Elizabeth Seton Medal Lecture: Being Authentically Catholic in a Changing World

1996 Recipient
 

Monika Hellwig,Ph.D.

Dr. Monika Hellwig currently serves as the Executive Director of ACCU, the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities. Dr. Hellwig was most recently honored as Notre Dame University’s 2002 Siena Lecturer, where she spoke on "Women in the Church: Widening Horizons." She is the former Landegger Professor of Theology at Georgetown University where she taught for three decades. She is also past president of the Catholic Theological Society of America.

She has written and lectured both nationally and internationally, in scholarly and popular contexts and in Catholic systematic theology and inter-faith studies. Her published books include: Understanding Catholicism, Jesus the Compassion of God, The Eucharist and the Hunger of the World, Sign of Reconciliation and Conversion and What Are Theologians Saying Now?

"After a childhood spent as a refugee from eastern Europe, and university studies in England, she was engaged in social service for some time before becoming a theologian. She taught for many years at Georgetown University. She is the single parent of three adopted children." Her most recent book, Guests of God: Stewards of Creation, was a collaborative project with her artist-daughter, Erica Hellwig Parker.

parts of text taken from following Web Sites:
http://www.spiritualitytoday.org/spir2day/843615hellwig.html

Web Sites:
Notre Dame University: 
2002 Siena Lecturer
ACCU
Madeleva Lecture

Elizabeth Seton Medal Lecture: Resurrection of the Body: Why Believe It?

1997 Recipient

Pheme Perkins, Ph.D.
 

Dr. Perkins holds an A.B., from St. John's College, Annapolis, MD (1966) and a Ph.D. from Harvard University (1971).

Dr. Perkins' areas of academic research include the Greco-Roman cultural setting of early Christianity; hellenistic philosophy; Pauline epistles; Johannine writings; Resurrection and early Christian eschatology; Nag Hammadi corpus; Gnosticism; Irenaeus. She is currently researching texts, teachers and schools in antiquity.She has contributed to the growing body of scholarly material on the Gnostic authors and the Johannine traditions. She has also written extensively on the Pauline tradition.

Dr. Perkins has authored a number of books that have been translated into other languages including Revelation. Collegeville Bible Commentary, 1983 [Italian]; with R. Fuller. Who Is This Christ?, 1986 [Japanese]; Jesus as Teacher, 1990 [Spanish]; First and Second Peter, James and Jude. Interpretation Commentary Series, 1995 [Japanese].

Her recently published scholarly works include, Gnosticism and the New Testament, 1993. Peter, Apostle for the Whole Church, 1994 (winner of Choice award for distinguished academic book); Ephesians. Abingdon New Testament Commentary. 1997. Abraham's Divided Children and Galatians and the Politics of Faith, 2001.

Dr. Perkins has a long and distinguished teaching career, having tackled such areas as Perspectives on Western Culture, New Testament Ethics, the Pauline Tradition, the Gospel of Mark, the Gospel of John, and New Testament Christology. Dr. Perkins has been involved with the seminars for undergraduates as well as Ph.D. candidates. In addition to the Elizabeth Seton Award, she has been honored with the following distinctions: Kaneb Visiting Professor of Roman Catholic Studies at Cornell University, 1989/90; Kantonen Lecturer, Trinity Lutheran Evangelical Seminary, Columbus OH 1991; Chi - Rho Lecture Series Lecturer, Eugene Oregon, Oct. 2002.

photo and text taken from following Web Sites:
http://www.bc.edu/schools/cas/theology/faculty/pperkins/

Web Sites:
Boston College Theology Faculty

Elizabeth Seton Medal Lecture: Be Children of the Church: Questions Children Ask
(Delivered: March 19, 1998)

1998 Recipient

Mary Ann Donovan, S.C., S.T.L., Ph.D.

Dr. Donovan has been a member of the Jesuit School of Theology (Berkeley, CA) since 1977, serving as a Professor of Historical Theology and Spirituality. She is a College of Mount St. Joseph graduate (1961). Dr. Donovan earned an M. Div.. from the University of Detroit, an M.A. and Ph.D. from St. Michael's College. She then received an S.T.L.degree (Licentiate in Sacred Theology) from the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley. Dr. Donovan is a member of the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati.

