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Archbishop Michael  Jackson - Spirituality in Sustainability: Anglicanism as an applied theology of pragmatism

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Archbishop Michael  Jackson - Spirituality in Sustainability: Anglicanism as an applied theology of pragmatism

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M Jackson.sustainability Canterbury conference paper 19th May 2025

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'Knock as a Place of Prayerful Engagement' by Joanne Ferguson

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'Knock as a Place of Prayerful Engagement' by Joanne Ferguson

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Knock as Prayerful Engagement-Joanne Ferguson

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Navigating Ethos and Chaplaincy by Dr Lily Barry

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Navigating Ethos and Chaplaincy by Dr Lily Barry

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Catholic Studies in Ireland Challenging, Constructive and Critical Voices

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Gender and the Global Compact on Education

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Gender and the Global Compact on Education

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This paper explores whether Thomas Aquinas’s conception of God’s omnipotence can survive critical interaction with the views of Richard Swinburne. It first defines in detail what Aquinas thinks omnipotence consists in, and how it relates to God’s other attributes. It then moves to considers Swinburne’s account of omnipotence, and from this extrapolates three key divergences between the two thinker’s accounts, concerning time, the possibility of ceasing to be omnipotent, and divine necessity. The thesis will conclude that, by the standards of Swinburne’s own criteria, Aquinas’s account of omnipotence in light of these three divergences is the more successful of the two.

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Schedule for IICS Seminar Monday May 19 Tuesday

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Irish Madonna of Hungary: From Clonfert to Hungary,  Fr Seamus Devitt CSsR

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Irish Madonna of Hungary: From Clonfert to Hungary,  Fr Seamus Devitt CSsR

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Loyola Institute, Trinity College Dublin

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Loyola Institute, Trinity College Dublin

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Loyola Institute - The Loyola Institute | Trinity College Dublin

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We are a small, student-friendly department offering postgraduate programmes both taught and by research in Theology in the Catholic tradition.

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Catholic Primary Schools and Wellbeing, Dr Tom Carroll

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Catholic Primary Schools and Wellbeing, Dr Tom Carroll

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Enlightenment’s Empire and Apocalyptic Modernity: Religion and Education Revisited 

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Enlightenment’s Empire and Apocalyptic Modernity: Religion and Education Revisited 

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The Initiative for the Study of Asian Catholics, Singapore

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The Initiative for the Study of Asian Catholics, Singapore

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About | Initiative for the Study of Asian Catholics

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An academic platform for social science studies of Asian Catholics

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International Journal of African Catholicism

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International Journal of African Catholicism

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About the International Journal of African Catholicism

Founded in 2009, the International Journal of African Catholicism (IJAC) is an ecumenical interdisciplinary, peer-reviewed online journal that promotes discussion within the African Catholic community and dialogue between African and international scholars.

Supported by Saint Leo University's Department of Religion, Theology and Philosophy, IJAC publishes scholarly articles that reflect on the African experience of Catholicism, and promote discussion among writers around the globe.

The Journal appeals to those interested in the religious life of continental Africa and its dialogue with the world.

Interested in contributing to an article? Please read our submission guidelines below.

Founding Editorial Team

IJAC is the result of a collaborative effort by six founding scholars from Uganda, Kenya, Ivory Coast, Tanzania and the United States. The Journal provides a platform for outstanding African theologians to share their research:

Interested in submitting an article?

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International Journal of African Catholicism

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An ecumenical, peer-reviewed journal exploring Catholic scholarship in Africa, featuring interdisciplinary research by theologians from across the continent and global academic community.

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Students live in community, gathering for prayer and regular communal meals. Daily Mass is celebrated onsite and there will be opportunities for prayer, worship, and spiritual formation on a weekly basis. Catholic Studies as an academic discipline is not merely intellectual, but experiential and developed through dialogue. With time for leisure, exploration, and recreation, along with great food, students will have ample time to enter into dialogue with their classmates, fostering an environment of both discipleship and accompaniment.

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Catholic Studies in Australia, ACU programmes

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Catholic Studies in Australia, ACU programmes

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Home - ACU Australian Catholic University logo

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Graduate Certificate in Catholic Studies | ACU courses

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his course is designed to help students develop an understanding of the theological concepts and understandings that are fundamental to the Catholic faith, and the core principles and practices for teaching religious education.

