Speaking & Teaching


Papers & PresentatioNS

I travel widely to present on topics that I've either published on or am currently teaching and researching. I also have the joy of routinely exploring meaningful topics with people across a variety of online platforms. Here's a sampling of my work, beginning with more formal lectures and followed by more informal/popular talks.  
Note: An item that appears in blue indicates that it is available online.

FORMAL ACADEMIC ADDRESSES

“The Kingdom Beyond the State: Ratzinger on the Church’s Witness in the Political Order.”
Invited essay to be presented at the international conference Joseph Ratzinger and Political Theology, hosted by Mundelein Seminary (Mundelein, IL, 2027). 

“Covenant Fidelity in the Drama of Redemption: Pope Benedict XVI on the Mystery of Israel.” Keynote address to be delivered at the conference Shoulder to Shoulder: Strengthening Jewish-Catholic Friendship at a Moment of Crisis, sponsored by Benedictine College and The Coalition of Catholics Against Anti-Semitism, marking the 60th anniversary of Vatican II’s Declaration Nostra Aetate (Atchison, KS, 2026).

“Religious Freedom and the Living Tradition: The Reception of Dignitatis Humanae in the Theology of Joseph Ratzinger.”
Paper delivered at the University of Notre Dame de Nicola Center for Ethics and Culture’s 25th Fall Conference “That which I Also Received: Living Tradition” (South Bend, IN, 2025). 
“A Larger Idea of Divine Skill: Newman and Ratzinger on the Wonders of Creation and Evolution.”
Invited public lecture for the COLLIS Institute for Catholic Thought and Culture at Cornell University, funded by a grant from the John Templeton Foundation (Ithaca, NY, 2025). 
“Cosmic Covenant: What Catholicism Brings to the Environmental Conversation.”
Masterclass seminar presentation for the COLLIS Institute for Catholic Thought and Culture at Cornell University (Ithaca, NY, 2025). 
“Laudato Si’ at Ten: The Past, Present, and Future of Integral Ecology.”
Invited lecture for the Catholic Studies Program at Seton Hall University (South Orange, NJ, 2025). 
“Educating for Cosmic Communion: Uniting Faith, Science, and Stewardship in Catholic Higher Education.”
Public lecture inaugurating the series Our Common Home: Science, Nature, and Creation, hosted by Holy Apostles College & Seminary and funded by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Dialogue on Science, Ethics, and Religion (Cromwell, CT, 2025).
“Revisiting Aquinas on the Consummation of Creation: Toward an Eschatology for a Scientific Age.”
Paper to be presented at The New Ressourcement conference Scripture and Its Interpretation, sponsored by Word on Fire (Rochester, MN, 2025). 
“Wrestling with Scripture’s Hard Sayings: Strategies for Bridging Historical Analysis and Theological Exegesis.”
Lecture to be delivered at conference Anima Theologiae: Integrating Historical and Theological Exegesis, hosted by Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology in partnership with Nashotah House Theological Seminary (Franklin, WI, 2025).
“A Larger Idea of Divine Skill: Newman and Ratzinger on Creation and Evolution.”
Lecture delivered for the symposium Faith and Science: Insights from Newman and Benedict XVI on Creation, Evolution, and Ecology,” marking the launch of the volume John Henry Newman and Joseph Ratzinger: A Theological Encounter. Sponsored by the Center for Integral Ecology at Benedictine College (Atchison, KS, 2025).
“Laudato Si’ at Ten: The Past, Present, and Future of Integral Ecology.”
Invited inaugural lecture for the annual Laudato Si’ lecture series hosted by Ave Maria University (Ave Maria, FL, 2025).
“Living Laudato Si’: Man’s Priestly Vocation of Tending the Garden of Creation.”
Invited lecture marking the one-year anniversary of the Agriculture and Catholic Environmental Stewardship program at Ave Maria University (Ave Maria, FL, 2025).
“What Would Aquinas Say Today Concerning Creation’s Eschatological Status?”
Lecture delivered at the 2025 Aquinas Conference What Would Aquinas Do? The Crises of Our Age and the 800th Anniversary of the Birth of Thomas Aquinas, hosted by the Aquinas Center of Ave Maria University (Ave Maria, FL, 2025).
“Ratzinger on Divine Revelation: Old and New from the Storehouse.”
Invited keynote delivered at Thomas More College of Liberal Arts (Merrimack, NH, 2025).
“Renewal within Tradition: Ratzinger’s Approach to Doctrinal Unity.”
Invited keynote delivered for the Institute of the Study of the Vatican Councils (Hudson, NH, 2025).
