Upcoming Zoom Programs
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Important Information
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- Registration and payment are due by the start of the program.
- In all cases you will receive emails from Kassandra Souza, Administrative Assistant, at beatitudescentermb@gmail.com and if you have any problems or concerns contact Kassandra at this email address.
Kate Common. “Undoing Conquest: Ancient Israel, the Bible, and the Future of Christianity”
Saturday, June 13, 2026
11 am Pacific/2 pm Eastern
On June 13th, John Dear welcomes theologian Kate Common to the Beatitudes Center to talk about her new book, Undoing Conquest: Ancient Israel, the Bible, and the Future of Christianity (Orbis). She will explain how a newly uncovered history of the Hebrew people encourages churches to reflect on the long history of conquest within Christian colonialism, theology, and practice.As the Israeli war on Gaza and Iran rages on, Dr. Common will explore biblical violence, particularly in the Book of Joshua, unearthing ways the conquest story has deep roots in today’s conflicts—and shows how a new discovery can help faith communities deal with violence past and present.
She’ll propose the church as a place for restorative justice and repair, and even suggest a new liturgical season, the Season of Origins, to help churches do the work of healing and repair from legacies of Christian violence.
Dr. Kate Common, PhD, is the Assistant Professor of Public and Practical Theology at Methodist Theological School in Ohio, and the Theologian-in-Residence at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Northampton, MA. See: katecommon.com
This session will last an hour and a half; Cost: $30. Scholarships are available! Join us!
You will be sent a zoom link for the event on the Wednesday before the event. Please be on the lookout for it!
You will receive a recording of the event two days after it, in case you were not able to attend the live program, or want to watch it again.
Cancellation Policy: Refunds will not be honored after the zoom link is sent out. If you have any questions, please email Kassandra at:
beatitudescentermb@gmail.com See you then!
Ron Rolheiser. “A Spirituality for our Wisdom Years”
Saturday, June 27, 2026
11 am Pacific/2 pm Eastern
On June 27th, John Dear welcomes back to the Beatitudes Center writer and theologian, Fr. Ron Rolheiser, one of the most popular Catholic writers in the world, to speak on his new book, Insane for the Light: A Spirituality for Our Wisdom Years, the long-awaited conclusion of his trilogy of modern spiritual classics, following The Holy Longing and Sacred Fire.“As the shadows lengthen and we find ourselves no longer in the morning or noon of life but rather face its approaching dusk, we uncover a new spiritual task: to give away the final years of our lives and, ultimately, our deaths,” he says. “During life’s first years, we embark on a search for meaning and discover in ourselves a profound, unquenchable thirst for the Divine. And when we reach adulthood, we realize that we are called to give our lives away―to our spouses, children, careers, friends, and neighbors in need. But in the end, we must learn to let it all go…In these years, bitterness can give way to forgiveness, mere imagination to profound and subtle faith, wishful optimism to virtuous hope, and control to surrender. We see in Jesus a model for a spirituality of holy passivity rather than activity and find in him the courage to overcome the darkest nights of faith.”
Fr. Ron Rolheiser is the author of many best-sellers including The Restless Heart, The Shattered Lantern, The Holy Longing; Forgotten Among the Lilies; Prayer; Sacred Fire; and The Passion and the Cross. Orbis has published an anthology, Ron Rolheiser: Essential Spiritual Writings. He recently retired from his position as President of the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, Texas, but continues to write, teach and speak around the country. Visit www.ronrolheiser.com
This session will last an hour and a half; Cost: $30. Scholarships are available! Join us!
You will be sent a zoom link for the event on the Wednesday before the event. Please be on the lookout for it!
You will receive a recording of the event two days after it, in case you were not able to attend the live program, or want to watch it again.
Cancellation Policy: Refunds will not be honored after the zoom link is sent out. If you have any questions, please email Kassandra at:
beatitudescentermb@gmail.com See you then!
John Dominic Crossan and Michael Okinczyc-Cruz on “Jesus and Justice”
Saturday, July 11, 2026
11 am Pacific/2 pm Eastern
On July 11th, John Dear will welcome back to the Beatitudes Center one of the world’s greatest scripture scholars, John Dominic Crossan, along with Michael Okinczyc-Cruz, to talk about their new book, Jesus and Justice: Organizing for God’s Reign on Earth Then and Now (Amna Press). They will offer a joint presentation then take questions. Don’t miss this!
