Events
Quest for Beauty Film
September 25, 6:00 pm, Kennedy Auditorium
Quest for Beauty is a film documentary on the life and prolific art career of William Schickel who was a prominent 20th century Catholic artist. Schickel had a very prolific art career spanning sixty-plus years; he produced a large body of mostly commissioned work in painting, sculpture, stained glass, and architectural design. He is most well-known for his renovation of the Abbey of Gethsemani in Kentucky, where he worked personally with Thomas Merton. His works can be found in numerous private collections and museums, including the Vatican Museum. The film explores his Quest for Beauty and the challenges he faced, and his vision for the Church and his heart for unity in the Body of Christ.
William Schickel designed the renovation of Bellarmine Chapel at Xavier University in 1999. He received an honorary doctorate from the university in 2005.
Vatican II at 60 Lecture Series
Sixty Years Later: What Happened to the Council’s Vision of the Church?
The Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) reshaped the church’s self-understanding. This talk will explore which aspects of this “new” self-understanding have become a part of the church’s life and which still need more attention.
Thursday, September 4th at 7:00 PM Bellarmine Chapel (Xavier University)
This event is free and open to public. Live streaming available.
Free parking available at the lots indicated in orange on this map.
Presented by Martin Madar, PhD
Martin Madar is an associate professor of systematic theology at Xavier University. He specializes in ecclesiology (understanding the church) and the Second Vatican Council.
Sponsors: Institute of Spirituality & Social Justice (Xavier University), Brueggeman Center (Xavier University), Bellarmine Chapel, St. Xavier Church
Vatican II at 60 Lecture Series
Overcoming the Dichotomy Between Faith and Everyday Life: Vatican II and the Seeds of the ‘Culture of Encounter’
Part of Vatican II at 60 Lecture Series Gaudium et spes, the final document of Vatican II, proposes a dramatic shift in how the church engages the world. Chief among its concerns is the “dichotomy between faith and everyday life,” or how people may compartmentalize their faith and reduce the scope of their discipleship. This presentation will discuss some of the key themes in this document, its influence over the last 60 years, and how it informs the vision of the “culture of encounter” that calls Christians to come together to practice dialogue and collaboration in the pursuit of solidarity.
Thursday, September 18th at 7:00 PM Bellarmine Chapel (Xavier University)
This event is free and open to public. Live streaming available.
Free parking available at the lots indicated in orange on this map.
Presented by Marcus Mescher, PhD
Marcus Mescher is associate professor of Christian ethics at Xavier University. He specializes in Catholic social thought and moral formation and is the author of The Ethics of Encounter, proposing a moral framework to implement the “culture of encounter” championed by Pope Francis. 
Sponsors: Institute of Spirituality & Social Justice (Xavier University), Brueggeman Center (Xavier University), Bellarmine Chapel, St. Xavier Church
Vatican II at 60 Lecture Series
"From Enemies to Siblings: The Transformation of Jewish-Catholic Relations"
Nostra aetate, Vatican II‘s Declaration on the Relationship of the Church to Non-Christian Religions, initiated a transformation in the relationship between the Catholic Church and the Jewish people. This talk will describe key moments in that development as expressed in the teaching, prayer, and art of the past 60 years.
Monday, September 29th at 7:00 PM Bellarmine Chapel (Xavier University)
This event is free and open to public. Live streaming available.
Free parking available at the lots indicated in orange on this map.
Presented by William Madges, PhD
William Madges is professor emeritus and former Chair of Xavier University’s Theology Department. Together with James Buchanan and Abie Ingber, he created the multimedia exhibit A Blessing to One Another: Pope John Paul II and the Jewish People, which was seen by about a million people in the U.S. and at the Vatican Museum (2005-2015).
Sponsors: Institute of Spirituality & Social Justice (Xavier University), Brueggeman Center (Xavier University), Bellarmine Chapel, St. Xavier Church
The Brueggeman Salon Series
Faith, Ethics, and the Algorithm: A Jesuit Conversation on AI
In the Jesuit tradition of deep dialogue and discernment, we’ll explore how AI is already reshaping research, pedagogy, ethics, and our stewardship often common good — while also asking: What must the Academy do to guide Its development responsibly?
Join us for an intimate salon-style conversation with Dr. Cyrus P. Olsen III (Harvard Medical School / University of Scranton) on the future of Artificial Intelligence in higher education. Hosted by Dr. John O’Keefe, Director of the Brueggeman Center for Dialogue, this discussion will probe the promises and perils of AI as we navigate what many call Industrial Revolution 5.0.
Wednesday, October 8th, 2025 at 5:00 PM
The Edward B. Bruggeman Center for Dialogue
Food and beverages will be served.
Vatican II at 60 Lecture Series
"Religious Freedom"
Thursday, October 16th at 7:00 PM Bellarmine Chapel (Xavier University)
This event is free and open to public. Live streaming available.
Free parking available at the lots indicated in orange on this map.
Presented by James Helmer, PhD
Sponsors: Institute of Spirituality & Social Justice (Xavier University), Brueggeman Center (Xavier University), Bellarmine Chapel, St. Xavier Church
Vatican II at 60 Lecture Series
"The Catholic Church and Other Religions: Interfaith Dialogue at 60"
This will be a panel discussion moderated by John O'Keefe, PhD
Thursday, October 30th at 7:00 PM Bellarmine Chapel (Xavier University)
This event is free and open to public. Live streaming available.
Free parking available at the lots indicated in orange on this map.
Presented by John O'Keefe, PhD
Sponsors: Institute of Spirituality & Social Justice (Xavier University), Brueggeman Center (Xavier University), Bellarmine Chapel, St. Xavier Church
Vatican II at 60 Lecture Series
"The Best of Catholicism: What Vatican II Offers Us Today"
As the Catholic Church around the world continues along the synodal journey, we recall the ongoing
relevance of the Second Vatican Council (1962-65). The council continues to offer large themes of lasting
value, pointing toward the very best of the Catholic faith. This presentation will reflect on some of these
themes, what they have meant in the life of the church, and what they might mean into the future.
Thursday, November 6th at 7:00 PM Bellarmine Chapel (Xavier University)
This event is free and open to public. Live streaming available.
Free parking available at the lots indicated in orange on this map.
Presented by Edward P. Hahnenberg, PhD
Edward Hahnenberg is the Breen Chair in Catholic Theology and Chair of the Department of Theology and
Religious Studies at John Carroll University (Cleveland, OH). His research explores 20 century Catholic theology, with particular attention to developments in the understanding of church and ministry, the Second Vatican Council, theology of vocation and discernment, and lay ecclesial ministry.
Sponsors: Institute of Spirituality & Social Justice (Xavier University), Brueggeman Center (Xavier University), Bellarmine Chapel, St. Xavier Church