Roncalli High School winter theology series ends Feb. 11

Roncalli High School, part of Roncalli Catholic Schools, will hold the last session of “Learning on the Journey: A winter series of courses on faith, practices and perspectives” for this year on Feb. 11. 
 
The series is open to the public and there is no admission fee. It is held at the high school, 2000 Mirro Drive, Manitowoc from 6-7 p.m. with a social to follow. Refreshments will be served. Attendees should enter through the Fine Arts Center doors. 
 
People may attend as many or few session dates as they’d like. No reading or homework will be required to participate. Child care services will be provided, but families hoping to utilize this service must provide at least a week’s notice to ensure sufficient number of volunteers are available. Registration is not required, but appreciated, to attend the sessions. Please contact 920-682-8801 or [email protected] for child care and registration.
 
The series is presented with support from the Catholic Foundation for the Diocese of Green Bay, Inc. and the Koch Foundation.
 
The Feb. 11 session will feature the following four speakers:
 
Samwise Gamgee: Coming Home presented by Janine McIlheran, Ph.D.
Focusing on Samwise Gamgee in “The Lord of Rings,” this talk will explore how the ordinary serves as a moral anchor for people tossed about by extraordinary events.
 
Janine McIlheran has served as a teacher in Catholic high schools and universities for more than 25 years. She holds degrees from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, DePaul University, and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. A Roncalli English teacher, she and her husband have three grown children and are members of St. Stanislaus/St. Cyril Methodius in Sheboygan. 
 
Pilgrimage to Rome presented by The Rev. Matt Colle, M.S.
After studying in Rome for four years as a seminarian, I returned two years later on an eight-day pilgrimage with a group of 21 from the parish. I will share my experiences and reflections on Rome, the heart of the Church, through my perspective as a priest and pastor, including celebrating Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, St. Callixtus Catacombs, and St. Clare’s Convent.

Fr. Matthew Colle is an associate pastor at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Manitowoc. He also is the chaplain at Roncalli High School. He grew up in Luxemburg, WI and earned degrees in Animal Science from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls and the University of Idaho before entering seminary. His seminary studies took place at St. Francis de Sales in Milwaukee and the North American College in Rome. He has been a priest for two and a half years. 

Saint John Baptist de La Salle presented by Paul Schweigl, Th.D. 
This session will examine the importance of one of Roncalli’s great intercessors, St. John Baptist de La Salle, who also is the patron saint of all teachers.

Paul Schweigl is a Roncalli alumnus, holding degrees from St. Norbert College, the University of 
Notre Dame, and La Salle University. He has taught theology at Roncalli since 2011. He lives in Sheboygan with his wife and three children and is a member of Holy Name of Jesus parish.  
 
The Word of God at Vatican II presented by Taylor Geiger, M.A.
This talk will explore the Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation, Dei Verbum, composed at the Second Vatican Council which reminds us that Christianity is a “revealed religion.” We will cover what that means and why the “word of God” is the cornerstone of the Christian life.
 
Taylor Geiger was born, raised, and still lives in Manitowoc with his wife and their three daughters. He graduated from Holy Family College with a degree in theology in 2015 and earned an M.A. in Theology from the Augustine Institute in Denver, Colorado in 2022. Geiger serves on the Mission and Theology team at Roncalli High School as a freshman theology teacher and campus minister.