On this episode of Talking Catholic, hosts Mike Walsh and Jen Mauro welcome back Michael Canaris and Maureen O’Connell of the Institute of Pastoral Studies at Loyola University Chicago to discuss their leadership in the national Catholic Education Network to Enact and Resource Synodality (CENTERS) initiative—an ambitious collaboration helping Catholics across the United States take a more active role in the life and leadership of the Church. 

Supported by a $10 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. and involving 16 Catholic colleges and universities, CENTERS strengthens listening, dialogue, and shared discernment in the Church by forming pastoral leaders, supporting local projects, hosting regional trainings and national assemblies, and launching the Adsumus Fellowship for emerging ministry leaders. The initiative builds on Pope Francis’ call for a more participatory, missionary Church and invites Catholics at every level to help shape its future together.

Canaris and O’Connell reflect on how Catholic higher education is uniquely positioned to accompany the Church’s synodal journey—and how partnerships among universities, dioceses, and lay leaders are already creating new pathways for formation, collaboration, and shared responsibility across the country.

Listeners interested in supporting this important work are encouraged to learn more about CENTERS and consider making a contribution to sustain its mission of forming the next generation of Church leaders – https://www.luc.edu/ips/centerssynodality. 

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