Catholic Teachings and Healthcare: UIW to Host Annual 2026 Pierre Lecture

The University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) will be presenting the annual 2026 Pierre Lecture at 6 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 24 in the Joeris Ballroom (Student Engagement Center). Since 2001, the Pierre Lecture, named after one of UIW's founding Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word (CCVI) Sister Pierre Cinquin, CCVI, has brought "distinguished women scholars of religious studies to campus to address current issues relating to social justice, ecology and globalization" (uiw.edu).

The series is funded by the Pierre Fund Committee of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, and is hosted by the UIW Department of Religious Studies.

This year's guest speaker is Senior Director for Theology and Sponsorship at the Catholic Health Association and CCVI Sister, Sr. Teresa Maya. Maya's talk titled "Care for All: What Does 'Catholic' Mean in Health Care?" will explore the Gospel roots of Catholic health care, the call to health equity and the "Samaritan Way" of offering care with mercy and dignity.

"We are grateful that Sister Tere, as she is known to members of the UIW community, agreed to be our speaker for 2026, as she is an ideal representative of what we hope the lecture achieves," shared Religious Studies associate professor Adrienne N. Ambrose, PhD. "She is the first CCVI Sister we've hosted as a speaker, and she combines the attributes we seek to celebrate with this lecture. As the Senior Director for Theology and Sponsorship at the Catholic Health Association, Maya is committed to the principles of Catholic Social Teaching, which she seeks to uphold through her current work."

Additionally, Maya previously served as councilor and congregational leader for the CCVI congregation. Ambrose noted how in her leadership roles, Maya demonstrated a willingness to both listen to the needs of those she serves, and to confront complacency and injustice wherever it occurs. In a 2018 address, Maya delivered a bold statement during the US Conference of Catholic Bishops to "listen to the heart of our people," showing her commitment to a vision of the Church rooted in the people of God rather than in institutional authority. Ambrose hopes that UIW community members will learn from Maya's example during this year's lecture.

"As one of the leading Texas universities in training individuals for the health professions, UIW has an important role to play," shared Ambrose. "As a faith-based institution, UIW helps students explore the relationship between religious commitment and physical health. Yet it's not always easy for students, faculty and other members of the community to see the connections; the demands of work and study can make it hard to see the bigger picture. As someone who embodies a commitment to human flourishing, Sister Tere reminds us of the power and importance of valuing spiritual and physical health in unison."