Rooted in the words of Father General Kolvenbach, SJ, each year, a group of faculty and staff participate in a ten-day faith-justice immersion experience to Bolivia. The immersion seeks to further participants' understanding of the Jesuit mission and charism as well as to provide the opportunity for a direct experience to learn and understand the real concerns of the poor. Further, it is hoped the time in Bolivia becomes “the catalyst for solidarity which then gives rise to intellectual inquiry and moral reflection” (Fr. Kolvenbach, SJ, 2000).
Each year the Bolivian Province Jesuits and Fe y Alegría staff members (an educational program founded in Jesuit philosophy serving the poorest of the poor) host and guide the faculty and staff through the various regions of Bolivia. While living simply and in community with one another the group visits various Jesuit missions working with the poor including schools and parishes. Daily, the group gathers together to reflect upon their experience. Likewise, delegations of Fe y Alegria Professionals visit the United States for an immersion examining Jesuit education.
Mission and Focus
“We must therefore raise our Jesuit education standard to ‘educate the whole person of solidarity for the real world.' Solidarity is learned through ‘contact' rather than through ‘concepts'….When the heart is touched by direct experience, the mind may be challenged to change. Personal involvement with innocent suffering, with the injustice others suffer, is the catalyst for solidarity which then gives rise to intellectual inquiry and moral reflection” - Father General Peter Hans Kolvenbach, SJ, The Service of Faith and the Promotion of Justice in American Jesuit Higher Education, 2000).
How to Get Involved
Information Sessions:
Wednesday, November 11, 2009, 3:30pm, Wolfington Center Confernence Room
Thursday, November 12, 2009, 11:30pm, Wolfington Center Conference Room
CLICK HERE FOR AN APPLICATION!
This year's initiative will take place May 19-28, 2010. Application deadline is November 20, 2009.
For additional information or questions please contact Ann Marie Jursca Keffer at 610-660-1337.
Saint Joseph’s University: Fe y Alegria: Bolivia Partnership Immersion Participants
2003 Saint Joseph’s University delegation: Peter Clark, SJ Theology, Carmen Croce, University Press, Ann Marie Jursca, Faith Justice Institute, Mimi Limbach Admissions, Betsy Linehan, RSM, Philosophy, Tom McDuffie, Education, Amy Myers, Mathematics, Eva Recio-Gonzalez, Foreign Language, Joan Timby, Residence Life
2004 Saint Joseph’s University delegation: Concha Alborg, Foreign Language, Chris Bagley, Academic Advising of Student Athletes, George Bur, SJ, Rector Jesuit Community, John Jewell, Psychology, Ann Marie Jursca, Faith Justice Institute, Linda Lelii, Student Life, Guy Lemaitre, Foreign Language, Marty Meloche, Food Marketing, Cathy Schoffstall, Institute for Violence Research Prevention
2005 Saint Joseph’s University delegation: Frank Bernt Faith Justice Institute, Megan Combs, Student Services, Bill Conway, College of Arts & Sciences Deans Office, Kathy Gaval, Office of Planning, John Longo, Chemistry, Jerry McGlone, SJ, Office of Mission, Evelyn Minick, Francis A. Drexel Library, Peter Norberg, English, Jean Smolen, Chemistry
2006 Fe y Alegria: Bolivia delegation: Fr. Enrique Oizumi, SJ, Magda Mendoza Ichazo de Galean, Mirna Jorge, Miguel Angel Marca, Alfredo Machiacado Botetano, Nelly Estrada Quiroz, Angel Ugarte Sossa, Fernando Fernandez Munoz, Consuelo Hertado Dorado, Freddy Carraso Caceves
2006 Saint Joseph’s University delegation: Joe Cifelli, Education, Rhonda Cohen, Career Development Center, Tenaya Darlington, English, Heather Hennes, Foreign Language, Al Labonis, Information Technology, Mary Martinson, Drexel Library, Jerry McGlone, SJ, Office of Mission, Peter Norberg, English, Eileen Sabbatino, Education
2007 Saint Joseph’s University delegation: Marsha Erickson, Francis Drexel Library, Patty Esnouf, Faith-Justice Institute, Jena Fioravanti Burkett, Academic Affairs, Denise Ghisu, Office of Development & Alumni Relations, Ann Marie Jursca, Faith-Justice Institute, Shawn Krahmer, Theology, Alfredo Mauri, Management, Dennis McNally, SJ, Fine Arts, Cristian Pardo, Economics, Brent Smith, Marketing
2008 Saint Joseph’s University delegation: Annemarie Bartlett, Office of Planning, Caroline Coffey, Biology, Valerie Dudley, Office of Institutional Diversity, Kristin Hassey, Residence Life, Dan Joyce, SJ, Office of Mission, Ann Marie Jursca, The Faith-Justice Institute, Shondrika Merritt, Residence Life, John Neiva, Management, Terri O’Doherty, Institute for Catholic Bioethics
2009 Fe y Alegria:Bolivia delegation: Yerko Comancho, Silvana Gonzales, Javier Gisbert, Denis Fievez, Plácido Acarapi Padilla, Eloy Flores Alguilar, Katherin Olguín Rodriguez, Clemencia Daza Vda De Menacho with Fr. Timothy Lannon, SJ