“‘Science, Sin, and Suffering: Joseph Ratzinger on Human Origins and the Fall.”
Invited annual Pope Benedict XVI Lecture keynote address to be delivered at St. Vincent Seminary (Latrobe, PA, 2024).
“Evolution, Angels, and Evil: Catholic Perspectives.”
Invited presentation for the conference The Faith-Science Vision of Richard J. Pendergast, S.J.: The Bible, Evolution, and the Problem of Good and Evil, sponsored by Donnelly College and the Ethics for Evidence Foundation, hosted at the Catholic University of America (Washington, DC, 2024).
“Beyond Conflict: The Environmental Consequences of a Mutual Enrichment between Biblical Faith and Evolutionary Science.”
Paper delivered at the conference Reconciling Science and Faith: Contemplating Reason and Relationship, hosted by Creighton University (Omaha, NE, 2024)
Invited panel member on the subject of Catholicism and Evolution.
Hosted at the Sacra Doctrina Project’s annual conference All Things That Were Made: On Creation, Creatures, and Their Creator (St. Paul, MN, 2024).
“The Ecological Vision of Pope Benedict XVI: A Voice in the Wilderness of Contemporary Environmentalism.”
Paper presented at the Sacra Doctrina Project’s annual conference
All Things That Were Made: On Creation, Creatures, and Their Creator (St. Paul, MN, 2024).
“Benedict XVI on Reading God’s Two Books: A Summons to Literacy.”
Presentation at the symposium Embracing Creation: A Celebration of the Legacy of Pope Benedict XVI marking the launch of The Cambridge Companion to Joseph Ratzinger (Atchison, KS, 2024).
“‘On the ‘Altar of the World’: The Cosmic Character of the Eucharist.”
Paper presented at the colloquium Serving the Eucharistic Lord: A Gathering of Scholars, an initiative of the National Eucharistic Revival and National Eucharistic Congress (Denver, CO, 2024).
“Renewing All Creation in Christ: The Church’s Mission of Integral Ecological Education.”
Benedictine College Symposium on Transforming Culture To Restore All Things in Christ: The Mission of Catholic Education Today (Atchison, KS, 2024). 
Panel convener and participant on the subject of the relationship of Faith & Reason in Catholicism.
Symposium Faith and Reason in a Post-Truth Era: The 25th Anniversary of John Paul II’s Fides et Ratio hosted at Benedictine College (Atchison, KS, 2023).
Panel convener and participant analyzing Pope Francis’s apostolic exhortation Laudate Deum on the subject of creation and climate change, hosted at Benedictine College (Atchison, KS, 2023).
“Pope Benedict XVI, the Bible, and the Theory of Evolution.”
Invited public lecture and classroom workshops for the University of St. Thomas Distinguished Speakers series, followed (Minneapolis, MN, 2023).
“Nuclear Fission in the Heart of Being: Eucharistic Transubstantiation and the Laity’s Role of Consecrating the World to God.”
Paper to be delivered at the Benedictine College Symposium on Transforming Culture
Proclaiming the Real Presence: The Body of Christ in a Secular World (Atchison, KS, 2023).
“Making All Things New: The Eucharist and Creation’s Eschatological Transfiguration.” 
Presented at the Academy of Catholic Theology annual meeting (Washington, DC, 2022).
“Sinless yet Sorrowful: How the Mariology of Aquinas and Ratzinger Illumines Suffering and Death in an Evolutionary Context.”
Delivered at the conference The Origin of Life and Nature Before Sin: Scientific and Theological Perspectives, hosted by the Thomistic Institute of the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas / Angelicum (Rome, Italy, 2022)
“Inhabiting God’s Garden: ‘The Covenant between Man and the Environment’ according to Joseph Ratzinger.”
Delivered at the symposium
Recovering the Gift of Creation, hosted at Thomas More College of Liberal Arts (Merrimack, NH, 2022).
“Cosmic Communion between God, Man, and Creation: Reflections on an Underappreciated Dimension of Joseph Ratzinger’s Ecological Thought.”
Delivered at the conference
Interpretation of Scripture and Ecclesial Exegesis: The Search for an Integrated Theology, hosted by St. Bernard’s School of Theology and Ministry (Rochester, NY, 2022)
“Integration of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology in the Thought of Benedict XVI.” 
Professional research poster presentation at Society of Catholic Scientists conference Earth and Environmental Stewardship (Mundelein, IL, 2022).
“Catholicism on the Harmony on Faith and Science.”
