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October 16, 2018

La Roche College to Host Catholic Common Ground Conversation on Nov. 14

PITTSBURGH, Oct. 16, 2018 – La Roche University invites the public to a Catholic Common Ground Conversation on Wednesday, Nov. 14, at 7 p.m. to discuss missionary martyrs as models for today’s Church in crisis. 

Facilitated by Edward Brett, Ph.D. and Donna Brett, the conversation will discuss the vision of Vatican II. The facilitators will explore if seven United States missionaries in Central America, who immersed themselves in a “spirituality of the poor,” can serve as models for a future Church.

The event will take place in the Ryan Room of the Zappala College Center at La Roche’s main campus in the North Hills. The event is free and open to anyone who wants to participate in a lively discussion.

The Catholic Common Ground Initiative, inspired by the call to be one in Christ, invites Catholics with differing views about critical issues in the Church to engage in prayerful dialogue for the sake of building up communion in the Church.

Dr. Brett and Donna Brett co-wrote the book “Murdered in Central America: The Stories of Eleven U.S. Missionaries.” Dr. Brett has written numerous articles which have appeared in journals such as U.S. Catholic Historian, American Catholic Studies and the Journal of Church and State. His book, “The New Orleans Sisters of the Holy Family: African American Missionaries to the Garifuna of Belize,” received the Bronze Award in the religion category of the Foreword Reviews’ 2012 Book of the Year contest.

Preregistration is strongly encouraged. Participants may make a free-will offering, the proceeds of which will be placed in the Sister Candace Introcaso Student Emergency Fund.

Register for the event at www.laroche.edu/martyrs.

About La Roche University: A private liberal arts college in the North Hills of Pittsburgh, La Roche College offers more than 50 undergraduate majors, six graduate degree programs and one doctoral program, with particular strengths in education, business, criminal justice, psychology, and health and medical sciences as well as interior design and graphic design. This residential college provides a vibrant campus community for more than 1,400 men and women enjoying 30-plus student organizations and an exciting NCAA Div. III athletics program. Founded by the Sisters of Divine Providence in 1963, La Roche University embraces its Catholic heritage while welcoming people of all faiths and backgrounds. With a legacy of social justice and a commitment to international exchange, La Roche University educates students to be lifelong learners and achievers in an increasingly diverse and global society.

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