Jesus and Justice presents the life of the historical Jesus as a bold and transformative call to action. They will invite us to actively follow his nonviolent and revolutionary example. Grounded in rigorous historical analysis, they will show how Jesus organized a grassroots movement of poor and marginalized peasants to confront the Roman Empire’s economic, political, and ideological domination—an imperial system with striking parallels to today’s corporate-driven global order. They will discuss Jesus’ message as a radically anti-imperial vision of God’s Reign, as a collaborative, egalitarian and justice-centered alternative to systems built on scarcity and oppression. Drawing connections to modern movements led by figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and Dolores Huerta, they will offer a powerful spiritual and theological framework for confronting contemporary injustice. In the end, they will invite us to renew our commitment to Jesus’ revolution of love and nonviolent, organized action for God’s Reign on Earth.
John Dominic Crossan, Professor Emeritus of Religious Studies at DePaul University, Chicago, is an Irish-born biblical scholar with two-year post-doctoral diplomas in exegesis from Rome’s Pontifical Biblical Institute and in archeology from Jerusalem’s École Biblique. He has been a Catholic priest, a Co-Chair of the Jesus Seminar, and a President of the Society of Biblical Literature. His focus, whether scholarly or popular, whether in books, videos, or lectures, is on the historical Jesus as the norm and criterion for the entire Christian Bible. His many books include: God and Empire: Jesus Against Rome; How to read the Bible and Still Be a Christian; Resurrecting Easter; In Search of Paul; Excavating Jesus; The Birth of Christianity; Who Killed Jesus?; The Historical Jesus; The Essential Jesus; Jesus: A Revolutionary Biography; and his memoir, A Long Way from Tipperary.
Co-author Michael Okinczyc-Cruz, is the Executive Director and co-founder of the Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership. He is a community organizer in Chicago who has worked alongside faith communities and thousands of grassroots leaders to address poverty, violence and systemic inequities. He is also an adjunct professor at the Institute of Pastoral Studies at Loyola University of Chicago. Michael possesses a BA from the University of California-Berkeley, a Master’s in Theology from Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School and a Doctorate of Ministry from Fordham University.
This session will last an hour and a half; Cost: $30. Scholarships are available! Join us!
You will be sent a zoom link for the event on the Wednesday before the event. Please be on the lookout for it!
You will receive a recording of the event two days after it, in case you were not able to attend the live program, or want to watch it again.
Cancellation Policy: Refunds will not be honored after the zoom link is sent out. If you have any questions, please email Kassandra at:
beatitudescentermb@gmail.com See you then!
Joyce Rupp in conversation with John Dear on “Compassion and Prayer”
Saturday, July 25, 2026
11 am Pacific/2 pm Eastern
On July 25th, John Dear will welcome to the Beatitudes Center the beloved spiritual writer Joyce Rupp, who is also a spiritual guide, international retreat leader and conference speaker. They will have a conversation on “Compassion and Prayer,” and then open it up for questions and dialogue.Joyce Rupp is the author of three dozen bestselling books on topics as diverse as grief, compassion, aging in midlife and in the later years, prayers and poems for every occasion, reflections on nature, and a memoir of her walk of 450 miles across northern Spain. Her work has been published in nineteen countries. Among her bestsellers are Boundless Compassion; Return to the Root; Jesus Guide of My Life; Constant Hope; Dear Heart Come Home; Praying Our Goodbyes; Inviting God In; and Walk in a Relaxed Manner. Orbis Books also published Joyce Rupp: Essential Writings.
While writing remains her first love, she also companions others as a spiritual guide. Joyce Rupp is a member of the Servite community (Servants of Mary) and was a volunteer for Hospice for fifteen years. She resides in West Des Moines, Iowa.
This session will last an hour and a half; Cost: $30. Scholarships are available! Join us!
You will be sent a zoom link for the event on the Wednesday before the event. Please be on the lookout for it!
You will receive a recording of the event two days after it, in case you were not able to attend the live program, or want to watch it again.
Cancellation Policy: Refunds will not be honored after the zoom link is sent out. If you have any questions, please email Kassandra at:
beatitudescentermb@gmail.com See you then!
