FINDING GOD IN ALL THINGS
By Beth McConnell
JEA Chair and Provincial Assistant, Education Ministry, the Society of Jesus in Australia
As Pope Francis reminded us, our “way of proceeding” is a process, a journey: “I rather like Ignatius’ way of seeing everything – except for what is absolutely essential – as constantly developing, in fieri…”. We draw profit, Pope Francis indicated, from “holding tensions together”: contemplation and action, faith and justice, charism and institutions, community and mission. We are pilgrims. Our path involves facing the creative tensions brought about by the diversity of persons and ministries in the Society: General Congregation 36 – Decree 2
From 1-2 October, the JCAP Education Delegates gathered for strategic planning discussions in Melbourne, convened by the Secretary for Education of the Society of Jesus, Fr José Mesa SJ, and the JCAP Secretary for Education, Fr Leonardus (Koko) Winandoko SJ.
Fr José emphasised the importance, under General Congregation 36 and the JESEDU-Rio 2017 Action Statement, for our school communities to see themselves as a part of a universal body with a universal mission, encouraging the JCAP Provinces to act with urgency in taking a “glocal” focus, prioritising both the local as well as the global efforts in our collective mission.
Fr José spoke of the Ignatian educational recipe of strong academics and Ignatian spirituality as well as an emphasis on service in ensuring a holistic education in our Jesuit schools, forming persons for and with others. Our mission requires eloquentia perfecta through consistency in our words and in actions.
Fr Koko challenged the Education Delegates with the question of what success would look like in our region, as we pondered the challenges of distance, diversity and language, as well as our many and deep similarities in aspiration and mission.
The Education Delegates commenced by engaging in sharing sessions, reflecting on our collective context, building upon our learnings from our April and June gatherings. Our creative tensions were embraced and reflected upon, allowing a collective focus on the way forward.
Consideration then moved on to our collective strategy, with particular consideration of the following:
- Our key pathways for our strategic aspirations and our corresponding objectives. There is an agreed need for a fundamental focus on forming Ignatian leaders, building an Apostolic network and collaborating for our shared mission.
- Our further opportunities for collaboration. With recognition of each Province’s local needs, there is also appreciation of the benefits of further collaboration and unity in growth in development.
- Clarity for the role of the Education Delegates in our contemporary context. There is recognition that the JCAP Education Delegates have a significant role in facilitating and co-ordinating the depth of expertise in our region.
- The best structure for achieving our strategic aspirations. Giving effect to our Strategic Plan will require formalising our empowering structures and clarity of all roles.
Our Strategic Plan will be further developed over the next couple of months and will focus on building a sustainable plan for the future, based on specific and concrete foundational elements.
Special thanks to Barbara Watkins, Executive Director of Jesuit Education Australasia, for her strong facilitation of the two-day strategic planning discussions. The discussions were marked by rich conversation and generous sharing.
The gathering was warm and engaging, epitomised by goodwill and hope for the future. The deep connections made will ensure strong working relations which underpin our future work together.
Banner image of JCAP Education Delegates in Melbourne by Janark Gray. Left to right: Fr Calisto Colo SJ, Fr Joseph Haw SJ, Fr Pater Baskoro Poedjinoegroho SJ, Beth McConnell (JEA), Fr Thomas Kenny SJ, Fr (Koko) Leonardus Winandoko SJ, Fr Stan Goh SJ, Fr Jose Mesa SJ, Dr Ying Lun So, Fr Mark Lopez SJ, Fr Sungil Lee SJ and Barbara Watkins (JEA).