Rev. Bill Lies, C.S.C., left, and Rev. Dan Groody, C.S.C.
Two Congregation of Holy Cross priests at the University of Notre Dame will serve as speakers at commencement ceremonies at two Catholic colleges this month.
Rev. William M. Lies, C.S.C., vice president for mission engagement and church affairs, will be the featured speaker and receive an honorary degree at the 176th commencement ceremony May 23 at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa.
Rev. Daniel Groody, C.S.C., associate professor of theology and director of immigration initiatives in the Institute for Latino Studies, will speak at two commencement ceremonies May 17 at Cabrini College in Radnor, Pennsylvania.
Father Lies has served in his current role for three years. He previously was the executive director of the Center for Social Concerns at Notre Dame from 2002-2012. He also teaches in the Department of Political Science and is a fellow of the University’s Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies and the Kellogg Institute for International Studies. His teaching and research focus on human rights, religion and politics in Latin America and the politics of poverty.
A graduate of Saint John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota, Father Lies earned his master of divinity degree from Notre Dame and doctorate in political science from the University of Pittsburgh. After a post-baccalaureate year of service in Chicago with Dominican Volunteers USA, Father Lies began his professional career as a residence hall director and campus minister at Loras College from 1985 to 1987.
Father Groody earned his bachelor’s degree in the Program of Liberal Studies at Notre Dame, his master of divinity and a licentiate in sacred theology from the Jesuit School of Theology and a doctorate in theology from the Graduate Theological Union.
His research focus is on U.S. Latino spirituality, globalization and the relationship of Christian spirituality to social justice. He has worked with the U.S. Congress, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, the World Council of Churches and the Vatican on issues of theology, globalization and migration.
Father Groody is the author of “Border of Death, Valley of Life: An Immigrant Journey of Heart and Spirit” and “Globalization, Spirituality, and Justice: Navigating the Path to Peace.” He also is the executive producer of the documentaries “One Border, One Body: Immigration and the Eucharist” and “Dying to Live: A Migrant’s Journey.”
Originally published by at news.nd.edu on May 06, 2015.