Tuesday, April 18
12:00-1:25pm CST

To celebrate the recent arrival of an icon of St. Kateri Tekakwitha, the Murphy Institute hosts this presentation featuring Fr. Christopher Collins, Vice President for Mission and Kelly Drummer, President of MIGZI, who will speak on the life of St. Kateri and share reflections on the mission of the Church and the local Native community today.  A Mass will be celebrated prior to the program during which Fr. Collins will bless the icon prior to its installation.   

This newly received icon was commissioned through Markell Studios, Inc. in Stillwater, MN by the Murphy Institute to contribute to the collection of artwork housed at the School of Law.  Special guest Nicholas Markell of Markell Studios joins us to offer remarks on his work and the icon.

Schedule
12:00pm Mass and Icon Blessing in St. Thomas More Chapel, MSL First Floor
12:30-1:25pm Presentation and Lunch, MSL Room 235     

Speakers
Rev. Christopher Collins, SJ, is the Vice President for Mission at the University of St. Thomas. He served from 2012 to 2020 at Saint Louis University as a faculty member in the Department of Theological Studies, Director of the Catholic Studies Program and as Assistant to the President for Mission and Identity. His research and teaching are in the areas of Systematic Theology and Spirituality. His publications include The Word Made Love: The Dialogical Theology of Joseph Ratzinger/ Benedict XVI (Liturgical Press, 2013) and Three Moments of the Day: Praying with the Heart of Jesus (Ave Maria Press, 2014). His forthcoming book, Habits of Freedom, will be published by Ave Maria Press. He regularly gives retreats around the country based on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola.

Fr. Collins earned a BA in Philosophy from the University of St. Thomas, an MA in History from Saint Louis University, a Masters of Divinity and Licentiate from Weston Jesuit School of Theology and a Doctorate in Sacred Theology from Boston College. He was ordained a priest in 2006 and made his final vows as a Jesuit in 2015.

Kelly Drummer is the President of MIGZI, a Minneapolis organization providing a strong circle of support that nurtures the educational, social, economic and cultural development of American Indian youth.  Prior to joining MIGIZI in November 2018, Kelly served as founding President and CEO of the Tiwahe Foundation for seven years, Tiwahe is an American Indian community foundation which focuses on providing micro grants to American Indian communities, strengthening leadership initiatives and network building. During her 20 years of philanthropy and non-profit work, Kelly has worked with the Jewish Community Foundation, The Family Partnership, Headwaters Foundation for Justice, and New Foundations – a Project for Pride in Living program. Kelly currently serves on the Saint Paul Foundation Community Impact Grants Committee, The Family Partnership Board of Directors and other projects that benefit American Indian Woman and youth. She holds a M.A. degree in Philanthropy and Development from St. Mary’s University and a B.A. in Cultural Anthropology from the University of Minnesota.