Christ the Teacher Institute

"If you are what you should be,
you will set the whole world ablaze!"
- Saint Catherine of Siena

The Sheil Catholic Center at Northwestern University is the home for the Christ the Teacher Institute, its newest educational initiative. The institute is a critical addition to Sheil’s mission of forming Catholic leaders for the Church and the world through the integration of scholarship, prayer, service and leadership.

Christ the Teacher Institute offers opportunities for learners of all ages to deepen their faith and integrate it into their day-to-day lives. For students, this means integrating their academic, spiritual and personal lives through seminars, retreats and theological reflection. For associates and other NU community members, this means participating in intellectually stimulating seminars that help deepen their faith and understanding of the church’s teachings.

Offering numerous ways to be involved, Christ the Teacher Institute encompasses four unique programs:

  • Sheil Seminars are open to everyone at Sheil, at Northwestern and in the community who wants concise and challenging presentations and discussions on various aspects of Catholic teaching. Learn more >

  • The Catholic Scholars Program welcomes students who participate in an integrated framework of seminars, theological reflection, prayer, service and leadership in either a basic or advanced track. Students who apply and are accepted are eligible to receive scholarships of up to $10,000. Learn more >

  • Catholic Fellowships in Church Leadership give students a stipend to spend one or more years focusing on one area of Church Leadership under the guidance of a staff mentor. Learn more >

  • The Kenneth C. Simpson Essay Prize is awarded to the student in any discipline who writes the best essay on the influence or foundations of Catholic thought in his or her discipline. The prize consists of $1,000 and the opportunity for a public lecture on campus. Learn more>

During the summer, students may apply to become Catholic Scholars or Catholic Fellows in Church Leadership. Both demand a serious commitment in order to fulfill the specific requirements at either the basic or the advanced levels. In addition, any student in any discipline may compete for the Simpson Essay Prize each spring.

Explore each of these programs further — and find details and program applications — at the links above or to your left.

 

Program Leadership

The Christ the Teacher Institute is directed by Dr. Mary Deeley, who holds a doctorate in Hebrew Bible and Early Christian Literature from Northwestern University. Dr. Deeley has worked and ministered on college, university and seminary campuses since 1978. She has written many articles on scripture and liturgy and has lectured extensively on scripture, spirituality, ministry and faith issues. Her first book, “Mothers, Lovers, Priests, Prophets, and Kings…” is being published by Liguori Press in Fall 2010. Dr. Deeley interacts personally with the students and teaches some of the seminars for Christ the Teacher. She serves as an advisor to all Catholic Scholars and as the Pastoral Associate for the Sheil Catholic Center.

 

For more information, please contact Mary Deeley at m-deeley@northwestern.edu or (847) 328-4648.