Past Events

The 2nd Annual Bishop Kevin Birmingham Lecture: April 28, 2025

TEND MY PEOPLE: Between Heaven & Earth: Art, Faith & Care for Our Common Home

This program was presented by Dr. Gloria Groom, Chair of Painting and Sculpture of Europe at the Art Institute of Chicago and Fr. Louis J. Cameli, Cardinal Cupich’s Delegate for Formation and Mission at the Holy Name Cathedral.

The Second Annual Bishop Kevin Birmingham Lecture took place on April 28, 2025, again, in partnership with Holy Name Cathedral. The 2025 Birmingham Lecture offered reflections on the Laudato Si’, the late Pope Francis’ second encyclical, which focuses on the environment and art. The title of the program was “Between Heaven and Earth: Art, Faith, and Care for our Common Home.” Father Lou Cameli, Cardinal Blase Cupich’s Delegate for Formation and Mission, and Dr. Gloria Groom, Chair of Painting and Sculpture of Europe at the Art Institute of Chicago both presented and then took questions.

The Third Annual Bishop Kevin Birmingham Lecture will take place Monday, April 20th, 2026. The program “Exploring Wonder, Science & Beauty” will feature perspectives from Brother Guy Consolomagno, S.J., current Director of the Vatican Observatory and President of the Vatican Observatory Foundation.

 

Integrating Art & Faith  November 2, 2024

Honoring the Ten Year Initiative of the Illinois Patrons

Sister Raffaella, together with Cardinal Cupich and Father Lou, provided an update on recent initiatives within the Vatican Museums. In anticipation of the upcoming Jubilee Year, Pope Francis had emphasized the importance of enhancing accessibility to the museums and gardens for a wider range of visitors. The discussion also addressed efforts to improve the overall visitor experience and usability of the museum spaces. Furthermore, Sister Raffaella offered an overview of her responsibilities in overseeing the various departments of the Vatican City State.

 

The First Annual Bishop Kevin Birmingham Lecture: April 15, 2024

TEND MY PEOPLE

This Lecture is dedicated to Bishop Kevin Birmingham to continue his work of serving those in the margins, reflected on his coat of arms with the saying, “Tend My People.” In one of his roles, Bishop Birmingham was the Cardinal’s representative for the Illinois Patrons. Anne Shea, President of the Board, had met Sister Norma Pimentel in Rome and discovered her body of artwork featuring migrants. When Anne shared this with Bishop Kevin, he suggested that an invitation be extended for Sister Norma to come to Chicago. From this the seed was planted to initiate a collaboration between Illinois Patrons and Holy Name Cathedral. When Bishop Kevin passed away unexpectedly on October 2, 2023, this event became the First Annual Bishop Kevin Birmingham Lecture.