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Curran Centre for American Catholic Studies, Fordham University

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Curran Centre for American Catholic Studies, Fordham University

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Curran Center for American Catholic Studies | Fordham

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The Francis and Ann Curran Center for American Catholic Studies

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Catholic Studies in the USA, McGrath Institute, University of Notre Dame

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Catholic Studies in the USA, McGrath Institute, University of Notre Dame

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Marketing Communications: Web // University of Notre Dame

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Catholic Studies // McGrath Institute for Church Life // University of Notre Dame

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Tap into Notre Dame’s intellectual resources and join other Catholic leaders in addressing today’s pastoral challenges.

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Centre for Catholic Studies, University of Durham, UK.

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Centre for Catholic Studies, University of Durham, UK.

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Centre for Catholic Studies - Durham University

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The CCS looks back on Pope Francis’ papacy.

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Journal of Beliefs and Values - article by Professor Anne Lodge related to her presentation

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Journal of Beliefs and Values - article by Professor Anne Lodge related to her presentation

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‘The beauty of the place and the beauty of the liturgy’: exploring the mission and ministry of Christ Church Cathedral Dublin

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Cathedrals are liminal spaces inhabiting a threshold between the sacred and secular. That sacred/secular tension, along with the loose nature of community in the cathedral context, impacts clear ex…

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The Beauty of the Place and the Beauty of the Liturgy, by Professor Anne Lodge, DCU.

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The Beauty of the Place and the Beauty of the Liturgy, by Professor Anne Lodge, DCU.

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MIC 21st May 2025 final presentation slides

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Narrative in Alasdair MacIntyre's Philosophy

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Narrative in Alasdair MacIntyre's Philosophy

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Narrative in story in Alasdair Macintryre's philosophy

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Prof. Fáinche Ryan - The Loyola Institute | Trinity College Dublin

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Travelling by Train/Bus

Mary Immaculate College is just a 15 minute walk from Limerick’s Train and Bus Station, Colbert Station. From there, regular Irish Rail and Bus Éireann services conveniently connect Limerick to towns and cities throughout Ireland, including Dublin, Cork, Tralee, Killarney, Ennis, Tipperary, Waterford, Galway, Westport, sligo and Belfast (via Dublin).

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Travelling by Car

From Limerick City: Travel straight up O’Connell St. and O’Connell Avenue until you come to Punch’s Cross then turn right onto New Street. At the end of that road continue straight at the roundabout onto Courtbrack Avenue. The entrance to the College will be on your right.

From M7/N18 Motorway: The College is located on the South Circular Road just off the main M7/N18 Limerick/Dublin motorway. Take exit 2 off the N18 (M7) towards Dock Road / City Centre. Turn right off Dock Road at James Barry Motors onto Courtbrack Avenue. The entrance to the College will be on your left.

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Mary Immaculate College, Limerick is located between the South Circular Road and the Dock Road in the leafy southern suburbs of Limerick City.
Travelling by Car
From Limerick City: Travel straight up O'Connell St. and O'Connell Avenue until you come to Punch's Cross then turn right onto New Street. At the end of that road continue straight at the roundabout onto Courtbrack Avenue. The entrance to the College will be on your right.

From M7/N18 Motorway: The College is located on the South Circular Road just off the main M7/N18 Limerick/Dublin motorway. Take exit 2 off the N18 (M7) towards Dock Road / City Centre. Turn right off Dock Road at James Barry Motors onto Courtbrack Avenue. The entrance to the College will be on your left.
Travelling by Train/Bus
Mary Immaculate College is just a 15 minute walk from Limerick's Train and Bus Station, Colbert Station. From there, regular Irish Rail and Bus Éireann services conveniently connect Limerick to towns and cities throughout Ireland, including Dublin, Cork, Tralee, Killarney, Ennis, Tipperary, Waterford, Galway, Westport, sligo and Belfast (via Dublin).

Find the campus on Google Maps or using Eircode, V94 VN26.

