What's New With the Faculty?
What's new with Faculty from Winter 2005 Mosaic

Fr. Michael Byrnes, vice rector and dean of formation, attended the annual meeting of the Catholic Biblical Association, Halifax, Nova Scotia, August 7-10.

Dr. Patricia Cooney Hathaway, associate professor of spirituality and systematic theology, attended a conference, "Colloquium on Renewing the Church," College of Holy Cross, Worchester, MA, November 18-21. She gave an afternoon of reflection on Advent for women at St. Margaret of Scotland Parish, St. Clair Shores, MI, December 5.

Fr. Richard Cassidy, professor of theology, was welcomed into membership in the Studiorum Novi Testamenti Societas at the Society's annual meeting in Barcelona, Spain, August 3-7, 2004. In October 2004, his book, Paul in Chains: Roman Imprisonment and the Letters of St. Paul, was translated and published in a Spanish edition under the title, Pablo Encadenado: Cartas desde la prision romana, by Herder Editorial of Barcelona.

Dr. Eduardo Echeverria, associate professor of philosophy, gave these talks: "Catholic Schools: Faith-Learning Integration," Spiritus Sanctus Academy, Plymouth, MI, August 30; "The Shape of the Christian Moral Life," Spiritus Sanctus Academy, Plymouth, MI, September 8; "Overcoming the Dualism between Faith and Knowledge," After Worldview Conference: Christian Education in Postmodern World, Cornerstone University, Grand Rapids, MI, September 16-18. His article on Catholics and Conscience was published in the Michigan Catholic, October 8.

Dr. Robert Fastiggi, associate professor of systematic theology, gave a presentation on "Mary and the Eucharist," October 23 at St. Thomas Chaldean Parish, West Bloomfield, MI. He presented these papers: October 30, "St. Robert Bellarmine's Contribution to Catholic Social Thought," Society of Catholic Social Scientists, Ave Maria Law School, Ann Arbor, MI; November 5, "The Arguments for the Existence of God in Suarez," American Catholic Philosophical Association, Miami Beach, FL; November 22, "Platonism as Divine Revelation According to Marsilio Ficino (1433-1499)," American Academy of Religion, San Antonio, TX.

Sr. Betty Flaherty, O.P., adjunct professor of ministerial studies, gave these talks: September 9, Catechetical Leadership Formation, "Stewarding God's Gifts"; October 6, St. Malachy Parish, Sterling Heights, MI, Adult Formation, "Who is Jesus?" October 25 and November 7, St. Lawrence Parish, Utica, MI, RCIA presentations on Scripture and the Trinity; November 11, Queen of Angels Parish, Detroit, presentation for parents and students for the Sacrament of Confirmation; November 22, Guardian Angels Parish, Clawson, MI, Catechist Formation, "Who is Jesus?" She attended these meetings: November 4-6, Milwaukee, WI, USCCB Board meeting for Commission on Certification and Accreditation of Catechetical Programs; November 10, St. John Center, Plymouth, MI, meeting of Major Superiors of Religious Men and Women, presentation for those considering religious communities.

Dr. John Hittinger, professor of philosophy, attended these events: Eighth Annual German- American Conference, "On Political Participation in Gaudium et Spes," Detroit, MI, in August; American Catholic Philosophical Association, "Exploring Philosophical Themes in Humanae Vitae," Miami, FL, in October; Liberty Fund Conference, "Locke on Education," Colorado Springs, CO, in December. He gave these talks: "The Theological Context for Catholic Participation in Politics," Ave Maria Law School, Ann Arbor, MI, in September; "Catholics and the Election of 2004," St Mary College of Madonna University, Orchard Lake, MI, in November.

Mrs. Jane Jeffrey, assistant dean of studies, attended the Character and Assessment of Learning for Religious Vocation Project Workshop, Association of Theological Schools, November 5- 7, Pittsburgh, PA. While at the conference, she served as a panel member in the session "Accrediting Reviews and Implications for Assessment Programs in Theological Schools."

Fr. Daniel Jones, assistant professor of theology, preached a retreat for the Missionaries of Charity, Albania Province, July 13-21, Germany Province, July 22-30, and for the contemplative branch of the Missionaries of Charity, Calcutta, India, August 15- 17. He taught two courses for the India Missionaries of Charity during August, and had published Christus Sacerdos in the Preaching of St. Augustine: Christ and Christian Identity (Peter Lang, 2004). Father attended the seminar "Using the Word of God in Priestly Ministry," Canton, MI, November 10, and preached an advent retreat at Madonna University, Livonia, MI, December 4.

