Benvegnu Lecture Series begins Nov. 14

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SALT LAKE CITY — The Benvegnu Lecture Series at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church will open Nov. 14 with the annual Hesburgh lecture, which is sponsored by the Notre Dame Club of Utah and St. Vincent de Paul Parish. Michael Pippinger, University of Notre Dame vice president and associate provost for internalization, will speak on “Leading the Future of Higher Education.”

The annual lecture series began in 2014 at the request of Fr. John Norman, a retired priest of the diocese who was then pastor of the parish. The series is organized by Monsignor M. Francis Mannion, pastor emeritus of the parish. It is in memory of Msgr. Mark Benvegnu, who was the parish’s pastor from 1962 until his retirement in 1986.  

Continuing this tradition is important, said Father Samuel Dinsdale, the parish’s current pastor. “This gives people an opportunity to come to the church and to hear topics discussed that they might find of interest. In the synod sessions [for the Synod of Bishops in Rome in 2023], people requested ongoing formation opportunities, so this provides a way for people to come to the church and learn something new.”

With the exception of Pippinger’s lecture, this year’s series will focus on the Eucharist, Fr. Dinsdale said.  

Msgr. Mannion will address the topic of “The Eucharist as Sacrament of Heaven” on Dec. 1. In the Eucharist the faithful not only recall Christ’s Passion, death and resurrection, they also contemplate the sharing at God’s heavenly table.

On Jan. 12 Fr. Dinsdale will continue exploring the Eucharistic theme with a presentation on “The Eucharist as Sacrament of Unity,” which will address Christians’ work toward common worship. It will elaborate on the ecumenical aspects of the Eucharist and where Catholic and Protestant ideas and concepts on the Eucharist diverge and converge.

Gregory Glenn, the Cathedral of the Madeleine’s director of liturgy and music, will examine the renewal of the liturgy envisioned by Vatican II in a lecture on Feb. 23 titled “The Eucharist: 60 Years After Vatican II.” Glenn’s presentation will explore the revival desired by the U.S. Bishops Conference of Catholic Bishops, reflect on its implementation and consider future directions for renewal in the celebration of the Eucharist.

To conclude the lecture series, Deacon Scott Dodge, director of the diocesan Office of the Diaconate, will speak on “What is the ‘Real’ Presence” on March 16. The Church teaches that Christ is “really” present in the Eucharist but what the Church means by “really” or “real” is not clear to many Catholics. This presentation will explore what the Church means by her teaching that Christ is truly present in the Eucharist.

WHAT: Hesburgh lecture: Leading the Future of Higher Education”

WHEN: Monday, Nov. 14, 7 p.m.

WHERE: St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 1375 E. Spring Lane, SLC

Free and open to the public.