Sponsored by the Center for Catholic Studies at Fairfield University, the Rev. Cass L. Shaw will present the 28th Annual Christopher F. Mooney, S.J., Lecture in Theology, Religion & Society on Wednesday, November 10 at 7:30 p.m. This in-person event will also be livestreamed for virtual attendance.
At critical times throughout history, the Christian Church has met the moment splendidly, at other times we have failed miserably. As we examine the pressure points today — regarding racism, sexuality, poverty, politics, and nationalism — are we meeting this present moment with faithfulness and courage? What does it mean to be faithful, when there are competing, sometimes strident voices within the Church pulling us in different directions?
The Rev. Cass L. Shaw, a member of the Presbyterian Church USA, will address these questions in her lecture, “Meeting the Moment, How Faithful Is the Church?”, in the Dolan School of Business Event Hall at Fairfield University on Wednesday, Nov. 10 at 7:30 p.m. This in-person event is free and open to the public, and will also be available for remote viewers. Register for the livestream at fairfield.edu/cs.
Rev. Shaw was ordained as Minister of Word and Sacrament in 1980. After the seminary , she spent 20 years in the pastorate, leading ministries in Cape May, N.J.; Tamil Nadu, South India; Tenafly, N.J.; and New City, N.Y. She then spent 13 years as the Executive Presbyter of Albany Presbytery, in upstate New York, overseeing the ministries of more than 70 congregations.
Moving to Bridgeport in 2013, Rev. Shaw spent the last 8 years serving as president and CEO of the Council of Churches of Greater Bridgeport, a faith-based, non-denominational, non-profit organization which seeks to transform our community through direct service, bridge building, and advocacy.
The Council of Churches is active in facilitating conversations on race and white privilege. It oversees a network of 22 food pantries and soup kitchens; offers free culinary courses to low-income residents and an incubator kitchen for new entrepreneurs; serves youth in crisis through intervention, counseling, and respite care; promotes ecumenical and interfaith collaboration; and raises a voice for justice through advocacy on critical issues facing our region, our state, and our country.
Rev. Shaw retired from the Council of Churches at the end of June 2021, and continues to be active in advocating for justice and equity in the Greater Bridgeport area.
Register for the 28th Annual Christopher F. Mooney, S.J., Lecture in Theology, Religion & Society livestream at fairfield.edu/cs, or join us in-person at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 10 in the Dolan School of Business Event Hall, located at 1073 North Benson Road, Fairfield, CT 06824.
Please note that Fairfield University recommends all visitors to campus be vaccinated or be able to provide proof of a negative PCR test within 72 hours of a campus visit. Masks are required inside all campus facilities. For complete information regarding Fairfield University’s Covid-19 protocols, please visit our Healthy Campus webpage at fairfield.edu/coronavirus.