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Students and visitors coming to Mary Immaculate College from overseas can fly into the nearest international airport, Shannon Airport, which is under 30 minutes' drive from Limerick City. Limerick City is also easily accessible from Cork and Dublin Airports. For MIC, St Patrick's Campus, Thurles, Shannon and Cork Airports are the closest airports while Dublin is also an option.

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Richard Casey's paper on John Henry Newman

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Richard Casey's paper on John Henry Newman

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Liam Gearon speaking on 'The Politicisation and Securitization of Religion in Education' (2023)

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Liam Gearon speaking on 'The Politicisation and Securitization of Religion in Education' (2023)

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The Politicization and Securitization of Religion in Education, by Prof. Liam Gearon

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We are honoured to launch The Oxford Handbook of Religion and Education

Edited by Liam Francis Gearon and Arniika Kuusistothis (2025) at this seminar. Congratulations to Liam and Arniika!

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The Irish Institute for Catholic Studies

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The Irish Institute for Catholic Studies

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Our Mission Our Aims

Director: Dr Patricia Kieran

A) The IICS promotes interdisciplinary research related to Catholic Studies. Our guest lecture speakers includes expert speakers on fine arts, literature, theology, education, music, social justice etc.

B) To further students' understanding of Catholic Studies, we facilitate students guided tours of local (Hunt Museum), national (Chester Beatty) and international (Vatican Museum) Museums' wonderful collections of religious art.

A) The IICS explores Catholic social teaching and is concerned with the promotion of human rights, climate change and the dignity of the human person.

B) To promote social justice, the IICS is involved in research focusing on inter-religious dialogue, the voice of the child in education as well as climate justice. It also promotes action for justice through engagement with a number of organisations concerned with homelessness, those in Direct Provision and socially and educationally disadvantaged groups.

A) Located in a third-level higher education institution, Mary Immaculate College, the IICS is interested in promoting the education of Catholic Studies scholars and establishing an interdisciplinary 'Catholic studies' stream in the postgraduate taught programmes of the College, and postgraduate research. We conduct seminars for researchers interested in exploring the Catholic element of their diverse research interests.

B) We foster interdisciplinary scholarly research among scholars. Our expanding database encourages networking and research collaboration. We focus on making such research accessible through seminars, public lectures and on-line resources.

A) The IICS recognizes the importance of the environment and its protection. Conscious of our effect on the environment, the IICS attempts to promote and educate people about climate justice.

B) We take Third Level students on a voluntary Soul Safari, on a day retreat to the sea, to relax and meditate in nature, with an optional Catholic element of spending time with a trained Spiritual Director.

The Irish Institute for Catholic Studies is compiling a database of interdisciplinary research to disseminate academic research on Catholic culture and thought. Please contact IICS directly if you wish to contribute to this database.

Hickey, I. & Howley, E. (2023) Seamus Heaney's Mythmaking, Routledge.

Hickey, I. (2022) 'Heaney, Catholicism and the Hauntological: The Later Poetry' in The Brazilian Journal of Irish Studies.

Hickey, I. (2022) 'Overthrowing Societal Norms Through the Spoken Word: Benjamin Zephaniah's Dub Poetry in City Psalms' in Lucy English and Jack McGowan (eds.,) Spoken Work in the UK, Routledge.

Hickey, I. Haunted Heaney: Spectres and the Poetry, Routledge.

Hickey, I. 'Virgilian Hauntings in the Later Poetry of Seamus Heaney' (2018) in Estudios Irlandeses, Issue 13. pp. 27-40.

Hickey, I. 'The Haunted Bog and the Poetry of Seamus Heaney' (2018) in Nordic Irish Studies, Volume 17, Number 2. pp. 35-54.

Hickey, I. 'Elegising the Past and Future: Seamus Heaney's "Route 110" Sequence' (2019) in Irish University Review, Volume 49, Number 2. pp. 340-355.

Hickey, I. '"The old cause is never dead": Hauntology and Brendan Behan's The Hostage' (2020) in Irish Studies Review, DOI: 10.1080/09670882.2020.1742461.

Hickey, I. '"Dublin You Are": Representations of Dublin in Twenty-First Century Irish Poetry'. (2020) in C21 Literature: Journal of Twenty-First Century Writings. DOI:

https://doi.org/10.16995/c21....

