Aquinas Business Forum
The purpose of the Aquinas Business Forum is to bring everyday business experience into dialogue with Scripture and the basics of Catholic social teaching. Participants explore the spiritual dimension of business and seek to strengthen their spiritual lives through the development of leadership skills that reflect Christian values and spiritual maturity while enhancing their awareness of business as a vocation.
Meetings are ordinarily held on the second Wednesday of the month at 7:00 a.m. (unless otherwise noted) at Aquinas Institute of Theology, 23 S. Spring Street at Forest Park Parkway, St. Louis, MO.
The following dates and topics are planned, but the group may always choose a more timely or pressing issue. Many of the following sessions will have an outside presenter to lead the discussion. For more information contact Fr. Richard Peddicord, O.P., at president@ai.edu.
2007-2008 Schedule
- The Vocation of the Catholic CEO
September 14, 2007 (Friday)
In Baptism, all of us are called to witness to the Gospel in the world. That is our vocation. What does it mean to consider business leadership as a vocation? How does that make it more than a just a job?
- The Spirituality of Leadership
October 10, 2007 (Wedneday)
Dozens of books have appeared recently on the spirituality of leadership. This session will compare a book like "Servant Leadership" with a publication by well-known author Henri Nouwen. How do Evangelical and Catholic views of spirituality and leadership stack up?
- Leadership Lessons from Jesus
November 14, 2007 (Wednesday)
A Catholic biblical scholar looks at how Jesus exercised leadership in the early Church. Was Jesus the church�s first CEO? Can contemporary leaders learn from his example?
- Prophetic Leadership
December 12, 2007 (Wednesday)
A bible expert looks at prophetic models of leadership from the Old Testament. Prophets obviously had considerable influence. What does prophecy mean? How did great prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah lead? How can business leaders today be prophetic in their leadership? This discussion will also contribute to a deeper understanding of the readings and liturgy of Advent.
- Does Theology Matter in the Corporate World of Health Care?
January 9, 2008 (Wednesday)
Aquinas Institute has worked closely with Catholic health care over the years in an effort to see whether theology can transform the way we do business in health care. This �progress report� will examine whether our efforts have been successful. Discussion will include Aquinas faculty as well as representatives from Catholic health care systems.
- Trinity and Teamwork
February 13, 2008 (Wednesday)
The Trinity might seem like a theological abstraction, but it is a confession of faith in a God who exists as outgoing, creative relations of love. What might the Trinity say to us about the kinds of teams and communities we form in the workplace?
- Eucharist and the Hunger of the World
March 12, 2008 (Wednesday)
We often think of the Eucharist as a just a liturgical event or as an act of private devotion. However, it is also sharing food, and it might prompt us to ask what our responsibility is for the hunger of the world. This session will focus on Monika Hellwig�s book by the same name.
- Ethics: Personal and Organizational
April 9, 2008 (Wednesday)
It wasn�t long ago that �business ethics� meant �what we usually do around here.� It focused on individual obligations and rules and was the �clinical ethics� of the business world. Recent years have shown a dramatic shift away from individual choices to organizational ethics � how organizations behave and exercise moral authority.
- Science and Faith: Collaboration or Conflict?
May 14, 2008 (Wednesday)
Evolution, stem cell research, the environment and other issues have brought science and faith into dialogue � or conflict. Can the two be reconciled? We�ll take a look at writings by John Paul II and Benedict XVI and explore various ways of thinking about the relationship between these two essential kinds of knowing.
- Topic To Be Announced
June 11, 2008 (Wednesday)
