The Paulist Summit On Polarization: Bridging The Divide, Seeking Reconciliation April 19-21, 2024 Flamingo Hotel, Las Vegas 3555 Las Vegas Blvd South | Las Vegas, NV 89109 | 702-733-3111
2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Welcome........................................................................................................ 3 Schedule ........................................................................................................4 About Servant of God Isaac Hecker .................................................. 10 This Summit’s History, Goals, and Hopes ...........................................11 Thanks and Acknowledgments.............................................................12 List of Registrations..................................................................................14 Presenters, Panelists and Advisory Committee ..............................16 Notes..............................................................................................................19 Floor Plan — Convention Center Meeting Rooms .........................23 The Paulist Summit On Polarization: Bridging The Divide, Seeking Reconciliation The Flamingo Hotel, Las Vegas: April 19-21, 2024 2
3 WELCOME Dear Participants, Welcome to The Paulist Summit on Polarization: Bridging the Divide, Seeking Reconciliation! On behalf of the Paulist Fathers and the members of the Advisory Committee, I am honored to extend a warm greeting to each of you. We are profoundly grateful to Archbishop George Leo Thomas of the Archdiocese of Las Vegas for his support and blessings, which have been instrumental in bringing our vision for this summit to fruition. As we convene 100 Catholic leaders, academics, media experts, and representatives from our Paulist community, united by a shared concern for the polarization affecting our nation and Church, we embark on a significant journey. Born from the vision of the 2022 Paulist General Assembly, this summit is a crucial step toward understanding and addressing the divisions we face. Our goal is to confront the toxic polarization that hampers our collective spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being. Through sharing stories, engaging in open dialogue, and listening with empathy, we aim to forge paths toward reconciliation and unity. The challenges we confront are profound, impacting our local, diocesan, and broader Church communities. Yet, with faith and solidarity, this summit serves as a beacon of hope, exploring ways to bridge divides, promote healing, and answer the Gospel’s call to love and serve one another. Thank you for your presence, your willingness to engage, and your dedication to this important cause. May our time together be fruitful, inspiring, and a testament to the power of collaborative effort in pursuit of the common good. In Christ, Fr. Ricky Manalo, CSP, Ph.D. Co-Director, The Paulist Initiative on Polarization The Paulist Fathers 3
4 SCHEDULE Friday, April 19 12pm Mass (Mesquite Room) • Votive Mass for the Conversion of St. Paul • Presider: Fr. Steven Bell, CSP, Paulist Missionary Priest • Liturgical Co-Directors: Diana Macalintal and John Michael Reyes 1pm Lunch (Savoy or Garden View Terrace) 2pm Opening Session (El Dorado Ballroom) We gather to commence our summit with an opening prayer, invoking God’s guidance as we embark on our journey of dialogue and understanding. We will then be welcomed by Archbishop George Leo Thomas, who will share his blessings for our collective endeavor. The session will conclude with an overview of the summit’s agenda, setting the stage for three days of thoughtful discussion aimed at bridging divides and fostering reconciliation within our communities and Church. • Welcome by Co-Hosts o Fr. Ricky Manalo, CSP, Co-Director of the Paulist Initiative on Polarization, and Sr. Nancy Usselmann, FSP, Director of the Pauline Center for Media Studies • Opening Prayer • Welcome by Archbishop George Leo Thomas, Archdiocese of Las Vegas • Overview 2:30-4pm “Check Yo’ Self Before You Wreck Yo’ Self” — Removing the Beam from your Own Eyes • Fr. Tom Gibbons, CSP, Co-Director of the Paulist Initiative on Polarization, Vice President of Paulist Productions • As we delve into the issue of polarization within our Church, our tradition consistently urges us to reflect on our own contributions to any discord present in the world before offering solutions for others. This session aims to guide us into a more receptive state for the summit, enabling us to journey together with greater openness. 4-4:30pm Refreshment Break (Savoy or Garden View Terrace)
5 4:30-6pm A Bit More About the “Downdrafts” on our “Uphill Climb” Toward Civil Discourse • Fr. Steven Bell, CSP • While we strive for civil discourse on challenging topics, we often encounter obstacles that hinder our progress. In this session, we’ll explore some of these obstacles, referred to as ”downdrafts,” which can make our journey towards understanding, bridge-building, and respectful dialogue more challenging. Through examples and explanations, we’ll identify these hurdles and explore how these challenges impact our communities, organizations, and movements within affinity groups. Collaborative Conversations in Affinity Groups 1 Academics 2 Media Experts 3 National Organizations and Movements 4 Paulist priests, deacons, seminarians, and lay associates 5 Young Adults and Young Adult Ministry 6-6:30pm Social (Savoy or Garden View Terrace) 6:30-7:30pm Dinner (Savoy or Garden View Terrace) 7:45-8:45pm Bridging Media: The Role of Catholic Media in Responding to Polarization • Panel: o Jeanette De Melo, Editor in Chief of National Catholic Register o Joe Ferullo, CEO and Publisher of National Catholic Reporter o Sr. Nancy Usselman, FSP, Facilitator • In this panel session, key figures from prominent Roman Catholic media outlets will delve into the complex interplay between media and polarization in the Church today. The discussion is structured around three critical questions, designed to uncover the nuanced impact of societal polarization on Catholic journalism and its broader implications: o Impact of Polarization on Catholic