Member of panel sponsored by the Society of Catholic Scientists event at Benedictine College (Atchison, KS, 2022).
“Unity in Essentials, Liberty in Accidentals, and Charity in All: Navigating Religious Controversies in Today’s World with Wisdom from Church History.”
Paper delivered at the Benedictine College Symposium 
See How They Love One Another: Community and the New Evangelization (Atchison, KS, 2022). 
“You Prepared a Body for Me” (Heb 10:5): The Eschatological End of Evolution.”
Respondent to Daria Spezzano at the U.S. Symposium of Thomistic Evolution, funded by a grant from the John Templeton Foundation (Providence, RI, 2021).
“Does Evolution Undermine Christianity?” 
Lecture to the University of Tulsa chapter of 
the Thomistic Institute (Tulsa, OK, 2021).
“Faith, Science, and the University.”
Lecture at the Kansas City area chapter of the Society of Catholic Scientists annual Gold Mass, funded by a grant from the John Templeton Foundation (Atchison, KS, 2021).
“Dust and Breath: Joseph Ratzinger on Divine and Human Causality in Human Evolution.” 
Panel presentation at American Catholic Philosophical Association annual meeting 
The Diakonia of Truth on Catholicism and Evolution (St. Louis, MO, 2021).
“The Primacy of Jesus and World Religions.” 
Presentation for the Reborn in Wonder lecture series at the University of Nebraska Newman Institute of Catholic Thought and Culture (Lincoln, NE, 2021).
“From the Dust of the Earth: Benedict XVI, the Bible, and the Theory of Evolution.” 
Keynote presentation for school meeting of the Catholic Biblical Association hosted by Holy Apostles College and Seminary (Cromwell, CT, 2021—online).
“From the Dust of the Earth: Reading Genesis 1-3 with Ratzinger and a ‘Method C’ Hermeneutic.”
Paper delivered at the conference Interpretation of Scripture and Ecclesial Exegesis: The Search for an Integrated Theology, hosted by St. Bernard’s School of Theology and Ministry (Rochester, NY, 2021).
“A Larger Idea of Divine Skill: Newman and Ratzinger on the Fittingness and Epistemic Status of Evolutionary Creation.”
Presented at the international conference “St. John Henry Newman and Joseph Ratzinger/Pope Benedict XVI: A Theological Encounter,” hosted by Mundelein Seminary and the Institute of Theology at St. Mary’s University, London (Mundelein, IL, 2021).
“Evolution and Eschatology: Joseph Ratzinger on Jesus Christ as the Omega of Creation.”
Paper delivered at the conference Hope and Death: Christian Responses, hosted by the Aquinas Center of Ave Maria University (Ave Maria, FL, 2021).
“How Does God Work in the World through Evolution?  Thomas Aquinas and Benedict XVI on How Not to Be an Idolater.”
Paper delivered at the Institute for Missionary Activity symposium Destroyer of the Gods: Christianity vs. the Idols of Secularism (Atchison, KS, 2021).
“Putting the Last Adam First: Aquinas, Ratzinger, and Human Origins in Light of Kenotic Christology.”
Plenary address for the conference Thomas Aquinas and the Crisis of Christology, sponsored by the Thomistic Institute of the Dominican House of Studies and the Aquinas Center of Ave Maria University (Ave Maria, FL, 2020)
“Thomas Aquinas and Joseph Ratzinger on Human Origins in Light of Evolutionary Biology.”
Address for the international symposium Thomas Aquinas on Creation and Nature, hosted by the Thomistic Institute of the Angelicum / Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Rome, Italy, 2019)
“Through a Glass, Darkly: How Certain is Faith?” 
Lecture to the University of Kansas chapter of the Thomistic Institute (Lawrence, KS, 2019).
“Is the God of the Old Testament Evil?  How to Understand the ‘Dark Passages’ of the Bible.” 
Lecture to the Ohio State University chapter of the Thomistic Institute (Columbus, OH, 2019).
“Man, You Are Dust: On Human Origins and Dignity in Light of Evolutionary Science.” 
Paper delivered at the Institute for Missionary Activity symposium Technology and the Human Person (Atchison, KS, 2019).
“The Intellectual Legacy of Pope Benedict XVI.”
Presentation delivered for the Lumen Veritatis Institute of Catholic Thought and Imagination (Lansing, MI, 2019).
“Unless You Believe, You Will Not Understand: Biblical Faith according to Thomas Aquinas and Benedict XVI.”
Invited address for the conference Aquinas the Biblical Theologian, sponsored by the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology and the Aquinas Center of Ave Maria University (Ave Maria, FL, 2019)
“How to Read the Bible and Still Be a Christian: The Problem of ‘Dark Passages’ in the Bible.”  
