8.4 St. ignatius college preparatory - molinelli

Thread: Religious

Subgroup: All

Foci: Local

Program Title: Ignatian Evening

Contact Person/Office : Rita O’Malley/Director of Adult Spirituality

School: St. Ignatius, San Francisco

Program Description: Ignatian evenings offer an opportunity to gather and share with colleagues, and to experience different aspects of our Ignatian heritage. This is a mandatory program for all faculty and staff. The evenings have incorporated the Ignatian Educational Foundations program produced by Paul Hanley and our Adult Spirituality Team. The series highlights three foundational Ignatian topics, and each year participants will choose one of these topics. The Three topics: Deeds Not Words–Ignatian Identity, Setting the World on Fire: foundations of Jesuit Education, and For the Others: The Jesuits&Catholic Social Teaching.

The Evenings begin with the DVD Presentation followed by time for silent reflection. Groups gather after silent time for a ½ hour. The group has a shared liturgy with the Jesuit Community (including Jesuits who either currently work or do not currently work in the school community). The Faculty and Staff are invited to a social in the Jesuit community and then to a shared meal in the Faculty Dining Room.

Rationale: Ignatian Evenings provide a way to insure that all faculty and staff become familiar with core Ignatian principles, traditions, and spiritual practices. The program seeks to address the ever looming question of how we inculcate a “curriculum” that provides a foundation in important Ignatian themes, significant Ignatian leaders, and our rich historical background.

Leadership: Rita O’Malley, Director of Adult Spirituality

Implementation: Ignatian Evenings were implemented by collaboration of the Administrative Staff and Adult Spirituality. The Planning and execution of the evenings is the responsibility of the Adult Spirituality office. The Principal assures that all members of the community attend one of the evenings.

Processes and Resources: Faculty/staff are required to sign-up for an Ignatian Evening at the beginning of the school year. The Evenings are facilitated by Rita O’Malley and other members of the Adult Spirituality team.

Finances: Funded by the Office of Adult Spirituality; expenses include the time required by Adult Spirituality staff to prepare and facilitate these Evenings, as well as the cost of dinner for all participants.

Rewards: A deeper understanding of our Ignatian heritage, shared Liturgy with the Jesuit Community, a good meal, and camaraderie!

Time (When/Length): Ignatian Evenings are hosted eight times per year, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Location ( Space): The Opening session and dinner are held in the Faculty Dining Room. Liturgy and sharing take place in the Adult Spirituality Center, and a social is hosted in the Jesuit Community.

Accountability/Assessment: The Adult Spirituality team reviews the program annually, and this new “three-year” curriculum format will be assessed and appropriately modified each year. Program attendance is maintained through the Principal’s Office.