Dr. Daniel Keating, assistant professor of theology, gave these presentations: "Finding the Fathers: the Role of the Church Fathers in the Life of Faith," Ave Maria University Founders Club, November 16, and "The Basis of Authority in the Catholic Church," University of Michigan Catholic Medical Association, December 5.

Dr. Mark Latkovic, professor of moral theology, co-edited the book St. Thomas Aquinas and the Natural Law Tradition: Contemporary Perspectives (The Catholic University of America Press, 2004). He published these articles: "Natural Law and Specific Moral Norms: A Response to Professor William E. May," St. Thomas Aquinas and the Natural Law Tradition; "Fostering Theological Education in the Classroom among Catholic Faculty and Students," Seminary Journal (Spring 2004); "The Theology of the Body: Pope John Paul II's Thought on the Significance of Sexual Shame in Light of the Nuptial Meaning of the Body," Nova et Vetera Vol. 2, No.1 (2004). He was interviewed on Michigan Catholic Radio (AM 1090) on bioethics, December 3.

Mr. Ralph Martin, assistant professor of theology, gave these talks: August 2-6, Walsingham, England, "New Dawn" Conference, four talks; August 13-15, Cleveland, OH, Diocesan Renewal Conference, two talks on Novo Millennium Ineunte; August 19-23, Citre, Panama, Parish Mission, five talks on "Called to Holiness, Called to Mission"; August 27-28, Shrewsbury, MA, Passionist Retreat House, three talks, "The vision of JP II and the relevance of the mystical tradition"; September 10-11, San Antonio, Texas, St. Matthew Parish Leadership Training Day, three talks on "The wisdom of the saints and the life of lay-people today"; September 18, Grand Rapids, MI, "Regional Renewal Conference," two talks on "Our Mission as Lay People"; September 24-25, Bangor, ME, Regional Renewal Conference, three talks on "Holiness and Evangelization: Removing the Obstacles"; October 7, Denver, CO, Catholic Chief Executives Legatus Chapter Meeting, "What does it mean to be a 'legate' of Jesus Christ?"; October 14, Ann Arbor, MI, Renewal Ministries Staff Day, "The Meaning of Detachment"; October 22-23, Toledo, OH, Catholic Charismatic Renewal Conference, two talks on "Called to Holiness" "Called to Evangelization"; November 4, Flint MI, Regional Third Order Discalced Carmelite Conference, two talks on "Detachment in the Carmelite Tradition," "Jubilation in the Carmelite Tradition"; November 6, Ottawa, Canada, Fire Rally, one talk on "What is the Spirit Saying to the Church Today? November 15, Ann Arbor, MI, St. Thomas Parish RCIA Program, "Our Call to Evangelization"; November 19-20, Arnaudville, LA, St. John Francis Regis Parish Mission, four talks on "Called to Holiness," "What Holds us Back from Responding?" "Called to Mission," "Perseverance."

Dr. Michael McCallion, adjunct professor of ministerial studies, published "Evidence of and Speculations on Catholic de facto Congregationalism," Review of Religious Research, volume 46:1, September 2004.

Fr. Earl Muller, S.J., Bishop Kevin Britt Chair of Christology, published "John Paul II and Interreligious Dialogue: A Response to Joseph A. Bracken, S.J.," in Creed and Culture: Jesuit Studies of Pope John Paul II (St. Joseph Press, 2004). He attended: Catholic Biblical Association Annual Meeting, St. Mary University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, August 7–10; Fellowship of Catholic Scholars Annual Meeting in Pittsburgh, PA, September 23–26; Institute for Theology Encounter with Science and Technology (ITEST) Annual Meeting, Belleville, IL, October 15-17.

Fr. William Promesso, adjunct professor of homiletics, spoke at the Parish Leadership Conference on October 18 at St. Gertrude Parish and October 19 at St. Scholatica Parish on "Energizing Parishioners for Dynamic Growth." On October 22, 23 he gave two presentations on "Preaching to a Suspicious Generation, Diocese of Lansing Common Conference. His eighty-column series "Faith of Our Future" continues to appear regularly in parish weekend bulletins throughout the Archdiocese of Detroit, and dioceses in Pennsylvania, Ohio and New York.

Sr. Mary Lou Putrow, O.P., assistant professor of religious education, addressed the elementary principals of the archdiocese on "The Principal as Spiritual Leader, November 18, and presented to the MAPS students "Interpretation of Inventories for Goal Setting," November 20.


