Summer Conferences

Finding God in the Book of Creation | Msgr. Charles Pope

Msgr. Charles Pope discovered his vocation to the priesthood through his work as a church musician, serving as an organist, cantor, and choir director. He entered Mt. St. Mary’s Seminary in 1985, earning a Master of Divinity and a Master of Arts in Moral Theology, and was ordained on June 24, 1989, by James Cardinal Hickey. Named a Monsignor in 2005, he currently serves as Pastor of Holy Comforter–St. Cyprian Parish, where he returned in 2007. Msgr. Pope conducts Bible studies, including one at the White House, and holds roles such as Spiritual Director for the Washington Comitium of the Legion of Mary, Archdiocesan Coordinator for the Latin Mass, and Dean of the Northeast Deanery. He has written extensively, taught catechetical courses, preached retreats for priests, and enjoys his multifaceted work as a diocesan and media priest.

The Catholic Artist in the 21st Century | Dr. Daniel McInerny

McInerny is an associate professor and chair of the philosophy department at Christendom College. As a philosopher, author, and playwright, he explores the intersection of faith, culture, and the human experience. He earned his Ph.D. in philosophy from The Catholic University of America and has taught at institutions including the University of Notre Dame and Baylor University. As a writer, McInerny has published works ranging from children’s literature to philosophical essays, often focusing on themes of virtue and the moral imagination. Most recently published is the acclaimed Beauty and Imitation: A Philosophical Reflection on the Arts as well as the novel The Good Death of Kate Montclair. Through his diverse endeavors, McInerny seeks to illuminate the profound connections between storytelling, humor, and the pursuit of truth.

Panel | Frank La Rocca, Dr. Kurt Poterack, Dr. George A. Harne, Dr. Conor Sweeney

Harne is the fourth president of Christendom College. A widely respected and accomplished scholar of music history and the liberal arts, Harne earned his Ph.D. from Princeton University and received master’s degrees from Princeton, St. John’s College, and the University of Washington. La Rocca, Composer-in-Residence at the Benedict XVI Institute for Sacred Music and Divine Liturgy, is renowned for his Mass of the Americas, hailed as “a cornerstone of modern liturgical composition.” Poterack is an Assistant Professor of Liturgical Music at Christendom College, where he also directs the college choir and Schola Gregoriana, and coordinates the Beato Fra Angelico Fine Arts Program. Sweeney is an Associate Professor of Theology at Christendom College, specializing in sacramental theology, theological anthropology, and the New Evangelization.

Homily | Msgr. Charles Pope

Msgr. Charles Pope discovered his vocation to the priesthood through his work as a church musician, serving as an organist, cantor, and choir director. He entered Mt. St. Mary’s Seminary in 1985, earning a Master of Divinity and a Master of Arts in Moral Theology, and was ordained on June 24, 1989, by James Cardinal Hickey. Named a Monsignor in 2005, he currently serves as Pastor of Holy Comforter–St. Cyprian Parish, where he returned in 2007. Msgr. Pope conducts Bible studies, including one at the White House, and holds roles such as Spiritual Director for the Washington Comitium of the Legion of Mary, Archdiocesan Coordinator for the Latin Mass, and Dean of the Northeast Deanery. He has written extensively, taught catechetical courses, preached retreats for priests, and enjoys his multifaceted work as a diocesan and media priest.

Surprised by Jane Austen: Moments of Beauty in "Pride and Prejudice” | Dr. Kathleen Sullivan

Sullivan is an Associate Professor of English Language and Literature at Christendom College. She holds a B.A. in Liberal Arts from Thomas Aquinas College, an M.A. in English from the University of Dallas, and a Ph.D. in English from The Catholic University of America. Dr. Sullivan specializes in 19th-century British literature, particularly the works of Jane Austen and epistolary literature. At Christendom, she teaches courses including English Romantic and Victorian literature and 19th-century Children’s Literature. Her scholarly contributions feature presentations such as “Saving the Distracted Student: Pedagogical Methods to Encourage a Love of Beauty in Literature” at the ALSCW Conference. Dr. Sullivan is an active member of the Jane Austen Society of North America and the Association of Literary Scholars, Critics, and Writers.