Dear Colleagues in the JECSE network,
We cordially invite you to participate in the long-awaited Pastoral Conference to be held on 17-20 January 2023 in Manresa, Spain.
Our conference will continue the reflection we started in January of this year during our Pastoral Webinar around the issue of accompaniment. This time, we will be guided by the words: “Were not our hearts burning within us…?” (Luke, 24:32).
During this conference, we will explore the pedagogical and spiritual attitudes that go with true accompaniment. In both a reflective and practical manner, we will discern the various challenges facing education in our complex European and post-pandemic context of today. Together, we will consider how we can accompany others so that they can personally experience the hope of Jesus and so better pass it on to those they serve.
We will also take time for personal reflection and quiet time. I hope that the Spirit will move within us and be a source of consolation.
The main objectives of this Conference are:
- to give Mission & Identity Formators and Pastoral Coordinators a ‘retreat style’ experience
- to deepen our understanding of Ignatian spirituality and pedagogy
- to reflect together on our shared mission in the context of today’s challenges
- to support staff formation in our schools
- to offer a unique opportunity for this combined audience to meet and share, and build a European support group.
This meeting is also an opportunity to share examples of good practice from your own schools. If you would be interested in leading a short workshop-presentation (in English, French or Spanish), please tick the appropriate box on the registration form.
The target audience for this conference is primarily for Mission & Identity Formators and Pastoral Coordinators in our Primary as well as Secondary Schools – i.e. for those charged with the special responsibility for formation in our schools and for those who are called, on a daily basis, to accompany staff and students on their spiritual journey.
There will be simultaneous translation into three languages (EN / SP / FR).
Small group meetings for reflection and sharing will be in your preferred language.
Pastoral Conference 2023 Programme
“Were not our hearts burning within us?”
Accompaniment – journeying together in hope, from and into the heart of our Ignatian tradition
Tuesday, January 17th
… – 16:00 Arrivals & accommodation
16:00 Eucharist
17:00 Opening prayer
17:10 Opening and introduction to the Conference
17:20 Encontrar las raíces de la esperanza / Finding the roots for hope
Ms Ana Berástegui, Universidad Pontificia Comillas Spain
18:20 Personal time with questions for reflection
18:50 Small groups work 1: Introductory meeting
20:00 Dinner and Social
Wednesday, January 18th
07:30 Eucharist
08:30 Breakfast
09:30 Morning prayer
09:45 Introduction to the dynamic of the day
10:00 El acompañamiento desde una perspectiva teológica
/ Accompaniment from a theological perspective
Fr Álvaro Lobo SJ, Pastoral coordinator, Spanish Province
11:00 Personal time with questions
11:30 Coffee break
12:00 Small groups work 2: Spiritual conversation
13:30 Lunch
15:30 Introduction to the dynamic of the afternoon session
15:45 Testimonies on hope – What gives us hope?
Ms Clarie Lefevre, Saint Joseph – REIMS, France
Ms Christine Rossi, St. Aloysius College, Malta
Ms Dorien van der Deijl, Stanislascollege, the Netherlands
16:45 Personal time with questions
17:15 Coffee break
17:45 Plenary session with sharing in small groups
19:00 Prayer in the style of Taizé
20:00 Dinner
Thursday, January 19th
08:30 Breakfast
09:30 Morning prayer
09:45 Introduction to the dynamic of the day
10:00 Workshops 1st round
11:30 Coffee break
12:00 Workshops 2nd round
13:30 Lunch
15:30 Introduction to the dynamic of the afternoon session
15:40 Spiritual steps in Manresa – personal time for exploration, reflection and prayer
19:00 Eucharist in the chapel – in English
20:00 Dinner
Social with special programme: Presentation MUNDOSI
Friday, January 20th
08:30 Breakfast
09:15 Departure for Montserrat
11:00 Eucharist at Montserrat
12:00 Conclusion and evaluation (conference room Montserrat)
12:30 or 13:30 Departure by buses to Barcelona
To receive more information please write to us: registration@jecse.org
To register for the Pastoral Conference please be in touch with your Headmaster and/or Education Delegate.
