The purpose of this conference sponsored by the Notre Dame Center for Ethics & Culture was to identify and explore significant sources of moral and spiritual renewal, reform, and formation available to individuals and institutions in a culture marked by the loss of meaning and direction. The goals of the conference resonate with John Paul II's recurrent call for awakening and renewal in our communities and society. One starting point for this conference was to examine historical examples or studies of reform, taking into consideration such historical models of spiritual renewal as the Oxford Movement of the mid-19th century. Furthermore, we invited reflection on practical ways of renewing and cultivating meaningful practices within medicine, education, politics, commerce, the family, the arts, popular culture, and the natural sciences.
Our aim was for this series to build on the first triennial conference series hosted by the Notre Dame Center for Ethics and Culture and sponsored by the Maas Family Excellence Fund in the autumns of 2000, 2001, and 2002. The first triennial series culminated in proposals on how to build a genuine culture of life. This conference commenced reflection on the renewal and formation that lie at its heart.
Among topics explored were:
