Susan A. Ross, Ph.D., professor of theology at Loyola University Chicago and author of "Extravagant Affections: A Feminist Sacramental Theology," will deliver the second annual Anne Drummey O'Callaghan lecture on Women in the Church at Fairfield University's Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts on Wednesday, Oct. 2 at 8 p.m.

The title of Dr. Ross' lecture, "Be Thou My Vision: Women and the Sacramental Life of the Church," is taken from an Irish hymn. She will use the verses of the hymn to reflect on the contributions of women in light of the current crises in the church.

"The words of the old Irish hymn 'Be Thou My Vision' sing of relying on God alone, where wisdom, shelter, dignity and delight are our inheritance," Dr. Ross says. "As increasing numbers of women take responsibility for sacramental preparation and education, liturgical planning, preaching and ministering to those in need, what does this mean for our sacramental life, a central element of Catholic identity?"

Loyola recognized Dr. Ross' distinguished work in systematic, feminist and sacramental theology by naming her faculty scholar. She received her bachelor's degree from Manhattanville College in Purchase, N.Y., and her master's and doctorate from the University of Chicago. Prior to joining the Loyola faculty, she taught at St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wis., and Duquesne University in Pittsburgh.

Dr. Ross is the author of "Extravagant Affections" (Continuum Press, 1998), "Broken and Whole: Essays on Religion and the Body" (University Press of America, 1995) and numerous articles and book chapters. She is at work on a new book on feminist theology and beauty.

Dr. Ross has received the Louisville Institute Sabbatical Grant, the College Theology Society's 1999 Book of the Year award and the Ann O'Hara Graff Award of the Women's Seminar of the Catholic Theological Society of America.

The annual lecture at Fairfield honors the memory of Anne Drummey O'Callaghan, an advocate for people with mental handicaps and a youth minister and catechist at St. Jerome and St. Joseph churches in Norwalk, Conn. Admission is free. For more information, call (203) 254-4010 or toll free at 1-877-ARTS-396.

Posted On: 07-10-2002 09:07 AM

Volume: 35 Number: 17