Upcoming Event

Sport, Human Flourishing and the Common Good: A Jesuit Perspective

Wednesday, October 28, 2026
5:30 p.m.

Featuring Fr. Patrick Kelly, SJ
Location: MU’s College of Business Administration

Event Overview

Patrick Kelly has lectured nationally and internationally on the human, cultural and spiritual significance of sport. His influence in this area extends from the halls of the Vatican to ace Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tarik Skubal, who credits his “Sports and Spirituality” class as a formative influence.

Drawing on the flow theory of his mentor, psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, in this talk Fr. Kelly will show how sports can be enjoyable and done for their own sake and also lead to our growth as whole persons while fostering the common good. He will also speak about trends in the rapidly changing landscape of sport that tend to rob participants of the joy of playing, and which undermine human and societal flourishing. While this talk is primarily about sports, the flow experience also occurs in many other areas of life, including study and research, creative pursuits, the arts, and at work. Attendees will gain new insights into such dimensions of their life and how they are related to their personal growth and can lead to more meaningful engagement in society.

Program Details
5:30 p.m. - Presentation, immediately followed by a reception.

Following Fr. Kelly’s presentation, there will be an opportunity for questions.

Speaker Bio

Father Patrick Kelly, SJ, PhD, is the holder of the Heider Chair and professor of theology at Creighton University and a visiting professor at the Gregorian University in Rome. Prior to Creighton, he was an associate professor at the University of Detroit Mercy and Seattle University. A former college football captain and All-Conference safety, Fr. Kelly brings his lifelong passion for sports into his research and writing. His latest book, Play, Sport and Spirit (2023), explores the connection between play, sport and the spiritual life. His expertise has also led him to collaborate with Vatican offices on the Church’s work related to sports, including during the beginning of Pope Leo’s papacy.

Registration is required. Please RSVP below by October 26, 2026.

Save the Date

Fr. Ryan Duns, SJ, and Friends
Irish Music Jam Session

Thursday, March 4, 2027

More details to come

Past Events

Cura Personalis in Action: Understanding Student Wellness Needs and How to Address Them in Jesuit Education

On Thursday, November 6, 2025, Luis de Zengotita discussed the growing mental health challenges facing students nationwide, noting rising levels of anxiety, loneliness, and a loss of meaning and purpose among young people. He emphasized how Jesuit institutions are uniquely equipped to respond through their transformative mission and commitment to cura personalis—care for the whole person. De Zengotita highlighted the importance of embedding holistic wellness across campus to create health-promoting environments that not only alleviate distress but also foster belonging, resilience, and lifelong flourishing.

The Impact of Jesuit Education on the Student and the Impact of the Jesuit Institution on the City of Milwaukee

On Thursday, November 21, 2024, leadership from each of the four Jesuit schools in Milwaukee shared how their schools form men and women for others while having a significant and positive impact on the city of Milwaukee. The panel featured Fr. Michael Marco, SJ, President, Marquette University High School, Ms. Vanessa Solis, President, Nativity Jesuit Academy, Mr. Andrew Stith, President, Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, and Dr. Kimo Ah Yun, President, Marquette University.

Celtic Notes & Anecdotes: A Night with Fr. Ryan Duns, SJ, and Friends

On Thursday, February 29, 2024, JFAN Milwaukee hosted Celtic Notes & Anecdotes: A Night with Fr. Ryan Duns, SJ, and Friends. In preparation for St. Patrick’s Day, the Associate Professor of Theology at Marquette University shared his special gifts for storytelling and Irish music, playing the tin whistle and piano accordion at the Networking Reception. View Fr. Duns YouTube channel here.