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| 1 April 2008 | |
| The significance of the recent General Congregation in Rome is that the Jesuit Order is entering a new phase. Heralded by its new leader, Adolfo Nicolás, and the Papal call to embrace ‘new frontiers’, there is a sense of reaching out to the whole world. This has always been part of the Jesuit charism, but the new challenges of a global world, a multi-faith context, and the growth of secularisation raise it to a higher level of intensity. Christ is the ‘fire’ that gives meaning and focus in a fragmented world. Editor |
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Looking back on the School of EcumenicsIn the Rite & Reason column in the Irish Times (subscription) on 1 April 2008, Cambridge professor David Ford recommends The Irish School of Ecumenics, 1970-2007, edited by Michael Hurley SJ. It will be launched in the Milltown Institute by Archbishop Diarmuid Martin on Thursday 3 April at 7.30 pm. Prof. Ford is voluble in his praise for Michael Hurley himself. “He was ahead of his time,” Ford writes, “in how he brought ecumenism among churches together with interfaith dialogue and dedication to religious, political and cultural reconciliation across some of the deepest differences in our world.” Among the contributors to the book are Robin Boyd, John D’Arcy May, Geradline Smyth OP, and the current head of ISE, Linda Hogan. It is available from Columba Press. |
A new director for Slí Eile
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Feedback for Jesuits on GC35The Irish Jesuits held their annual Assembly on 30 March, which was entitled ‘Called to the Frontiers‘ and focused on the recent General Congregation 35 in Rome. The two Irish delegates (pictured) who had attended the Congregation, Provincial John Dardis SJ and Jim Corkery SJ, addressed the Assembly on the Election of the new Father General, Adolfo Nicolás, the Congregation documents produced, and on strengthening the relationship with Rome. John Dardis gave a warm account of the process of electing the General and Jim Corkery gave his account of what it was like to be involved in writing one of the Congregation documents. These documents are currently being translated and prepared, and should hopefully be available by the end of April. |
Annual Veale public lectureThe Department of Spirituality at Milltown Institute hosts a lecture each year to commemorate Fr Joe Veale SJ (1921-2002). Fr Veale was a leading figure in the modern renewal of Ignatian spirituality. This year’s Veale Public Lecture, ‘Discernment for the Church of our Times: Simple Practices and Profound Effects’, will take place in the Theatre, Milltown Park on Tuesday 9 April at 7.30pm. It will be given by Prof. Elizabeth Liebert SNJM, Professor of Spiritual Life at San Francisco Theological Seminary and a former president of the International Society for the Study of Christian Spirituality. She is an internationally recognized authority on Ignatian spirituality. For more details, contact Dr Una Agnew SSL. |
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In defence of denominational schoolsThe Word magazine, in association with the Iona Institute, is holding a half-day conference on Friday 4 April in the Tara Towers Hotel ‘in defence of denominational schools’. The conference will look at how accusations that denominational education is sectarian or segregationalist have been answered in England and Scotland. It will propose a positive argument in favour of state funding for denominational schools. Speakers will include John Murray (Mater Dei), Michael McGrath (Director of Scottish Catholic Education Service) and Oona Stannard (Director of Catholic Education Service, England & Wales). David Quinn and Fr Vincent Twomey SVD will also speak. For more details, email the Iona Institute. |
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Desperate Executives National College of Ireland President Paul Mooney has just published his latest book, Desperate Executives. As the title with its echoes of ‘Desperate Housewives’ suggests, the book is a modern-day fable, but its focus is the world of business rather than middle-class suburbia. It centres around the predominant issues which continually emerge in executive coaching and offers an insight into the typical dilemmas faced by people in leadership and management roles. Since the author himself was an executive coach, it gives a glimpse into that world and the power of the coaching process. Paul Mooney is also involved with the Jesuit Spirituality Centre of Manresa in organising a major conference on Ignatian Humanism and education with Professor Robert Modras from St Louis Univeristy in the States, to be hosted by the NCI in May. |
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New beginnings on Inis OírrEleven young adults were on Inis Oírr in Galway Bay for the Easter Triduum as part of a joint initiative between Slí Eile and the Galway Spirituality Centre. This pilot retreat on the theme of “new beginnings” involved a pilgrimage to different sites on the island, a dawn resurrection mass, and group reflections. A poem from John O’Donohue’s Benedictus was used to reflect the ‘beginnings’ theme: your courage kindled, and out you stepped onto new ground. To see photos of the retreat: Web Album. The next event for young adults aged 18-35, is a Film and Pizza Evening, April 15, 7.30pm, at the Jesuit Spirituality Centre, 6 Ely Place (Sea Road), Galway. Contact: galway@jesuit.ie, 00353 91 523707. One of the pilgrims, Kieran Hayes, has written a personal account of the pilgrimage experience, which you can read. Read more » |
New faces in Dublin Nick Rashford SJ of the Maryland Province is in Dublin teaching Strategic Management in Trinity College on the Bachelor in Business Studies degree. Nick was formerly dean of the School of Management at Rockhurst College, Kansas City, and was president of Saint Joseph’s University, Philadelphia, for 17 years. Nick is staying in the Morehampton Road Community.
Matthew Hsu SJ was welcomed at the Jesuit Assembly as a representative of the Chinese Province. Matthew, who is originally from Taiwan, is currently studying English in Dublin and plans to go on to postgraduate studies in theology. |
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5 million pray as they go
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Slí Eile has announced the appointment of a new director. Pádraig Swan, a member of the Gardiner Street Gospel Choir for the last two years, will take up leadership of the Jesuit organisation that provides a wide range of faith and justice activities for young adults aged 18-35 in June. A native of Carlow, Pádraig first came into contact with Slí Eile through the Gospel Choir and participated in Slí Eile activities, including the last two Easter retreats in Clongowes. He studied for the diocesan priesthood in Kildare and Leighlin for three years, and he worked with Youth Work Ireland for two years. He also brings experience of several years of retail management to his new role. Padraig will work alongside Slí Eile’s current director, Rory Halpin SJ, during the month of April, before taking up his new position full time from the beginning of June.
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