Fr. Thomas-Mary Gilbert, OCDS
"With the same faith as Mary, let us become "weavers of hope" in our world, sharing who we are and what we have, so that the presence of Jesus may grow among us and his Kingdom take shape." - Pope Leo XIV, Magnifica Humanitas #245.
Encountering God in all of creation is integral to living an ecological spirituality. In this Season of Creation and on the memorial of the Holy Name of Mary, we will encounter the Gospel Mary and explore her historical and contemporary attributes that inspire living a life of faith and justice in today's world. We will explore the history of the Mary garden movement as well as its its potential for response to the Pope Francis' call in Laudato Si to protect species by restoring habitat.
Special guest speakers will join MEEC staff:
Neomi De Anda, Ph.D., serves as the executive director for the International Marian Research Institute. She is also a tenured Professor at the University of Dayton Department of Theology and Religious Studies. Dr. De Anda is a Catholic Lay Marianist and part of the Micah Theotokos Marianist Lay Community. Dr. De Anda holds a Ph.D. in Constructive Theology and maintains a commitment to theologies at the intersections of the environment, migrations, labor, and women because of her roots in El Paso, Texas.
Elizabeth Groppe, Ph.D., is the University Professor for Faith and Culture at the University of Dayton. A systematic theologian, her areas of work include trinitarian theology, ecclesiology, liturgical and sacramental theology, theological anthropology and interreligious dialogue. Her wide-ranging scholarship brings the wisdom of the Christian tradition to bear on 21st century challenges including ecological degradation, violence and racism.
$20 ($15 Friends of MEEC) registration fee includes art materials, resources and lunch.
We are grateful to our partners: The University of Dayton Department of Theology and Religious Studies, the Spiritus Marianist Lay Community, the Intenational Marian Research Institute, and the Archdiocese of Cincinnati Catholic Social Action Office.
