EPS Locations

FIRST SEMESTER

Dying and Rising with Christ

Rev. Anthony McSweeney, S.S.S.
Very Rev. Anthony Frank Monks, M.I.
Very Rev. Dennis Billy, C.Ss.R.
Dr. Donna Orsuto

October 14, 21, 28; November 4, 11, 18, 25; December 2

Suffering and death touch each of our lives eventually. How can Christian faith nourish us in these times? In the first part of the course, Fr. McSweeney will offer a Scriptural reflection on suffering in light of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Fr. Monks will conclude the first section with practical insights on the pastoral care of the sick and dying. The second part of the course, taught by Fr. Dennis Billy and Dr. Donna Orsuto, will focus on Life Everlasting: The Church’s Teaching on the Last Things. It will include the Church’s teaching on death,
judgment, heaven and hell, purgatory, resurrection, and
hope in a New Creation.

Rev. Anthony McSweeney, S.S.S., formerly superior general
of the Blessed Sacrament Fathers, directs the center EUCHARISTIA.

Very Rev. Anthony Frank Monks, M.I., is the superior general
of the Order of the Ministers of the Sick (Camillians).

Rev. Dennis Billy, C.Ss.R., is professor of the history of moral
theology and Christian spirituality at the Accademia Alfonsiana in Rome.

Dr. Donna Orsuto teaches at the Gregorian University’s Insti-
tute of Spirituality, and she is director of the Lay Centre at Foyer Unitas and the Vincent Pallotti Institute.

The Tree of Life
and the Living Bread
(John 6:1-71)

Rev. Anthony McSweeney, S.S.S.

January 13, 20, 27; February 3, 10, 17, 2005

While one hears the term “spirituality” often in today’s world, earlier times spoke of “the search for wisdom.” By seeking wisdom, people sought answers to questions like: What can give my life meaning? What is worth my energy? How can I find peace and fulfillment?

A desire to answer the mind’s quest and the heart’s longing is at the center of the Gospel of John. Particularly in chapter six, the author goes back to the biblical story of the tree of life in Genesis and biblical wisdom literature to find ways to present Christ as the answer to our thirst for life and our hunger for meaning. As bread of life, Jesus Christ is seen as the authentic teacher of true wisdom, offering a sacramental nourishment for the journey to a fulfilled human existence. The course will lead participants through this remarkable chapter, in dialogue with their own questions and those of our times. Particular attention will be paid to the author’s eloquent use of metaphors and images.

SECOND SEMESTER

Christians in Dialogue
Islam: A Case Study

Dr. Sandra Keating
with the participation of
Most Rev. Michael Fitzgerald, M.Afr.

February 24; March 3, 10, 17

What is the commitment of the Roman Catholic Church to interreligious dialogue? After answering this question by looking at recent Church teaching, we will examine Christian dialogue with Islam.

Dr. Sandra Keating teaches at Providence College and lectures for EPS in Washington, Connecticut, New York, and Virginia.

Archbishop Michael Fitzgerald, M.Afr., is President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue.

Prophetic Voices in the City

Rev. Stephen Rehrauer, C.Ss.R.

April 7, 14, 21, 28; May 5, 12

Redemptorist Father Stephen Rehrauer will set the stage for his course by looking first at ways of reading the Old Testament. After examining the nature of prophecy, he will focus on principal themes of select prophets in their historical context, and show how they apply to our situation today.

Rev. Stephen Rehrauer, C.Ss.R., is invited professor of moral theology at the Accademia Alfonsiana in Rome and the Instituto Superior de Ciencias Morales in Madrid.

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The Vincent Pallotti Institute
at the Lay Centre

The Vincent Pallotti Institute is a unique program offering the laity excellent courses in Scripture and theology, together with practical insights into communicating the faith, building community, and serving others in their homes, parishes, jobs and communities. It seeks to enable lay women and men (English-speaking or with a command of English) who are in Rome on a short- or long-term basis to explore the riches of the Christian faith. VPI offers high-level instruction in theology, Scripture, and Church history, together with opportunities for spiritual development. Though its primary goal is to equip lay Catholics for a more vital living and sharing of their faith, VPI also welcomes people of other denominations and faiths.

The EPS/VPI Mission
and Christian Stewardship

VPI shares in the mission of the Education + Parish + Service Network, which is rooted in principles of Christian stewardship. Founded in 1978, EPS provides lay formation programs in five locations. It enrolls over 500 men and women each year and has more than 2,400 graduates. EPS’s mission is to give lay people a solid intellectual and spiritual grounding in the faith so they can live it, share it, and apply it in today’s complex, sophisticated world. Although there is no set tuition, VPI expects its students and graduates to contribute to program costs in an amount that reflects their ability. Only with the generous financial support of our students, graduates, and friends can we keep VPI available for every person, regardless of their financial circumstances. VPI also expects participants and graduates to share the benefits of their education with their families, faith communities, friends, co-workers, associates, neighbors, and people in need.

For registration and more information contact

The Lay Centre at Foyer Unitas
Via SS. Quattro 7
00184 Roma
ITALY

Staff:
Dr. Donna Orsuto
David Dawson Vasquez
Tel 011-39-06-772-6761
fax: (011-39) 06-772-676-235
e-mail: vpi@quipo.it

www.laycentre.org

We are located between the Basilica of Saint John Lateran and the Basilica of SS. Quattro Coronati. Take the Metro or bus to Colosseo/San Clemente: It is a 15 minute walk from there to Via SS. Quattro 7. Convenient buses:16, 85, 87, and 117.

VPI is the Rome branch of the EPS Network, based at Trinity College, Washington, DC, which provides lay formation programs in five locations.

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Advisory Council to the EPS Foundation Board
for the Vincent Pallotti Institute of the Laity

Archbishop Michael Fitzgerald M.Afr.(Chair)
Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue
Rev. Seamus Freeman, SAC, Pallottine Superior General
Rev. Dennis Billy, CSSR, VPI Faculty
Mrs. Pat Manson, VPI graduate and volunteer

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