Saint Matthew Speaker Series
Life is busy. Between work, family, friends, and all of our other responsibilities, it can be challenging to prioritize other aspects of our lives, including our faith. But as Jesus says in our patron’s Gospel, “Do not worry about your life, what you will eat [or drink], or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?” Our task is to find ways to engage with our faith and redirect our focus toward it. Doing so will make the “business” seem less busy.
To help with this, we are excited to announce the start of the Saint Matthew Speaker Series, beginning in March of 2023! Our Speaker Series is designed to bring the parish community together to deepen our shared faith by offering unique perspectives from verified Catholic voices. Join us as we welcome dignified speakers with local and national renown to explore some of the most important topics surrounding our faith and unpack our most pressing questions in life.
Introducing Our Next Speaker…
Dr. Ryan Hanning
Ryan Hanning, Ph.D. is a professor of Theology and Catholic studies at the University of Mary and an instructor and mentor for the Franciscan University of Steubenville’s Catechetical Institute. He coordinates the outreach for Catholics Come Home and serves as a founding fellow of the San Juan Diego Institute, which assists several universities, non-profits, and religious apostolates, and a fellow of the Havard Institute for Virtuous Leadership and the Institute of Catholic Theology. In addition to teaching and consulting, Ryan also serves as assistant editor at Hearth & Field, a Christian agrarian journal, and writes and speaks internationally on education, theology, ecological ethics, and virtuous leadership. Ryan currently homesteads in Tennessee with his beautiful wife, Rebecca, and their 10 well-socialized homeschooled children.
Talk 1:
What is Happiness?
Wednesday, March 22 | 7:30 p.m. | Church
We live in a world that constantly tells us what we need to be happy. The challenge is that the happiness the world offers is not enough to fill the deepest longings of our hearts. We are made for more. Jesus tells us that He “came so that we might have life more abundantly.” Join Ryan Hanning Ph.D., professor and author, as we examine God’s plan for human flourishing, and how to build the habits for lasting happiness.
Talk 2:
God’s Plan for the Family
Thursday, March 23 | 7:30 p.m. | Church
Family life is filled with joys and challenges. We often struggle to understand how God can use the messiness of family life in His plan for our salvation. However, the family has a privileged place in the Church, and rediscovering the role of the family is key to renewing our communities and culture. Join Ryan Hanning Ph.D., father and husband, as he shares the joy and trials of building your domestic Church.
Previous Speakers
More to come!