The Newman Center at the Pittsburgh Oratory

As registration for the spring semester approaches, the Newman Center is pleased to announce that we will again host a theology course for credit, entitled “Called to Communion.” The course is offered through the National Institute of Newman Studies, located here in Oakland, in affiliation with Duquesne University, and is taught by Mr. Damon McGraw, MAR (Yale), who is presently the Executive Research Fellow of the Newman Institute, and a doctoral candidate in theology at the University of Notre Dame. With the information provided here, anyone registered at universities in Pittsburgh (Pitt, CMU, Chatham, et al.) may register for this course with the assistance of her academic adviser. Some details of the course follow:

Course Details:

• Host School: Duquesne University
• Offering Department: NINSDU
• Course Title: Created for Communion
• Course Number: CLPR 281
• Meeting Days: Tuesday and Thursday
• Time: 3:30-4:45 PM  Jan. 5-April 19
• Location: The Ryan Catholic Newman Center
• at 4450 Bayard St. Lower Level

Some Course Topics

• The Human Quest for God
• Divine Revelation
• The Mystery of the Trinity
• Human Being and the Fall
• Jesus and the Messianic Hope of Israel
• Jesus and the Kingdom of God
• The Crucified Messiah
• The Coming of the Holy Spirit
• Images and Marks of the Church
• The Communion of Saints
• Forgiveness and Resurrection
• Everlasting Life

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7:30pm, Wednesday, 10/19, in the Newman Center Student Conference Room

We’re pleased to welcome Br. Timothy Lancton, of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception, to speak with students about the “Basics of Divine Mercy”. You may have seen the image, or heard about the visions or the chaplet or the feast day, but wondered what this devotion was all about. Br. Timothy comes personally recommended by students to explain these basics in depth, so that the significance of this teaching for our time is brought clearly into relief. Please email frjoshua@pittsburghoratory.org for information.

7:00pm, St. Paul’s Cathedral: All students are welcome.

The Newman Center is quite pleased to welcome Dr. Denis McNamara, assistant director of the Liturgical Institute, University of St. Mary of the Lake, Mundelein to offer a primer on church architecture, and especially Catholic church architecture.  Dr. McNamara holds a bachelor’s degree in the History of Art from Yale University and an M.Arch.H. and Ph.D.in Architectural History from the University of Virginia where he served as an instructor in the School of Architecture and Graduate Advisor Chair for the Office of the Dean of Students.  He is no stranger to Pittsburgh, since his work includes a study of several area churches.

If you’ve ever wondered why a church is built the way it is: with seats and stands the way they are, the use of certain shapes and designs, pews and choirs, windows and steeples, altar and… what is that big marble structure at the front of old churches?? The presentation comes complete with pictures, pizza and fellowship, as always: so bring a friend!

The Catholic medical students of the St. Luke Society warmly invite all medical and nursing students and professionals to a celebration of their patron saint on the vigil of his feast day. A special Mass will be celebrated at 7:00pm on Monday, October 17 at the Newman Center Chapel of St. Philip Neri, with a reception to follow downstairs in the student center. Please bring a friend along, and RSVP to gjnst3 {at} pitt {dot} edu.

or “Is Jihad in the Bible?”
Monday, September 12, 6:45-8:00pm, Heinz Memorial Chapel

As the world marks the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 violence, and some recall Pope Benedict XVI’s Regensburg Address five years ago, Dr. Scott Hahn, Ph.D. is joining us Monday evening to discuss and work through some of the thorny questions involved in reading the biblical Old Testament: does the Bible condone or does God command violence in His Name? These questions have numerous implications for the Christian’s understanding of history, of the integrity of faith, of the inspiration and reliability of the Bible, and the ability of Christians and other believers to exist within a context of religious pluralism. The conversation begins, however, with understanding the sources of Christian faith, in particular the sacred Scriptures, and how to explain their contents without explaining them away. Both grad and undergraduate students are welcome to come, and to bring a friend or two for what promises to be an extraordinary and illuminating evening of discussion and dialogue.

About our presenter: Scott Hahn is a graduate of Grove City College, and received a Ph.D. in Biblical Theology from Marquette University in 1995. He is the author of numerous scholarly articles and best-selling books, including The Lamb’s Supper. He is presently professor of Theology & Scripture at Franciscan University of Steubenville, as well as the founder and director of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology.

Any guys interested in knowing more about what “the life” in preparation for the priesthood looks and feels like are welcome to stop into St. Paul’s college seminary in Crafton, Saturday morning, October 1, and if you like, stick around overnight till Sunday morning. No commitments required other than enjoying your time with a group of young men dedicated for the time they’re there to pursuing ‘the simple life’ of prayer, study, and service…among other things. Contact the vocations director, Fr. Joe Freedy <jfreedy {at} diopitt {dot} org> for more information, or to reserve your place.