Sr. Mary Ann began her teaching career in elementary schools throughout Ohio, Michigan and Washington, D.C.. She has written over 45 articles and book reviews and has recently completed "Catholics and Inter-Faith Relations: A Place for Speakers, Listeners and intuition." for the National Council of Christian Churches... She has delivered lectures of over 60 selected papers throughout the country. She was a keynote speaker at the 1997 National Workshop for Christian Unity in Sacramento, CA, where she spoke on "Be Reconciled With God." In 1993 Sister Mary Ann gave the keynote address, "A Historical Perspective on Women's Religious LIfe," to the General Assembly of the Leadership Council of Women Religious (LCWR) in Dalas, TX.

Since 1980 Sister Mary Ann has served in various roles on the board of the Catholic Theological Society of America and served as its president. She is a member of the executive committee of the Commission of Faith and Order, N.C.C.C., and serves on the editorial board of Theological Studies. She holds membership in the Society for the Study of Christian Spirituality and the Society of Biblical Literature. (Excerpted from the Award Program, College of Mount St. Joseph, March 19, 1998)

Currently, she teaches Church to 1400, and Ecumenism and History of Christian Mysticism. Many of her courses parallel her own professional interests, which include history of Christianity, women in spirituality and ecumenism. Dr. Donovan has published several books, including One Right Reading? A Guide to Irenaus (Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 1998).

photo and some biographical information taken from
http://www.gtu.edu/page.php?nav=287

Web Sites:
Jesuit School of Theology

Elizabeth Seton Medal Lecture: Gracious Play: Discipline, Insight and the Common Good.
(Delivered: September 30, 1999)

1999 Recipient

Patricia Killen, Ph.D.

Dr. Killen, Professor of American Religious History, earned her B.A. from Gonzaga University in 1974 and her M.A. and Ph.D. from Stanford University in 1976 and 1987, respectively.

As the laity move toward having an increasing role in shaping its mission, liturgical life and sacramental focus of the Church, Patricia O'Connell Killen, Professor of Religion at Pacific Lutheran University (Tacoma, WA), has unquestionably contributed to this movement. Her ground breaking work in teaching and writing about theological reflection has been instrumental in the work of preparing the laity for this most important ministry of leadership in the Church. Her co-authored work, The Art of Theological Reflection (Crossroad Publications, 1994), provides a framework for exploring God in the ordinary circumstances of life.

Dr. Killen has served on the faculties of University of the South, Loyola University in Chicago and Pacific Lutheran University.

Over the years she has taught a variety of courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels including "Church History Studies: American Catholicism." Her research has been conducted in the areas of American religious history; Catholicism in the United States; social context, community and spirituality in denominations; and women in American Christianity. (Excerpted from Award Program, September 30, 1999) Her most recent book, Finding Our Voices: Women, Wisdom and Faith, is a substantial writing that reflectively examines the spirituality of women in the unfolding context of the Christian tradition.

Dr. Killen is committed to service in all areas of her life: the university, her profession, the community and the church. She is a member of the Integrated Studies Program and has authored a number of articles in the area of education, including: "Learning as Conversation," in a View From the Academy: Liberal Arts Professors on Excellence in Education. She is a member of the American Catholic Historical Society and the Catholic Theological Society of America. She has received several awards and honors of distinction for her publications, teaching and leadership.

On-line transcripts of presentations:
http://www.luthersem.edu/wmcluster/documents/EquippingBaptized.htm

Elizabeth Seton Medal Lecture: God and the Body of Earth
(DeliveredOctober 10, 2000)

2000 Recipient

Elizabeth Johnson, CSJ, Ph.D.

Elizabeth Johnson, Professor of Theology, Fordham University, Bronx, NY (1991-present) was named Distinguished Professor of Theology at Fordham in 1997. She is a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Brentwood, New York.

She received her undergraduate from Brentwood College, New York, an MA. from Manhattan College, New York and her Ph.D, Catholic University of America.

