THE COURAGE TO LEAD: EXPLORING THE INNER LANDSCAPE OF

THE SALESIANS RECTOR’S SPIRITUAL MISSION

Wed:

1. The courage to Lead. – talk

2. Initial reading – brief guide to the Memoirs of the Oratory (ppt)

3. The Geography of GC25: a ‘map’ for Rectors today.

4. Small group sharing: experiences of leadership: do this on a PMI basis, i.e pluses (positives), negatives and interesting things to note (or even ‘what if’s). The discussion should be ‘real’, i.e. it should draw from actual experiences.

Thur:

1. The Rector’s spiritual mission – starting from Canon Law!

2. Some guided and active reading: a Readers’ Theatre approach to MO.

3. A journey of the spirit: one reading of MO

4. Personal inner work: Rector’s Rule of Life.

Fri:

1. The model of the pastor-educator in MO followed by some general exchange in the group about wonderful rectors we have known!

2. Difficulties as opportunities (presenting approaches to difficulties, in groups): anything from real community problems, to running assemblies of the community, which they have experienced and FOUND sooutions to. A simple ground rule for this discussion: Let the person offering a description of the problem finish his description, then attempt to ask probing questions which make no attempt to offer advice, but which explore the problem, the value of the solution etc.

Alternatively, if people feel confident enough, they could present unsolved problems but here the ‘rule’ above must be kept more strictly. Let the discussion NOT offer solutions but probe the problem carefully, avoiding any hint of giving advice. If questions to the presenter are well phrased they will provoke thought in him and allow him to clarify the problem, and possibly arrive at his own solutions later.

3. Key concepts of the Founder. I: DB’s fears and concerns in the latter years of his life.

4. Key concepts of the Founder II.

Sat:

1. Think outside the Frame: using fresh language, asking new questions…..

2. more ‘inner work’ on individual basis.

3. Some practical ideas. The speaker is prepared to offer some of his ideas about a range of matters, anything from archiving/filing material on your desk to things you might be able to use in the community for conferences. Have you some ideas of your own that we can share?

4.Concluding thoughts: when the inner and the outer landscapes clash! Where is Jesus in all this?