Lecture to the University of Oklahoma chapter of the Thomistic Institute (Norman, OK, 2019).
“Accompanying, Discerning, and Integrating Weakness: Interpreting Pope Francis on Sacramental Discipline in “Irregular” Marital Situations.”
Paper delivered at the Institute for Missionary Activity symposium In the World, but Not of the World: Paradigms for the Evangelization of American Culture (Atchison, KS, 2017).
“The Theological Mind of Pope Francis: Mercy and Media Misconception.”
Paper delivered at the Institute for Missionary Activity symposium Mercy and the Revolution: The Church’s Mission after the Sexual Revolution (Atchison, KS, 2016).
“Pope Francis on Sacramental Discipline for the Divorced and Civilly Remarried.”
Lecture delivered to the Benedictine College Honors Program (Atchison, KS, 2016)
Panelist, Laudato Si: What the Pope’s Encyclical Means for America, hosted by the Benedictine College Gregorian Institute (Atchison, KS, 2015).
“The Theological Genius of Joseph Ratzinger and Its Role in Catholic Theological Education Today.”
Keynote paper delivered for the “Contemporary Challenges in Modern Catholic Education” conference at Holy Spirit College (Atlanta, GA, 2015)
“Pope Francis and the Mission of the Church.” 
Paper delivered at the Institute for Missionary Activity symposium Influential Joy: Gaudium et Spes to Evangelii Gaudium (Atchison, KS, 2015).
“Biblical Inspiration in the Theology of St. Thomas Aquinas and Fr. Matthew Lamb.”
Invited address delivered at the Aquinas Center for Theological Renewal Wisdom and the Renewal of Catholic Theology conference (Ave Maria, FL, 2015).
“Vatican II at 50: Pluralism and Unity.”
Paper co-presented at Benedictine College faculty colloquium (Atchison, KS, 2015).
“Benedict XVI, Catholic Doctrine, and the Problem of an Imminent Parousia.” 
Paper delivered at the annual convention of the Fellowship of Catholic Scholars (Pittsburg, PA, 2014).
“That They All May Be One: John XXIII and John Paul II’s Pioneering Vision for the Reunification of All Christians.”
Delivered to the Benedictine College community commemorating the canonization of Popes John XXIII and John Paul II (Atchison, KS, 2014).
“Benedict XVI’s Theology of Beauty & the New Evangelization.”
Paper delivered at the Institute for Missionary Activity symposium The Transcendentals as a Preamble for Faith (Atchison, KS, 2014).
“Benedict XVI and the Bible’s Dark Passages: Implications for Apologetics and the Spiritual Life.” 
Lecture delivered to faculty and adjuncts of the Bishop Helmsing Institute (Kansas City, MO, 2013).
“Freedom in Obedience to the Truth: Implications for Christian Living & Evangelization.” 
Paper delivered at the Institute for Missionary Activity symposium Building a Culture of Freedom (Atchison, KS, 2013).
“Violence Is Incompatible with the Nature of God: Benedict, Aquinas, and Method C Exegesis of the ‘Dark’ Passages of the Bible.” 
Invited address delivered at the Ave Maria University conference Reading God’s Word: Ratzinger’s Erasmus Lecture a Generation Later (Ave Maria, FL, 2012).
“Benedict XVI’s Vision for Scripture within the New Evangelization.” 
Paper delivered at the Institute for Missionary Activity symposium Advancing the New Evangelization (Atchison, KS, 2012).
“Catholicism, Inter-Religious Dialogue, and Social Justice.” 
Presentation delivered at the Muslim-Jewish-Christian Dialogue hosted at Benedictine College (Atchison, KS, 2012).
“The Catholic Church and Inter-Religious Dialogue.”
Presentation delivered at the Hindu-Muslim-Christian Dialogue hosted at Benedictine College (Atchison, KS, 2011).
Panelist, Health Care Reform forum hosted by Ravens Respect Life(Atchison, KS, 2009)
“The ‘Substance’ of Faith in Hebrews 11 and St. Thomas’ Theology of the History of Divine Revelation.” 
Paper presented at Aquinas Center for Theological Renewal “Scripture, Doctrine, and St. Thomas Aquinas” conference (Ave Maria, FL, 2008).
“Is Theology a Science?” 
Lecture given at the St. John Institute for Catholic Thought at the University of Illinois (Champaign, IL, 2008).
“How a Poor Man Becomes Rich: The Six Steps towards Vision of God in Bonaventure’s Itinerarium Mentis in Deum.” 
Prepared for Ave Maria University faculty and graduate student colloquium (Ave Maria, FL, 2008).
“Two Willing Contenders in the Long Defeat: Friedrich Nietzsche and Immanuel Kant on the Philosophy of History.”
Presented at Ave Maria University faculty and doctoral colloquium (Ave Maria, FL, 2007).

