Kennedy Lecture 2026

Read the event recap in the Catholic News Herald

St. Peter parish welcomed Sr. Barbara Reid, O.P., Ph.D. as our guest speaker for the 26th annual Kennedy Lecture "Women Leaders in the Early Jesus Movement"  on Saturday, May 30, 2026
A leading feminist theologian, Sr. Barbara is also the author of several books and was formerly the president of the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. Among the school’s graduates is Pope Leo XIV. 

Sr. Barbara will give a lecture in the Church sanctuary, then sit for an interview on a wide range of subjects — including the role of women in the Catholic Church, caring for Mother Earth, divisions in the U.S. church and, of course, her perspective and any insider information on the new pope.
This event was recorded and will be posted on this page once we receive the video.

About the Kennedy Lecture
The Kennedy Lecture, is a gift of Thomas and Richard Kennedy in memory of their parents Joan and Keith’s dedication to St. Peter.

The event, now 26 years running, aims to challenge us and to stimulate thinking by engaging prominent persons in the field of religion and ethics. It is held annually on a Saturday morning in January and is open to all at no charge.

Over the years, the Kennedy Lecture has welcomed such prestigious speakers as:

• Founder of Homeboy Industries, Greg Boyle, SJ
• Vatican astronomer, Guy Consolmagno, SJ
• Theologian Megan McKenna
• author Edwina Gately
• granddaughter of Dorothy Day, Kate Hennessy
• New Yorker writer and author, Paul Elie
• Fr. Agbonkhianmeghe E. Orobator, S.J.