Inside the Core: Scholars' Forum Begins its Sixth Academic Year

Inside the Core this week marks the beginning of this years first Scholars’ Forum in the Catholic Intellectual Tradition, now in its sixth year. The Forum consists of faculty talking about their recently published or soon-to-be published books, related in one way or another to the Catholic Intellectual Tradition. It takes place on Teams, usually monthly, this semester on Tuesday, at 3 p.m.

The first presenter, on Tuesday, Sept. 22, was Father Dominic Ciriaco, who teaches at Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology, as well as in both CAST and CORE, presenting on his recent publication, The Painted Pulpit: Corita Kent, Visual Theology and the Practice of Preaching (EnRoute Books and Media, 2026). Father Dominic gave a wonderful presentation about Sister Corita Kent’s fascinating journey as a religious and an artist. Her art can be described as “pop art” in the style of Andy Warhol, but most often focused on spiritual topics, though not entirely so. She is the person who created the popular LOVE stamps, as well as the famous “Rainbow Swash” gas storage tank in Dorchester, MA. As Father Dominic explained, her relationship with some church officials was complicated, as sometimes her work was misunderstood as being irreverent, but he has studied her life and work with great care and her unconventional methods were meant to express deep spiritual meaning. At any rate, now she is seen as an important figure in not only in the scope of religious art but in the art world in general and is enjoying a resurgence of popularity though she died in 1986. His talk was fascinating and very meaningful.

Upcoming talks will be held on Oct. 20 and Nov. 17, both Tuesdays, at 3 p.m.
On Oct. 20, the Core will host Dermot Quinn, Ph.D., Professor of History, speaking about his recent book, An Earthly Story with a Heavenly Meaning: Essays on G.K. Chesterton (Cluny Publishers 2025). The essays are by the late Father Ian Boyd, who taught for many years at Seton Hall and began the Chesterton Institute, which still carries on, under director Gloria Garafulich-Grabois. Quinn is the editor of The Chesterton Review. Quinn edited the essays in this important volume. Here is the Teams link for the Forum for that day.

The last talk for the semester, on Nov. 17, will be a presentation by Father Joseph Laracy of ICSST and Father Paul Haffner of Catholic Studies, who will present on their book, The Proceedings of the 2024 Stanley Jaki National Conference (Gracewing, 2026). This talk will allow those interested in this fascinating legacy of Father Stanley Jaki, important for both faith and science, as well as to the Seton Hall community, to explore it further as presented by two eminent priest scholars, with expertise in both theology and science. Father Jaki was born in 1924 and taught many years in the areas of theology and physics and was entitled “Distinguished Professor.” The conferences held in his name are a tribute to his legacy, including his enduring scholarship. Here is the link for the Scholars’ Forum event on the publication in his honor. 

The Scholars’ Forum series celebrates one of our key treasures here at Seton Hall, our faculty scholars. Please join us for any of the two still upcoming Teams events. The Forum is sponsored by the University Core, the Catholic Studies Program, the Catholic Studies Center and Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology.

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