OTHER PRESENTATIONS
 
“From Dust to Glory: Humanity’s Origin, Fall, and Redemption in Christ.”
Invited presentation for RECongress, the annual Religious Education Congress of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles (Anaheim, CA, 2026).
“The Trinity & the Mission of the Holy Spirit.”
Evening formation series offered for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles catechist training program One Mission, One Faith (Los Angeles, CA, 2026).
“Freedom for Excellence: Virtue and the Meaning of Life” and “Embracing the Divine Life: The Beatitudes Unveiled.”
Workshop offered for Sophia Institute for Teachers (Omaha, NE, 2025).
“The Mystery of the Holy Eucharist.”
Evening formation series offered for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles catechist training program One Mission, One Faith (Los Angeles, CA, 2025).
“Salvation & the Paschal Mystery.”
Evening formation series offered for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles catechist training program One Mission, One Faith (Los Angeles, CA, 2025).
“Jesus Christ & Christology.”
Evening formation series offered for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles catechist training program One Mission, One Faith (Los Angeles, CA, 2025).
“Embracing the Divine Life: The Theological Virtues Unveiled.”
Invited presentation for RECongress, the Religious Education Congress, of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles (Anaheim, CA, 2025).
Moderator, breakout session of the Academy of Catholic Theology annual meeting A Wider Ressourcement: Remembering What We Have Forgotten (Washington, DC, 2024).
“Hebrew Scripture – Old Testament” and “Christian Scripture – New Testament.”
Weekend 
workshops offered for the Master Catechists of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles (Los Angeles, CA, 2024). 
“Old Testament” and “New Testament.”
Evening formation series offered for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles catechetical program One Mission, One Faith (Los Angeles, CA, 2024).
“The Pillars of Happiness: Understanding the Cardinal Virtues” and “Embracing the Divine Life: The Theological Virtues Unveiled.”
Workshop offered for Sophia Institute for Teachers (Los Angeles, CA, 2023).
“The Healing Power of Sacrificial Love: Insights from Pope Benedict XVI in how to Live the Experiment of Faith.”
Keynote address to be delivered at the annual Courage conference A Sincere Gift of Self (Atchison, KS, 2023).
“Matthew’s Gospel: Torah of the Messiah for the New and Eternal Covenant.” Workshop offered to the clergy of the diocese of Columbus (Columbus, OH, 2023).
“‘On the ‘Altar on the World’: The Cosmic Character of the Eucharist.”
Talk given for Benedictine College’s Theology on Tap (Atchison, KS, 2023).
“The Gift and Theological Legacy of Pope Benedict XVI.”
Lecture in honor of the passing of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI at St. Benedict’s Parish (Atchison, KS, 2023).
“From the New Atheism to the New Idolatry.”
Workshop for permanent diaconate candidates for the Archdiocese of Kansas City (Kansas City, KS, 2023).
Co-organizer and lead presenter, Religion and Ecology: Recovering Integrity of Life in Ourselves and Creation.
Colloquium funded by the John Templeton Foundation and co-sponsored by the Benedictine College Center for Integral Ecology and the Newman Institute for Catholic Thought & Culture at the University of Nebraska (Atchison, KS, 2022).
“Understanding Genesis: Science, Evolution, and Faith.”
North American Martyrs Catholic Church Martyrs Speaker Series (Lincoln, NE 2022).
“Hebrew Scripture – Old Testament” and “Christian Scripture – New Testament.”
Weekend 
workshops offered for the Master Catechists of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles (Los Angeles, CA, 2022). 
“The Essentials of Belief: Exploring the Creed.”
Workshop offered for Sophia Institute for 
Teachers (Chicago, IL, 2022).
“The Mystery of the Grain of Wheat: How the Bible Reveals the Meaning of Suffering through Agriculture.” Knights of Columbus Lenten lecture series (Troy, KS, 2022).
“The Courage to Embrace the Whole Breadth of Reason: Catholicism and the Harmony of Faith and Science.”
Presentations delivered to RCIA candidates at Benedictine College (Atchison, KS, 2021).
“How to Read the Bible and Still Be a Christian: The Problem of ‘Dark Passages’ in the Bible.” 
Lecture to University of St. Mary of the Lake Summer Scripture conference “Interpreting Scripture in the Church” (Mundelein, IL, 2021). Postponed due to COVID-19.
“Catholic Social Teaching 101.” 
Workshop offered for Sophia Institute for Teachers (Los Angeles, CA, 2021).
“St. Joseph in Scripture and Tradition.”
Presentation to Lenten Men’s Retreat for the Year of St. Joseph (Mattoon, IL, 2021).
“Reading God’s Two Books: Faith and Evolutionary Creation.”
Presentation delivered to Benedictine College Biology Club (Atchison, KS, 2021).
“Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics and Christian Leadership?”
Co-led seminar offered at the opening session of the Benedictine College Gregorian Fellows program (Atchison, KS, 2020).
“The Interior Life: Soul of the Apostolate” and “Conformity to Christ: Darkness, Divinization, and the Little Way.” 
Presentations delivered to Catholic school principals for Sophia Institute for Teachers (Springfield, MA, 2019).
“On Care for Our Common Home as a Twofold Work of Mercy.”
Presentation for the Benedictine College women’s residence halls (Atchison, KS, 2018)
“Machiavelli’s The Prince and Christian Leadership.”
Co-led seminar offered at the opening session of the Benedictine College Gregorian Fellows program (Atchison, KS, 2018).
“The Psalms as Scripture” and “How to Pray with the Psalms.”
Presentations delivered to the permanent deacons and deacon candidates of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas (Kansas City, KS, 2018).
“Who do you say that I am? How the true face of Christ is revealed to us in the Gospels” and “Lord, to whom shall we go? How to respond to today’s Bible skeptics.”
Presentations delivered for the Sophia Institute for Teachers (New York, NY, 2018).
“On Care for Our Common Home as a Twofold Work of Mercy.”
