Ignatian Spirituality and Leadership Conference

Differentiated Spirituality: AMDG Fridays, inviting students, teachers, and parents to the practice of faith & justice at St. Joe’s Prep. 
 Presented by: Michael Gambone SJU ‘08, Department Chair & Teacher, St. Joe’s Prep, Religious Studies, and Paula M. Riley SJU Adjunct, Chair Prep Family Faith & Justice Club, Prep Parent ‘23, ‘25, ‘27

Discover how the AMDG Friday Program at St. Joe’s Prep, now entering its fifth year, offers students, teachers, and parents opportunities to choose how they engage with different spiritual practices (i.e., Eucharistic adoration, the Examen, labyrinth walks). See how these connect to the Jesuit mission of faith and justice. You’ll learn how this program transformed community members and how you can bring similar programming to your school. 

Traveling with Mary through the Spiritual Exercises  
 Presented by: Patricia Gardner - Author, Retreat Facilitator, Spiritual Director, Mother of Eight

For some, the thought of embarking on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius may feel daunting and maybe even a bit presumptuous.  This session is to encourage and to reassure those thinking of making such a journey!  Companionship, mainly Mary's, may make this idea a little less intimidating.

This has been the author's experience. Having Mary as a companion on the spiritual exercises was not only a surprise but a catalyst to deepen the author’s friendship with the Trinitarian God. Mary’s desire for us to become closer with her son was a more personal and intimate experience that the author hopes to invite you to journey with… The author will introduce some simple prayer tools, such as music and art, which may prove helpful while journeying with Mary through the exercises.  To purchase the book, visit the website: www.travelwithmary.com

We Are One Body: Synodality as a Tool for Healing the Wounds of Division 
 Presented by: Maureen O’Connell, Ph.D and Marcelle McGuirk -

On the Feast of Corpus Christi in 2023, Archbishop Nelson Pérez shared a pastoral letter written for members of the Body of Christ in the Catholic Church of Philadelphia titled “We Are One Body.” In it, he names the grave sin of racism and identifies constructive pathways for healing and spiritual renewal. This session will introduce participants to this important contribution to the growing body of Catholic Social Teaching addressing racism, particularly within the Church itself, and to synodality, which Pope Leo calls the form of the common good within the Church (Magnifica Humanitas, #86). Together, we’ll discover the dispositions and practices of synodality as a viable means of fostering unity through diversity in the various communities in which we serve. The fruits of our synodal conversation will contribute to an effort of the Archbishop’s Commission on Racial Healing who are assisting the Archbishop in discerning concrete steps we can take toward racial healing as an Archdiocese. 

Deep Listening in a Noisy World: Integrating Ignatian Principles into Professional Life
 Presented by: John Bitterman- OP’s Spiritual Director, Old St. Joseph’s Church, Philadelphia; Associate Director Marketing, AstraZeneca

An in-depth look at how the life of spiritual direction moves beyond our individual sessions with those we accompany and becomes a way of proceeding in our work environment,  interacting with co-workers  and building teams.

Why I’m Still Catholic: A Gen Z’s Reflection on Magnifica Humanitas and Catholic Social Teaching 
 Presented by: Aaron Lemma –Water is Life Kenya, EcoPhilly  

In a world of complexity, distraction, and meaninglessness, young people are rediscovering the Catholic faith. But while many seek a faith tradition that contrasts the modern world and distances them from it, Catholic Social Doctrine calls us to live in it, to rise to the challenge of our time and “put on the armor of God” (Ephesians 6:11). In this breakout session, Aaron Lemma SJU 20 will share a reflection on Catholic Social Doctrine through Magnifica Humanitas, Laudato Si, and how the Church’s social mission calls us to live out the radical love of Christ. 

St. Ignatius of Loyola: Patron Saint of Life's Transitions 
 Presented by: Michael Burdziak ThD- Theology Teacher, Archmere Academy

Throughout the life-cycle there are various transitions that occur leading from one stage to the next. Much has been written about how the Battle of Pamplona and his “Cannonball Experience”changed the trajectory of St. Ignatius’s life. While the experience at Pamplona impacted the rest of his life, other experiences guided his spiritual journey from his time in Paris to his days as  administer of the Society of Jesus in Rome. The experiences of St. Ignatius offers Christians, today, insights into how spirituality transitions throughout the life-cycle.

What Makes a Saint? The Complicated Cause of Walter Ciszek, SJ 
 Presented by: Capt. Michael Matulewicz ‘09 – Assistant Director of Programs and Operations, Office of Mission, Saint Joseph’s University; Ignatian Spiritual Director; Facilitator St. Joseph’s Polish Apostolate of the Diocese of Camden, NJ

After being accused of espionage and summarily imprisoned in Soviet Russia for nearly thirty years, Pennsylvania born Jesuit priest Rev. Walter Ciszek, SJ returned to the USA and penned the spiritual classic He Leadeth Me in the 1960s. Having touched millions with his remarkable story, his reputation for sanctity following his return made inaugurating his cause for sainthood a compelling proposition. Recently, the cause was discontinued. The process of “making saints,” the details of Ciszek’s cause and how it unfolded, as well as what can still be learned from him, and those who have been beatified/canonized will be presented.

8:00 am

Business Networking Breakfast

8:55 am

Opening Prayer

9:10 am

Opening Keynote:

 “Peace in Unlikely Places: What a Soldier Saint Can Teach Us About Living Peace Here and Now" by Eric Clayton

10:15 am

Morning Breakout Sessions

11:30 am

Lunch

12:00 pm

Second Keynote:

"Learning from Awestruck Ignatius to Find Wonder in a Messy World" by Sr. Margaret Scott, A.C.I., D.Min

1:15 pm

Afternoon Breakout Sessions

2:30 pm