Remaining Close to God: College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences Hosts Annual Bernadette O’Conner Lecture
On Monday, Feb. 10, the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (CHASS) proudly hosted UIW’s annual Bernadette O’Conner Lecture on the Catholic Intellectual Tradition (CIT). CIT is broadly understood as the dynamic and mutually illuminating conversation between the Catholic faith and human culture. The lecture, which was originally hosted in 2017, was named in honor of Bernadette O’Conner, former CHASS dean who is known for her extensive knowledge of CIT.
This year’s guest speaker was Karen Eifler who serves at the University of Portland as the executive director of Collegium, an organization that helps faculty at Catholic colleges understand and advance Catholic higher education. Eifler presented on “Spiritual Struggles and Closeness to God During the College Experience,” where she explored how college-level students can continue to connect with their Catholic faith amidst the demands of pursuing a higher education.
Eifler proposed three steps for students to utilize:
- Pay Attention
- Be Astonished
- Tell About It
Pay Attention
She started by acknowledging the necessity of paying attention to the world around us. Although it is common for people to pay attention to things that directly impact them, she argues that by taking a wider view and observing the world completely, people may begin to ask questions and consider making positive impacts that better the world for all.
“It's the job of a Catholic university to study that world and the universe in all its fullness,” said Eifler. “The biblical story of creation tells us that God then gave the world and all its fullness to humanity to steward thoughtfully, using all the gifts of awareness, heart and imagination they've been given.”
Be Astonished
Eifler acknowledged UIW’s multitude of academic programs, noting that each field of study offers a unique lens that aids in staying attuned to the universe so that all of it is recognized. No field of study is more important than the other, as all studies are a reflection of the world and how people experience it.
In this second step, Eifler emphasized that it’s important not to stop at noticing the world, but to also allow oneself to be astonished by it. Astonishment can be felt in both positive and negative ways. Positive astonishment can include marveling at how people come together to combat viruses, while negative astonishment can be recognizing the presence of hypocrisy and injustice in the world. One may be more pleasant to feel, but both are needed to encourage change.
“Pope Francis just proclaimed 2025 to be a jubilee year of hope, but he didn't promise a magic wand that would just make everything better by hoping for it,” said Eifler. “In his invitation to hope, he went on to say, the world needs hope, just as it needs patience, a virtue that walks in close contact with hope. Hope gives us the courage to make commitments that last a lifetime.”
Tell About It
Eifler’s final idea, “Tell About It” encouraged others to speak up about the things they pay attention to and are astonished by. Although it may feel like one person’s words can’t have much of an impact, speaking up is one of the biggest steps someone can take to help uplift lives.
She acknowledged that many students may feel that they are too young to make a true difference, but she shared that some of the most impactful prophets were also young. She recalled the story of Jeremiah, one of the major prophets of the Hebrew Bible. “Jeremiah said Lord, I don't know how to speak. I'm only a child. But God said to him, Don't say ‘I'm only a child.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Don't be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you.”