Media: The panelists will explore how the surge in societal polarization, particularly in political and social realms, has steered editorial decisions and reporting styles in Roman Catholic media, providing real-life examples of how coverage of contentious issues has been framed by these divisions. o Response to Polarization by Media Organizations: Attendees will gain insight into how these media entities have confronted the polarization within the Roman Catholic Church, examining the strategies implemented to achieve balanced reporting while adhering to their publication’s ideological stances. o Role of Catholic Media in Bridging Divides: The session will culminate in a discussion on the responsibilities of Roman Catholic newspapers in mitigating ideological rifts within the Church. Panelists will share existing or planned initiatives aimed at fostering unity and understanding among Catholics with divergent views. 8:45-9pm Rosary Prayer (Mesquite Room)
6 Saturday, April 20 7:30am Mass (Mesquite Room) • Presider: Fr. Aaron Wessman, GHM 8:15-9am Breakfast (Savoy) 9-10:30am Family Dynamics and Political Polarization (El Dorado Ballroom) • Dr. William Doherty, Professor of Family Social Science, University of Minnesota, and co-founder of Braver Angels • A presentation on how polarization is affecting family and family-type relationships, on common family roles in political conversations, and on key principles and tools managing disagreement in a way that preserves healthy family bonds. The session, which will involve an interactive component, is based on the Braver Angels “Families and Politics” workshop. 10:30am 30 Mins. Break 11am-12pm Small Group Discussion • Dr. Doherty will guide this small group discussion, as we explore how his presentation relates to U.S. Catholicism. We will discuss ways in which resources and tools from our tradition can address the challenges faced by families and family-type relations, the political landscape, and increasing polarization. 12-1:30pm Lunch (Savoy or Garden View Terrace) 1:30-2:45pm Informative Sessions 1 Bridging the Divide: A Media Mindfulness Perspective (El Dorado Ballroom) • Sr. Nancy Usselmann, FSP, Pauline Center for Media Studies • Finding ourselves immersed in a digital surge of polarizing content can leave us weary and unsure of how to navigate media messages. By developing the media mindfulness skills of critical inquiry based on faith values and discernment, we can transform the cultural milieu that seeks to divide and help bring about unity in Christ. 2 Racism, Racial Justice, and Polarization (Virginia City III) • Gloria Purvis is an African-American Catholic, public scholar, speaker, author, podcaster, and Whole Life activist. • Too often we experience strife and division when discussing matters of racism and racial justice. How can we engage these important issues through our shared faith? What can the Catholic Church do to assist and support us?
7 3 Repairing the Divide: Moral Imagination and Conflict Transformation in a Polarized United States (Savoy) • Dr. Aimee Hein, Oblate School of Theology, San Antonio TX • Recent research by sociologists and political scientists suggests that the problem of polarization in the United States is primarily an affective phenomenon, meaning our divisions are most fundamentally a problem of how we see and experience one another. This suggests that what we need most is to reframe how we encounter each other. This paper considers how a robust understanding of the common good can expand our moral imaginations and help us see one another not as adversaries, but as those with whom we must struggle towards a better world. 4 The Catholic Way Out: How the Catholic Church Could Respond to Polarization (Virginia City I) • Fr. Ricky Manalo, CSP, Ph.D., The Paulist Fathers, and Fr. Sam Sawyer, SJ, Editor-in-Chief, America • The session examines the Catholic Church’s challenge of navigating polarization and discusses potential pathways for fostering unity and deep communal faith. We will delve into the origins and current state of toxic polarization within the U.S. context, focusing on its impact on the Catholic Church and broader society. Exploring historical, socio-cultural, and ecclesial factors contributing to divisiveness, the session will pivot to the Church’s potential role in addressing and mitigating these tensions. Emphasizing the importance of ecclesial communion, synodality, and liturgical worship, we will discuss creating and sustaining alliances as a process toward achieving a more perfect union. 5 The Church’s Mission in a Polarized World (Virginia City II) • Fr. Aaron Wessman, GHM, Ph.D., Vicar General of Glenmary Home Missioners • How Christians might consider their role in a polarized US-American context, especially amid an election cycle. Fr. Aaron will suggest resources for a hopeful response to polarization that both flow from the Christian tradition and are supported by social scientific research. Ultimately, this presentation will be a deep dive into Jesus’ life, searching for a spirituality for divided times. 2:45-3:30pm Coffee, Tea, and Refreshment Break (Savoy or Garden View Terrace) 3:30-4:45pm Conflict Resilience: Building Capacity for Having Difficult Conversations (El Dorado Ballroom) • Bob Bordone, J.D., Senior Fellow at Harvard Law School and on the Advisory Committee of the Catholic Common Ground Initiative • During the past decade we have witnessed a diminished capacity for dialogue across lines of difference in virtually every sector of American life. From politics to higher education to houses of worship and families and friends, Americans are less interested and capable of managing difficult conversations. In this interactive talk, Bob will make the case for building our individual and collective conflict resilience — the capacity to sit with uncomfortable conflict, to listen with generosity, and to assert one’s view authentically. He will offer some tools to help participants better navigate these conversations that may not always end in agreement or resolution but that are essential leadership and survival skills in a pluralistic and democratic society.