Hickey, I. 'Derrida, Heaney and the Translation of Virgil's Aeneid Book VI' in Études Irlandaises. .

Kieran, P. & Mullally, A. (2022) 'Blending Catholicism with Chi, Chakras and Crystals: Research on the Lived Reality of Catholicism among Pre-Service Postgraduate Student Teachers in Catholic Third Level Colleges in the Republic of Ireland (roi)', Ecclesial Practices.

Kieran, P. and Mullally A. (2021) 'Beyond belief? Pre-service teachers' perspectives on teaching RE in Ireland. A Journal of Religious Education, Vol 69/3, pp. 423-437. DOI 10.1007/s40839-021-00153-7

Kieran, P. (2021) 'The World's Religious and Global Climate Disruption' in Dolan, A. (ed.) Teaching Climate Change in Primary Schools: An Interdisciplinary Approach. London: Routledge.

Patricia Kieran & John Mc Donagh (2020) British Journal of Religious Education Vol. 40 No. 4. The centre cannot hold: decolonising the RE curriculum in the Republic of Ireland

Patricia Kieran & Aiveen Mullally (2020) Covid-19 A Watershed for the Catholic Church, Doctrine & Life, Vol. 70 No. 7, pp. 2-10.

Patricia Kieran, Marie Parker-Jenkins & Anne Ryan (2020) Religions and beliefs in changing times: perspectives of student stakeholders in third-level educational contexts in the republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, British Journal of Religious Education Religions and beliefs in changing times: perspectives of student stakeholders in third-level educational contexts in the republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland

Kieran, P & Mullally, A. (2020) 'The new 'nones': the implications of ticking the 'No Religion census box for educators in Ireland' in The Furrow, July/August, pp. 387-395.

Kieran. P. (ed.) (2019) Connecting Lives: Inter-belief Dialogue in Contemporary Ireland. Dublin: Veritas. pp. 309 ISBN 9781847307613 https://www.veritasbooksonline.com/connecting-lives-9781847307613-27455/

O'Donnell, A., Kieran, P., DCherouvis, S., Bergdahl, L., with Langmann, E. (2019) The Enquiring Classroom: Values, Identity, Exploration. Erasmus + http://nebula.wsimg.com/b34a2e21e05d30983c68342cf6de3918 AccessKeyId=C0264DFDC5E0FBB4FF37&disposition=0&alloworigin=1

Garcia, C. (2022) 'Shamrock Social Norms: Security, Catholicism, and Shame', Alluvium Journal.

Garcia, C. (2022) 'Catholic Shame and Female Blame: Edna O'Brien and The Country Girls Trilogy', The Furrow.

By Dr Nora Donnelly

Attendees will have the chance to read the scripture visually.

Date: Monday 7 April 2025

Time: 1 pm

Where: Mary Immaculate Chapel

By Dr John McDonagh
Attendees learned about Kennelly's depiction of doubt, scepticism, and the quest for personal spirituality.

When: Thursday, 13 February 2025

Where: JHN 221, Mary Immaculate College, Limerick

Lecture Series

Paul Corcoran, Trinity College Dublin, 'Wonder in Education: beyond the 'tedious monotony' - 1pm March 13th in T1.15

Mary McAleese, 'On being a Catholic' - 6pm March 20th in T1.18

Catherine Corless, 'Mother and Baby Homes in Ireland' - 1pm Arpil 10th in T2.07

Dr Maria Bargo, 'Catholic poverty alleviation efforts in Argentina: The Case of Opus Dei' - 3pm April 17th online

Prof Liam Gearon, Oxford University, 'Religion, Education and Postcolonial Theory: Decolonising the Curriculum Reconsidered'

All are welcome to our series. Thank you for your support! For Dr Maria Bargo's lecture, please email carleigh.garcia@mic.ul.ie for the MT link.

Mary McAleese Event

We are delighted to welcome Mary McAleese to MIC on March 20th. She will speak with Dr Patricia Kieran 'On being a Catholic' at 6pm in T1.18. Please register if you are attending this event to the President's Office, as we expect large numbers. Thank you! All are welcome.

Mary Mc Aleese served as Ireland's eight President for 14 years from 1997-2011. She is the first President to come from Northern Ireland and the first female president to succeed a female president in Ireland.

