A four-part virtual speaker series beginning Jan. 20 aims to bring clarity to several topics of Catholic teaching that are sometimes misunderstood when viewed through the lens of mainstream culture. Over the course of four weeks, the Faith and Culture Series will be addressing the sources of Catholic teaching, sexual morality and the family, the dignity of women, and the priesthood.

The series is part of the archdiocese’s preparation for an archdiocesan Synod planned for 2022. The topics arose from an analysis of more than 35,000 comments gathered from local Catholics during the 19 open and 11 focus Pre-Synod Prayer and Listening Events held by Archbishop Bernard Hebda and Bishop Andrew Cozzens between September 2019 and March 2020.

“There were very clear areas of lack of understanding of the Church’s teaching, and also people feeling strongly about the Church’s teaching in these areas,” Bishop Cozzens said. “It wasn’t like people said ‘oh, the Church is wrong’ and some people said ‘the Church is right on this,’ (but rather) that we need to hear about it more.”

The series’ aim is to provide a helpful catechetical resource on topics that can be difficult to understand via contemporary culture, he said.

When archdiocesan leaders moved the Synod from 2021 to 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the extra year — Year Two — presented an opportunity to begin addressing some of the needs the Prayer and Listening Events identified, without waiting for the Synod itself, Bishop Cozzens said. That led to creating a Praying with Scripture video series and a Healing and Hope virtual retreat launched in September and October, respectively, and an upcoming, five-part Synod at Home series during Lent.

Registrants can choose to virtually attend some or all of the events, but the topics are designed to build on one another, said Bishop Cozzens, chairman of the Synod executive committee.

“To understand the Church’s teaching on Christian sexuality or on the priesthood or women in the Church, you have to first understand where the Church teaching comes from, what is the source of Church teaching,” Bishop Cozzens said. “Then we go to the foundational question of Christian anthropology, which is really sexuality. And from there we go to understanding something that flows from that, which is complementarity. … And then the last area being the priesthood, which is, of course, related to the question of women, but also at the heart of the sacramental life of the Church.”

Michael Naughton, director of the Center for Catholic Studies at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, worked in a group with Bishop Cozzens to create the series.

“We Catholics need deeper formation,” Naughton said. “We need to recognize what the deep vision of our faith brings to the world — what’s the deep power of the Gospel. And we need witnesses, people who can witness that faith in reality.”

Each event will include a presentation from an expert explaining the Church’s understanding of the topic, followed by two speakers sharing from their own lives. Organizers hope that the series reaches a range of Catholics, from those seeking to be better apologists on complex topics to those who struggle to reconcile Church teaching with their own experiences. Registrants will have the opportunity to submit questions.

“Modern man doesn’t listen to teachers, he listens to witnesses. And if he does listen to teachers, it’s because they’re also witnesses,” Bishop Cozzens said, paraphrasing Pope Paul VI’s words in his 1975 apostolic exhortation “Evangelization in the Modern World.” “And so we really wanted to give witness to the Church’s beautiful teaching and tradition. We’re unapologetic in our presentation of faith in these (areas), because we are firmly convinced of the truth of the faith in these areas, and we want to present them in a way that will be attractive to people so they can become convinced.”

The series will be available at archspm.org/synod after its initial launch, and organizers hope it will be useful to catechists, Catholic school teachers and people preparing for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.

JOIN THE LIVE EVENT

Inspired by the thousands of participants at the Pre-Synod Prayer and Listening Events, this series connects their stories to the story of the Church. Each virtual event includes a talk, testimonials and a live panel discussion including Archbishop Bernard Hebda. Registration is required to participate live. Topics and updated dates are listed below; all events begin at 7 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 20: “Sources of Catholic Teaching (Scripture, Tradition and Magisterium)” presented by Bill Stevenson

Wednesday, Jan. 27: “The Church’s Teaching on Sexual Morality and the Family” presented by Dave and Cathy Deavel

Thursday, Feb. 4: “The Church’s Understanding on the Dignity of Women” presented by Helen Alvare

Tuesday, Feb. 9: “The Priesthood (Both Baptized and Ordained)” presented by Sister Esther Mary Nickel

Register at archspm.org/synod to participate and submit questions. Zoom links will be sent to registrants prior to each event. Registration is limited to 500 participants per event.