8 4:45-6pm Break 6pm Dinner (Savoy or Garden View Terrace) 7:30-8:45pm Depolarizing Catholicism: What We Can Learn from National Movements and Organizations • Panel: o Rebecca Cataldi: The Braver Angels Movement o Peter Denio: The Bernadin Center & Leadership Roundtable o Kate O’Brien: The Focolare Movement o Fr. Ricky Manalo, CSP, Facilitator • In this panel discussion, we will explore the dynamic efforts of organizations and movements actively engaged in healing and uniting the fragmented parts of our Catholic community. The discussion will unfold in three segments, each addressing critical aspects of their work: 1 Impact and Challenges: Panelists will recount instances where their organization or movement significantly impacted the Church’s polarization, discussing the hurdles encountered and the strategies employed to navigate these challenges. 2 Collaboration and Community: The conversation will shift to the power of collaboration, highlighting how partnerships with various groups and communities have amplified their efforts towards fostering unity within the Church. 3 Practical Advice and Strategies: The session will culminate with panelists sharing actionable insights and methods that parishes, dioceses, and other organizations can adopt to start or improve initiatives aimed at mitigating polarization, drawing from their hands-on experiences and successful practices. 8:45pm Night Prayer (Mesquite Room) Sunday, April 21 7:30-8:15am Breakfast (Savoy) 8:15am Morning Prayer (Mesquite Room)
9 8: 35am Morning Session (El Dorado Ballroom) The final day of our summit will commence with a session summarizing key insights from the previous days, followed by personal and group reflections to identity affirmations and challenges in addressing polarization, and concluding with collaborative formulation of actionable recommendations. These activities aim to equip participants with strategies and support for their ongoing efforts against polarization, contributing to the broader mission of The Paulist Initiative on Polarization. • Summary Points from Friday and Saturday • Sr. Nancy Usselmann, FSP 8:45-9:30am Personal Reflection • Where have I been affirmed in terms of my Catholic identity, leadership, and / or ministry in the context of addressing polarization? • Where have I been challenged? 9:30-10:15am Affinity Group Reflection • We return to our affinity groups to share the following questions: o What are my next steps for addressing polarization upon returning home? o What support / resources / training do I need? o What support / resources / training does my local or national community / association need? Collaborative Conversations in Affinity Groups 1 Academics 2 Media Experts 3 National Organizations and Movements 4 Paulist priests, deacons, seminarians, and associates 5 Young Adults and Young Adult Ministry 10:15-11:00am Recommendations and Moving Forward • Our goal is to gather actionable recommendations that will guide The Paulist Initiative on Polarization in its next steps, fostering an alliance-driven approach to addressing polarization. We invite insights and strategies based on your experiences during the summit, personal reflections, and discussions in affinity groups, to advance our collective efforts. • In the near future, the advisory committee will synthesize our shared wisdom and experiences as we strive to outline a forward-moving path that embodies our Catholic values of seeking reconciliation and bridging divides. 11am-12pm (Mesquite Room) • Sunday Mass: The Fourth Sunday of Easter • Presider: Very Rev. René Constanza, CSP, President of the Paulist Fathers
10 SERVANT OF GOD ISAAC HECKER, CSP FOUNDER OF THE PAULIST FATHERS Servant of God Isaac Thomas Hecker (Dec. 18, 1819 – Dec. 22, 1888) was the New York City-born son of German immigrants who spent his early life working in his family’s bakery and flour business. As a young man, he began a spiritual journey that eventually led to him to the Catholic Church. He became a priest and a faithful son of the Church who was not afraid of questioning, challenging and experimenting. In 1858, together with his associates, Fr. Hecker founded the Paulist Fathers with the mission of helping the American people understand the Catholic Church and helping the Church understand the democratic spirit of America. Fr. Hecker was a brilliant missionary preacher, author, publisher and pastor. It is our prayer that, one day, he also will be known as a saint. The cause for Fr. Hecker’s beatification and canonization was formally opened in 2008 at which time he received the title “Servant of God.”
