Heart of the University, Faculty Retreat Series 2025-2026

 The Heart of the University Retreat Series gives faculty and administrators of all faiths the opportunity for input and guided reflection. The series is co-sponsored by the Office of Mission and Ministry, and the Center for Vocation and Servant Leadership.

The first retreat, given by Dr. Patrick Manning on the theme of A Catholic Philosophy of Education: The Challenge - What Are We Doing Here? will be held on Thursday, October 2, 2025, from 9 to 11 a.m. in the Dean’s Conference Room, main floor, Walsh Library, and via Microsoft Teams.

We all desire to find meaning and purpose in our work. As educational professionals, we want to believe that our efforts at the university are worthwhile. Yet working in modern higher education often comes with significant challenges that can frustrate our sense of meaningfulness, including lack of consensus regarding educational mission and methods, changing student needs, and threats to the future of our institutions. In this retreat we will examine these challenges thoughtfully and consider values and practices in the Catholic tradition for finding meaning, hope, and inner peace at a time when higher education is in search of direction.

Patrick R. Manning, PhD is Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology at Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology and the Director of the Center for Catholic Studies. He specializes in religious/theological education and is the author of two books, Converting the Imagination: Teaching to Recover Jesus' Vision for Fullness of Life (2020) and Be Still and Know: Contemplative Practices for Christian Schools and Educators (2025).

If you have any questions, please contact Linda Garofalo or Francia Peterson at [email protected].

RSVP to [email protected] by September 30, 2025. Click here for further information.

Categories: Faith and Service