Dr. Janet Smith, Fr. Michael McGivney Chair of Life Ethics, gave these talks: "Is Organ Transplantation Ethical," Knights of Columbus, Swarz Creek, MI, Nov. 2; "Evangelium Vitae, the Right to Privacy, and the Life Issues," Maria Law School, Ann Arbor, MI, Oct. 29; "Aquinas and Luther on Marriage and Sex," keynote address at the Aquinas and Luther Conference at Lenoir-Rhyne College, Hickory, NC, Oct. 21; Respondent on panel about stem cell research, Catholic University of America, Oct. 5; "Artificial Nutrition and Hydration," St. Joseph Hospital, Pontiac, MI, Sept. 24; "Update on NFP Promotion," Respect Life Office Brunch, Sacramento, CA, Sept. 21; "Should the Patient Call the Shots?" for the Bishop's Forum, Sacramento, CA, Sept. 21. Talks on "Humanae Vitae and the Culture of Life," Georgetown University, Washington, DC, Nov. 16; Holy Cross Parish, Batavia, IL, Nov. 12-13; TV for Renewal Ministries with Ralph Martin, Oct. 27; priests from five dioceses, Charleston, SC, Oct. 18; priests of Diocese of Sacramento, Sept. 22 Radio/TV/Print: "What is Wrong with Contraception," WYRT St. Louis, MO, Nov. 15; TV Taping with Ralph Martin, Oct 27; TV taping on Sex Selection, Oct. 11; "Stem Cell Research" with Theresa Tomeo, Oct. 5; "Religion, Abortion, and Votes," letter to the editor in the Detroit Free Press, Sept. 20; "Artificial Nutrition and Hydration," Catholic Answers Live, Sept. 17; "Should the Patient Call the Shots in Medical Care?", Immaculate Heart Radio, Sacramento, CA; More on Humanae Vitae: Al Kresta at Large, Sept. 13; Update on Humanae Vitae, Al Kresta Live, Aug. 26.

Fr. Robert Spezia, college spiritual director and assistant professor of theology, attended the annual meeting of National Federation of Seminary Spiritual Directors, St. John Seminary, Brighton, MA, Oct. 28-31.

Fr. Daniel Trapp, theology spiritual director and assistant professor of systematic theology, liturgy and sacraments, gave conferences at a discernment retreat, August 6, at Sacred Heart, entitled, "Discernment of a Call." He gave a retreat, "Spirituality of the Diocesan Priesthood," for fourth-year seminarians, Colombiere Center, Clarkston, MI, Aug 30- Sept 3; preached part of inter-parish mission for Flint Parishes at the Whiting Auditorium, Flint, MI, September 20, entitled, "Eucharist: Healing and Reconciliation"; preached a seven-talk retreat for Cincinnati seminarians at Maria Stein Retreat House, November 15-19. Father was a member of the third Institute for Priestly Formation team workshop on celibacy at St. Vincent de Paul Seminary, Boynton Beach, FL, October 22-24, giving the presentation, "Tirzah and Jerusalem: the Song of Songs and Spousal Celibacy." His article "The Gifts of Novices: the Trouble with Angels" was published by Review for Religious, 63.4, 2004.

Dr. Peter Williamson, assistant professor of Sacred Scripture, was involved in these ministries: Pastoral Institute at Wadhams Hall, Ogdensburg, NY, presenter, "Paul's Letter to the Ephesians," a series of ten lectures, July 26- 30; Annual International Meeting, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Catholic Biblical Association of America, August 7-10; Prayer Meeting, Nashua, NH, presenter, "The Father's Plan in Messiah Jesus (Eph 1:3-14)," August 13; Attended International Consultation: "Reading Luke," Jesus College, Oxford, England, September 2-4;. Weekly Men's Faith Sharing and Bible Study, Ypsilanti MI, Mission Christ Outreach, facilitator, "Gospel of Luke," September 16; Facilitated Life in the Spirit Seminar, SHMS, and presented "Salvation," September 17; Chapter Meeting, EMU, Ypsilanti, MI, Mission Christ Outreach, presenter, "Wisdom: Introduction to Living as a Christian," September 29; Country Coordinators Mission Planning, Ann Arbor, MI, Renewal Ministries, September 30-October 30; Facilitated Life in the Spirit Seminar, SHMS, and presented "Baptized in the Holy Spirit," October 15; Chapter Meeting, EMU, Ypsilanti, MI, Mission Christ Outreach, presenter, "Time Management for Christian Students," October 27; Catholic Men's Night, Ann Arbor, MI, presenter, "God Answers Prayer: Jesus' Teaching about Asking and Receiving," November 11; Facilitated Life in the Spirit Seminar, SHMS, and presented "Growth in Christ," November 11; 37th Anniversary Gathering, Ann Arbor, MI, The Word of God community, presented "What Is God Saying?" December 5. The Catholic Answer article, "Which Books Belong in the Bible," appears in the August issue.