11 THE PAULIST SUMMIT ON POLARIZATION: BRIDGING THE DIVIDE, SEEKING RECONCILIATION: HISTORY, GOALS, AND HOPES The Paulist Summit on Polarization, the inaugural national gathering of The Paulist Initiative on Polarization, emerged from the 2022 Paulist General Assembly. This assembly produced the “Toward a More Perfect Union: Mission in an Age of Polarization” statement, aiming to pastorally respond to toxic polarization in the United States. The Summit unites 100 Catholic participants, all sharing a mutual concern to address the polarization impacting our nation and Church. The Summit aims to inspire participants to recognize how their activities and ministries can contribute to reducing polarization, thereby leaving them motivated and equipped with practical ideas to proactively engage in their ministries, organizations, academic environments, and parish-based or campus communities. Who Will Be There? The event will gather 100 participants, including ecclesial leaders, academics, and media experts actively engaged in efforts to reduce polarization, as well as representatives from the Paulist community such as priests, deacons, seminarians, and associates. These participants will bring expertise in various fields like reconciliation, race relations, intercultural communication, mediation, consensus building, and pastoral ministry. They have been selected from diverse ecclesial, academic, and media sectors and represent a broad spectrum of demographic backgrounds, encompassing race, ethnicity, social class/income, gender, sexual orientation, age, and more. Twin Goals of Forming Alliances and Sustaining the Process In order to effectively address polarization, the initiative needs (1) to form alliances and (2) sustain its efforts. First, given the complex dynamics that contribute to the present state of polarization, no single organization or social institution alone is capable of slowing down this trajectory. For this reason, the formation of alliances across institutional and ideological boundaries, both at local and national levels, is critical. Second, because polarization has been building up over the past 60+ years, it is not likely to decrease sharply any time soon. For this reason, efforts to effectively respond to its toxicity need to be sustained by remaining relevant and vibrant beyond any one time gathering. Focus Areas The Landscape of Polarization: To understand the extent of polarization in the country and the U.S. Catholic Church, and the impact of polarization on our spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being. Foster Conversations and Dialogue: To invite Catholic leaders, media experts, and Paulist representatives to share their experiences and insights, discovering shared Catholic values despite political differences. The conversations will take place among participants from a diverse array of backgrounds and affiliations, including specific affinity groups such as clergy, lay ministries, academics, media experts, and so on. Our Tradition, Teachings, and Scripture: To explore our Catholic tradition, teachings, and scriptural heritage that emphasize reconciliation, unity, and peace. Best Practices: To showcase examples of Catholic leaders, dioceses, parishes, organizations, and other movements that successfully promote healing and reconciliation. Pastoral Resources and Tools: To facilitate collaborative brainstorming sessions to generate ideas for pastoral resources and tools. 11
12 THANKS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS As we draw the Paulist Summit on Polarization to a close, we wish to extend our deepest gratitude to all who have made this event not only possible but also profoundly meaningful. Our heartfelt thanks go out to: The Paulist Fathers, seminarians, deacon and lay associates and collaborators: For their vision and dedication to addressing the challenges of polarization. Their efforts in bringing together leaders, experts, and academics have been instrumental in the success of this summit. Archbishop George Leo Thomas: For opening the doors of his Archdiocesan home to us and for his encouraging presence, we are deeply thankful. His hospitality has allowed us to convene in a space of unity and reflection. Our Advisory Committee Members and Event Coordinators: For their tireless work behind the scenes, ensuring the smooth flow of the summit. Their dedication and hard work have not gone unnoticed. Our Generous Donors: Our heartfelt thanks go to Bruce and Dawn Johnson, and Joan Seccia. Without your unwavering support and substantial contributions, this summit would not have been conceivable. Your commitment to fostering dialogue and understanding is the foundation upon which we build a more inclusive Church and society. Our Esteemed Speakers and Panelists: For enriching our discussions with their knowledge, insights, and willingness to engage in meaningful dialogue. Their contributions have been invaluable to our understanding and pursuit of solutions. Our Liturgy Coordinators and Ministers, Diana Macalintal, John Michael Reyes, and Rebecca Ramirez; Fr. Bob Stoeckig, Rector of the Cathedral of the Guardian Angels; Fr. Bill Kenny, Pastor of Holy Spirit Catholic Church; and Lisa Bierer and her beautiful banners: For beautifully orchestrating the liturgical services, bringing a sense of sacredness and reflection to our gathering. Their dedication to creating a prayerful atmosphere has been central to our summit experience. All Participants: For bringing your open minds, thoughtful questions, and engaging discussions to the table. Your active participation is what truly makes this summit a place of growth and learning. 12
