Theology at Marquette Newsletter
No. 2, March 2025
Welcome to Theology at Marquette, the newsletter of the Theology Department
As we journey through the spiritual exercise of Lent—a season of personal meditation and self-awareness—I reflect on theology as an exercise of faith and love, rooted in the reality where each of us walks. Faith is never separate from historical reality or the contextual experiences of individuals and communities. Thomas Aquinas affirms that theology is an ongoing, imperfect effort to understand God’s revelation, as accepted by faith, within the life of a community (ST I, q. 13, a. 1). The theologian's vocation is to systematize this experience and return it to the community, fostering growth and deeper understanding.
Thus, theological reflection develops within a theological locus, which, as Argentine theologian Juan Carlos Scannone describes, is a “source of knowledge of revelation for theology.” He further explains that a true theological locus manifests “a declarative source of revelation in its inculturated reception of a particular culture, and, consequently, the place of genuine inculturated theology that, because it is theology, has universal validity” (Theology of the People, 2021, 38).
Theology unfolds within the historical dynamism of the encounter between transcendence and immanence, where people of faith experience God’s grace. Lent is a time to pause, to examine the reality in which we stand, and to reflect on our theological approach. We must ask ourselves: Am I attentive to the theological locus of my community in my work? Perhaps one of the greatest Lenten exercises for a theologian is precisely this meditation—examining how we engage in theology.
In this second newsletter, we are pleased to share exciting news about the promotion of theology at Marquette and to highlight the call for papers for the first Marquette Undergraduate Theological Conference this April.
Marquette Undergraduate Theological Conference – Call for Paper
Theology is at the heart of a Catholic, Jesuit university, serving as a key discipline in educating new generations of men and women for others. At Marquette, theology plays a central role in the university’s mission to “continue the tradition of Catholic, Jesuit education by inviting students to grow in mind, heart, and spirit.” This commitment aligns with the broader goal of graduating students who are transformed by their education and who, in turn, will transform the world—becoming women and men for and with others.
On April 24, 2025, the Marquette Theology Department will host a one-day undergraduate conference, providing students an opportunity to present their theological work to peers, faculty, and the broader Marquette community. The conference will conclude with a keynote address by Dr. Maria Clara Bingemer from the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, followed by a celebration of undergraduate theological achievements from the academic year.
We invite undergraduate theology students to submit proposals for presentation at the conference. We welcome:
Papers written for theology courses
Original theological research in progress
In a letter to the Pontifical Academy of Theology, Pope Francis wrote:
Theology cannot but develop into a culture of dialogue and encounter between different traditions and different knowledge, between different Christian denominations and different religions, openly confronting everyone, believers and non-believers alike.
This conference seeks to embody that vision by fostering dialogue and intellectual engagement. We encourage you to join us and share your theological insights!
Presentation Format
Presentations will be 15 minutes, followed by a Q&A session.
If you are interested in presenting, please submit a 250-word abstract by April 1, 2025.
📩 Submit your abstract to:
Dr. Alexandre Martins
Director of Undergraduate Studies in Theology
alexandre.martins@marquette.edu
Conversations at the Table: Theology as Vocation and Mission
In the Theology Department, we understand theology as both a vocation and a mission, guided by a community of theological faculty and students dedicated to dialogical, critical engagement, and commitment. Please join us for Conversations at the Table: Theology as Vocation and Mission, where we’ll gather over food and drinks to discuss the vocational journeys of our guests: Dr. Jeanne-Nicole Mellon Saint-Laurent, faculty at Marquette Theology Department will her journey and vocation as a theologian from her undergraduate at Gonzaga University, a sister Jesuit University, to becoming an internationally known a scholar of Syriac Studies and Early Christianity, with special interests in hagiography and sacred narrative, and theology doctoral candidate Jen Wotochek will speak about her experience in theology and her doctoral research focusing on women, aging, animals, ecology, and public life.
March 27, 2025 - 4 pm at Marquette Hall 105
Conversations as the Table are meetings will be a moment of conversation between undergraduate students, led by a theology faculty and a guest who could be another theology faculty from MU or another institution, or a graduate student. The main objective of these meetings is to foster a sense of community, participation, and theological reflection and discernment. It will be a semi-informal gathering in which all will be sharing food, experiences, and fellowship, while also listening to an experienced theologian or an advanced theology doctoral student about their theological work and vocation.
