CR House of Theology
- September 29, 2024
The House of Theology at St. Jerome’s Campus Ministry is a monthly event where students can join Resurrectionists to discuss important theological topics. The name comes from two inspirations.
First, it’s rooted in the story of the foundation of the Congregation of the Resurrection in 1836, when a group of young people, led by Bogdan Janski, formed a community in Paris called the House of Janski. They lived together, studied, and deepened their faith – creating a space for spiritual and intellectual growth.
Second, in seminaries, a “House of Theology” is where future priests live and engage in theological discussions during their training. At St. Jerome’s, we want to create a similar space for students – a place where you can explore big ideas about faith, ask tough questions, and have honest conversations in a welcoming environment. Everyone is invited to join the conversation, whether you’re curious about faith or looking to learn more.
Just as hospitality is the heart of every home, theological hospitality is the foundation of House of Theology. This means that everyone is welcome, and every perspective is valued. Our goal is not to engage in debates or win arguments, but to promote open conversations where we seek a deeper understanding together. We create a space where asking challenging questions is encouraged, and admitting that “we don’t know everything” is seen as a step toward discovering truth. This aligns with the theme for this term at St. Jerome’s Campus Ministry, Ephphatha—”Be opened” – an invitation to intellectual, spiritual, and personal openness.
Every religious congregation has an abbreviation that typically appears after the name of a member of that community. For us, the Congregation of the Resurrection, the abbreviation is CR. It is why we speak about CR House of Theology. Also, sometimes we simply use the abbreviation CRs referring to Resurrectionist priests and brothers. When we organize an event or activity, we may also add CR to show that it’s being hosted by the Resurrectionists.
House of Theology brings together Resurrectionists like Frs. Pawel Szymanowski, Raphael Ma, and Toby Collins, alongside students and members of the Campus Ministry team. Moderated by Sean Hayes, who is known for his down-to-earth theological approach, these gatherings offer a space for everyone to engage in fascinating conversations and explore big theological questions together.
Sean Hayes
Fr. Toby Collins, CR
Fr. Raphael Ma, CR
Fr. Pawel Szymanowski, CR
The next topic for our House of Theology will focus on how Christians can move from Prayer to Presence, by exploring Christian Mysticism.
The House of Theology is open to all young people, particularly students, regardless of their theological background or experience. It’s not limited to Christians – anyone who is curious about theology is welcome.