13 Paulist Presidential Board Very Rev. René Constanza, CSP, President of the Paulist Fathers Fr. John Ardis, CSP, Vice President of the Paulist Fathers Fr. David Dwyer, CSP, First Consultor of the Paulist Fathers Members of the Advisory Committee CO-DIRECTORS Rev. Ricky Manalo, CSP, Ph.D.: USCCB Consultor for Cultural Diversity, Composer, Theologian Rev. Tom Gibbons, CSP: Vice President of Paulist Productions Rev. John Ardis, CSP: Vice President of the Paulist Fathers Rev. Steven Bell, CSP: Paulist Missionary Priest Robert C. Bordone, J.D.: Senior Fellow at Harvard Law School, Advisory Committee of the Catholic Common Ground Initiative Tricia Bruce, Ph.D.: Sociologist, author of How Americans Understand Abortion; coeditor of Polarization in the U.S. Catholic Church Gloria Purvis: African American Catholic public scholar, speaker, author, podcaster, and Whole Life activist Marilyn Santos: Associate Director, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis Sr. Nancy Usselmann, FSP: Director of the Pauline Center for Media Studies LITURGY COORDINATORS AND MINISTERS Diana Macalintal: Co-founder and director of TeamRCIA.com John Michael Reyes: Director of Adult Spirituality, St. Ignatius College Preparatory Rev. Robert Stoeckig: Rector, Guardian Angels Cathedral, Las Vegas Rebecca Davis: Song Leader, The Diocese of San Diego EVENT COORDINATORS Terry Wessels and Stephanie Marquez: T.M. Enterprises, a Division of TM Conference Services, LLC Tami Georgeff: Assistant to Fr. Tom Gibbons 13
14 LIST OF REGISTRATIONS Name Organizational Affiliation Email Alejandro Aguilera-Titus USCCB [email protected] Rev. Rich Andre, CSP The Paulist Center, Boston [email protected] Fr. John Ardis, CSP Paulist Fathers [email protected] Claudia Avila Cosnahan Commonweal [email protected] Sr. Bridget Bearss, RSCJ CWR Associate Director for Transformative Justice [email protected] Elizabeth Becerra Engaging Stories, Summer Theology Journey, Lewis University [email protected] Fr. Steven Bell, CSP Paulist Fathers [email protected] Sister Mary Bendyna, O.P. Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious [email protected] Ana C. Berrios Allison, PhD, LPC Columbus OH Paulist Associates [email protected] Bob Bordone Paulist Initiative Advisory Board; Harvard Law School [email protected] Bernard Campbell, CSP Paulists [email protected] John Carr Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life, Georgetown University [email protected] Rebecca Cataldi International Center for Religion & Diplomacy (ICRD) and Braver Angels [email protected] Louis Ceppi St Paul the Apostle Los Angeles [email protected] Gretchen Crowe OSV / Catholic Media Association [email protected] Bill Coffin NA [email protected] Father René Constanza Paulist Fathers [email protected] Fr Paul Coury Desert House Of Prayer [email protected] Maureen Day Franciscan School of Theology [email protected] Jeanette De Melo EWTN News — National Catholic Register/ Catholic News Agency [email protected] Rob DeFrancesco Catholic Media Association [email protected] Rudy Dehaney Notre Dame Maryland University [email protected] Peter Denio Leadership Roundtable and Catholic Common Ground Initiative [email protected] Bill Doherty Braver Angels and the University of Minnesota [email protected] Frank Donio, S.A.C. CMSM [email protected] Tara Durheim Liturgical Press [email protected] Fr. Dave Dwyer, CSP Busted Halo — [email protected] [email protected] Joe Ferullo National Catholic Reporter [email protected] Craig A. Ford, Jr. St. Norbert College [email protected] Ronald Franco, CSP The Paulist Fathers [email protected] Jessica Gallegos Holy Spirit Catholic Community — Diocese of Boise, (Pocatello, Idaho) [email protected] Father John Geaney, CSP Paulist Fathers (Senior Minister) Boston,MA [email protected] Tami Georgeff Paulist Productions [email protected] Justice Janine Geske Marquette University Law School [email protected] Fr. Tom Gibbons, CSP Paulist Productions [email protected] Moises Gutierrez, OFM, PhD EdD In Leadership, Creighton University [email protected] Dr. Aimee Hein Catholic Social Ethics, Oblate School of Theology [email protected] Gretchen Heinlein OSV News [email protected] Lisa Hendey St. Paul the Apostle Parishioner, CatholicMom.com [email protected] Claire Henning catholic-conversation.com [email protected] Patrick Higgins RCL Benziger [email protected] Brett Hoover Loyola Marymount University [email protected] Bill Huebsch St Cecilia Parish [email protected] Paul Huesing Paulist Fathers, Vero Beach, FL [email protected] Thomas A. Kane, CSP Director, Landi gs International [email protected] Peter M Kelley Paulist Center Boston [email protected] Christina Lamas National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry [email protected] Tracey Lamont, Ph.D. Loyola Institute for Ministry, Loyola University New Orleans [email protected] Veronica M. LaVista Paulist Associates, Vero Beach, FL [email protected]
15 LIST OF REGISTRATIONS Name Organizational Affiliation Email Deacon Chris Lawton, CSP Church of St. Paul the Apostle / Paulist Seminarians [email protected] Rich Loesing Napa Institute [email protected] J.D. Long García America Media [email protected] Diana Macalintal TeamRCIA [email protected] Rev. Ricky Manalo, CSP The Paulist Fathers [email protected] Stephanie Marquez TM Conference Services [email protected] Sr. Sean Mayer Pauline Books & Media / Daughters of St. Paul [email protected] Michael McGillicuddy, LCSW Untying Knots and Ignatian Volunteer Corps [email protected] Kevin McIntosh One America Movement [email protected] Leah Miller St. Augustine Catholic Church Memphis, TN [email protected] Carol Mitchell Paulist Center, Boston [email protected] Mar Muñoz-Visoso U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) [email protected] Father Bruce Nieli, CSP Paulist Fathers / Papal Missionaries of Mercy / Catholic Charities of Central