McFarland Center to Present Free Programs Exploring Christianity’s Role in Society

The Rev. Michael C. McFarland, S.J. Center for Religion, Ethics and Culture at the College of the Holy Cross sponsors programs that explore basic human questions of meaning, morality and mutual obligation. Often, the McFarland Center brings in renowned scholars, experts and thought-leaders to give lectures and lead discussions. These events are free and open to the general public. They are also recorded and available for viewing online at holycross.edu/mcfarlandcenter.

The McFarland Center’s events for March include:

Monday, March 16, 2015; 4:30 p.m., Rehm Library Adelante: Film Screening and Director’s Talk — Just outside of Philadelphia, Mexican newcomers are revitalizing a dying Irish-Catholic parish. Now, the sounds of children giggling have returned to the church, and mariachis join bagpipers in celebrating community events. Watch the story unfold in the film, and hear from director and producer, Noam Osband, following the screening. Co-sponsored by the Catholic Studies, Latin American and Latino Studies, and Catholics & Cultures programs at Holy Cross.

Thursday, March 19, 2015; 4:30 p.m., Rehm Library Lecture: Caesar or God? The Source of Authentic Power according to Mt 22:15-22 — Luc Bonaventure Ayité Amoussou, S.J., an International Visiting Jesuit Scholar at Holy Cross, will examine a popular proverb used to support the separation of Church and State, and consider whether it's an apt defense of the modern dichotomy between politics and religion. Originally from Benin and the West Africa Province, Fr. Amoussou is founder and coordinator of Rays of Hope, a center for helping disadvantaged students in Benin. At Holy Cross, his teaching focuses on the intersection of politics and religion.

Monday, March 23, 2015; 4:30 p.m., Rehm Library Panel Discussion: Christian Theology and the Crisis of Capitalism — Kwok Pui Lan, the William F. Cole Professor of Christian Theology and Spirituality at Episcopal Divinity School, will join Holy Cross professors Mary Hobgood and Peter Fritz for a panel discussion on the contemporary crisis of capitalism, which has been shaped by the economic collapse of 2008 and the Occupy movement of 2011. The panel will offer reflections on how Christian theology might respond to and resist the economic inequalities, social exclusion, and environmental devastation produced by today’s dominant economic system.

NEW DATE! Wednesday, March 25, 2015; 4:30 p.m., Rehm Library From the Civil War to Ferguson: The Role of the Black Church as a Training Ground for Activism — Karsonya Wise Whitehead, assistant professor of communication and African & African American studies at Loyola University Maryland, will explore the role of the black church in the context of American history, the recent events in Ferguson and New York, and the African American experience. Whitehead is the author of "Notes from a Colored Girl: The Civil War Pocket Diaries of Emilie Frances Davis" (University of South Carolina Press, 2014). Note: This lecture was rescheduled from Jan. 26.

Visit the McFarland Center for Religion, Ethics and Culture website for more events and to view videos.