The Seelos Institute

The Seelos Institute for Catholic Education was launched in fall 2023. The Institute aims to provide services to the local Catholic community by embracing two of Donnelly’s core values: seeking truth and building community. The Seelos Institute is named after Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos, a German-born Redemptorist priest who dedicated his life to serving the poor and marginalized, with a special focus on immigrants and youth.

The Institute includes three main initiatives. Learn more about each initiative and upcoming events:

More initiatives will be added as The Seelos Institute evolves.

Upcoming Events — Faculty Formation

From Wonder to Wisdom

In this in-service we will be talking about how the Catholic vision of Creation sets Catholic education on a path that is distinct from its secular counterpart. It will build on our reflections on the human person that we have been discussing and will help clarify what an education for wisdom and virtue might look like.

When: June 4th, from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm

Where: St. Mary’s Church, St. Benedict, Kansas

Cost: $100 per person, includes lunch and light breakfast

Register here.

The Religious Potential of the Child: The Pedagogy of Sofia Cavalletti and how it inspires Catholic Education of all levels.
In this two-day in-service, we will read and discuss some of the most helpful and beautiful aspects of Sofia Cavalletti’s approach to Catechesis and education. As Catholics, we know that how we teach is actually driven by what we understand about he human person and the human nature that God imparted to us— Sofia Cavalletti is a beautiful example of what this can look like. It will be inspiring for teachers of any level but will be especially helpful for teachers of younger grades.

When: June 10-11, 2026, from 8:30 am-3:00 pm
Cost: $200 per person (scholarships available).
Includes lunch for both days
Where: Donnelly College

Register for these dates here.

The Pedagogy of God part II: The Catechism of the Catholic Church and the Principles of Catechesis
Join us for a series the second installment of reflections on the vocation of catechesis and the principles that inform our craft. All levels of experience are welcome. This is for directors of religious education, Catholic schoolteachers, parish catechists and school of religion teachers. Please register by May 20.

Required text: The Catechism of the Catholic Church, with indexes.
When: June 22 -23, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Cost: $200 per person (scholarships available).
Includes lunch for both days
Where: Donnelly College

Register for these dates here.

Questions about the Faculty Formation classes? Contact:

Sebastian D'Amico, Faculty Formation Coordinator at sdamico@donnelly.edu

Summer 2026 Lecture Series: John Paul the Great: The Saint and His Work

This summer, Donnelly is hosting a Lecture Series around the life and thought of Pope Saint John Paul II. Lectures will take place on Tuesday evenings at 7 p.m. in Donnelly’s Event Center. Sign-up is requested. (Your sign-up helps us prepare adequate seating. With sign-up, one can attend however many of the lectures they choose.) This series is free and open to anyone of any faith background.

Are you looking to learn more about Pope Saint John Paul II? Join the Bl. Xavier Seelos Institute as members of Donnelly’s faculty and staff dive into his life and work.

This free series will meet on the following days:

July 7th- Monsignor Swetland- “Christ at the Center: The Priesthood of Karol Wojtyla”
July 14th- Sebastian D’Amico- “The Two Wings of the Soul: Faith and Reason”
July 21st- Dr. Matthew Wilde- "At the Heart of Married Love: St. John Paul's Love and Responsibility”
July 28th- Dr. Aaron Williams- “Being is Gift: John Paul II and the Mystery of Creation”
August 4th- Dr. Matthew Vander Vennet- “Totally Yours: John Paul the II and the Blessed Virgin Mary”
August 11th- Lindsey Weishar- “‘With Eyes Transfixed More by Light Than by Sorrow’: Karol Wojtyla as Poet”
August 18th- Monsignor Swetland- “Working with Christ: The Social Vision of John Paul II”

Interested in joining this in-person lecture series?

Fill out this form to receive additional information.

Questions about the Adult education classes? Contact:

Lindsey Weishar, Executive Assistant at lweishar@donnelly.edu.