Texas [email protected] Ed Nowak, CSP Paulist Fathers [email protected] Kate O’Brien Focolare Forum for Dialogue and Culture [email protected] Kathleen O’Brien Newman — Holy Spirit Parish and Maryknoll [email protected] Augustine Onwunali The Paulist Center Boston [email protected] Mary Ortwein Braver Angels [email protected] Hosffman Ospino Boston College [email protected] Devan Patel American Unity Fund [email protected] Rev. Steve Petroff, CSP Paulist Fathers [email protected] Jeannine Pitas Saint Vincent College [email protected] Gloria Purvis The Gloria Purvis Podcast [email protected] Rebecca Ramirez Diocese of San Diego rebramirez@gmailcom Matt Reichert OCP [email protected] John Michael Reyes TeamRCIA [email protected] Pedro Rubalcava Oregon Catholic Press [email protected] Sr. Hosea Rupprecht Daughters of St. Paul [email protected] Thomas Santa ,C.SS.R. Liguori Publications [email protected] Marilyn Santos USCCB [email protected] Sam Sawyer, SJ America Media [email protected] Michael Sepidoza Campos Convent & Stuart Hall, San Francisco; De La Salle University, Manila [email protected] Paul Snatchko Paulist Fathers [email protected] Nancy Starr Old Saint Mary’s Cathedral San Francisco [email protected] Rev Bob Stoeckig Guardian Angel Cathedral [email protected] John Sweitzer Paulist. Associate [email protected] Lorina Tornai Newman Hall Holy Spirit [email protected] Ivan Tou, CSP Paulist Fathers — Newman Hall-Holy Spirit Parish [email protected] Teresa Tsosie Wholemakers [email protected] Zach Turner Paulist Fathers / Newman Hall — Holy Spirit Parish [email protected] Sr Nancy Usselmann Pauline Media Studies [email protected] Lisa Wellik Paulist Associates — Los Angeles [email protected] Terry Wessels TM Conference Services [email protected] Tom Wessels TM Conference Services [email protected] Fr. Aaron Wessman Glenmary Home Missioners [email protected] Alexander Wharton The Wharton Law Firm [email protected] Kate Williams GIA Publications, Inc. [email protected] Carol Zinn, SS The Leadership Conference of Women Religious [email protected]
16 ADVISORY COMMITTEE, PRESENTERS, AND PANELISTS Fr. John Ardis, CSP, VP Paulist Fathers became vice president of the Paulist Fathers in October, 2023. He has served as pastor of Old St. Mary’s Cathedral in San Francisco since July, 2018. He previously served for three years as our senior director of mission advancement. In this role, he led our fundraising and marketing initiatives. Fr. John also has served as pastor of Saint Paul the Apostle Catholic Community in Los Angeles; director of the Paulist Center in Boston; associate pastor of St. John XXIII University Parish in Knoxville, TN; and as our community’s vocations director. While serving as director of the Paulist Center in Boston, he gave the benediction on the final night of the 2004 Democratic National Convention, which was held in that city. Fr. Steven Bell, CSP is a priest with the Missionary Society of St. Paul. His 14 years of priesthood has been active in five assignments: St. Austin Catholic Parish in Austin, TX, Busted Halo Ministries in New York, NY, The St. Thomas More Newman Center in Columbus, OH, Newman Hall — Holy Spirit Parish in Berkeley, California, and now as mission preacher leading parish missions and revivals, diocesan and institutional workshops, and lectures nationally and internationally focusing mainly on relational reconciliation (employing the love and mercy of Christ to improve our relationships with one another), practical discipleship (serving the world in ways that bring goodness), and authentic spirituality (truly communing with God and letting God truly commune with us). Alongside, he has been serving as both a faculty and board member for the seminary program of FASPE (Fellowships at Auschwitz for the Study of Professional Ethics). Robert C. Bordone (Bob) is a Senior Fellow at Harvard Law School, is also principal at The Cambridge Negotiation Institute, and an Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University Law Center. Bob is the co-author of Designing Systems and Processes for Managing Disputes, 2d. Edition (2019) and The Handbook of Dispute Resolution (2005) and is currently writing Conflict Resilience: How to Change When You Can’t Change People (HarperCollins Business, 2025). He also serves on the Advisory Board for the Catholic Common Ground Initiative, teaches conflict resolution for Leadership Roundtable, and serves on the Pastoral Council of The Paulist Center in Boston. Bob earned his J.D. from Harvard Law School, and his A.B. from Dartmouth College. Tricia Bruce, Ph.D. is a sociologist, researcher, and award-winning author of several non-fiction books and high-impact research reports. She holds expertise in religion (specializing in U.S. Catholicism) and social change (attentive to attitudes, organizations, and generations). Dr. Bruce holds an MA and PhD in sociology from the University of California at Santa Barbara and a BA in sociology and communication from Southwestern University. Dr. Bruce is the author of Parish and Place: Making Room for Diversity in the American Catholic Church (Oxford University Press, 2017) and is also coeditor of Polarization in the US Catholic Church (Liturgical Press, 2016) and American Parishes: Remaking Local Catholicism (Fordham University Press, 2019). Rebecca Cataldi is a conflict resolution specialist and trainer, and serves as Program Manager at the International Center for Religion & Diplomacy (ICRD), where her work focuses on ICRD’s initiatives engaging madrasa leaders in Pakistan and religious and political leaders in Afghanistan. Ms. Cataldi is a summa cum-laude graduate of Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service and holds an M.S. in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from