Conversations with the Nesti Center for Faith and Culture

Director General Peter Chen, with the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Houston (https://www.roc-taiwan.org/ushou_en/), joins Bridget Richardson, with the Nesti Center for Faith & Culture (https://www.stthom.edu/cfc), to discuss the office’s efforts during the Covid-19 pandemic and specifically the Tzu Chi Foundation (https://tzuchi.us/). Director General Chen shares how Tzu Chi has helped people in more than 50 countries and how their volunteers are trying to help people find inner peace during this time of anxiety. They also discuss the efforts of Tzu Chi in Taiwan and Houston.

Nicole Labadie, MDiv., Director of Campus Ministry at University of St. Thomas-Houston, (https://www.stthom.edu/campusministry), joins Bridget Richardson, with the Nesti Center for Faith & Culture (https://www.stthom.edu/cfc), to talk about cultivating joy and hope during times of uncertainty and suffering. Nicole discusses how lament and hope go hand-in-hand and how carving out time for stillness will help us better encounter God.

Danielle Brown, Associate Director of the Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (usccb.org), joins Bridget Richardson, with the Nesti Center for Faith & Culture (stthom.edu/cfc), to discuss the recent events of racial injustice and protests in the United States. They talk about the USCCB pastoral letter, “Open Wide Our Hearts,” the diversity of the Body of Christ and the Black Lives Matter movement.

Fr. Donald Nesti, CSSp, founder of the Nesti Center for Faith & Culture (CFC), Fr. Binh Quach, CSSp, director of the Nesti CFC, Chief H.E. Jenkins, Chief of Police of the University of St. Thomas Police Department, and Bridget Richardson, with the Nesti CFC, discuss the death of George Floyd, the nationwide protests and the most recent statement by United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (http://www.usccb.org/news/2020/20-83.cfm). The participants talk about the need to allow people to have the freedom to express their voice, the role of police and the importance of trust, community building and relationships.

Fr. John Huber, CSB, Ed.D., Director of Catholic Education at University of St. Thomas-Houston (https://www.stthom.edu), and Fr. Paul English, Director of Novices for the Basilian Fathers (https://www.basilian.org/), join Bridget Richardson, with the Nesti Center for Faith & Culture (https://www.stthom.edu/cfc), to discuss the death of George Floyd and how the dignity of the human person has been minimized. They discuss the role of Christians, white men and how our faith needs to orient our understanding of politics.

Reyna Anderson is a Legal Fellow with ADF International at the United Nations in New York City (https://adfinternational.org/regions/...) and an alumna of the Nesti Center for Faith & Culture master’s program (https://www.stthom.edu/cfc). She talks with Bridget Richardson, with the Nesti CFC, to discuss the cultural understanding of the common good in the United States. Reyna shared her thoughts on individualism in our culture and how Christians can and should transcend their cultural experience.

Dr. Ben Pickett, Executive Minister at West Houston Church of Christ, (https://westhoustonchurch.org/) talks with Bridget Richardson, with the Nesti Center for Faith & Culture (https://www.stthom.edu/cfc), about protocols for coming back together for church amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Dr. Pickett shares how mood and attitude is very important as people come back together and how Christ transcends our fear.