Dear friends,

Greetings from Hyde Park in Chicago!

It’s Kevin Considine again. As you can see, I’m slowly moving towards the monthly newsletter model. It takes time and practice.

As June has arrived, there is a lot to celebrate. Two things are important to mention right now. First and foremost, Truth-Telling: Perils and Possibilities--the Schreiter Institute's Annual Spring Symposium-- was a great success! We had a full house over one and one half days with eight excellent presentations plus our keynote by Maka Black Elk.

Second, I would like to introduce you to Maura Rocks. Maura is the first ever CTU graduate with a Certificate in Reconciliation and Restorative Justice! This achievement was conferred along with her dual MDiv/MA degrees at Commencement on May 22. You will be hearing more about Maura soon.

As summer unfolds, I will keep you posted with updates and developments from the Schreiter Institute. Please have a look at the sites of the Precious Blood family members linked below. And, as always, please reach out to me with any questions, comments, or suggestions: kconsidine@ctu.edu

Sincerely,

Kevin

2025 SCHREITER INSTITUTE SPRING SYMPOSIUM

Truth-Telling: Perils and Possibilities for Social Healing

The Third Annual Schreiter Institute Symposium was a success! We heard from experts on:

• Challenges for Healing at Catholic Indigenous Boarding Schools,
• the Power of Black Catholic Preaching for recognizing and responding to harm and injustice
• the Art of Listening to others and to the earth in a time of crisis
• Practices of Accompaniment with Migrant communities and LGBTQ+ communities
• Restorative Responses to racism through Love of Enemy and to sexual violence through Education, Empowerment, and Institutional Reform

The goal was to equip one another with the tools for recognizing harm and injustice. And responding with simple yet concrete actions towards healing and repair. I think we are on the right path!

I already am excited for Spring 2026 when we convene another group of ministers, scholars, artists, activists, and practitioners to equip us further in the work of social healing. Stay tuned!

BRAVO TO MAURA ROCKS--FIRST RRJ CERTIFICATE GRADUATE!

The Schreiter Institute is excited to announce the first graduate with the Certificate in Reconciliation and Restorative Justice--Maura Rocks! Look for an interview with Maura in the months ahead as she transitions from awesome graduate student to gifted chaplain in a hospital with a level-one trauma center here in Chicago.

Community Event in Chicago!

7th Annual Historic Bike Tour of Bronzeville and Bridgeport: Sites Related to the 1919 Chicago Race Riot

Join The Chicago Race Riot of 1919 Commemoration Project (CRR19), Organic Oneness, Illinois Tech, and supporting partners on Saturday, July 26th, 2024 at 35th and State Parking lot for the 6th annual CRR19 Bike Tour. Check-in will be from 9:15am - 9:45am. Tour departs at 10am.

View the first five embedded glass markers, created by our art studio partner, Firebird Community Arts, near our launch location at 35th and State.

Following check-in and opening remarks from our partners and elected officials, the 2-hour bike tour will travel through the Bronzeville and Bridgeport neighborhoods. On the bike tour, you will learn about the history of Eugene Williams and how his unjust racist killing sparked the Chicago Race Riot of 1919 - the worst incident of racial violence in City history and among twenty-five such incidents across the nation that came to be known as the Red Summer.

After the ride, you will enjoy a free lunch, music, and opportunity to engage with local organizations and resources tables.

The event is free with an option for donations.

Precious Blood Spirituality

Precious Blood Spirituality forms the soul of the Schreiter Institute. Do you want to hear more on how it has been understood through Scripture in the past year?

Check out the weekly Wednesday Whispers and Kevin's occasional CTU Sunday Reflections