Theology Student Spotlight
Hi Jane, can you share a bit about yourself so our readers get to know you better?
My name is Jane Oberlies, I am a junior majoring in Theology and studying pre-med at Marquette. Outside of my schoolwork, I love to hike, run, bake personalized goods for family and friends, and volunteer around the Milwaukee and Chicago Land area. On campus I serve as the student director of Marquette Volunteer Corps, embrace the sisterhood of Alpha Omega Epsilon, and hang out with my friends within the E-lead Program. I am currently studying abroad in Florence through Gonzaga University’s program. This semester I am learning how to approach psychology, literature, art, and faith from a different perspective while exploring Europe. After college, I aspire to go to med school to hopefully specialize in pediatrics, obstetrics, or family medicine.
What inspired you to choose theology as your major at Marquette?
I have been drawn to the study of Theology since a young age. I grew up in a faithful Irish German family that introduced me to God’s immense love. I also attended St. Giles Grade School and Fenwick High School which affirmed and elaborated on my family’s beliefs. When I ventured to Marquette, I was nervous to live on my own and hoped that studying Theology could make me feel more comfortable. Not only did my studies strengthen my faith through enriching subjects but, my professors made me feel seen and inspired. I feel immense gratitude for the Theology professors at Marquette as they strive to connect with each of their students and support their faithful and personal goals. Marquette’s faculty has exceeded my expectations as they have created a safe environment that has allowed me to continuously grow passionate about my studies.
What excites you most about studying theology?
Studying Theology at Marquette has been such a privilege! My faith-filled studies help me reach my fullest potential by discovering my purpose. I have always dreamed about going into medicine, but this dream seemed unapproachable until college. After deeply reflecting on Jesus’s many roles through several classes, his healing qualities stood out to me as inviting and comforting. As a catholic, I aspire to reflect Christ’s image and with the support of my Theology Professors, the paring of medicine and theology became attainable. I feel confident in this decision knowing that having Christ as my guide will allow me to treat my future patients with the outmost care and respect.
Resource from our Faculty
MU Theology faculty member Dr. Deirdre Dempsey, whose research specializes in Northwest Semitic languages and literature—particularly Biblical Hebrew and prophetic literature—was invited by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops to contribute to their series, Voices of the Prophets: Messages for Today. Click on the picture to watch Dr. Dempsey’s insightful reflection on the prophets in the Bible and their relevance today.
Theology Major/Minor and Our Community
If you are a Marquette student who is currently enrolled in or has completed THEO 1001, and you haven’t yet joined our theological community, we invite you to connect with us! Whether you love theology and are considering a major or minor, or are simply curious, our community is open to you. Join us at an upcoming gathering to engage with our faculty and students in a welcoming setting.
A great way to start is by having coffee, tea, or even just water with our Director of Undergraduate Studies – just send him an email to set up a time.
If you’re thinking about deepening your study in theology, our major and minor programs are both flexible and enriching. We believe they make excellent complementary programs alongside any primary major, and we’d love to share the many reasons why! Email our Director of Undergraduate Studies and learn more about how a theology major or a minor can fit into your academic journey at Marquette.
New Minor: Ignatian Leadership and Discernment
Please follow us on Instagram and Facebook and learn more about the great work of the Marquette Theological Community
Follow the MU Theology Department on Social Media
The Theology Department is happy to announce this new opportunity to our Marquette Students: Ignatian Leadership and Discernment minor is designed for students who aspire to be a person of integrity, and adaptability, with a deep sense of mission. Join the Minor and spite to:
1. Lead with courage
2. Inspire change
3. Serve for the greater glory of Good
Email Ryan Duns, S.J. to learn more. ryan.duns@marquette.edu
Please let us know if:
You have any stories or work related to theology that you’d like us to share in the next newsletter.
You have ideas or suggestions for improving our newsletter and communication.
You’d like to submit something for inclusion in our newsletter.
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Alexandre A. Martins
alexandre.martins@marquette.edu