Mary was born in Belfast and after school she studied Law at Queen's University, Belfast. In 1973 Mary was called to the bar of the Inn of Court of Northern Ireland and the King's Inns Dublin. In 1975, she was made Reid Professor of Criminal Law, Criminology and Penology at Trinity College Dublin. Mary is currently Chancellor of Trinity College Dublin. She holds a Doctorate and Licentiate in Canon Law from the Pontifical Gregorian University Rome and a Master's Degree in Canon Law from the National University of Ireland (Milltown Institute). She is a member of the Council of Women World Leaders. In 2018, she was appointed Professor of Children, Law and Religion at the University of Glasgow.

Research Seminar

Research TRS-RE Symposium in MIC Thurles on 29th May

10.00-10.30 Tea/Coffee on arrival in Staff Lounge

10.30-11.00 Tour of Croke Library (Ruth Talbot)

11.00-12.30 Seminar with Prof Liam Gearon in Boardroom

12.30-13.00 Introduction to The Saint John's Bible (Dr Jonathan Burroughs) in Chapel

13.00-14.00 Lunch 14.00-16.00 Dialogue in Board Room

Podcast News

Dr Jonathan Burroughs and Dr Patricia Kieran are conducting podcast interviews this spring. More information to come!

Fluidly Faithful? Catholic Education and the Institutional Church

MIC hosted the Network for Researchers in Catholic Education Annual Conference (October 2023), in partnership with the Irish Institute for Catholic Studies and the Catholic Association of Teachers, Schools, and Colleges.

Conference Theme: Fluidly Faithful? Catholic Education and the Institutional Church

Our Padlet page will give you more information about the conference. It was a great success, and we thank all who contributed.

Please contact Carleigh Garcia at carleigh.garcia@mic.ul.ie or Patricia Kieran at patricia.kieran@mic.ul.ie for general inquiries about the conference.

The Mid-West Sikh Community, in collaboration with Limerick City & County Council and Mary Immaculate College, has planned a number of events to commemorate the life of Limerick native Max Arthur MacAuliffe. Postponed until future notice.

Religiosity of Black Lives Matter Movement

More than 150 people across Ireland, last Saturday, attended an online candlelight vigil to honour the memory of murdered African Irish man, George Nkencho. He was shot and killed by armed gardai in an incident that involved a kitchen knife. His killing, outside his family home in Dublin on 30 December 2020, led to anger and outrage by many, especially the black community in Ireland. Following this, protesters gathered for several days outside the Blanchardstown Garda station to demand for justice.

Mr Nkencho had no previous conviction, and his killing was a bitter recall of the armed gardai shooting of John Carthy, outside his family home in Abbeylara, Co. Longford, in April 2000. Also, both Nkencho and Carthy were 27 years old and suffered from psychiatric illnesses at the time of their killings. It was, however, another recent murder that held an eerie aura of the death of Nkencho.

In May 2020, unarmed African American man, George Floyd, was killed under the knee of a white American police officer in Minneapolis, America, because he allegedly used a $20 counterfeit bill. Just like one could scarcely miss the first-name similarity of the two murdered men and their killers, one could only just ignore the outcomes of their killings.

The murder of Floyd resulted in an avalanche of global condemnation and brought a new chapter of attention to racism. Similarly, the killing of Nkencho brought back to centre stage, the voices of Black Lives Matter (BLM) in Ireland. This movement started in America as a hashtag on social media in 2012 and has now grown worldwide and takes different dimensions in different countries. In Ireland, for example, many activists use it to condemn racism, but, also, Direct Provision - a system that accommodates asylum seekers in the Republic of Ireland.

In the case of the death of Nkencho, protesters and BLM activists again raised many concerns, including racial bias and profiling of black people by gardai, and systemic racism in Ireland in general. They wept, knelt, and marched in protests, but also importantly, they prayed in protests. Prayer and fasting initiatives for the healing of the family of Mr Nkencho were organised among black communities across Ireland and one could be forgiven for thinking this was the first-time prayers were pivotal at protests organised by BLM. Just recently, prayers were a regular feature throughout the Floyd protests in America, United Kingdom, Ireland and many parts of the world, and few people will disagree that this is integral to BLM.

