Fall Speaker Series: Mission to Love – Proclaiming, Living and Sharing the Gospel Today
“The mission of the disciples and the Church as a whole is to continue the mission of Christ in the Holy Spirit: a mission born of love, lived in love, and leading to love.” – Pope Leo XIV
Explore contemporary and emerging practices for engaging with new and diverse audiences and inspiring renewed mission commitment.
Session Overviews
timone davis, Ph.D.
Thursday, October 29
Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology
Loyola University Chicago
Called to Commission: Intergenerational Engagement
timone davis* is a cradle Catholic who was a “pewster” until she discovered that the uselessness of the Church was because she wasn’t giving anything of herself. After committing to getting involved, her life changed. Her Mirst ministry was with the RCIA, where she not only welcomed others into the Church, but also revitalized her own spirituality.
After working for the Archdiocese of Chicago as the coordinator of ReCiL – Reclaiming Christ in Life Young Adult Ministry, timone co-founded PEACE centered WHOLENESS with her husband Orlando, where they are blending clinical counseling and spiritual companioning.
timone is an associate professor in the Institute of Pastoral Studies at Loyola University Chicago and a past instructor in New Frontiers in Preaching Academy at Aquinas Institute of Theology.
timone's dynamic energy and deep spirituality enhance her brand of teaching that engages one’s spirit through the use of storytelling. No matter the occasion, timone's mission is to help others open their hearts and minds to the soul-saving power of God's Grace, Love and Mercy.
*dr. timone davis uses lower case letters in the spelling of her name to indicate her willingness to embody the creedal assertion in John 3:30 in her everyday living.
John Chitakure, Ph.D.
Thursday, November 5
Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology and Intercultural Competencies
Mexican American Catholic College
Called to Cooperation: Intercultural Communication
John Chitakure is an Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology and Intercultural Competencies at The Mexican American Catholic College, in Texas. He holds a PhD from the University of South Africa (UNISA), DMin from the Catholic Theological Union, Chicago, MA in Religious Studies, BA (Hons) in Religious Studies, Diploma in Religious Studies, and a Graduate Certificate in Education, all from the University of Zimbabwe. He also holds five Clinical Pastoral Education Units from the Baptist Health System, USA. Prior to migrating to the USA in 2012, he taught theological courses at Wadzanai Training Center, Chishawasha Regional Seminary, Holy Trinity College, and Arrupe Jesuit University, all in Zimbabwe.
John is happily married to Blessing, and they have two boys aged 27 and 25. John was ordained a permanent deacon for the archdiocese of San Antonio in 2022, and currently assists as a deacon at Senyor Santo Niño de Cebu Catholic Church in San Antonio, Texas.
Diana Marin
Tuesday, November 10
Director of Mercy and Justice
St. Ignatius Parish, San Francisco
Called to Communion: What Synodality Means for Mission Today
Diana is passionate about uplifting human dignity and facilitating spiritual community through strategy, relationship-building, and faith formation. She is currently serving as Director of Mercy & Justice at St. Ignatius Parish in San Francisco, where she organizes social justice efforts within the community. She previously worked with Catholic Climate Covenant as Director of Coalitions and Campaigns, advancing environmental justice and mobilizing young adults on climate action. She brings over a decade of experience in program strategy, network weaving, and resource management — grounded in systems thinking, relational leadership, and a belief in the capacity of faith communities to make meaningful change.
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