Mundelein Seminary Presents

Having on the third day risen again after descending to the dead

Ascension is the eighth conference in the Year of Faith Series. The conference explores Jesus return to the Father. Having brought divinity to our fallen world, he now brings restored humanity into heaven, making it possible for us to follow him.

Father Baima explores the first of three major themes in the Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium, where Pope Francis reflects on the nature and identity of the Church as an evangelist.

Judgment is the seventh conference in the Year of Faith Series. The conference explores Jesus return as the merciful judge at the end of time. In a particular way, it will offer Christians a fresh way of understanding the place of an anticipated judgment and grace in our spiritual lives.

The Holy Spirit is the sixth conference in the Year of Faith Series. This conference explores the Spirit as the Lord and Giver of Life. It teaches how God sanctifies us through baptism and the other sacraments and shows how through the Spirits gifts we bear fruit as Christian disciples.

The Communion of Saints is the fifth conference in the Year of Faith Series. This conference explores the reality of the saints in the church and how Christ acts in our lives as Christians through the Holy Spirit.

Forgiveness is the fourth conference in the Year of Faith Series. Father Baima explores the promise of Christ to forgive our sins and how this undoes the cause of death in us. Forgiveness is not only moral restoration, but the repair of the damage of sin in our lives. This conference also explores the biblical world view necessary to understand Christian doctrine.

Resurrection is the third conference in the Year of Faith Series. It explores the 11th article of the Creed where we profess the resurrection of the body. Father Baima continues his theme of the uniqueness of Christianity as solving the problem of death.

Life Everlasting is the second program in the Year of Faith Series. It explores the 12th article of the Creed where we profess belief in life everlasting. Father Thomas A. Baima points out how the doctrine of the Church offers something unique to the world – an answer to the universal problem of death.

The Backwards Creed is the first program in a year-long series celebrating the Year of Faith proclaimed by Pope Benedict XVI. In order to seek new insight into the familiar words of the Creed, Father Thomas Baima will begin with an exploration of the text starting with the final article and moving toward the first. We begin with Christian life, illuminated by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Fr. Thomas A. Baima dialogues with Deacon Richard Hudzik, a civil lawyer and Deacon Bob Puhala, Director of the Institute for Diaconal Studies at the University of Saint Mary of the Lake about the issues facing priests, deacons and lay ecclesial ministers as they help the Catholic faithful understand the HHS Mandate and the rules defining religion in the recent government decisions. The three clerics speak about the primary role of the laity in the temporal order and the assistance which clergy offer them. They also introduce some of the critical issues which face all religions as a result of the new government regulations. They also discuss the Religious Liberty and Freedom of Conscience Conference produced by the Institute of Diaconal Studies, the Archdiocesan Office of the Diaconate, and the Cardinal Stritch Retreat House.