Catholic Theological College, Melbourne

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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

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

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

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