Todd Walatka on Saint Oscar Romero’s Prophetic Voice for Peace
Saturday, August 22nd, 2026
11 am Pacific/2 pm Eastern
On August 22nd, John Dear welcomes to the Beatitudes Center Notre Dame Professor Todd Walatka to talk about the legendary saint Archbishop Oscar Romero and Todd’s new book: Words of Life: The Preaching of St. Óscar Romero, an introduction to the preaching of Romero (Orbis).Todd teaches in the Department of Theology at the University of Notre Dame, where he also chairs the Romero Studies Working Group at the Kellogg Institute. He writes and teaches on Catholic theology after Vatican II, Latin American theology, Catholic social teaching, and Christian spirituality. He is also the author of Mission to Love: 30 Days with Óscar Romero, a devotional centered on Romero’s prophetic preaching. He lives with his wife and children in South Bend, Indiana.
Archbishop Oscar Romero remains one of the greatest saints and prophets of history. He was assassinated while saying Mass on March 24, 1980, in El Salvador, after calling the day before during Sunday Mass at the Cathedral, upon all soldiers of El Salvador to quit the military and the government to stop the war and repression. Romero serves as a model for all of us to rise to the occasion and speak out against war, injustice, and the ongoing systematic oppression of the poor.
This session will last an hour and a half; Cost: $30. Scholarships are available! Join us!
You will be sent a zoom link for the event on the Wednesday before the event. Please be on the lookout for it!
You will receive a recording of the event two days after it, in case you were not able to attend the live program, or want to watch it again.
Cancellation Policy: Refunds will not be honored after the zoom link is sent out. If you have any questions, please email Kassandra at:
beatitudescentermb@gmail.com See you then!
Robert Jonas, “Teachings and Stories of Henri Nouwen on the 30th anniv. of his death”
Saturday, September 19th, 2026
11 am Pacific/2 pm Eastern
September marks the 30th anniversary of the death of the beloved spiritual writer Henri Nouwen. In honor of Henri, the Beatitudes Center will host one of his best friends, Robert Jonas, to speak about Henri’s life, teachings, and lessons on Sat. Sept. 19th. Join us!Robert Jonas received his Ed.D. from Harvard University and has a Masters in theology from the Weston Jesuit School of Theology. He is the author/editor of The Essential Henri Nouwen, (Shambhala Publications), as well as Henri Nouwen: Spiritual Master (Orbis) and Rebecca (Crossroad). His latest book, My Dear Far-Nearness: The Holy Trinity as Spiritual Practice (Orbis), won an Illumination Book Award (see: www.mydearfar-nearness.org)
Dr. Jonas is the director of The Empty Bell, a contemplative sanctuary in Northampton, MA (www.emptybell.org) which offers resources for contemplative Christians and for Buddhist-Christian dialogue. Trained as a psychotherapist, Dr. Jonas is now a retreat leader, author, video artist, musician, and environmental steward. A Christian in the Carmelite tradition, he also received spiritual formation with Buddhist teachers. Jonas serves on the Board of the Society for Buddhist-Christian Studies (society-buddhist-christian-studies.org), is a past Board member of the Henri Nouwen Society, and a long-term member of the Eckhart Society. He recently retired as Chair of the Board of the Kestrel Land Trust in Amherst, MA (www.kestreltrust.org) He is also a student of Sui-Zen, the Japanese bamboo flute (shakuhachi). He has played in many secular and spiritual contexts and has played at three Buddhist-Christian retreats with the Dalai Lama, including a performance under the Bodhi Tree in India. Jonas has produced three CD’s of shakuhachi music: “Blowing Bamboo,” “New Life from Ruins” and “Many Paths, One Joy.” “Blowing Bamboo” is available on iTunes.
This session will last an hour and a half; Cost: $30. Scholarships are available! Join us!
You will be sent a zoom link for the event on the Wednesday before the event. Please be on the lookout for it!
You will receive a recording of the event two days after it, in case you were not able to attend the live program, or want to watch it again.
Cancellation Policy: Refunds will not be honored after the zoom link is sent out. If you have any questions, please email Kassandra at:
beatitudescentermb@gmail.com See you then!
