Engaging Your Faith (EYF) is a series of short, online presentations that invite participants to reflect on what it means to be people of faith in the contemporary world. Experienced lecturers from Catholic Theological College present on a variety of topics such as Religion and Ethics, Philosophy, Gospel of Luke, Interculturality, Meditation, Science and Religion, Synodality, AI, Education, and Violence in the Scriptures.
Accreditation
These sessions are eligible for maintaining accreditation in Catholic schools in all Victorian and Queensland dioceses. In other dioceses, teachers should check with their education office.
Cost
- $25 per session: General audience
- $40 per session: Teachers applying for Catholic school accreditation
Book online
All sessions are booked directly through Try Booking.
October 2024 Sessions
Registrations essential.
| Day | Title and Presenter | Bookings close |
|---|---|---|
| Monday 14 October 7pm – 8.30pm | The Women in the Gospel of Luke The Gospel according to Luke actively engages women in the narrative making them visible and often pairing male and female together as examples. This session explores Luke’s inclusion of women in the life and ministry of Jesus, points to his further inclusion of women in Acts, and then investigates the implications for today. Note: this is a repeat of the session offered previously. Dr Rosemary Canavan | Friday 11 October at 5pm |
| Tuesday 15 October 7pm – 8.30pm | An Introduction to AI and Transhumanism…for Christians “Young people today can expect to live forever, but AI will run the world.” At least that is the view of some techno-enthusiasts. This session will consider artificial intelligence and transhumanism, and it will reflect on how Christians might think about future developments. Note: this is a repeat of the session offered previously. Rev. Dr Christopher Mulherin | Friday 11 October at 5pm |
| Wednesday 16 October 4.30pm – 6pm | Did You Say Synodality? Some Historical Perspectives Pope Francis has made synodality a central theme of his leadership in the Church. While the word seems relatively “new” to the ears of Catholics, synodality in fact is the recovery of ancient practices in the Church, enhanced by the collegial and conciliar awareness of the Second Vatican Council (1962–65). This presentation will explore the historical landscape of synodality and its significance for the life and mission of the Church today. Rev. Dr Max Vodola | Monday 14 October at 5pm |
| Wednesday 16 October 5.30pm – 7pm | The Aims of Education in a Post-modern Age This seminar analyses the influences of neo-liberalism and post-modernism on the aims of education. It argues that education has lost its way and proposes a return to an education with a supernatural end. Prof. Jānis Ozoliņš | Monday 14 October at 5pm |
| Thursday 17 October 7.30pm – 8.30pm | Lay and Ordained Ministry in a Synodal Church This session revisits a key document written in the lead-up to the current Synod on Synodality, highlighting “hopes and horizons” for a collaborative and synodal Church in the context of ministry. Rev. Dr Jake Mudge | Tuesday 15 October at 5pm |
| Monday 21 October 7pm – 8.30pm | Religion and Ethics: Exploring Some Connections Exploring some connections between religious belief and ethics, this session considers the implications of these for both personal and societal ethical decision making in the Australian context. Note: this is a repeat of the session offered previously. Dr Frances Baker RSM | Friday 18 October at 5pm |
| Tuesday 22 October 7pm – 8.30pm | What Confirmation adds to Baptism Instead of asking how the Holy Spirit is given in confirmation, we could ask how the Son is given in confirmation. A comparison of how Jesus is proclaimed as “Son” at his baptism and his transfiguration helps us to see what confirmation might add to baptism. Rev. Dr Joseph Vnuk OP | Friday 18 October at 5pm |
| Wednesday 23 October 7pm – 8.30pm | Violence in the Scriptures We all know how certain parts of the Bible seem cruel and may even appear to condone violence. This short presentation will give a brief overview of some different ways to respond to this often-unsettling aspect of these ancient texts which now make up the Christian Bible. Rev. Trevor Tibbertsma | Monday 21 October at 5pm |
| Thursday 24 October 7pm – 8.30pm | “Friendship with God” in John and Its First-Century Greek, Roman, and Jewish Context In the Fourth Gospel, a central theological focus is the relationship between Jesus of Nazareth and God, whom Jesus continually refers to as “Father.” Accordingly, in order to understand the historical and theological roots of friendship/love in the Fourth Gospel, one needs to understand the background to the notion of “friendship with God” within its first-century social and cultural context. Br Dr Paul Creevey FMS | Tuesday 22 October at 5pm |
| Monday 28 October 7pm – 8.30pm | Mystic Wisdom for Our Times 1: Meister Eckhart This session applies key metaphors from the writings of Meister Eckhart (c. 1260–1328) to the practice of stillness and silence (meditation) in the contemporary context. Dr Christopher Knauf | Friday 25 October at 5pm |
| Tuesday 29 October 7pm – 8.30pm | Australia’s Catholics: Who We Are, What We Believe, and How We’ve Changed This session will provide an overview of Australia’s Catholics and their religious practices, beliefs and attitudes in the 21st century. It will make use of data from the Australian Census, the National Church Life Survey, the National Count of Attendance, and other sources of data. Dr Bob Dixon | Friday 25 October at 5pm |
| Wednesday 30 October 7pm – 8.30pm | Can a Scientist Believe in God? Many people say (or fear?) that God and science don’t mix. In faith-based schools, 60% of secondary students say Christianity and science conflict. This session is an introduction to the “conflict myth” and will offer some clues about how to understand the science–faith relationship as a harmonious one. Note: this is a repeat of the session offered previously. Rev. Dr Christopher Mulherin | Monday 28 October at 5pm |
| Thursday 31 October 7pm – 8.30pm | Mystic Wisdom for Our Times 2: Simone Weil This session explores the spirituality of the French Christian philosopher Simone Weil (1909–1942) and its continuing relevance to the pursuit of an incarnational Christianity in the modern world. Dr Christopher Knauf | Tuesday 29 October at 5pm |
May 2024 Sessions
- Religion and Ethics: Exploring Some Connections – presented by Dr Frances Baker RSM
- Incarnating Transcendence in Our Secular Age – presented by Dr Paul Sharkey
- The Women in the Gospel of Luke – presented by Dr Rosemary Canavan
- Interculturality: Reflections for the Mission of a Parish today – presented by Rev. Dr Jake Mudge
- Meditation in the Classroom – session cancelled
- Can a Scientist Believe in God? – presented by Rev. Dr Christopher Mulherin
- Anselm’s Cur Deus Homo – presented by Rev. Dr Joseph Vnuk OP
- An Introduction to AI and Transhumanism…for Christians – presented by Rev. Dr Christopher Mulherin
- Beauty and the Word of God: Experience and Reverence – presented by Rev. Dr Jerome Santamaria