During the January 30th vigil to remember George Nkencho, members of the Network of African Irish Leaders in Ireland, singers and audiences paid loving tributes to him, but the prayer portion of the event stood out. There were several languages, including tongues spoken in a prayer by Pastor Tosin Poopola of the Redeem Church. The prayers were so powerful they palpitated in the galaxy, and as the Bible states: "for anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God" (1 Corinthians 14), in that moment, a prophecy of healing was declared on the Nkencho's, and the black community in general.

I argue that this aspect of the struggle - prayers - makes BLM a unique liberation movement, and it is easy to see why. Most of the recent BLM protests address the theme of death. One may argue that most people tend to seek the face of God during crisis, sad, traumatic, and violent end to life. That is true. There is, however, a distinctive way black people pray, and in America, as well as most parts of the world where Africans are present, their struggle for equality and justice is also fought through prayers that very often include chants, and weeping. Their practical testimonies are cemented in the hope that alongside protests, "God will make a way where there seems to be no way" (Isaiah 43:19). Even for some non-believers, this belief can uplift and elevate one's faith in the omnibenevolent.

This grip of prayers in the African struggle for liberation is not new. This is present in African traditional religions where there is profound trust in the protective powers of gods and ancestors; present in the era of colonisation that brought about a new God and a new way of worship to Africans; and, the transatlantic enslavement of Africans when the sufferings, and stench of death of mainly black slaves smelled everywhere.

Back then, slave masters used Christianity to make blacks better - "obedient and docile" (Cone 2008, pp 34-35) and to exert and solidify their control. On the other hand, slaves used the new way of worshipping to also learn how to break their chains of bondage. Take for example, Dr Martin Lurther King - one way in which he became so impactful was "his relationship with God in Christ" (Scruggs 2012). Till this day, this powerful history inspires many black people to assert religion and prayers as formidable tools when seeking protection, liberation, justice, and freedom.

Though one does not have to be religious to pray, many activists of the BLM movement believe that they must be faithfully devoted to the cause and robustly prayerful for a future of inclusion, justice, and equality of all black lives.

References:

Cone, J. (2008) 'Theological and Ethical Aspects' in Fahlbusch, E. et al, The Encyclopedia of Christianity, (Volume 5), Michigan: Wm. B Eerdmans Publishing Company and Leiden: Koninklijke Brill.

Scruggs, J. (2012) 'Foreword' in King (Jr), M., "Thou, Dear God": Prayers that Open Hearts and Spirits, Massachusetts: Beacon Press, ix-x.

Contact:

Lylian Fotabong

PhD student in Applied Linguistics

Mary Immaculate College, Limerick

Lylian.Fotabong@mic.ul.ie

'Sister Schools: The relationship between Regis University, Denver and Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, my Erasmus+ experience, and why students should participate in international exchange'

Regis University describes itself as 'Colorado's Catholic Jesuit University', as it is the only Jesuit university in the Rocky Mountain West and one of the twenty-seven Jesuit universities in the United States (Regis University 2021). Though I may be biased, as I am originally from the Denver metro area, the mile-high city, truly located a mile above sea level, is a sunny (300 days of sunshine a year), culturally diverse, and outdoor-obsessed city. Denver places international students in the heart of America rather than at its peripheries like many major coastal universities more commonly chosen by international students do. When I asked a fellow Mary Immaculate College student (April 2022) why they chose to study at Regis rather than in New York, Boston, or California, they responded that they would spend a week at some point in one or more of those major locations, so why not be unique and discover parts of America typically forgone. That is not to diminish other areas of the United States, as I come from a country which is vast, and each state is significant and distinct. However, though Colorado is a landlocked state and not seen to be as appealing as one of the coasts, its capital and location of Regis, Denver, offers proximity to outdoor recreation, large city attractions and international flair. Even with these benefits, it is often the academic excellence offered by Regis that attracts students, and the holding of a Memorandum of Understanding between Regis and MIC only benefits students who are interested in studying at Regis, as it makes this process much easier. Studying abroad may be a stressful endeavour, as there are flights, finances, accommodation, and transferring of credits to concern oneself with, not to mention homesickness, but the independence, friendships, and gaining of a global perspective, along with life skills such as intercultural communication, adaptability, and problem solving, will only benefit a person overall in career opportunities and personal development. Studying abroad, in general, can result in these skills and experiences, but the values, intellectual tradition, and empathetic understanding of religion may only be gained through a university such as Regis.

