Under the direction of Sister Bernadette Kenny, RSHM, the 2011 institute is entitled, “The Choice to Be Part of the Public Life of the Church.” The weeklong residential program is designed to promote professional development of women in religious leadership positions, particularly in the areas of corporate, civil and canon (Church) law.

“Guests are invited to seek input and advice not only from the faculty who are present throughout the institute, but also from their more experienced peers. Attendees will also have the chance to enjoy the beautiful Misericordia campus and participate in a range of cultural and recreational activities available in the area,” said Sister Kenny.

All faculty members for the program are nationally recognized experts in the fields of canon and civil law. They include: Sister Kenny, a civil attorney who exclusively represents Roman Catholic religious congregations. She is a member of the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary, and holds a bachelor’s degree from Marymount College, a master’s degree from Manhattan College, and her Juris Doctorate from Fordham University School of Law where she served on the adjunct faculty for 21 years. Deborah M. Cerullo, SSND, an attorney and canonist who primarily represents religious institutes and their sponsored works. Sister Cerullo received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Rhode Island, her Juris Doctorate from Boston University, and her Licentiate in Canon Law from the University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome. She is a member of the School Sisters of Notre Dame and has served on the law faculties of the University of Notre Dame and Boston College. Kelly Connors, pm, a member of the Sisters of Presentation of Mary, serves as a canonical consultant to several dioceses and religious institutes. Sister Connors is currently completing her dissertation for her doctorate in Canon Law at Saint Paul University, Ottawa, Ontario. Sister Connors holds a bachelor’s degree from Providence College, a Master of Theological Studies degree from Weston Jesuit School of Theology, a Master of Comparative Law degree from the University of Ottawa, and her Licentiate in Canon Law from Saint Paul University, Ottawa. Sharon Holland, IHM, recently retired as Office Head for Ordinary Governance, Congregation for Institute of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apolistic Life in Rome. After receiving her bachelor’s degree from Marygrove College, and her master’s degree from the University of Detroit, Sister Holland received her Licentiate in Canon Law and Doctor of Canon Law degrees from the Gregorian University, Rome. A member of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Monroe, Mich., she has served in provincial leadership and has spoken at numerous conferences and workshops on canonical issues.

The residential cost for the institute is $895 per person and $750 for commuters. There is a special group rate for each additional person from a congregation. For additional, please contact Thea Kahn, Center for Adult and Continuing Education, at (570) 674-6161 or e-mail tkahn@misericordia.edu.

Founded and Sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy in 1924, Misericordia University is Luzerne County’s first four-year college and offers 32 academic majors on the graduate and undergraduate levels in full and part-time formats.