Welcome!

I am pleased to invite you and your colleagues to participate in a unique service of the Catholic academic community in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. On Tuesday, October 19, 2004, we will be hosting a conference A Day On Hope and Healing: Responding to the Sexual Abuse Crisis. The conference will take place in Wolfington Teletorium in Mandeville Hall on the campus of Saint Joseph's University from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Our aim in hosting this event is three-fold: we want to empower in what sometimes feels like a powerless moment in our history; we seek to provide local resources for area parishes, schools, directors of religious education, and safe environment programs; thirdly, we must begin to look at multiple processes of healing that might be necessary.

A Day on Hope and Healing in Response to the Sexual Abuse Crisis will feature experts and gather interested professionals from all of the Catholic colleges and universities in the Philadelphia metropolitan area. The purpose is to provide parish, community, and school leaders in the local Church the opportunity to:

• Highlight and become more aware of the local experts/resources;
• Communicate any issues and concerns in the implementation of the Bishop's mandate to prevent sexual abuse of minors; and
• Begin re-imagining the multiple means of hope and healing in the various faith communities and spiritual traditions.

Please explore the links on our website to find out more about our agenda, speakers, collaborators, and other pertinent conference information. We would be delighted to have you in attendance as a part of this most important event in our history as an academic institution and as a part of the Church in the United States.

Sincerely,

Timothy R. Lannon, S.J.
President
Saint Joseph's University