Presentation for the Benedictine College men’s residence halls (Atchison, KS, 2018)
“My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me? Biblical Lessons on How to Unite our Suffering with that of Christ Crucified.”
Gregorian Institute Lenten lecture series (Atchison, KS, 2018)
“Machiavelli’s The Prince and Christian Leadership?”
Co-led seminar offered at the opening session of the Benedictine College Gregorian Fellows program (Atchison, KS, 2017).
Panelist, Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’ and Environmental Sustainability hosted by the Benedictine College Student Government Association (Atchison, KS, 2017).
“Lectio Divina and the ‘Hard Sayings’ of Scripture.”
Presentation to Knights of Columbus council (Atchison, KS, 2017).
Panelist, What Pope Francis Really Said, hosted by the Benedictine College Gregorian Institute (Atchison, KS, 2016).
“Who do you say that I am? How the true face of Christ is revealed to us in the Gospels” and “Lord, to whom shall we go? How to respond to today’s Bible skeptics.”
Presentations delivered over three days for the Sophia Institute for Teachers (Staten Island, NY, 2016)
“Pope Francis: Mercy and Media Misconception.”
Lecture delivered to the Women of St. Ignatius organization (Fort Leavenworth, KS, 2016).
“Pope Francis: Mercy and Media Misconception.”
Talk given at the inaugural Theology on Tap in Atchison, KS (2016)
“Biblical Mercy: How Mercy is Revealed in Sacred Scripture” and “Divine Mercy and the Pontificate of Francis.”
Sophia Institute for Teachers workshop (Palm Beach, FL, 2016)
“Biblical Mercy: How Mercy is Revealed in Sacred Scripture” and “Divine Mercy and the Pontificate of Francis.”
Sophia Institute for Teachers workshop (Grand Rapids, MI, 2016)
“Popes on a Plane: Media Misconception and Papal Continuity.”
Lecture delivered for the Dinner and Discourse series hosted by the St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center at the University of Kansas (Lawrence, KS, 2016).
“The Church, World Religions, and Interreligious Dialogue.”
Lecture delivered to the Women of St. Ignatius organization (Fort Leavenworth, KS, 2016).
“Aquinas’s De Regno and Christian Leadership.”
Co-led seminar offered at the opening session of the Benedictine College Gregorian Fellows program (Atchison, KS, 2015).
“The Year of Mercy: Salvation History as the context for encountering and understanding God’s Mercy.”
Sophia Institute for Teachers workshop (Manchester, NH, 2015)
“Soul of the Apostolate: The Interior Life, Catechesis, and the New Evangelization.”
Morning sessions for the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd regional Lenten enrichment retreat (Leawood, KS, 2015).
“Aquinas’s De Regno and Christian Leadership.”
Co-led seminar offered at the opening session of the Benedictine College Gregorian Fellows program (Atchison, KS, 2014).
“The Direction of the Church Today: The Pontificate of Pope Francis and  the Legacy of Pope Benedict XVI.” 
Morning workshop given for Catholic school principals of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas (Kansas City, KS, 2014).
“Reflections on Pope Francis’ Evangelii Gaudium: Implications for Catechesis.” 
Lecture delivered to the catechists of St. Benedict’s Parish (Atchison, KS 2014).
“Evangelization and the Interior Life.”
Presented to student leaders of FOCUS at their monthly “Upper Room” meeting (Atchison, KS, 2011).
“The Catholic Tradition of Prayer.” 
Presented to members of RICA at Benedictine College (Atchison, KS, 2011)
“Mental Prayer,” “Obstacles to Prayer,” “Inspirations of the Holy Spirit,” “Discernment,” and “The Soul of the Apostolate.” 
Ongoing talks presented to Benedictine College students at the monthly Lectio Divina series (Atchison, KS, 2010-2014).
“Do Something Beautiful for God.” 
An overview of the life of prayer presented to students participating in the annual Benedictine College Kick-Off Retreat (Atchison, KS, 2010).
“Newman’s Essay on the Development of Christian Doctrine.” 
Presented at Presidential Ambassadors “Great Books” event (Atchison, KS, 2009)
“The Sacrament of Marriage.” 
Presented to members of RICA at St. Matthew’s Parish  (Champaign, IL 2009)
“Approaching Natural Theology.” 
Presented at Ave Maria University Faith in Action catechist Team (Naples, FL, 2006).
“Biblical Ethics.”
Diocese of Peoria Catholic Education Conference.  A two-day conference hosted at Illinois State University for which I presented four talks on Scripture and ethics. (Normal, IL, 2006).
“The Art of Friendship.”
Talk given at a conference for the Fellowship of Catholic University Students at Illinois Wesleyan University and Illinois State University (Normal, IL, 2006).
“And the Ark Came to Rest on the Rock: The Catholic Sacramental Worldview.” 
Ecumenical talk given at the Evangelical fellowship Campus Crusade for Christ at Eureka College   (Eureka, IL, 2006).
“Two Rival Versions of a Contemporary Natural Law Ethics.”
Philosophy thesis presented at Benedictine College (Atchison, KS, 2005)
“The Perfect Disciple.”
Scriptural meditation given for “Samuel Group” at Benedictine College and at the University of Kansas (Lawrence, KS, 2005).
“The Risen Body of Christ.”
Scriptural meditation given for a parish retreat (Sabetha, KS, 2005).
“The Existence of God: Philosophical and Existential Approaches.” 
Conferences given for weekend “Crash Course on Catholic Education” at the St. Lawrence Catholic Ctr. (Lawrence, KS, 2005).
“The Second Vatican Council on Ecumenism” and “Ecclesia de Eucharistia and   Evangelization.” 
Celebrate the Faith Conference (Vandalia, IL, 2004).
“The Ascension of the Lord, the Eucharist, and the Telos of the Incarnation.”
Holy Cross Church (Champaign, IL 2004).
“The Problem of Evil and Religious Pluralism.” 
Guest lecturer, Introduction to Philosophy (Parkland College, Champaign, IL, 2003).
“Conversion in the Writings of John Paul II.” 
Firewalk of Faith Conference (Napa, CA, 2003; Vandalia, IL, 2003).
“Il sacramento della riconciliazione.” 
Scripture meditation given for a parish mission (Modica, Italy, 2003).
“La chiamata universale alla santità.” 
Talk given for a youth conference at the Centro San Lorenzo (Rome, Italy, 2002).  

