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 Philosophy, Spirituality, Biblical Studies, Christian Meditation, Theology, Interfaith Relations, and issues in Science and Religion.
Accreditation
These sessions are eligible for maintaining accreditation for teaching in Catholic schools in all Victorian and Queensland dioceses. In other dioceses, teachers should check with their education office.
Cost
- $25 per session: for people NOT seeking teaching accreditation
- $40 per session: for teachers seeking accreditation
Book online
All sessions are booked directly through Try Booking.
14 sessions running in October – November 2023
| Session Details | Presenter |
|---|---|
| Monday 16 October: 7pm – 8.30pm The Women in the Gospel of Matthew Beginning with the five women included in the genealogy of Jesus, this session will explore Matthew’s inclusion of women in the life and ministry of Jesus and the implications for today. Presented by Dr Rosemary Canavan Bookings close: Friday 13 October at 5pm. |  |
| Tuesday 17 October: 7.30pm – 8.30pm Basic Listening Skills for Pastoral Ministry This session outlines the principles of Carl Rogers’ “person-centered” listening: empathy, congruence, and unconditional positive regard. These are often employed as a basis for training in active/attentive listening. We will also discuss how these skills might be applied in day-to-day ministry situations. Presented by Rev. Dr Jake Mudge Bookings close: Friday 13 October at 5pm. |  |
| Wednesday 18 October: 7.30pm – 8.30pm Reading the Old Testament: Why and How? The Old Testament, a major part of the Christian Bible, is often seen as barbaric, irrelevant, and difficult to read. In this talk, I will present practical tools that help understand this part of the Bible better. I will also show how the biblical message contributes to critical issues our society faces today. Presented by Rev. Dr Kris Sonek OP Bookings close: Monday 16 October at 5pm. |  |
| Thursday 19 October: 7.30pm – 9pm Lectio Divina How do I access the riches of the Word of God spoken to me? How can I dwell in silent and peaceful contemplation? This short course will provide pointers. Presented by Rev. Assoc. Prof. John Dupuche Bookings close: Tuesday 17 October at 5pm. |  |
| Monday 23 October: 4pm – 5pm Meditation in the Classroom This session will explore a background, a spirituality, and practical strategies for leading meditation in the classroom with reference to Christian and other approaches. Resources will be supplied. School staff groups are encouraged to participate. Presented by Dr Christopher Morris Bookings close: Friday 20 October at 5pm. |  |
| Tuesday 24 October: 7.30pm – 9pm The Eucharistic Hymns of Thomas Aquinas If you are looking for a simplified and appealing version of Thomas Aquinas’ teaching on the Eucharist, why not look at the hymns that he himself wrote, hymns that are still used today? Presented by Rev. Dr Joseph Vnuk OP Bookings close: Friday 20 October at 5pm. |  |
| Wednesday 25 October: 7pm – 9pm Religious Education for Today: Why and How? This session explores different ways religious education may respond to the current Australian social context and why it remains an important offering for students in their identity formation. Presented by Dr Rina Madden Bookings close: Monday 23 October at 5pm. |  |
| Thursday 26 October: 7pm – 8.30pm A Plenary Council and A Global Synod: What Next for Australian Catholics? Will the momentum and recommendations for renewal of the Australian Plenary Council be ‘swamped’ by public attention on the global Synod on Synodality? Can these events bring about Vatican II’s vision and mission for the Church in Australia? Presented by Very Rev. Dr Kevin Lenehan Bookings close: Tuesday 24 October at 5pm. |  |
| Thursday 26 October: 7.30pm – 9pm The Cry for a New Spirituality Today’s thirst for spiritual experience is immense. What is the Spirit saying? Let us explore these remarkable new directions together. Presented by Rev. Assoc. Prof. John Dupuche Bookings close: Tuesday 24 October at 5pm. | |
| Monday 30 October: 4pm – 5pm Scripture Meditation (lectio divina) in the Classroom This session will explore a background, a spirituality, and practical strategies for leading scriptural meditation (lectio divina) in the classroom. Resources will be supplied. School staff groups are encouraged to participate. Presented by Dr Christopher Morris Bookings close: Friday 27 October at 5pm. | |
| Monday 30 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-optimists. This session is a brief introduction to artificial intelligence, including ChatGPT, and transhumanism, in which we will reflect on how Christians might think about future developments. Presented by Rev. Dr Christopher Mulherin Bookings close: Friday 27 October at 5pm. |  |
| Tuesday 31 October: 7.30pm – 9pm Sisters and Brothers All Drawing on our Christian understanding of the human person and the central principles of Catholic social teaching, this session will provide a basis for consideration of issues highlighted in contemporary discussions including the Bishops’ Social Justice Statement 2023–2024, climate change and Pacific Islander living, and Pope Francis’ follow up to Laudato Si’. (Oct 4 2023). The key premise is that Christian anthropology, which assumes an essential inter-relationality, impels us to find new ways of living together and in harmony with all of creation. Presented by Dr Frances Baker RSM Bookings close: Friday 27 October at 5pm. |  |
| Wednesday 1 November: 7.30pm – 9pm Four Male Characters in John: A Journey into Relationship with the Divine Other In contrast to the other canonical Gospels, John provides insights into various significant characters through a series of encounters. These encounters show a range of reactions to Jesus. This talk looks at Nicodemus, Thomas, Peter, and the Beloved Disciple as they are portrayed in John’s Gospel and their significance for models of faith today. Presented by Dr Paul Creevey FMS Bookings close: Monday 30 October at 5pm. |  |
| Thursday 2 November: 7pm – 8.30pm Levinas, Ethics, and Our Responsibility for the Other: Some Implications for Education This lecture discusses Levinas’s view that ethics is first philosophy because of our fundamental responsibility for the Other, and it considers some implications for education. Against the prevailing zeitgeist which valorises individual autonomy, I argue that it is not about you. Presented by Prof. Jānis Ozoliņš Bookings close: Tuesday 31 October at 5pm. |  |