirituality can help us tap into the same power of God that animated his own life.