George Mason University’s Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution. Ms. Cataldi is the founder of the American-Islamic Friendship Project and has engaged in cultural exchange, interfaith, educational, and peacebuilding initiatives in countries such as Pakistan, Yemen, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Libya, Jordan, the Palestinian territories, Israel, Indonesia, Thailand, Japan, Cote d’Ivoire, Cuba, Chile, Australia, and the United States. Jeanette De Melo is the executive director of Catholic News Agency and the National Catholic Register and co-host of EWTN Radio’s Register Radio. For 10 years, she was the Register’s editor in chief. She previously worked in diocesan communications in the New Orleans and Denver archdioceses. She holds a graduate degree from the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome, Italy and a bachelor’s degree from Franciscan University in Steubenville, OH, where in 2018 she also received an honorary doctorate. She lives in the greater New Orleans area with her husband and three children.
17 Peter Denio serves as Program Manager for Leadership Roundtable. He has worked nationally at leadership formation organizations that serve the Catholic Church and locally in parish ministry as a lay ecclesial minister for more than 30 years. He is currently on the advisory board of the Catholic Common Ground Initiative where he previously served as its director when it was housed at the National Pastoral Life Center. He holds a Masters in Pastoral Ministry from Boston College, a Masters in Public Administration from Seton Hall University, and is pursuing an Ecumenical Doctorate in Ministry from Catholic Theological Union. Bill Doherty, Ph.D. is a Professor in the Department of Family Social Science at the University of Minnesota and a cofounder of Braver Angels, a national organization working to reduce political rancor and restore the fraying social fabric of our society. Bill is the leader designer and trainer for Braver Angels workshops. He also facilitates the Police and Black MenProject in Minneapolis. His chief focus as a therapist is couples on the brink of divorce, the kind of work that has helped him address the political divide in the nation. Joe Ferullo is CEO & Publisher of the National Catholic Reporter, an independent non-profit news organization founded in 1964. Prior to NCR, Joe was an Executive Vice President of Programming at CBS, where he oversaw several long-running programs and helped guide his division’s transition into digital and streaming media. Joe worked for several years as a senior producer for Dateline NBC. He received an Emmy nomination for his story on Vietnamese war orphans; and an Education Writers’ Award with Maria Shriver for their look at inner city schools. He has also written for the New York Times, the Village Voice and Rolling Stone. Fr. Tom Gibbons, CSP currently serves as the Vice President of Paulist Productions. The Emmy-nominated documentary Fr. Tom directed, Hollywood Priest: the Story of Fr. Bud Kieser, will broadcast nationally through American Public Television this Spring. He is currently working on a film that will examine polarization in society today through the lens of the controversy surrounding Saint Junipero Serra entitled Statute of Limitations: Fr. Serra and the California Natives. A graduate of Loyola University of Maryland, Fr. Tom was ordained with the Paulist Fathers in 2012. Dr. Aimee Hein is an Assistant Professor of Moral theology at Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, TX. She received her PhD in Theological Ethics from Boston College, where she also taught. In 2021 she was the recipient of the Donald J. White Teaching Excellence Award for Graduate Teaching. Her first book, Theology in Motion: Migration, History, and Responsibility, is set to come out this fall through Fortress Press. Dr. Hein has also published articles on immigration, health care, and polarization. Her research interests include migration, ecological ethics, catholic social ethics, responsibility and peacebuilding. Diana Macalintal is the cofounder and codirector of TeamRCIA.com and Liturgy.life and is a widely-recognized leader in the areas of the catechumenate and Catholic liturgy and music. With a Master of Arts in Theology from Saint John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota, she served in campus, parish, and diocesan ministries for over 30 years. She is a prolific author and speaker, a liturgical composer, and serves on the advisory boards of several national Catholic organizations. In 2023 she and her husband, Nick Wagner, bought one-way tickets to the UK. Without a plan, they traveled 42 days through London, Edinburgh, Inverness, Dublin, Nenagh, Limerick, Belfast, Derry-Londonderry, and Galway waiting until prices dropped enough to fly back home to San Jose, California. This year they give thanks for having found a parish in Oakland that is worth the hour drive each way every Sunday. Fr. Ricky Manalo, CSP, Ph.D. is a Paulist priest, composer, theologian, and missionary who received the 2018 Pastoral Musician of the Year Award from the National Association of Pastoral Musicians. He studied composition and piano at the Manhattan School of Music, theology at the Washington Theological Union, and obtained his Ph.D. in liturgy, intercultural ministry, and sociology at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley. An author of Chanting On Our Behalf, which garnered a Catholic Press Association award, and The Liturgy of Life, a finalist in the 2015 Association of Catholic Publishers awards, Fr. Manalo serves as a theological consultor for the USCCB, co-authoring various statements in liturgy, music, and Asian American Catholicism.