Courses Taught

My full-time job is teaching undergraduates at Benedictine College. However, I've also been blessed to teach in a variety of other programs and contexts--from evening parish classes, to weekend diocesan workshops, permanent diaconate classes, online masters courses, and more. Here's a sampling of what I've done and am currently up to:

 Courses offered on campus at Benedictine College

Ø  Integral Ecology (THEO 4990)

Ø  Honors Capstone: Biblical Protology (THEO 4950)

Ø  Senior Seminar: Reading God’s Two Books with the Inklings (THEO 4500)

Ø  Senior Seminar: Theology of Creation (THEO 4500)

Ø  Senior Seminar: Reading Genesis 1-11 with Faith and Reason (THEO 4500)

Ø  Senior Seminar: Genesis 1-11 through the Ages (TH 4500)

Ø  Senior Seminar: Amoris Laetitia & the Catholic Tradition (THEO 4500)

Ø  Senior Seminar: Apologetics of Benedict XVI (TH 4500)

Ø  Theology of the Environment (THEO 3950)

Ø  Theological Anthropology (THEO 3980)

Ø  Creation & Evolution—Honors (THEO 3980)

Ø  Faith & Science—Honors (THEO 3980)

Ø  Eschatology—Honors (THEO 4980)

Ø  Historical Jesus and Christian Origins (TH 398)

Ø  Christianity & World Religions (THEO 3820)

Ø  Old Testament II: Wisdom Literature (THEO 3100)

Ø  New Testament I: Synoptic Gospels (THEO 2150)

Ø  Old Testament I: Pentateuch (THEO 2100)

Ø  Biblical Hebrew II (THEO 2020)

Ø  Biblical Hebrew I (THEO 2010)

Ø  Christian Moral Life (THEO 2000)

Ø  Introduction to Theology (THEO 1100)

