Annual Library Lecture Series
The A. P. Mahoney Library hosts an annual lecture to celebrate Theological Libraries Month, an initiative of the American Theological Library Association, held in October of each year. The lecture series serves as a vehicle to showcase the seminary’s talented faculty and is followed by a reception.
"A Renewed Culture of the Common Good:
Building a Civilization of Love with Pope Leo XIV
Presented by Fr. Jason Kuntz October 21, 2026.
“We live in a time in which it has become difficult to even recognize that which is truly good for everyone. This is why, The Church, rooted in Christ, is called to guard places of encounter, of listening, and of dialogue in which a renewed culture of the common good may develop.” – Pope Leo XIV
While Magnifica humanitas drew notice in the popular media as the Catholic Church’s response to the social impacts of artificial intelligence, Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical is much more than a narrow tract on technology. Magnifica humanitas is also a robust history of the Church’s social teaching tradition and the most systematic presentation of the principles of the Church’s social doctrine to ever appear in a papal encyclical. Through his exploration of the common good, Pope Leo provides the tools we need to work together to build a civilization of love where persons and communities can truly flourish. In this lecture, Fr. Kuntz will explore how Magnifica humanitas teaches us to pursue “a renewed culture of the common good” in a pluralistic and polarized culture.
"Being an Intelligent Believer: A Danger or a Calling?"
Presented by Fr. Hervé Tremblay, OP. October 15, 2025.
Fr. Hervé Tremblay, OP, presents the 13th Annual A.P. Mahoney Library Lecture: “Being an intelligent believer: a danger or a calling? A reflection through the lenses of biblical exegesis” “The modern world often sets religion and scientific thinking in opposition, to the extent that believers feel sometimes compelled to choose between traditional belief in God and a more rational, more modern, and more intelligent viewpoint that rejects this belief. It might seem as though belief in God is hardly consistent with the choice of being an intelligent person. This conflict is especially dire in the field of biblical studies, for example in the recent debate on archaeology. But perhaps this is a false dilemma? Drawing on his experience as a biblical scholar, Fr. Hervé Tremblay, O.P., believes that it is possible to develop a balanced approach that respects the merits of both faith and reason.” The A.P. Mahoney Library Lecture is held annually in October to celebrate the scholarship of the faculty of St. Peter’s Seminary. This year’s lecture was held on Wednesday, October 15th, 2025.
r. Hervé Tremblay, OP, presents the 13th Annual A.P. Mahoney Library Lecture: "Being an intelligent believer: a danger or a calling?
"Are you listening? A Theology of Encounter for a Wounded World"
“Are You Listening? A Theology of Encounter for a Wounded World” addresses the social, psychological and spiritual impact of suffering and considers how healing is possible through active engagement and being present to one another. Drawing upon social scientific research, theological writings, church documents and scriptural passages, Angela will present a framework for personal encounters that fosters a culture of openness, genuine dialogue and reconciliation.
Angela Townend, is a social worker and has been the Human Formation Counsellor at St. Peter’s Seminary since 2017. Now a full-time faculty member and the Toldo Research Chair in Advancing Human Formation, she continues to provide counselling to the seminarians, teaches in the theology department and conducts research. Since the inception of the Fi.R.M. platform – Formation in Relational Maturity – she now dedicates time to scholarly inquiry into the human dimension of ministry, addressing such issues as co-responsible leadership, affective maturity and working effectively with women in the church.
Angela Townend, MSW, RSW, presents the 12th Annual A.P. Mahoney Library Lecture, "Are You Listening? A Theology of Encounter for a Wounded World"
"A Conversation Across Time: Tradition as Dialogue"
Presented by Dr. John Dool, Ph.D.
Pope Francis has called for the Catholic church to be a community characterized by listening, accompaniment, and dialogue. Can the church be faithful to its tradition while genuinely participating in open dialogue? Scripture and recent church teaching provide a robust notion of dialogue as not merely a function of the church or a recent trend, but as central to Christian existence. This in turn can contribute to a more dynamic and engaged understanding of tradition as itself a form of dialogue.
"Pondering the Word: Biblical Wisdom and Women's Leadership in the Church"
Presented by Professor Andrea Di Giovanni. October 10, 2019.
In the Bible, the books designated as Wisdom Literature offer a a rich and complex vision of God and God’s activity in the world, particularly through the metaphorical figure of Woman Wisdom. By so doing, these texts resist the tendency to talk about God in all-male language. This talk will explore the figure of Woman Wisdom and illuminate ways in which the New Testament writers draw from the Wisdom tradition, developing models of discipleship and leadership that extend to both male and female followers of Christ.
"By His Wounds We are Healed"
Presented by Father Pio Beorchia. October 4, 2018.
St. Thomas the Apostle, grieved and wounded by Jesus’ suffering and death, is healed by his encounter with the Resurrected Jesus, who, though glorified, still retains the marks of his wounds. The responsory for Midafternoon Prayer of the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in a paraphrase of 1 Peter 2.24, therefore reads “by his wounds we are healed.” What is the wound of Thomas? What healing takes place? What do these things say to us – about our wounds and how the Lord heals us?