Founded in 1877, as a Jesuit institution, Regis is heavily involved in social justice, with a mission to 'build a more just and humane world through transformative education at the frontiers of faith, reason and culture' (Regis University 2021). Previously located in New Mexico as the College of the Sacred Heart before moving to Colorado and being renamed Regis College, in honour of St John Francis Regis, in recognition of his 'service to at-risk women and youth, providing them stable incomes and independence', it helped pioneer education in Colorado (Regis University 2021). It has continued this legacy of helping those at the margins of society and educating Coloradans and beyond ever since. You do not have to be Catholic to attend Regis, but it is important to know that there are certain values which accompany a Jesuit education, inspired by the Jesuit founder St Ignatius Loyola, who believed in educating 'men and women of all ages and faiths to take leadership roles and to make a positive impact in a changing society', by encouraging the seeking out of truth, and always questioning 'How ought we to live?' (Regis University 2021). Students at MIC, a college historically dedicated to education, may find kindred spirits at a place like Regis where there is a deep commitment to teaching, learning, and research, all to help souls because they have found there is a no more powerful way to do this than through education. This concept of caring for souls, an emphasis of the Jesuits on caring for the person as a whole, is manifested at Regis in dedication to finding vocations for all students, not only in the religious sense but more broadly. They seek to inspire students to learn where and how they are drawn to commit themselves to something bigger than themselves, with the mindset of who do you want to be, rather than what do you want to do. To participate in international exchange is an opportunity to find yourself through the removal of your culture and value system, and expose yourself to an entirely different element and experience. If this is the case, what better environment to find oneself in than in a community committed to inspiring their students to find who they are in this world and how to make a broader impact?

One of the reasons I chose Regis as my host for Erasmus+ this past semester, was to learn of Colorado's connection (indeed, if it had one at all) to Irish Studies and international exchange with Ireland. Regis formerly had a relationship with NUI-Galway for a certificate in Irish Studies, which ended seven years ago. I did not receive a clear answer to the reason behind the lapse in this relationship. However, the MOU Regis holds with MIC and the Institut Catholique de Paris for J-1 exchange students allows a flow of students between Regis and the two universities. Typically, Regis will send three to five students per year to Ireland - mainly to MIC or Maynooth, as those are currently the only locations in Ireland they have a relationship with. The most common students from Europe who study at Regis at this point are from Germany, Spain, and Italy, followed by Ireland. To strengthen the relationship between MIC and Regis, which has already been established, we could begin hosting joint virtual events to incentivize our partnership. Another option would be to directly market MIC's dedication to education and excellent teaching program to Education majors at Regis. I drew their attention to the wonderful opportunity the Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship holds for graduating seniors, which is the main reason I began my postgraduate studies in Ireland and at MIC as an American.

This Spring on Regis' campus, there was a buzz in the air as students post-Covid begin to return to normality. Though a welcoming and research-rich university, with more than 120 degrees and programs (Regis University 2021), unfortunately, it is still at risk of many of the challenges facing Catholic higher education institutions today. There are financial challenges of declining enrollments, which the pandemic contributed to, and the fact that there are many more public universities in Colorado than private, leading many to believe a public institution is a more viable option. It is also hard for people to take the dynamics of faith and reason seriously in a secular world. According to my interview with Regis' Office of Mission (March 2022), there are predictions that in ten years institutions like Regis will not survive. As one of the few Catholic higher education institutions remaining in Ireland, many of these areas of concern are well known to those at MIC. Despite being Catholic and private being some of the reasons one should be concerned for its survival, these are also what result in Regis' unique values and intellectual traditions which should be preserved. Regis provides students with an opportunity to become educated, yes, but also to transform their 'education into something greater', to question everything, even morality, and 'extend a hand to those on the margins' (Regis University 2021). Therefore, Regis is not only another university but also an institution dedicated to education and the individual, which is something to be cherished and a reason to further develop MIC's relationship with it, in hopes that together, we may continue to produce some of the finest graduates on a global scale, who will ite inflammate omnia*.