18 Kate O’Brien is a community engagement professional who specializes in fostering collaboration between diverse groups. A year ago she became the Director of the Focolare Forum for Dialogue and Culture where she has dedicated much of her time to developing partnerships within the Bridging Movement in view of the 2024 presidential elections. Her mission, driven by her commitment to respond to Jesus’ prayer, “Father, may they all be one” (John 17, 21), is to help cultivate understanding among individuals and across cultures. Gloria Purvisis a strong Catholic voice for life issues, religious liberty, and racial justice. She is Executive Director and Host of The Gloria Purvis Podcast. She presented a powerful video series: Racism, Human Dignity and The Catholic Church through the Word on Fire Institute. She was part of a groundbreaking, exclusive interview with Pope Francis with a delegation from America Media. She is the Inaugural Pastoral Fellow at the McGrath Institute for Church Life at Notre Dame University and received Honorary Doctorates in Humane Letters from the University of Portland and Saint Martin’s University. John Michael Reyes has a Master of Divinity from the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University in Berkeley, CA, as well as Certificates in Liturgical Art and Architecture from Saint John’s School of Theology Seminary in Collegeville, MN, and in facilitating the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius through the St. Raphaela Center in Haverford, PA. His extensive professional background spans roles as a P-12 teacher, board member, hospital chaplain, and campus minister specializing in liturgy and sacramental formation. He has contributed written works to Ave Maria Press, Liturgical Press, Liturgy Training Publications, Paulist Press, and Twenty-Third Publications. Currently, John Michael is Director of Adult Spirituality at Saint Ignatius College Preparatory (San Francisco, CA), fostering Ignatian Spirituality and engaging in outreach and pastoral care for faculty, staff, and parents. Marilyn Santosis the Associate Director of the Secretariat of Evangelization and Catechesis at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. She previously served as the Director of Mission Education in the National Office of the Pontifical Mission Societies in the United States. She has held leadership positions in various ministries in the Archdiocese of Atlanta, Diocese of Brooklyn and Diocese of Metuchen. Marilyn served as the President of La RED- the National Catholic Network de Pastoral Juvenil Hispana. She served as a VIDES-Salesian Sisters Missionary in Ecuador. She has spoken and presented workshops at multiple national and diocesan conferences and gatherings including those sponsored by the USCCB, NCEA, NCCL, NFCYM, and LA Religious Ed Congress. Sam Sawyer, SJ is the editor in chief of America magazine, serving in that role since Dec. 1, 2022. He began working at America Media in 2015 with responsibility for digital strategy, shortly after his priestly ordination in 2014. He has written frequently on pastoral communication, especially about difficult topics such as abortion and the abuse crisis in the church. During his theology studies in formation, he helped to found The Jesuit Post and served as one of its first editors. In New York City, Fr. Sawyer currently assists at St. Francis Xavier Church. Sr. Nancy Usselmann, FSP is a Daughter of St Paul and the Director of the Pauline Media Studies in Los Angeles. She is a Media Literacy Educator, film/TV reviewer, writer, speaker, and author of A Sacred Look: Becoming Cultural Mystics a theology of popular culture. Sr Nancy is an Executive Board member of Catholics in Media Associates (CiMA) and The Christophers and is a candidate for a Doctorate in Ministry at The Catholic University of America developing a model of Media Mindfulness Catechesis, a way of integrating faith with our media experience. Fr. Aaron Wessman, GHM is the Vicar General and Director of Formation for the Glenmary Home Missioners. He has a PhD from the Catholic University of Louvain in Systematic Theology and is a Guest Lecturer at St. Meinrad Seminary. Fr. Aaron serves on the Editorial Board for Review for Religious and the Advisory Board for the Conference of Major Superiors of Men Religious (CMSM). He gives lectures and publishes regularly on the theme of Christianity and polarization, including his recent book The Church’s Mission in a Polarized World. He serves two prison systems in the Cincinnati, Ohio, region.
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The Paulist Initiative on Polarization emerged from the 2022 Paulist General Assembly with a specific goal in mind. It aims to effectively address and respond to the toxic polarization in our society, which hinders our ability to promote, practice, and achieve spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being. This impacts our local, diocesan, and national communities as well as the Church’s missionary endeavors. As a first order crisis, polarization creates barriers for respecting differences and, as a result, impairs any process for constructive dialogue in current civic and moral issues, including abortion, climate change, immigration, gender and sexuality, gun control, racism, and secularization. paulist.org | @PaulistFathers