| Join Our List |
 |
|
|
Dear E-Letter Subscriber,
This month provides us with much to celebrate! Chief among this month's events is our annual Eternal Light Award Dinner that is to be held on March 9th at 5:00 PM at the St. Petersburg Yacht Club. All who attend the ELD will receive and invitation to a complimentary viewing of the exhibit, "A Blessing to One Another: Pope John Paul II and the Jewish People" now showing at the Florida Holocaust Museum--An opportunity to see firsthand the wonderful work of this year's Eternal Light Award recipients. Please join us!
Warmly,
Michael |
| Interfaith Panel Discussion To Be Held March 4th |
|
 Palladium Theatre Provides Venue
Together with the Florida Holocaust Museum and the Florida International Museum, the Center for Catholic-Jewish Studies is sponsoring an interfaith panel discussion to be held on Tuesday, March 4th at the Palladium Theatre in St. Petersburg from 7:00-9:00 PM. Dr. Michael J. Tkacik, Director of the CCJS, has the privilege of moderating an esteemed panel of experts representing the Jewish and Catholic faith Traditions--The panelist include: The Most Reverend Robert Lynch, Bishop of the Diocese of St. Petersburg; Rabbi James Rudin, Senior Interreligious Advisor to The American Jewish Committee and Center for Catholic-Jewish Studies at Saint Leo University; and Dr. Philip A. Cunningham, member of the Advisory Committee on Catholic-Jewish Relations for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and prolific scholar and author in the area of Catholic-Jewish Relations. The progress and challenges in Catholic-Jewish interfaith dialogue over the past several decades will be addressed from the respective perspectives of the panelist and in light of the exhibits currently showing at the museums: "A Blessing to One Another: Pope John Paul II and the Jewish People" (FHM) and "Splendors of the Vatican" (FIM).
  |
| Eternal Light Award and Dinner |
|
March 9th at the St. Petersburg Yacht Club 5:00
Be sure to join us for the Center's annual celebration as we recognize the creators of the exhibit now showing at the Florida Holocaust Museum, "A Blessing to One Another: Pope John Paul II and the Jewish People." The evening is not only a time to recognize these three champions of interfaith dialogue, but an opportunity for us to recommit ourselves to our shared mission of promoting dialogue and mutual understanding between Catholics and Jews and all people of good will. The evening always proves to be an occasion of blessed fellowship.  |
| Thomas Poynor Joins CCJS Staff |
|
Thomas holds a B.A. in Religion from Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, an M.Div. from the Reformed Episcopal Seminary in Houston, Texas and an M.A. in  Theology from the Franciscan University of Steubenville. He is currently a doctoral student in Systematic Theology at the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. Thomas was ordained to the diaconate of the Reformed Episcopal Church and served in pastoral ministry before joining the Catholic Church in 2000. Prior to coming to the Center for Catholic Jewish Studies, Thomas worked as staff assistant for four years in the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops secretariats for the Diaconate and Clergy, Consecrated Life & Vocations. Thomas and his wife, Eileen, have two young sons, Michael and William.
"I am grateful for the opportunity to serve both the Jewish and Catholic communities in helping to build a mutually enriching relationship. There are today many exciting opportunities for Catholic Jewish dialogue and reciprocal understanding. I am excited to be a part of the conversation, and I look forward to contributing to the important work of the Center for Catholic-Jewish Studies." |
| Late Breaking News |
|
 Recent weeks have been trying times for those of us passionately committed to promoting interfaith dialogue. Issues around the newly drafted Good Friday Liturgical Prayer proffered by Pope Benedict XVI have raised new questions and challenges for us to consider and explore. Please see the Center's Web page for a number of links to reflections and responses to these recent developments, including pieces by Rabbi Rudin and me. Also, please see our Web page for recent news profiling the Center which was featured on NBC Channel 8 (WFLA) and in the Tampa Tribune. If we at the Center can serve you or be a resource for you, please do not hesitate to call on us.
Sincerely,
Michael J. Tkacik, Ph.D
Director, Center for Catholic-Jewish Studies | |
|
|
|
