Micah Past Programs

The Catholic Social Teaching Topics website was established to advance the work of social justice by making available resources and information about the Catholic social heritage. It explores the tradition of Catholic Social Teaching on human work, the environment, the global economy, politics, world order, and peace, and is grounded in certain principles that also have universal resonance across faith traditions.

Micah Seminars for Stillman School of Business Students were presented in the Spring and Fall semesters to introduce a select group of students, undergraduate and graduate, to the dynamics of organizational leadership which is informed by values and social principles of the major faith traditions: the principles of human dignity, the common good, and concern for the poor. Students are introduced to new and insightful thinking and reflection processes which allow them to deepen their self awareness and assist them in integrating their primary goals and aspirations with career expectations. Thus, students are able to more critically evaluate traditional economic theory and business leadership practices.

Past Micah Institute Programs

The Micah Business Leadership Program is a series of lectures, seminars, retreats, and workshops designed for business leaders, business students, and the business community. The activities are facilitated by a team of nationally recognized religious and business leaders. Business persons explore and learn how to anchor their leadership, extend their self awareness, creativity and vision, and improve the ethical climate of their businesses.

April 28, 2012
Human Dignity and the Twelve Million: The Religious, Economic and Legal Aspects of Immigration in the United States and US Immigration Policy

The Summit addressed the religious, economic and legal aspects of immigration in the United States today. Attendees included a cross-section of business, political, academic and religious leaders. The small group format offered the opportunity for reflection, as well as lively, spirited conversation. Speakers included; Dr. Anna Brown, Professor of Political Science at St. Peter's College; Greg Sullivan, Program Director of First Friends, an immigrant detainee service and Kathleen O'Leary of Pax Christi, an organization advocating a more peaceful, just and sustainable world.

Annual Conference of the Micah Business Leadership Project
April 9, 2011
Profitability and Justice: The Case of the Living Wage

Facilitated by the Arrupe Program in Social Ethics for Business, the workshop brought together business and academic leaders to focus on the issue of a living wage in the midst of the concrete demands of profitability. The program examined business perspectives on the topic, joined with theological reflection on the demands of justice in our day. The method of the workshop was experiential, focusing on the concrete experiences of the participants and sought to bring to light their living wisdom.

Annual Conference of the Micah Business Leadership Project
April 24, 2010
Contemporary Movements for Social Justice

This annual conference focused on the research and insights of Bernard J. Lonergan. During his lifetime, Lonergan wrote about the "pure cycle" of economic activity - the harmonious relations between production, consumption, finance and a standard of living reflecting the common good.

Bernard J. Lonergan Economic Summit Follow-Up Forum
November 12, 2009
Mr. Gene Ahner on Business Ethics: Making a Life, Not Just a Living

To survive, effective businessmen and women need to make more than a living; business needs to be understood as a vocation, giving a deeper meaning to activities that take up so much of our time, talent and energy. Mr. Gene Ahner explained "Business Ethics: Making a Life, Not Just a Living."

Bernard J. Lonergan Economic Summit Follow-Up Forum
October 27, 2009
Dr. Margaret Benefiel on The Soul of a Leader in Tough Economic Times

In an environment where leaders are rewarded for their drive, decisiveness, productivity and long hours, the souls of leaders may get short shrift. As a result, harm can come to the leader and, ultimately, to the organization this individual serves. Challenging the assumptions that effective leaders must sell their souls, cut corners, cook the books, and let go of their vision, a new model of leadership was presented by Dr. Margaret Benefiel.

International Summit Conference of the Micah Business Leadership Project
June 19-20, 2009
Forging a New Economic Paradigm: Perspectives From Bernard J. Lonergan

This was an eye-opening international summit conference on economics, which convened experts from the business community, academia and other fields to examine the writings and theories of renowned philosopher and theologian Bernard J. Lonergan, S.J. (1904-1984). Lonergan taught that the fundamental issue in avoiding economic booms and slumps was wide-spread teaching of a correct understanding of the economic cycle.

Faculty and Student Seminars on Lonergan Economic Thought

The William J. Toth Memorial Lecture Series 

2008 Program
April 
Topic: Spirited Leadership: Creating Organizations that Inspire the Soul
Speaker: Fr. William Byron, S.J., Author and former President of Catholic University, and Guest CEO

June
Annual Summit for Business Leaders
Topic: Vocation of the Business Leader, 2008
Speakers: Andre Delbecq, McCarthy University Professor at Santa Clara University; Christopher Lowney, Author of Heroic Leadership

October
Evening Symposium for Business Leaders
Topic: Truth, Trust and Transparency in Business and the Economy: A Bernard Lonergan Perspective
Speakers: J. Michael Stebbins and Morag McConville

Executive Retreat Program

This program was delivered in three retreats over a one-year period, 2006-2007. 

I. Discovering the Examen
The first retreat introduced the executives to the Examen developed by St. Ignatius Loyola. They used the Examen, a rich reflective tool, to discover the nobility of God's call in their work. Retreatants were shown how they can use the Examen to reflect and discern God's presence in their business activity over a six-month period.

II. Applying the Examen to Your Leadership Style
The second retreat, given six months after the first retreat,  focused on the use of the Examen to enhance and develop executive leadership. At the conclusion of the second retreat, retreatants began a personal six-month experience to reflect upon their call to leadership, assessing the quality of their leadership decisions as they are made.

III. Transforming Your Business through the Broadened Horizons of Catholic Social Teaching
The third and final retreat, given six months after the second retreat, introduced the executives to the broadened horizon and principles of Catholic social teaching in their practice of the Examen. Executives learned practical ways to implement these principles in their organizational structures and corporate governance.