Dr. Philip Blosser, professor of philosophy, gave a presentation, “The Christian Sources of Dr. Martin Luther King’s Philosophy of Non-Violent Resistance,” for faculty, staff and students of Sacred Heart on Martin Luther King Day, January 21. He has a forthcoming article, “Scheler and ‘Values that Belong to the Ethical Sphere,’” PHENO-5; a forthcoming review of The Teachings of Modern Christianity on Law, Politics and Human Nature, Vol. II, (Columbia University Press, 2006) in the Fellowship of Catholic Scholars Quarterly; and a forthcoming chapter, “Can a Schelerian ethic be grounded in the heart without losing its head?” in A Festschrift for Lester Embree on the Occasion of His 70th Birthday, ed., Tom Nenon and Philip Blosser.

Fr. Richard J. Cassidy, professor of Sacred Scripture, published a review of the Richard P. Thompson’s book, Keeping the Church in Its Place: The Church as Narrative in Acts, in the spring issue of Horizons: The Journal of the College Theology Society. In April, Father journeyed to Fordham University in New York City to participate in the official
farewell events for Avery Cardinal Dulles, including the presentation of his final McGinley Chair Lecture.

Dr. Patricia Cooney Hathaway, associate professor of spirituality and systematic theology, gave these presentations: all-day conference, “Male and Female Similarities and Differences: Implications for Spiritual Direction, ” Manresa Institute for Spiritual Direction, February 2; “Becoming a Whole Person,” Fox Run Center for Continuous Learning, February 8; MAPS formation program, “Sexuality and the Spiritual Life,” March 15. She attended a weekend conference, “Young Catholics and the Future of the Church: What’s Happening?” Holy Cross College, Worchester, MA, March 22-24.

Dr. Eduardo Echeverria, professor of philosophy, published a monograph in the Christian Social Thought Series, entitled, Slitting the Sycamore: Christ and Culture in the New Evangelization, The Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty.

Dr. Robert Fastiggi, professor of systematic theology, published the entries on “Hell,” “Purgatory,” “The Church,” “Roman Catholic Church” and “Monotheism” for the International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences 2nd edition (Macmillan Reference USA/Thomson Gale, 2008). He gave these talks: “Catholic Understanding of Marriage,” Culture of Life Series, St. Sebastian Parish, Dearborn Heights, MI, December 11; “Catholic Doctrines about Mary,” Sweetest Heart of Mary Parish, Detroit, January 10; Catholic teaching on capital punishment, Lex Vitae, Ave Maria School of Law, Ann Arbor, MI, February 8, where he also gave guest lectures (March 17 and 26) on the levels of assent to Magisterial teachings; a reflection for the “Generation Christ” group, St. Thomas Parish, Ann Arbor, MI, March 2; a presentations on Pope Benedict XVI’s book, Jesus of Nazareth, St. Valerie of Ravenna Parish, Clinton Township, MI, March 5 and 12; Catholic teachings on the Blessed Mother, confirmation retreat, Holy Redeemer Parish, Detroit, March 15. He was a substitute speaker for Fr. Benedict J. Groeschel, CFR, Lenten Symposium of Holy Trinity Apostolate, Sts. Cyril and Methodius Parish, Sterling Heights, MI, February 23. Dr. Fastiggi has been teaching classes on Sacred Scripture at St. Joseph Chaldean Catholic Church, Troy, MI, for the Eastern Catholic Re-Evangelization Center, and lecturing on Church history for the novices and postulants of the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, Ann Arbor, MI.

Fr. Daniel Jones, assistant professor of theology, gave three talks at the Marian Advent Retreat, Madonna University, Livonia, MI, December 8: “God’s Purpose in Calling us to Faith,” “The Working of Faith in Our Lives,” and “The Virtue of Hope.” He gave a series of talks to first-year theologians of Sacred Heart: January 12, “Christian Personal Relationships Today” and “Loving One Another in Christ”; February 16, “Death and Life are in the Power of the Tongue” and “Relationships of Brotherhood and Friendship”; March 15, “Working on Problems in Relationships” and “Helping Each Other Change.” On February 7, he spoke at the Catholic Central Father–Son Evening of Recollection, Plymouth, MI, on “Faith, the Doorway to God” and “Saving Your Life by Losing It.” On February 22, he gave three talks at the Diocese of Lansing Ongoing Formation Day, Fowlerville, MI: “The Virtue of Faith,” “The Virtue of Hope” and “The Mysterious Virtue of Charity.” His book, Christus Sacerdos in the Preaching of St. Augustine: Christ and Christian Identity (Lang, 2004), received its fourth review, in Antiphon (2007, 11.1).

