Conference on Redemptorists and race set for October 21-24

The triennial meeting of the Institute of Redemptorist Historical Studies: North America is set for Tuesday, October 21, through Thursday, October 24, 2019, at the Redemptorist Retreat Center in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin.

The conference theme is Redemptorists and Race. We will be looking at the history of the Redemptorists’ pastoral response to different cultural and racial groups and incorporate moments of self-examination when Redemptorists have addressed the question within their own ranks. The conference is open to everyone.

A light supper and an evening of gaudeamus will be offered Monday evening, October 20.

For full details, download the conference brochure.

The first full day of the conference will feature presentations by Father Glenn Parker and Susan Bayles-Ridgely, Ph.D., on the Redemptorist pastoral response to African-Americans. In the afternoon Bishop Jon Hansen of Mackenzie-Fort Smith, Northwest Territories, Canada, will focus on Redemptorist relationships to Canada’s indigenous peoples.

Thursday’s morning session will offer a panel consisting of Father Gary Lauenstein and Father Frank Skelly, addressing the topic of the Redemptorists and Hispanics. The afternoon sessions will be devoted to Redemptorist pastoral responses to the Vietnamese in America, led by Father Michael J. Truongluan Nguyen, and Redemptorists and Afro-Caribbeans, discussed by Brother Jeffrey Rolle and Father Ako Walker.

Cost for the conference is $250 per person, which includes meals and lodging for the week. Please make reservations with the retreat center as early as possible since the number of participants is limited. Contact the center at Redemptorist Retreat Center, 1800 North Timber Trail Lane, Oconomowoc, WI 53066, 262-567-6900.