Fall 2006
Religion in Exile:
A Spiritual Homecoming,
by Diarmuid O'Murchu (New York: Crossroad, 2000)
For millions throughout the world, religion no longer provides hope or meaning.
Exile and alienation are two words that constantly recur in the literature of our time.
Religion fails to deliver on the bigger picture that is awakening in the soul of
humanity. In fact, it is religion itself that is largely responsible for the exile and
alienation we often experience. Religion in Exile is a challenging, but profoundly inspiring, contribution to the evolving spiritual consciousness of our time and an invaluable resource for those trying to make sense of the new spiritual awakening which many people experience today. Diarmuid O'Murchu, a priest and social psychologist living in London, lectures internationally and has written extensively on spiritual issues of our time. |
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All sessions will be on Thursdays from 10 AM to 12 noon at the Holy Cross Church Parish Hall, 1740 Cliff Drive, Santa Barbara, CA. The series fee, including the book and all handouts, is $50 per person; financial aid is available. When arrangements can be made, we provide audio recordings of some of these presentations for the convenience of those who missed them. Click the blue links below as they become available to review the presentations. Be patient while the MP3 files download, as they are large (around 5-6 MB each in size). You can listen through your computer with headphones or speakers.
| DATE | TOPIC | PRESENTER |
|---|---|---|
| Sept. 14 | Registration and overview | Alice MacDonald, MA |
| Sept. 21 | Chapter One: Faith that no longer sustains. |
Rev. Dr. Cynthia Bourgeault The Contemplative Society |
| Sept. 28 | Chapter Three: Words about the Word Chapter Four: Exiled from the Earth |
Fr. Bruce Correio |
| Oct. 5 | Chapter Five: From Chaos to Cosmos Chapter Six: After Exile: The Pilgrim's Journey Home Introduction to Fr. O'Murchu, by Alice MacDonald Diarmuid O'Murchu's presentation, part 1 Diarmuid O'Murchu's presentation, part 2 |
Diarmuid O'Murchu, MSC* |
| Oct. 12 | Chapter Seven: The Homeward Journey: From Separation to Connection Chapter Eight: Creation is a Place Called Home |
Marilyn Rudy, CSJ Maureen Murray, RSHM |
| Oct. 19 | Chapter Nine: Reconnecting with Our Relational Selves Chapter Ten: Re-membering the Dismembered Body Appendix 1: The Great Mother Goddess: Fact or Fiction? Alice MacDonald: Introduction to Barbara Marx Hubbard Barbara Marx Hubbard's presentation, part 1 Barbara Marx Hubbard's presentation, part 2 |
Barbara Marx Hubbard Foundation for Conscious Evolution |
| Oct. 26 | Chapter Eleven: Political Responsibility for the Homeward Bound Thomas Heck's presentation, part 1 Thomas Heck's presentation, part 2 |
Thomas Heck, Ph.D. Click here to see his PowerPoint (Takes a few minutes to download; click screen or use "Page Down" button to advance the slides.) |
| Nov. 2 | Chapter Twelve: Rediscovering Spirituality on the Homeward Journey Appendix 2: Being a Theologian as People Come Home from Exile |
Fr. Virgil Cordano, OFM |
| Nov. 9 | Biology of the Divine
Alice MacDonald: Introduction to Dr. Sahtouris Dr. Sahtouris's presentation, part 1 Dr. Sahtouris's presentation, part 2 --------CLOSING LUNCHEON-------- |
Elisabet Sahtouris, Ph.D. Lifeweb Living Systems Design |
*Diarmuid O'Murchu will be speaking the evening of October 5, 7-9 pm, at the Old Mission, sponsored by Spiritus: A Mind and Heart Forum. His topic is "Beyond Intelligent Design: The Divine Awakening in Creation's Story" ($10 at the door).