*The founder of the Jesuits, St Ignatius of Loyola, is commonly associated with the phrase, 'Go forth, and set the world on fire'.

Carleigh Garcia is a PhD student in the English Language and Literature department at Mary Immaculate College, University of Limerick. She also works as a Departmental Assistant in the department, and as Research Assistant to the IICS. Her doctoral thesis, The underside of the Shamrock. The influence of the Catholic Church and shame in Irish literature between 1937-2007' is being conducted under the supervision of Dr Eoin Flannery. She is currently spending the semester at Regis University in Denver, Colorado, USA, on an Erasmus+ Mobility Award.
References
Regis University (2021) Regis University, available here [accessed April 14, 2022].

This blog was influenced by interviews with an MIC student studying at Regis (April 2022), Regis' Global Office for Education (April 2022), and the Regis Office of Mission (March 2022).

Theme: Peace & Hope

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The IICS is an interdisciplinary research centre inspired by and in critical dialogue with Catholic culture and thought. We explore the long and rich Catholic tradition in a spirit of scholarly rigour and academic freedom.

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Dear Seminar Participants,

The Irish Institute for Catholic Studies (IICS) at Mary Immaculate College is delighted and honoured to welcome researchers, academics, educators, postgraduate students and members of the public to a one-day seminar on

Catholic Studies in Ireland. The seminar ‘Catholic Studies in Ireland: Challenging, Constructive and Critical Voices’ title showcases contemporary interdisciplinary research on the nascent academic area of Catholic Studies in Ireland. As an

interdisciplinary area, Catholic Studies is in critical dialogue with the intellectual contribution of Catholicism to philosophical, theological, educational, and social

debates, past and present. It critically explores the expression and embodiment of Catholic themes and sensibility in various subjects, including fine arts,

literature, architecture, media, and music. Further, this Catholic Studies seminar explores the ancient and diverse Catholic tradition and its impact on life in Ireland, past and present, in a spirit of scholarly rigour and academic freedom.

This Catholic Studies seminar is delighted to host two keynotes: one by Professor Fainche Ryan (TCD) on the Book of Kells, one of Ireland’s most remarkable artistic, religious, and historic treasures, and another by Professor Liam Gearon (Oxford) on Enlightenment’s Empire and Apocalyptic Modernity: Religion and Education Revisited, which involves a re-evaluation of the Enlightenment’s all pervasive

critique of religion.

The Catholic Studies Seminar aims to create a welcoming, hospitable space for dialogue that reflects the wide spectrum of perspectives on Catholicism in Ireland and divergent interpretations of its impact on social and cultural life in historic and contemporary Ireland. It features over 25 short papers from scholars who present and discuss exciting and emerging research in the field. The seminar aims to foster dialogue across diverse disciplines that contribute to Catholic Studies, while connecting contemporary and historical issues. Papers will explore the intersections of Catholicism with cultural, social, and religious contexts, events and ideas. The range of disciplines represented in this seminar includes education, history, Irish language, literature, philosophy, theology and

inter-religious dialogue. The seminar will provide participants with an exciting opportunity to reflect critically on the place of Catholicism in Ireland’s academic,

cultural and social landscape.

PATRICIA KIERAN

Associate Professor Associate Professor in Religious Education

Learning, Society & Religious Education

Director, Irish Institute for Catholic Studies (IICS)

Email: IICS@mic.ul.ie

Patricia.Kieran@mic.ul.ie

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Liam Francis Gearon (BA, Hons, MA, MPhil, Cert He, PhD, FHEA, FRSA, Docent) is Associate Professor at the Department of Education, Senior Research Fellow at Harris Manchester College, University of Oxford; Docent, University of Helsinki, Finland; Honorary; Conjoint Professor at Newcastle University, Australia; Visiting Professor at the Irish Centre for Catholic Studies, MIC, Limerick, Ireland; Extraordinary Professor, North-West University, South Africa.

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The Book of Kells: Keynote by Professor Fáinche Ryan (TCD)

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The Book of Kells: Keynote by Professor Fáinche Ryan (TCD)