Dominican University Hosts Mary Jo Leddy

Dominican University's St. Catherine of Siena Center will host a lecture by Mary Jo Leddy, internationally renowned writer, social activist and theologian, on Wednesday, November 28, at 7 p.m. in the Auditorium of Dominican's Priory Campus, 7200 West Division Street, River Forest. Leddy will give a lecture titled "The Other Face of God: When the Stranger Calls Us Home." 

Leddy is director of Romero House, an organization in Toronto, Canada, that houses and provides support to refugee families. She also is the author of several books, including The Other Face of God: When the Stranger Calls Us Home (2011), Our Friendly Local Terrorist(2010), Radical Gratitude (2002) and At the Border Called Hope: Where Refugees Are Neighbours (1997). 

In light of her more than 20 years living with and serving refugees at Romero House, her lecture will reflect upon how the newcomer disrupts our lives and summons us to a new sense of ourselves and understanding of faith and purpose. 

She was the founding editor of the Catholic New Times, an award-winning Catholic magazine known for its independent coverage of the Church and social issues. She has traveled extensively advocating for peace, human rights and social justice and is a frequent commentator on such issues in the Canadian and international media. 

Among other recognitions, she has received the Ida Nudel Human Rights Award, the Canadian Council of Christians and Jews Human Relations Award, The Ontario Citizenship Award, Gunther Plaut Humanitarian Award, membership in the Order of Canada and many press awards. Leddy also is adjunct professor of religion and society at Regis College. She earned undergraduate and graduate degree from the University of Toronto, including her PhD in philosophy. 

Admission is $10, free for Dominican students, faculty and staff. For more information, contact the Siena Center at (708) 714-9105 or email siena@dom.edu. 

Dominican University established the St. Catherine of Siena Center to examine critical issues of church and society in the light of faith and scholarship. The center calls together members of the university community, professional ministers and the wider community of faith who are committed to deepening their insight into the role of the Christian in today's world.