The Crossroads Symposium
Sponsored by The MacTaggart Catholic Intellectual Tradition Lecture Series
St. Mary’s University’s Crossroads Symposium is a free, annual lecture series featuring men and women who have shaped the Catholic Intellectual Tradition — a tradition at the heart of the educational enterprises at St. Mary’s.
Speakers from various faith traditions are invited to speak to the University and San Antonio communities about such topics as Catholicism in a changing world, religion in a pluralistic society, and faith in areas such as art and science.
The symposium is one of the cornerstones of the recently established Center for Catholic Studies at St. Mary’s, which is a result of the University’s Defining Moment Comprehensive Campaign.
2021: Beyond the Pandemic: In the Light of Catholic Social Teaching
Tom Mengler, the president of St. Mary’s University will moderate a panel of local religious, civic and academic leaders through a discussion about the future post-pandemic that advances our Catholic values in our local community. As leaders of the San Antonio community during the pandemic, the panelists have records of success in understanding and responding well to the needs of our community. With that experience, together they bring a unique perspective on our future and the challenges we face as we live beyond this pandemic.
Panelists:
- Judge Nelson Wolff
- Bishop Michael Boulette
- Dean Rowena Ortiz-Walters, Ph.D.
2020: Faith and Politics — How Does Catholic Social Teaching Address the Issues of Today?
The 2020 Crossroads Symposium centered around Faith and Politics, focusing on the topics of voting, social injustice, systemic racism and COVID-19.
Panelists:
- Shirley Gonzales, Council Woman, San Antonio District 5
- Elizabeth Lutz, Executive Director, The Health Collaborative
- Brother Steve O’Neil, S.M., Marianist NGO representative at the United Nations and Marianist representative with the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility and former faculty member, St. Mary’s University
- Rev. Donald A. Page, Pastor, Faith Community Baptist Church, San Antonio
- Vincent D. Rougeau, Dean, Boston College Law School
2019: A Church in Crisis Moves to the Future
St. Mary’s inaugural Crossroads Symposium centered on the theme A Church in Crisis Moves to the Future, partnered with St. Mary’s MacTaggart Catholic Intellectual Tradition Lecture. As a Catholic and Marianist university, one of the roles of St. Mary’s Center for Catholic Studies is to lead conversations on difficult issues facing the Church, which is crucial so that we may be agents of change for healing and transformation.
The inaugural symposium offered exceptional speakers and panelists, many known across the nation, who addressed the crisis of sexual abuse in the clergy as well as other challenges in the Church. In addition, the symposium focused on opportunities that exist to re-engage Catholics in the Church, which is greatly needed.
Past Crossroads Symposia
Upcoming Symposium
St. Mary’s Stands with Uvalde, Catholic Social Teaching and Preventing Violence
Wednesday, Oct. 19
3:30 to 5 p.m.
University Center, Conference Room A
As part of St. Mary’s University’s commitment to stand with our Uvalde neighbors, Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller and panelists from educational and public safety organizations in San Antonio and Bexar County will share the work happening in our community to prevent violence and discuss the challenges we face moving forward. Join us for a discussion on a holistic, collaborative approach to preventing violence, with an emphasis on Catholic Social Teaching.
The Crossroads Symposium is a free, annual lecture series featuring men and women who have shaped the Catholic Intellectual Tradition – a tradition at the heart of the educational enterprises at St. Mary’s. Speakers from various faith traditions are invited to speak to the University and San Antonio communities about such topics as Catholicism in a changing world, religion in a pluralistic society, and faith in areas such as art and science.
For more information, contact Allison L. Gray, Ph.D., Interim Beirne Director for the Center for Catholic Studies at agray7@stmarytx.edu.
Panelists
Sheriff Javier Salazar
Bexar County Sheriff’s Office
Sheriff Javier Salazar was sworn into office on January 1, 2017, as the 34th Sheriff of Bexar County. Prior to being elected, he served with the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) for twenty-three years. Sheriff Salazar was one of the first members of the Community Policing Unit known as the San Antonio Fear Free Environment (S.A.F.F.E.) Unit. In October 2020, the Bexar County Commissioners Court implemented new ways in which members of our community can seek mental health support through our first responder infrastructure. This specialized response is organized, coordinated, and executed under the name Specialized Multidisciplinary Alternate Response Team (S.M.A.R.T).
Ramona L. Lampley, J.D.
Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Development, Professor of Law, St. Mary’s University School of Law
Lampley graduated magna cum laude from Wake Forest University School of Law in 2004, where she was named Outstanding Graduate from the National Association of Women Lawyers. Before joining the faculty at St. Mary’s, Lampley practiced complex civil litigation at Wheeler Trigg O’Donnell LLP in Denver, Colorado, where she specialized in commercial class action disputes, corporate disputes, arbitration enforcement, punitive damages, and professional malpractice. Dean Lampley recently participated in an interview with Kens5 News on the lawsuit against a gunmaker after the Uvalde shooting.
The Most Rev. Gustavo Garcia-Siller, M.Sp.S.
Archbishop of San Antonio
Gustavo García-Siller was named Archbishop of San Antonio by Pope Benedict XVI in 2010. He holds master’s degrees in theology and divinity, philosophy, and psychology. His almost 40 years of priestly service has taken many forms, including ministering to communities with varied cultural backgrounds. On a national level, Archbishop García-Siller currently serves on several committees for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)—the Cultural Diversity Committee on Hispanic Affairs, African American Affairs, Committee on Hispanics and the Liturgy, and the Committee on Migration (USCCB.)
Johnny Reyes Jr.
SAISD Chief of Police
Johnny Reyes Jr. is the Chief of Police for the San Antonio ISD Police Department. He has over 34 years of experience in law enforcement, including security protection in the private sector. Reyes has been employed with SAISD Police Department for 20 years. He has a master’s degree from Our Lady of the Lake University in Organizational Leadership and Management.