Kevin Gillespie Honored by Catholic Press Association

Dr. Kevin Gillespie, S.J., Chair of the Pastoral Counseling Department, was  honored for his  writing by the Catholic Press Association at their recent convention in Toronto.

A first place award for Best Essay Prayer & Spirituality Magazines went to C. Kevin Gillespie, SJ, for his article in Spiritual Life, Narcissism and Conversion. Judges said: Using the insight of modern psychology, the author brings spiritual thought into the 21st century by shedding light on the idea that narcissism both exists in different states of maturity and disputes its inherently negative nature. Using rationale and story-telling, the idea is that narcissism can be a coping mechanism to bring people closer to themselves, others and God. A progressive and well-written piece, ˜Narcissism and Conversion"is a thought provoking and modern piece of spiritual journalism."

Fr. Gillespie's areas of research and writing generally involve the integration of psychology and spirituality which he often considers through a historical hermeneutic. His book, Psychology and American Catholicism: From Confession to Therapy? illustrated this historical approach. He has also presented a series of pastoral workshops on the life of Fr. Henri Nouwen and psycho-spiritual pastoral research concerning such issues as sexual abuse and trauma.