She began her teaching career as an elementary/junior high school science and English teacher. In 1981, Johnson became an Assistant Professor of Theology at Catholic University of America in Washington D.C., where she completed her doctoral degree that same year.  

In academics, Johnson is identified as an impeccable scholar on national and international levels. Within the academy, she has been recognized for excellence by being named Distinguished Professor in 1997 and Fordham University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences’ Teacher of the Year in 1998. She has received five honorary doctorates and she received the University Medal at Siena Heights College in Adrian, Michigan in 1999. She has lectured at universities in South Africa, Australia, Luthuania, England and numerous college and universities throughout the US. Johnson has also taught summer courses at the University of Notre Dame, Boston College, Aquinas School of Theology and Seattle University. Johnson was invited to deliver the Madeleva Lecture at St. Mary’s College (Notre Dame, IN) in 1993. Her lecture,

 Women, Earth, and Creator Spirit, was published in 1993.

From 1984-1993, Dr. Johnson participated in the National Lutheran/Catholic Dialogues. She became the president of the Catholic Theological Society of America in 1995 and  has served as consultant to the U.S. Bishops’ Committee on Women in Church and Society, a theologian on Vatican-sponsored dialogues between science and religion, and between Christianity and world religions. Dr. Johnson has been a pioneer in the Common Ground project.She was a plenary speaker at the 2000 Call to Action Conference in Milwaukee. 

Dr. Johnson has authored numerous books including Consider Jesus: Waves of Renewal in Christology (Crossraod, 1990) and She Who Is: The Mystery of God in Feminist Theological Discourse (Crossroad, 1990). The later has been translated into German, Portuguese, Italian, French and Spanish. In 1992, the book received the Grawemeyer Award in Religion (University of Louisville), the Crossroad Publisher’s Women’s Studies Award, the Catholic Press Association Book Award as an Outstanding Academic Book.  Dr. Johnson has also written numerous chapters for books, including “Losing and Finding Creation in the Christian Tradition” Christianity and Ecology: Seeking the Well-being of Earth and Humans edited by Dieter Hessel and Rosemary Ruether, 2000. She has written articles for many theology publications. She has authored numerous encyclopedia entries. Dr. Johnson has served on the editorial boards of Religious Studies Review, Concilium, Theological Studies, Horizons, and the Journal of the College Theology Society.

Narrative excerpts by Marge Kloos, SC., D.Min. (Elizabeth Johnson Source Book, REL 216, Fall, 2000)

Elizabeth Seton Medal Lecture: Genetic Research, Economics and Theology
(Delivered: November 14, 2001)

2001 Recipient

Lisa Sowle Cahill, Ph.D.

She has contributed to and authored many articles concerning method in theological ethics, especially in the Roman Catholic natural law tradition, use of Scripture in ethics, ethics in sex and gender, medical ethics and the history of Christian ethics. (Excerpt from  the program citation, 2001)

Dr. Cahill has served as a consultant to the US Catholic bishops, with notable involvement in the Synod on the Laity (1987), and in the preparation of a pastoral document on AIDS (1987).

She has been very active in conversations about women and women's health as matters of theological content, particularly through her work as a consultant to the NCCB. She has delivered a paper on the topic at the Vatican. Dr. Cahill has served as the president of the Catholic Theological Society of America and the Society of Christian Ethics.

Having served on the Advisory Board of the Cardinal Joseph Bernardin Center (Catholic Theological Union) and the Catholic Health Association Theology and Ethics Advisory Board, Dr. Cahill has responded faithfully in the spirit of Elizabeth Seton to expand the Church's response to contemporary issues in the church and world.

She has authored a number of books, including Sex, Gender and Christian Ethics; 'Love Your Enemies'; Discipleship, Pacifism, and Just War Theory; Women and Sexuality; and Family: A Christian Social Perspective.

Web Sites
On-line Biography & Genetics Presentation
Madeleva Lecture Series

Elizabeth Seton Medal Lecture: Bible as Foundation and Source of Spirituality
(delivered: November 18, 2002)

2002 Recipient

Sandra Schneiders, IHM, S.T.D.,S.T.L.