Ø  Historical Jesus (TH 499)

Ø  Studies in Judaism (TH 499)

Ø  Spiritual Theology (TH 377)

Ø  Gospel of Matthew (RI 378)

Ø  Intermediate Latin (LA 104)

Ø  Elementary Latin (LA 103)

Ø  Divine Pedagogy (EVCA 3200)

Ø  Papacy & the New Evangelization (EVCA 3400)

Ø  Great Books: Eastern World (GNST 3770)

Ø  Freshman Seminar (GNST 1000)

 

Courses offered online for Benedictine College

Christianity & World Religions (THEO 3820)
 
Courses offered online for Holy Apostles College and Seminary Online M.A. Program

Ø  Greek I (GRK 201)

Ø  Greek II (GRK 202)

Ø  Old Testament Wisdom Literature (SAS 300)

Ø  Prophetic Literature (SAS 621)

Ø  Torah and Old Testament Historical Books (SAS 638)

Ø  Synoptic Gospels (SAS 651)

Ø  Apocalyptic Literature (SAS 641)

Ø  Gospel of John (SAS 661)

Ø  Letters of St. Paul (SAS 671)

Ø  Theology Thesis (THT 899)

 
Courses offered online for St. Bernard’s School of Theology and Ministry M.A. Program

Ø  Old Testament (A202) – St. Bernard’s School of Theology & Ministry

Ø  New Testament (A203) – St. Bernard’s School of Theology & Ministry

Ø  Introduction to Biblical Studies (A205) – St. Bernard’s School of Theology & Ministry

Ø  Wisdom Literature (A327) – St. Bernard’s School of Theology & Ministry 

 
Courses offered at other universities and institutions

Synoptic Gospels and Acts (BI 602) —  M.Div. distance course for Pontifical College Josephinum

Luke and Acts (BI 701) —  M.Div. distance course for Pontifical College Josephinum

Acts & Pauline Epistles (STB 202) — S.T.B. distance course for Silverstream Priory (Dublin, Ireland)

Principles of Biblical Interpretation (STB 211) —  S.T.B. distance course for the Monastery of St. Benedict (Norcia, Italy); Silverstream Priory (Dublin, Ireland)

Introduction to Scripture — St. Meinrad Seminary Permanent Diaconate Formation Program (Belleville, IL; Little Rock, AR; Springfield, IL;  Alexandria, VA; Nashville, TN; Nassau, Bahamas)

Synoptic Gospels and Acts — St. Meinrad Seminary Permanent Diaconate Formation Program, (Cheyenne, WY); (Louisville, KY) 

Old Testament —  St. Meinrad Seminary Permanent Diaconate Formation Program, (Belleville, IL)

Word of God and Liturgy (LI 635) —  University of St. Mary of the Lake / Mundelein Seminary Liturgical Institute

Thesis Research I — Holy Spirit College graduate program

Thesis Research II — Holy Spirit College graduate program

Spiritual Theology —  Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas Permanent Diaconate Program

Old Testament Wisdom Literature — Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas Permanent Diaconate Program

Theology of Vatican II — Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas Permanent Diaconate Program

The Theological Virtues — Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas School of Faith Institute

The Cardinal Virtues — Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas School of Faith Institute

Gospel of John — Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas School of Faith Institute

The Case for Jesus — Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas School of Faith Institute

The Mission: Evangelii Gaudium — Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas School of Faith Institute

New Testament II: Pauline Epistles — Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas School of Faith Institute

New Testament I: Gospels — Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas School of Faith Institute

Old Testament II — Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas School of Faith Institute

Old Testament I — Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas School of Faith Institute

Catechism of the Catholic Church — Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas School of Faith Institute

Biblical Wisdom Literature & the Book of Psalms — Diocese of Kansas City-Saint Joseph Bishop Helmsing Institute

Biblical Foundations of Spirituality — Diocese of Little Rock School of Spiritual Direction

Introduction to Moral Theology (TH 3513) — St. Gregory’s University and Diocese of Little Rock Theology Institute

Catholic Moral Philosophy (RLST 199) — University of Illinois

Tools and Methods of Theological Research (TH 900) — St. John Institute of Catholic Thought M.T.S. Program

Development of Christian Doctrine (RLST 199) — University of Illinois

Introduction to Catholicism (T.A.) (RLST 127) — University of Illinois

Modern Catholic Thought (T.A.) (RLST 447) — University of Illinois

Intensive Elementary Latin (T.A.) (LATIN 103) — Ave Maria University

Intensive Intermediate Latin (T.A.) (LATIN 104) — Ave Maria University

Elementary Latin (T.A.) (LATIN 101) — Ave Maria University

Intermediate Latin (T.A.) (LATIN 102) — Ave Maria University