Talks

at the Stella maris institute

Magnifica Humanitas and Catholic Perspectives on Artificial Intelligence (AI)

September 22, 2026 at 7:00 pm | Stievenard Hall, St. Bernadette

Speaker: Rev. Andrew Pinsent, PhD, Assistant Professor of Systematic Theology and Philosophy, Mt. St. Mary's Seminary

What is Artificial Intelligence (AI) and what are its implications for the Catholic faith in the light of the first encyclical of Pope Leo XIV, Magnifica Humanitas? In this presentation, Fr Andrew Pinsent, a former particle physicist at CERN and Catholic priest, explores the meaning of AI and issues of understanding, attention, free will, truth and goodness.

FR. ANDREW PINSENT is an Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Theology at the Athenaeum of Ohio
and was formerly the Research Director of the Ian Ramsey Centre for Science and Religion at the
University of Oxford. He was a particle physicist on the DELPHI experiment at CERN, and is a
philosopher, theologian, and Catholic priest. In the media, in schools, and at a great diversity of other
venues, he is a regular contributor to public engagement with science and faith issues.

Coming Alive in Christ amid the Chaos of Family Life

October 13 | 6:30 PM | Stievenard Hall, St. Bernadette

Speaker: Julie Yost, wife, mother, author

Jesus says, ‘Come to me all [parents] who are weary, and I will give you rest.’ (Matthew 11:28) Enjoy a night of food, fellowship, and moments of rest and refreshment with the Lord. Our speaker will share heartwarming and inspirational stories from family life, give practical tools for connecting with God in the midst of the chaos, and invite you into moments of real encounter with Jesus.

Who it’s for: Bring the entire family! This talk is geared toward parents, but all adult parishioners are invited to attend. Childcare and a youth ministry experience will be provided for children and youth grades 12 and under.

JULIE YOST is a wife and mother who has dedicated her life to serving the Catholic Church in various roles, including high school religion teacher, community service director, and campus minister. She has also volunteered extensively in children’s, youth, and women’s ministries—teaching classes, leading retreats, and speaking at events. Through enduring the profound loss of children and surviving her own battle with breast cancer, Julie has developed a deep understanding of God’s presence amid suffering and His ability to bring about healing and redemption. She is passionate about sharing the hope she’s found in her most challenging seasons and loves inspiring others to encounter the Lord during their own times of struggle and hardship. You can connect with Julie at www.julieyost.com

The Both/And of Faith and Politics

October 22 at 7:30 pm | Stievenard hall, St. Bernadette

Speaker: Kenneth Craycraft, PhD, professor of moral theology, Mt. St. Mary's Seminary

Catholic moral theology does not endorse any particular political system as the proper way to order our lives together. Our faith does, however, stand in critical judgment over all political and legal structures. This talk will explain how those two things should be held in tension as we think about our own political lives.

DR. KENNETH CRAYCRAFT is the James J. Gardner Family Chair of Moral Theology at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary & School of Theology. He is also the host of Driving Home the Faith, weekdays at 4:00 p.m. on Sacred Heart Radio. He writes a biweekly column for Catholic World Report, and monthly columns for OSV News and The Catholic Telegraph. He is the author of Citizens Yet Strangers: Living Authentically Catholic in a Divided America.

Real Friendship

October 27 | 7:00 PM | Stievenard Hall, St. Bernadette

Speakers: Brad Bursa and Lawain McNeil

In a culture of isolation, people looking for authentic friendship often struggle to find it. So we must ask, what is friendship in the first place? What does it look like? How does it change us? And is friendship with God even possible?

BRAD BURSA is director of evangelization and director of the Stella Maris Institute at the Stella Maris Family of Parishes. He holds BA and MA degrees in theology from Franciscan University of Steubenville, and a PhD in Theology from The University of Notre Dame Australia. Brad is the author of Because He Has Spoken to Us and Surviving Catholic Ministry. Brad and his wife (Katie) have eight children.

Eucharistic Living

November 24 at 7:00 pm | Stievenard hall, St. Bernadette

Speaker: Brad Bursa, director of evangelization, Stella Maris

St. Augustine claims that in receiving the Eucharist, the Eucharist itself transforms the communicant into Christ. In other words, receiving the Eucharist initiates us into a kind of Eucharistic living. What does this mean? Come to the talk and find out.

BRAD BURSA is the director of evangelization and director of the Stella Maris Institute at the Stella Maris Family of Parishes. He holds BA and MA degrees in theology from Franciscan University of Steubenville, and a PhD in Theology from The University of Notre Dame Australia. Brad is the author of Because He Has Spoken to Us and Surviving Catholic Ministry. Brad and his wife (Katie) have eight children.