Dr. Daniel Keating, associate professor of theology, presented these talks: “Youth Culture and Media,” Spiritus Sanctus Academy Parents’ Group, December 4; young adult men on being “Men of Faith,” Kairos WinterConference, Columbus, OH, January 5; Armenian history class, University of Michigan, on the early councils of the Church, January 17; University Christian Outreach in Lansing, “Humility and Servanthood,” February 8. He gave a threepart Bible study, “Worship in the Old and New Testament,” to UCO in Ann Arbor, MI, January–February; led a workshop at the Catholic Young Adult Conference, “Incorporating Sacred Scripture into Our Daily Lives,” St. Francis Parish, Ann Arbor, March 29; gave a lecture course, “Introduction to the New Testament,” to the novitiate of the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, January–March.

Dr. Mark Latkovic, professor of moral and systematic theology, published “Kevin O’Rourke, OP, on the Morality of Tube Feeding PVS Patients: A Critique,” Artificial Nutrition and Hydration: The New Catholic Debate (Springer, 2007), and “The Vocation to Heal: Health Care in the Light of Catholic Faith: Scriptural, Theological, and Philosophical Reflections,” Linacre Quarterly (February 2008). He presented “Iraq, the ‘Surge,’ and Just-War Theory: Some Thoughts about the Current Situation in Light of Catholic Morality,” Detroit Archdiocesan Presbyteral Council’s Disputed Questions Debate on “The Justice of Continued Action/War in Iraq,” Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, Detroit, February 19.

Mr. Ralph Martin, assistant professor of theology, gave parish missions, retreats, lectures and conferences, December-March, at: St. Thomas Aquinas, E. Lansing, MI; Third Order Carmelites, Atlanta, GA; Legatus Chapter, Ann Arbor, MI; Christ the King Parish Men’s Retreat, Ann Arbor, MI; Ave Maria University, Naples, FL; Diocese of W. Palm Beach, Conference; Iowa State University, Ames, IA; St. Thomas More Parish, Ames, IA; St. John of the Cross, Vero Beach, FL; St. Thomas the Apostle, Ann Arbor, MI; St. John the Evangelist, Darien, CT; Catholic Men’s Breakfast, Darien, CT; St. Joseph Parish, Wakefield, MA; St. Anastasia Parish, Teaneck, NJ; St. Thomas More Student Parish, Bowling Green, OH; St. Robert Parish, Institute for Priestly Formation Day of Reflection, Omaha, NE. He attended board meetings of: Institute for Priestly Formation, Omaha, NE; Impact Catholic Youth Ministries, Denver, CO; Catholic Renewal Ministries of Canada, Toronto, CA; St. Joseph Parish, Pewamo, MI; St. Peter and Paul Parish, Eaton Rapids, MI. He produced a thirteen-week series on “The Fulfillment of All Desire,” EWTN, Birmingham, AL; two-part series on Catholic Television, Vero Beach, FL; interview with Archbishop Thomas Collins, The Choices We Face.

Dr. Michael J. McCallion, chair of Catholic social analysis, gave a presentation to the Pontiac Area Vicariate Professional Ministers on data from a survey he assisted in conducting on “Pastoral Care to the Sick,” February 19, and to the Pontiac Area Vicariate Pastoral Council, February 25. He helped design and administer the survey “Michigan in
Crisis,” which was distributed to all parishes in the Archdiocese of Detroit and was analyzed for the Michigan in Crisis Summit held at SHMS April 15. He is involved in an ongoing research project on the New Evangelization and presented findings at the Faculty Luncheon Colloquium, February 27. He helped design and analyze the data from the “Pastor Preparation Program” survey with Msgr. Michael Lefevre, December, and assisted three students in the STL program design their survey instruments during this time.

