Current Events

International Pot Luck

Muted and Maligned Voices: Public Justice and the Canadian Churches

Research, public dialogue and political advocacy in Canada are not traditionally perceived as necessary steps towards personal holiness. Yet Catholic social teachings and numerous other Christian traditions direct conscientious and concerned believers to engage in these very pursuits. In recent years the churches have downplayed their social justice ministries. If and when church leaders do speak out, the press, airwaves, and especially the blogosphere are often filled with cynical retorts seeking to undercut the legitimacy of the message. What contribution should faith communities bring to bear on social issues today? How can they communicate in a “post-secular” but increasingly diverse society? Are Canadians listening anymore?

Mr. Gunn holds a Master’s of Political Science from Regina University. He has worked in Latin American refugee camps and served as a Country Director for Canadian Save the Children. For over ten years Joe worked at the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops developing policy and coordinating work in areas of social justice, missions, and Aboriginal peoples. He served as the founding vice-chair of KAIROS - Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives and has been active in the Canadian Council of Churches’ Commission for Justice and Peace as well as the churches’ ecumenical health care initiative. Joe has coordinated the Make Poverty History campaign, and engaged in research, public speaking and advocacy on national and international issues.

As part of the Somerville Lecture, which is sponsored by the Catholic Register, this lecture will also be delivered at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 25, 2010, at the Newman Centre Chapel, University of Toronto, 89 St. George Street, Toronto.

Religion and Conflict Resolution: Justice and Peace in South Africa

The talk by Dr. Shore is the CRC's first brown-bag "lunch hour talk." Beginning September 2010, there will be monthly noon-hour talks on  topics relating to responsible citizenship, community development, public policy, and other related issues. These talks are open to the public, but are especially for the SJU Community. Please bring your own lunch. Drinks and dessert will be available.

SOIRÉES CINÉ

SJU Reading Series

Aging-at-Home: A Panel Discussion on the challenge of a generation

As advancements in healthcare technology and medical science extend our life expectancy, we increasingly face the challenge of keeping our personal and collective dignity intact. As the boomer generation ages, the pressures on the health system will only increase and finding ways to allow our elder generation to "age at home" will become even more pressing. Join our experts, scholars and practitioners for a panel discussion on the dilemmas, both moral and physical, that come with making decisions on how (and where) best to care for the aged.

St. Mary’s General Hospital (SMGH) was founded over 85 years ago on the principles of inclusivity and openness. St. Mary’s mission was simply to care for the sick and needy, especially the poor and marginalized. In the tradition of the founding order, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Hamilton, SMGH continues to provide a place of healing for all people—a place where the sick are cared for in body, mind, and spirit.

St. Jerome’s University is honored to support the work of SMGH and gladly celebrates the recently- opened 100,000 square foot addition to accommodate the St. Mary’s Regional Cardiac Care Centre and the busiest day-surgery program in the province.