Christmas at The Sheen Center for Thought & Culture in Lower Manhattan is becoming a New York tradition, bringing music, film, theater and more to all who wish to share in the spirit of the season.
The second annual Fulton Sheen Memorial will be held Saturday, Dec. 9, at noon. The day’s events open with a lecture by author Paul Kengor, Ph.D., who will explore the Cold War as the backdrop for the public ministry of Fulton Sheen. Dr. Kengor will shine a light on Sheen as the “influencer” by looking closely at his contemporaries, Pope John Paul II and President Ronald Reagan, each of whom played a pivotal role in the demise of communism.
Following the lecture will be two panel discussions, one with noted Sheen expert Sherry Brownrigg, the other with Peter Dwyer, both moderated by David DiCerto, the Sheen Center’s director of program administration.
The Sheen Center Book Fair, featuring selections from eminent Catholic thinkers, also opens in the Loreto Theater Lobby.
Michael Cerveris and his folk/rock collective, Loose Cattle, take the microphone Monday, Dec. 11, at 7:30 p.m., with the premiere performance of their new album, “Seasonal Affective Disorder,” featuring Laura Cantrell, Will Chase, Ben McKenzie and Robin Lord Taylor.
The Sheen Center’s signature Christmas family event on Tuesday, Dec. 12, at 7 p.m., will feature carols by St. Stephen’s children’s choir, a reading of Clement Moore’s “A Visit From Saint Nicholas” by a celebrity guest and a screening of the original Dr. Seuss classic, “How The Grinch Stole Christmas.”
Thought leaders Ross Douthat of The New York Times and Father James Martin, S.J., of America magazine, will share the stage for the first installment of the groundbreaking series, “Civility in America,” Wednesday, Dec.13, at 6 p.m. with a topical debate on religion in the world today. Moderated by Father Matt Malone, S.J., editor-in-chief of America magazine, “Civility in America” brings together public figures holding contrasting perspectives of socially relevant issues for an evening of informed dialogue and spirited, civil discussion.
Father Bob VerEecke, S.J.’s, “Christmas Revelations” returns to the Loreto stage Friday, Dec. 15, at 7:30 p.m. with an extraordinary display of dance and holiday spirit, weaving together old and new expressions of the Christmas story with brilliant choreography. Father VerEecke is the pastor of St. Francis Xavier parish in Manhattan.
The Sheen Center for Thought & Culture is located at 18 Bleecker St. Information: sheencenter.org or (212) 925-2812 or (212) 219-3132.