Dr. Sandra Schneiders is Professor of New Testament Studies and Christian Spirituality at the Jesuit School of Theology, Berkeley, CA.
Dr. Schneiders received her B.A. from Marygrove College, an M.A. from the University of Detroit. She holds terminal degrees from Institut Catholique de Paris (S.T.L) and Pontifical Gregorian University (S.T.D.).

As Professor of New Testament Studies and Christian Spirituality, Dr. Schneiders teaches the Gospel of John: Theology and Spirituality, Catholic Religious Life, Doctoral Seminar in Christian Spirituality, Hermeneutics and The Spirituality of the Wisdom of Solomon.

Her professional interests include New Testament literature, particularly Johannine literature and

She has authored several books, including Selling All: Commitment, Consecrated Celibacy, and Community in Catholic Religious Life (2001); Finding the Treasure: Locating Catholic Religious Life in a New Ecclesial and Cultural Context (2000); With Oil in Their Lamps: Faith, Feminism, and the Future (2000); Written That You May Believe: Encountering Jesus in the Fourth Gospel (2003); and The Revelatory Text: Interpreting the New Testament as Sacred Scripture.

biographical information taken from:
http://www.jstb.edu/faculty/bios/schneiders.html
Madeleva Lecturer, 1986, 2000

Lecture to Be Delivered:
October 22, 2003

2003 Recipient

Diana L. Hayes, J.D., S.T.B., S.T.L., Ph.D, S.T.D .

Dr. Diana L. Hayes is the first African American to earn an S.T.D. (Doctor of Sacred Theology) from the Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium. She is the recent distinguished recipient of the US Catholic 2001 Award for Furthering the Role of Women in the Church. A noted researcher, speaker and scholar with an extensive background in Black/Womanist/Contextual Theology and Multicultural Catechesis, she has written numerous theological critiques in scholarly journals, chapters in books and dictionary/encyclopedia articles.

As an acclaimed academic and professional lecturer she has traveled to Europe and across the United States to make scholarly presentations inside and outside the Catholic Church community. One of those presentations included a dialogue between South African and African American Catholic Women at the University of Notre Dame Pastoral Liturgy Conference. Her provocative work also addressed issues at the Sisterhood is Global Women’s Rights Conference in Washington, DC; Staff Conference on Racism and Sexism in Orlando, Florida.  Multicultural Catechesis, Racism, Sisterhood is Global and the Transdenominational Assembly in New York City.

At the present Dr. Hayes is Associate Professor of Theology at Georgetown University. She has worked as an Adjunct Professor at Howard University, a member of the Women’s Studies Faculty at Georgetown University and Chaplain in Residence also at Georgetown. She is also a lawyer admitted to practice in Nebraska and the District of Columbia.

Dr. Diana L. Hayes earned a Doctor of Sacred Theology and Ph. D. from Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium, Juris Doctor of Law from George Washington University National Law Center in Washington, DC, Sacrae Theologiae Baccalaureus (Bachelor of Sacred Theology) from Catholic University of Washington. DC and Bachelor of Arts from State University of New York At Buffalo.

She has written extensively, including numerous articles and book chapters. Some of her written work includes: “Speaking the Future Into Life: The Challenge of Black Women in the Catholic Church” in E. Johnson, ed. Catholic Women in Dialogue (Crossroads Press, 2002; “To be the Bridge: Voices From the Margin” in Fernando Segovia and E. Fernandez, An Unfinished Dream: Theological Reflections on America from the Margins (Orbis Books, April 2000); “Women Doing Theology: African American” In V. Fabella and R. S.  Sugirthrajah, eds. Dictionary of Third World Theologies (Maryknoll, NY;  Orbis Books, 1999) and “Who Do You (God) Say That We Are” in Spiritual Questions for the 21^st Century: Essays in Honor of Joan Chittister (Orbis Books, April 2001).

Link related to Georgetown's announcement of the Elizabeth Seton Medal recipient
http://www.georgetown.edu/college/news/cwr/JAN1703.pdf
Madeleva Lecturer, 1995

Biographical information taken from
http://www.itc.edu/WSP/WSPDrHayes.htm