Sister J. Sheila Galligan, IHM, S.T.D.
1985 Angelicum, Rome; S.T.L., S.T.D., Theology
1980 St. Charles Seminary, Overbrook, PA; M.A., Religious Studies
1972 Immaculata College; B.A., Theology
I believe that “theology plays a particularly important role in the search for a synthesis of knowledge as well as in the dialogue between faith and reason” (John Paul II, Ex Corde #19). Thus the study of theology affords students opportunities to engage in faithful, critical and spiritual reflection upon the rich Catholic intellectual tradition as well as upon the way in which that tradition has concretely engaged in explicit and/or implicit conversation with the broader culture throughout history. Through theology’s harmonious union of faith and reason, human knowledge and experience come to be informed by true wisdom.
My hope is that students will acquire the knowledge, skills, and habits of virtue that will make it possible for each of them to know their own dignity (created in God’s image); appreciate that same dignity in others, and therefore put their unique gifts at the service of all people. Thus they will set themselves freely and confidently on the path to true happiness in this life and in the life to come. And that, after all, is the ultimate purpose of a fully integrated education.
Sister J. Sheila Galligan, IHM, has been a professor in the Department of Theology at Immaculata University since 1990. She teaches many of the elective/special topics courses. She has delved deeply into the lives and literary legacies of C.S. Lewis and John Paul II. Sister Sheila is actively engaged in promoting respect for human life.
Other teaching experience:
- Pontifical College Josephinum, Summer 1998: Deadly Sins and Saving Virtues
- St Charles Seminary, Summer 2002: Mary: Doctrine and Devotion
- St Charles Seminary, Spring 2000-2012: Mary: Doctrine and Devotion (Diaconate Program)
Service:
- Ad-hoc committee to oversee the use of the Catechism (NCCB), Archbishop Buechlein
- Villanova Consortium for Mission Effectiveness
- Pennsylvania Natural Family Planning Network (PNFPN) Board Member
- Catholic Library World: 55 Book Reviews (1996-2006)
- Generation Life
- Immaculata University “Macs Respect Life” Club Moderator
THE 109 Introduction to Theology
THE 112 St. Francis
THE 212 Insights and Images: Mary Rediscovered
THE 225 John Paul II: A Remarkable Life
THE 230 Embodying Forgiveness
THE 321 Old Testament Themes
THE 335 Christian Faith in Action (ACCEL)
Sister Sheila is currently exploring questions and issues linked with the topic of forgiveness. She was able to attend the first World Apostolic Congress on Mercy in Rome (April 2-6, 2008). Her primary interest is focused on the theological (biblical/spiritual) aspects of forgiveness. She is also interested in delving more deeply into the contemporary behavioral research on the means, processes and effects of forgiveness. The goal of her research is to understand the interpersonal, intra-personal and group processes that lead to effective Christian forgiveness.
American Theological Inquiry (online journal), Robert Coles; Seeing the Secular in Light of the Sacred, July 2009. http://atijournal.org/Vol2No2.htm
Review for Religious
- “Mary: A Mosaic of Joy,” January-February 1984
- “A Word about Praising,” January-February l988
- “Prayer: All My Comfort,” November-December 1994
- “Bride of Christ: Ecclesial Identity,” September-October 2000
Spirituality Today
- “The Tension between Poverty and Possessions in Luke,” Spring, l985. www.spiritualitytoday.org/spir2day/853711galligan.html
- “The Augustinian Connection: Beatitudes and Gifts,” Spring, l986. www.spiritualitytoday.org/spir2day/863816galligan.html
- “Sheltered by the Mercy: St. Catherine and the Gentle Way,” Spring, l990. www.spiritualitytoday.org/spir2day/904212gallagan.html
Emmanuel
- “And the Mother of Jesus was There,” December 1993.
- “In the Footsteps of the Poor and Humble Christ,” August 1996.
- “A Word of Encouragement,” Jan-Feb 2008.
- “Colossians: Prayer,” April 2008.
The Living Light
- “The Courage to Care,” Summer 1995.
The Catholic Answer
- “Role Clarity and Women Religious,” September-October 2001.
- “When Truth Stumbles in the Public Square,” January-February 2002.
- “Religious Life: Reclaiming Role Clarity,” September-October 2001.
- “Please Pass the Salt,” January-February 2003.
March 31, 2011, Villanova University: John Paul II Legacy Lecture, “Mercy without Measure: The Witness of JP II.”
September 23, 2011, “Offer Forgiveness: Receive Peace,” Arise Conference, Fort Wayne-South Bend, IN.
October 13, 2011, Keynote: “God’s Most Wanted: Young Adult Pro-Lifers,” St. Charles Seminary.
October 31, 2011, “The Wow and Woe of Psalms,” Sts. Philip and James Faculty Retreat.
December 1, 2011, “Waiting with Mary in Advent,” Walking with Purpose, St. Isaac.
February 25, 2012, “Bearers of the Fire,” Sts. Simon and Jude, West Chester, PA.
March 7, 2012, “Spiritual Cardiology: Psalm 51,” St. Elizabeth, Exton, PA.
March 10, 2012, “Mary: Mother of the Eucharist,” Archdiocesan Catechetical Conference.
March 31, 2012, “Forgiveness: The Best Revenge,” St. Joseph, Downingtown, PA.
April 14, 2012, “Forgiveness: Bridge to Wholeness,” Villa Maria Spirituality Center, Immaculata, PA.
April 17, 2012, “Mercy without Measure,” Our Lady of Good Counsel, Southampton, PA.
April 24, 2012, “Premeditated Mercy,” Presbyterians USA Conference, Media, PA.
May 5, 2012, “At the School of Mary: Woman of the Eucharist,” Corpus Christi, Lansdale, PA.
May 9, 2012, “C.S. Lewis and Forgiveness,” New York C.S. Lewis Society, New York City, NY.
Conferences attended:
April 2 – 6, 2008, World Apostolic Congress on Mercy, Rome, Italy.
May 17 – 20 2011, Mariological Society of America Conference, Scottsdale, AZ.
June 9 – 11, 2011, University Faculty for Life Conference, Notre Dame, IN.
Jan 30, 2011, Philip Jenkins, Ph.D., “The Next Christendom: The Rise of Global Christianity,”
GST Lecture Series, St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Overbrook, PA.
June 1 – 3, 2012, University Faculty for Life, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT.
Fellowship of Catholic Scholars
Mariological Society of America (Dayton University, Ohio)
Generation Life: Advisor
“Slow-Paced We Come: Conversion in the Writings of C.S. Lewis”