Catholic Vision of Women to Take Center Stage at University of St. Thomas Winter Symposium
Renowned Catholic thought leaders gather to educate and inspire at two-day event inspired by the 30th anniversary of JPII’s “Letter to Women”
University of St. Thomas Houston is leading the conversation on the profound wellspring of wisdom that the Catholic Church offers in the conversation on gender and sexuality. As the Church marks the 30th anniversary of Pope St. John Paul II’s landmark writing “Letter to Women” on the role of women in the modern world, the University of St. Thomas’s Nesti Center for Faith & Culture (Nesti CFC) will host a two-day winter symposium, The Beauty of Truth: Navigating Society Today as a Catholic Woman. The event will explore how the practical framework of Pope St. John’s groundbreaking writings apply to family life, education, healthcare, and professional environments. Led by the Nesti CFC Catholic Women’s & Gender Studies Program, the event will take place January 9–10, 2026 and will feature a nationally recognized lineup of powerhouse speakers, including theologian Dr. Pia de Solenni, legal scholar Erika Bachiochi and author Mary Eberstadt.
Dr. Sinda Vanderpool, the University’s first female president, invites those from across the country to experience the faithful Catholic mission of UST. “We are honored to host this event and welcome these esteemed speakers and scholars to our campus,” Vanderpool said. “We are excited to share, with fidelity, the Church’s teachings on women in the life of the Church and the importance of human identity as given to us by God the Creator. We hope it gives you a taste of our devotion to the Blessed Mother and her special role in guiding all our programs at UST.”
On the heels of the 30th anniversary of Pope St. John Paul II’s “Letter to Women,” this extraordinary two-day winter symposium will feature additional presentations from theologian Dr. Angela Franks, author Leah Libresco Sargeant, and UST’s own Dr. Eileen Reuter, among others. Sessions will explore topics such as the philosophical underpinnings of the quest for identity in modern culture, understanding the Church’s teachings on natural family planning, and helping high school students develop an authentic vision of gender and sexuality. Both seasoned and emerging scholars with an interest in these areas will have the opportunity to participate in expert panels and present their research during a dedicated Q&A forum.
“This symposium aims to address society’s ongoing debates over gender, sexuality, and the role of women in the Church with faith, clarity, and courage,” said Leah Jacobson, Program Coordinator for Catholic Women’s and Gender Studies at the Nesti Center. “We invite everyone to join in thoughtful dialogue, as we explore the tension between secular theories and the Catholic understanding of the human person.”
UST’s Nesti CFC provides education and formation through its two master’s programs to help people understand the relationship between the Church’s universal call to love and the values of the dominant American culture. The Master of Arts in Catholic Women’s and Gender Studies (MACWGS) program was launched in the Fall of 2024, building on the long success of the Center’s flagship MA in Faith & Culture (MAFC) program. The new MACWGS program is focused on teaching students the fullness of Catholic truth concerning human and personal identity, and providing the tools to correct contemporary errors that erode the dignity of men and women.
“This event will build upon the work being done in the classroom of our MACWGS program,” said Dr. Eileen Reuter, a Nesti CFC Fellow and MACWGS professor. “We invite all of our attendees to experience the deep learning and rigorous discussions that happen in our classes around how we are each uniquely called to serve the Church.”
Seats are limited, and public registration is now open. Discounted rates are available for university students, and sponsorship opportunities are offered for those wishing to support the event.
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About the University of St. Thomas
The University of St. Thomas is a comprehensive Catholic university, grounded in the liberal arts. Committed to the unity of all knowledge, UST offers programs in the traditional liberal arts, professional, and skilled-based disciplines. Graduates of the University of St. Thomas think critically, communicate effectively, succeed professionally, and lead ethically.