"Eucharistic ekstasis: The Transformation of the Self through Sacrifice"
Presented by Rev. Alan Momney, S.T.L., D.Min. October 18, 2017.
When Jesus instituted the Eucharist at the Last Supper, the words he chose clearly indicated he wanted to leave the Church a means of offering sacrifice until his return in glory. Why is sacrifice necessary in God’s plan of salvation for us? What effect does the offering of sacrifice have on our pursuit of holiness? Drawing from St. Thomas Aquinas’s notion of the ecstatic nature of love, and from others, Eucharistic ekstasis will explore these questions and offer suggestions for reflection on what we are doing when we celebrate Eucharist.
"Church and Laudato si"
Presented by Rev. Denis Grecco. October 12, 2016.
St. Francis of Assisi is acknowledged for his care of the poor, his praise to God in creation, promoting peace and heeding the call “to rebuild the house of God”. As a protégé of this beloved saint, Pope Francis remarks that the Church is “conscious of the responsibility which all of us have for our world, for the whole of creation….” Are there connections between his comments on creation and his understanding of church? If so, what are they? Church and Laudato sí will explore what these connections suggest for the community of faith and people of goodwill.
"Harkening to the Voices of the Lost Ones: Evangelizing in today's culture"
Presented by Bernardine Ketelaars, D.Min. October 14, 2015.
Bernardine Ketelaars is Director of Lay and Pastoral Formation, and Lecturer at St. Peter’s Seminary. She holds an M.Div. from St. Peter’s Seminary and a D.Min. from the University of St. Michael’s College (Toronto) in Pastoral Formation, with a particular focus on ministry in the spirit of the New Evangelization. Prior to her appointment to St. Peter’s Seminary, Dr. Ketelaars had a distinguished career in church administration in the Diocese of London.
"The Very Model of a Modern Major Bishop: The Public Ministry of Archbishop John Walsh (1867–1898)"
Presented by Father John Comiskey. October 15, 2014.
Father John Comiskey studied at St. Peter’s Seminary and King’s University College at Western University. He was ordained a priest in 1981 and later earned a licentiate and a doctorate in the history of the Catholic Church. In 1999 he joined St. Peter’s Seminary as Assistant Professor of Church History and Patristics, as well as Registrar of Theology. He was named Vice-Rector two years later. In 2010, Fr. Comiskey was named pastor of Mary Immaculate Parish in London but continues in his roles as professor and as Registrar of Theology. Father Comiskey’s book titled “My Heart’s Best Wishes for You: a Biography of Archbishop John Walsh” was published by McGill-Queen’s University Press in 2012.
"From the Heart of the Poor… A Spirituality of Social Justice"
Presented by Rev. Frank O’Connor. October 16, 2013.
Rev. Frank O’Connor was ordained a Roman Catholic priest in 1966. He obtained his Master of Sacred Theology (STM) in 1985, Licentiate in Sacred Theology (STL) in 1990 and Master of Theology (Th.M.) in 1990. Father O’Connor lived and worked in Peru for 11 years, organized and participated in mission trips to Mexico, Nicaragua, India, Brazil and Guatemala, and is fluent in Spanish. He currently serves as Spiritual Director at St. Peter’s Seminary.
"From Darkness into Transforming Light: Spirituality for the healing journey of sexual abuse survivors."
Presented by Father Stevan Wlusek. October 10, 2012.
Fr. Wlusek is Rector and Associate Professor of Spirituality and Pastoral Theology at St. Peter’s Seminary in London, Ontario, Canada. He served in parish ministry for fourteen years. While on seminary faculty, he received an M.A. from Creighton University, an S.T.L. from Regis College, and a Ph.D from the University of St. Michael’s College. “From Darkness into Transforming Light”, based on his Ph.D thesis, was published in book form to make his research more widely available to survivors, health care practitioners, and those in ministry.
"Rediscovering our Seminary Charisms: St. Peter’s on the Cusp of its Second Century"
Presented by Father. Michael R. Prieur, S.T.D. October 12, 2011.
Fr. Michael R. Prieur came to the Seminary in 1958, was ordained in 1965 and obtained his Doctorate in Sacred Theology in 1969 from the Pontifical University of St. Anselmo in Rome. During his 42 years at St. Peter’s, he has been a faculty member, a professor of Sacramental and Moral Theology, Spiritual Director, Formation Leader, as well as Seminary Archivist. He has written six books and authored several papers and articles. Most recently, he is Chair of the Seminary Centenary Committee.
"When Rome Meets Jerusalem: What’s at Stake in the Catholic-Jewish Dialogue?."
Presented by Rev. Dr. Murray Watson. October 13, 2010.
Father Murray is Vice-Rector of St. Peter’s Seminary, a respected specialist in Scripture and President of the Catholic Biblical Association. He is a recognized authority on Christian-Jewish relations.