annual Rev. Bernie Clark, C.S.C., Lecture
The annual Rev. Bernie Clark, C.S.C., Lecture was created by the Institute for Social Concerns in 2009 in order to highlight justice issues and themes related to the common good. The fall event honors Fr. Bernie who died young but influenced students with the life lesson of a “theory of enough.” Past speakers have included scholars and practitioners working to create a more just future for all.
2026 Annual Rev. Bernie Clark, C.S.C., Lecture
A Conversation with James Martin: Joy, Work, and Purpose
For the 2026 Bernie Clark Lecture, the institute is delighted to host Rev. James Martin, SJ, a Jesuit priest and author of several bestselling books, including his recently released spiritual memoir, Work in Progress.
Fr. Martin will join Suzanne Shanahan, the Leo and Arlene Hawk Executive Director of the Institute for Social Concerns, for a fireside chat to kick off the new academic year, with a conversation that we hope will inspire students, faculty, staff, and community members to pursue the joyful work of faithfully building character and the common good. Fr. Martin will be introduced by John T. McGreevy, the Charles and Jill Fischer Provost of the University of Notre Dame.
Join us Friday, August 28, at 4:00 p.m. in Andrews Auditorium at Geddes Hall. Reception to follow at 5:00 p.m. in the Geddes Hall Coffee House.
A keynote event in Notre Dame Forum 2026–2027.
Co-sponsors
Ansari Institute for Global Engagement with Religion
Cushwa Center for the Study of American Catholicism
McKenna Center for Human Development and Global Business
Sheedy Family Program in Economy, Enterprise, and Society
Previous Lectures
2025 | Tom Catena
A Conversation with Tom Catena
2024 | Bryan Stevenson
An Evening with Bryan Stevenson
2023 | Colson Whitehead
A Conversation with Colson Whitehead
2022 | Clint Smith
Race, Memory, and Public History
2021 | David Silberklang, Ph.D.
Responsible for Each Other: Mutual Assistance and Maintaining Human Dignity in the Holocaust
2020 | Sr. Norma Pimentel, M.J.
Justice at the Border: The Dignity of Human Life at the Core of our Faith
2019 | Rev. Maurice Henry Sands
Act Justly: Healing Racism through Faith
2018 | Cardinal Joseph Tobin, C.Ss.R.
Reawakening the American Heart
2017 | Scott Alexander, Ph.D. and Imam Hassan Al-Qazwini
The Challenge of Peace Pursued through Christian-Muslim Dialogue
2016 | Sr. Carol Keehan, DC, RN, MS
Catholic Health Care’s Role in Integral Human Development
2015 | Christiana Peppard, Ph.D
Integral Ecology: Pope Francis, Ethical Pluralism, and the Planet
2014 | Rev. Greg Boyle, SJ
Joy and Hope in the Hood
2013 | Clemens Sedmak, Ph.D.
The Deep Practice of Human Dignity
2012 | Sr. Joan Chittister, O.S.B.
An Uncommon Search for the Common Good
2011 | Sr. Helen Prejean, C.S.J.
Building Justice in the World: Confronting Evil