Center for Catholic Studies

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Lectures

Throughout the year, the Center for Catholic Studies invites nationally recognized scholars to share their expertise on a wide range of topics as they pertain to Catholic Studies. Please join us!

Spring 2024 lectures are free and open to the public. The Bellarmine Lecture on Jan. 31 and the Commonweal Lecture on April 9 are available for both in-person attendance and livestream viewing.

For further information contact Mary Crimmins, Administrative Coordinator at mcrimmins@fairfield.edu or (203) 254-4000 ext. 2097.

Commonweal in Conversation: A Virtual Seminar

Catholicism & Gender

The Catholic Church’s understanding of gender, sex and sexuality has emerged as a crisis for many in the pews, a rallying point for others, and a deal-breaker for younger adults who step away from Catholicism. In this new series on contemporary questions, important voices from Commonweal magazine will join thinkers from across the Catholic landscape to chart potential pathways forward.

These online-only events are free and open to the public. Please register to join us!

Meet Our Team

Nancy Dallavalle headshot

Nancy Dallavalle

Director

Center for Catholic Studies

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Get to Know Nancy

Nancy Dallavalle is the director of the Center for Catholic Studies as well as an associate professor of religious studies and special assistant to the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Fairfield University in Fairfield, Connecticut. She received a bachelor’s degree in music from Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, a master’s degree in theology from Saint John's University in Collegeville, Minnesota, and a PhD in theology from the University of Notre Dame, writing on the doctrine of the Trinity, under the direction of the late Catherine Mowry LaCugna.

Dr. Dallavalle's current work focuses on the meeting of feminist thought and Catholic theology. She has given papers at the annual meetings of the Catholic Theological Society of America (CTSA) and the American Academy of Religion, and currently serves the CTSA as a member of the board of directors. She has published scholarly articles in journals such as Modern Theology, Horizon, Philosophy & Theology, and Liturgy, and has contributed book chapters to volumes on Catholic thought.

She has served on the National Jesuit Seminar, the Diocesan Pastoral Council for the Diocese of Bridgeport [for Bishop William Lori], the national board of directors for Collegium, and the advisory board of directors for the Liturgical Press.

At Fairfield University, Dr. Dallavalle has served in a variety of mission-related roles, including as vice president for mission and identity, and she has served the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities extensively on visiting teams evaluating mission programming in Jesuit higher education. She has served on evaluation teams for the New England Commission of Higher Education, most recently visiting Catholic universities in Lebanon.

Dr. Dallavalle speaks to both general and scholarly audiences on topics such as the Church in the public square and gender in Catholic thought, and has appeared on CNN and CBS as well as authoring pieces for the Connecticut Post and Commonweal.

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Mary Crimmins

Administrative Coordinator

Center for Social Impact

Center for Catholic Studies

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Get to Know Mary

Mary Crimmins is the Administrative Coordinator for the Center for Social Impact. In this capacity Mary interacts with faculty, other departments and outside partners to ensure the achievement of the Center’s objectives.

Mary is also the Administrative Coordinator for the Center for Catholic Studies. As administrative coordinator, Mary interacts with faculty, lecturers, and other departments to ensure the achievement of the Center’s objectives.

Mary received her BA in 1991 with a focus on marketing, from St. Bonaventure University. Prior to taking a hiatus to raise her three daughters, Mary held a variety of administrative positions in marketing and promotion, most recently with Breitling, a manufacturer of premium watches. Mary is an 18-year resident of Fairfield and mostly enjoys spending time with her three daughters, Emily, Nicole, Claire and husband Mike.

Learn More About the Center for Catholic Studies

What We Do

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What We Do

Catholic Studies is an interdisciplinary inquiry into the intellectual tradition, history, and culture — both "high" and popular — of the Catholic Christian tradition.

The Center for Catholic Studies at Fairfield University exists to sponsor four related sets of activities. They are:

  1. To establish and administer an undergraduate interdisciplinary minor program in Catholic Studies.
  2. To work to support the academic component of "mission and identity" education and programming on campus.
  3. To promote an understanding and appreciation of the Catholic intellectual tradition on campus.
  4. To establish programming for, and outreach to, the local community — especially but not exclusively the local Catholic community.

 

Where to Find Us

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Where to Find Us

Directions to campus and an interactive map of Fairfield University can help you locate the venue of on-campus lecture and workshop events.

Campus Map

Our Advisory Board

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Our Advisory Board

Meet the members of the Center for Catholic Studies Advisory Board.
Meet the Advisory Board

Event Archives

View recordings of prior lectures sponsored by the Center for Catholic Studies.

Online Resources

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