Fr. John McDermott, sj, professor of theology, gave two talks to the faculty at St. John Vianney Seminary, Denver, CO: “Faith and Reason in Twentieth Century Catholic Theology” and “Benedict XVI’s Regensburg Speech,” January. He published two articles: “Jesus Alone or Jesus among the Gods? Alberto Cozzi’s Gesù Cristo tra le Religioni,” Irish
Theological Quarterly 72 (2007), and “Charles Curran’s Moral Theory: Foundational and Sexual Ethics,” Anthropotes 2007 (23/1).

Dr. Edward Peters, chair of faculty development, gave an interview to the National Catholic Register on how changes in sacramental form render baptism invalid, and his comments on Abp. Raymond Burke’s canonical discipline of a schismatic priest were picked up by the Catholic News Agency. He gave interviews on canon law on the Al Kresta Show, the Drew Mariani Show and Catholic Answers Live, and had three “advisory opinions” published in the 2007 edition of the Canon Law Society of America’s Roman Replies and Advisory Opinions. His reply to canonist Kevin O’Rourke and theologian John Hardt on the authority of a 2007 Responsum from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith was published in the Spring 2008 edition of the National Catholic Bioethics Quarterly.

Rev. William Promesso, adjunct professor of homiletics, led the Lent parish mission speaking on “The Temptations,” St. Mary Parish, Monroe, MI, February 9-12. He writes a monthly column, “Faith Forward,” in the New-Herald Newspapers on contemporary issues, with his March 9 article on the proper role of faith in the political process.

Dr. Victor Salas, assistant professor of philosophy, participated in the Sacred Heart Spirituality Module at the beginning of winter term, January 5-6, delivering a series of talks on the “Virtues.” His article “The Judgmental Character of Thomas Aquinas’s Analogy of Being” was accepted for publication in The Modern Schoolman.

Dr. Janet E. Smith, chair of life ethics, was awarded the Veritas Award, St. Thomas Aquinas Institute, Ave Maria University, and the Pope Paul VI Award, Bishops’ NFP Committee, Dallas, TX. She gave these talks: “Family: The Path to Holiness,” Legatus, Ann Arbor, MI, March 19, and “What the Catholic Church Teaches about Homosexuality,” Creighton University, Omaha, NE, March 25. On a speaking tour of Scotland, Ireland and London, she presented: “Contraception: Why Not?,” Glasgow University, February 26; “Reasons for Dissent against Humanae Vitae,” priests of the Diocese of Paisley Scotland, February 27; “In Vitro Fertilization and Embryonic Stem Cell Research,” Cathedral Hall, Edinburgh, February 28; “Why Premarital Sex is Wrong,” Catholic Teacher Training, Edinburgh, February 29; “Contraception: Why Not?,” and “The Differences between Contraception and NFP,” Fertility Care Center, Glasgow, March 1; “Theology of the Body,” Pure in Heart, Dublin Ireland, March 3; “Contraception: Why Not?,” John Paul II Society at St. Patrick National Seminary, Maynooth, Ireland, March 4; “Contraception: Why Not?,” seminary of Westminster Diocese at Allen Hall 5:30, London, March 5; “Contraception: Why Not?,” Catholic Chaplaincy of London University, Newman House, March 5; “Reasons for Dissent against Humanae Vitae,” priests at St. Mary Moorfield, London, March 6; “Contraception: Why Not?,” Westminster Cathedral Hall, London, March 6; “Conscious Parenthood” keynoted address, Conference on the Fortieth Year Anniversary of Humanae Vitae, February 4. She gave talks on Humanae Vitae, the Culture of Life and various bioethical issues: Wabash College, Crawfordsville, IN, February 19; The Bishops’ NFP Committee, Dallas TX, January 22; Cathedral of Christ the King, Atlanta, GA, January 18; Fellowship of Catholic University Students, Grapevine, TX, January 4; and a series on bioethics, the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, Ann Arbor, MI, spring 2008.

Fr. Daniel Trapp, associate professor of systematic theology, liturgy and sacraments, gave a weeklong opening retreat for St. Francis Seminary students, Milwaukee, WI, January 6–11; a parish evening of reflection, “The Christian Passover: Christ, the Church and the Christian,” Christ the Good Shepherd Parish, Lincoln Park, MI, March 11; a retreat day for Lansing diocesan personnel, St. Francis Retreat Center, DeWitt, MI, March 13.