Originally broadcast at 3:00 p.m. ET Friday August 6, 2021.

12th Annual Buffalo Day at Chautauqua "Building a Culture of Empathy: From Franciscan Spirituality to Schweitzer"s 'Reverence for Life' Ethic"

This interfaith conversation features panelists Fr. Jud Weiksnar, OFM pastor at Ss. Columba-Brigid Church in Buffalo and Rev. Tom Yorty, retired senior pastor at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Buffalo. Dennis Galucki, the inspiration and leader of Buffalo Day will offer introductory remarks and Director of Religion Maureen Rovegno will moderate questions and answers.

About the Panelists:

Father William Weiksnar, known as Father Jud, is a Franciscan friar and Catholic priest and is pastor of Saints Columbia-Brigid Church on Hickory Street in Buffalo. A native Buffalonian, he grew up in St. Benedict's parish in Eggertsville. He attended Nichols School and the University of Notre Dame, and went to UB for grad school before joining the Franciscans. He is a member of the Slow Roll Squad on Monday nights, and when he's not on his bike you can find him kayaking on the Buffalo River. He has served locally, nationally and internationally with Franciscan groups dedicated to promoting justice, peace and the care of God's creation.

Recently retired Reverend Thomas Yorty came to Westminster Presbyterian Church in 1998 following pastorates in Easton, PA and Williamsville, NY. Tom grew up in Pittsburgh, PA, graduated from Muskingum College, Yale Divinity School, and Drew University (PhD, 19th Century Studies), and has served on the board of Auburn Theological Seminary, NYC since 2003. During Tom's pastorate at Westminster, the congregation has continued its historic role as a leader in mission to the city, social justice, and worship and music ministries. In 2005, the church launched the Westminster Economic Development Initiative, which provides business coaching and loans to Buffalo’s growing immigrant community as well as an English language learner afterschool program for K-8 children.

About Chautauqua Institution: Chautauqua Institution is a community on the shores of Chautauqua Lake in southwestern New York state that comes alive each summer with a unique mix of fine and performing arts, lectures, interfaith worship and programs, and recreational activities. As a community, we celebrate, encourage and study the arts and treat them as integral to all of learning, and we convene the critical conversations of the day to advance understanding through civil dialogue. CHQ Assembly is the online expression of Chautauqua Institution's mission.