This April 2018, from the 2nd to the 8th, 39 Ignatian educators from Jesuit schools in Asia Pacific, gathered at the Seven Fountains Jesuit Spirituality Centre for a week of learning and sharing about discernment and leadership.
Buddhist monks and novices carrying alms bowls gather outside the Seven Fountains Jesuit Centre
The workshop, offered through JCAP’s Ignatian Initiative for Teacher Excellence–or IGNITE–Program, is called “LEADERSHIP BY DISCERNMENT: Nourishing the Contemplative-in-Action Within.” The workshop was facilitated by Ms. JENNIE HICKEY, Executive Officer of Jesuit Education Australia, and Fr. JOHNNY GO SJ, the JCAP Basic Education Secretary.
Johnny and Jennie
The group was a very diverse group, rich in experience and expertise: The participants came from seven Provinces and Regions–namely, Cambodia, Taiwan, Macau, Hong Kong, Philippines, and Indonesia–and for the very first time, Malaysia-Singapore, from the Jesuit-run school in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. As expected the diversity of the group and all the gathered expertise and experience made the group sharing a powerful piece of the workshop–the language factor notwithstanding.
The workshop was designed in a way where aside from the “conversation pieces” provided by the facilitators, the participants were provided ample time to engage in individual reflection and sharing in groups, both mixed and local.
Fr Go offers the group some provocative conversation pieces for reflection and discussion.
Jennie Hickey responding to questions from a small group during their sharing.
Of course the ice breakers, courtesy of our participants from Sacred Heart School – Ateneo de Cebu, were a big hit and allowed the participants to let their hair down and to begin establishing more personal relationships–so essential to networking, one of the major goals of these JCAP workshops.
It’s amazing how a simple children’s game like rock-paper-scissor can break the ice.
The educators quickly turned childlike as they got engrossed in the activities. Tess from Ateneo de Cebu facilitated this game.
Mela (PH) and KK (HK) get to know one another during one of the activities.
There were many opportunities for the participants to connect with one another during the formal sessions as well as during the break.
Participants were encouraged to share and report in their mother tongues–as long as interpreters were available to convey what they meant to the group.
The Khmer language sounds so beautiful!
Participants interact during one of the sessions
As always, the Jesuits attending the group provided much needed support and input, whenever needed. Fr. Vincent Liu SJ from Macau, Fr. Clement Tsui SJ from Hong Kong, and Bro. Damo Chour from Cambodia offered the extra service of interpreting for their fellow participants.
From L to R: Fr. Salty dela Rama (PH), Fr. Johnny Go (PH), Bro. Damo Chour (CAMB), Fr. Vincent Lin (MAC), Fr. Ari Dy (PH), and Fr. Clement Tsui (HK)
Of course the daily Eucharist was an important component of the workshop, a time to gather before the close of the day to reflect over the learnings for the day and to thank the Lord for the graces received. Special thanks to Ben (MAL-SING) for the beautiful music that he provided.
Fr Clement (HK) presides over the Eucharist.
The participants make their offering one after the other.
Fr. Salty (PH) shares his reflections about the workshop.
The workshop is historic in the sense that for the first time, we had the privilege of having delegates from the Jesuit-run school in Sarawak, St. Joseph Private Secondary School, thanks to their principal, Fr. Alvin Ng SJ and their education secretary, Fr. Adrian Danker SJ.
Ben Lo and Lucilla Chin from St. Joseph Private Secondary School (Kuching, Malaysia) flanked by Fr. Johnny and Jennie
We asked Ben and Lucila about their impressions about the workshop. Here’s what they had to say:
From Lucilla: “The most important insight I learned is how important feelings are in discernment. While I think I am a logical person, upon reflection I realized that I am also intuitive. I am happy to be given a framework in which I can allow my feelings and intuitions to work with my reasoning so I can be more free to make my choices. I will also remember to take baby steps and start somewhere rather than being hampered by constraints and give up without trying…. I am also rejuvenated by the shared passion I see and feel in my fellow participants. When I am discouraged, I will think back on the stories shared and how important is the work we do. ”
The group sharing was a great source of learning from one another’s “wisdom of practice.”
Hai San Chen (CHI), Principal of St. Ignatius (Taiwan), receives her certificate from our two facilitators.
Saying goodbyes and sharing blessings
“Every embrace has a story.” (Rick Flores)
True enough, by the last evening of the workshop, it was quite clear from the tearful goodbyes as well as the laughter during the celebration that many new friendships have been formed. As we learned so well during the workshop, these friendships are so essential to networking and collaborating with one another.
Nothing like Karaoke to share talent and to bond. Here Hugo and Kas from Indonesia perform a Bahasa song.
Special thanks to Rick Flores (PH) for being the impromptu party organiser!
Not to be outdone, Ben (MAL) and Angela (Macau) sing “月亮代表我的心“，a well-known/well-loved Mandarin ballad.
The entire Chinese contingent eventually joined in.
The Cambodian delegation poses for a photo with Fr. Johnny during the celebration.
Stella (PH), Mela (PH), and Lia (INDONESIA) perform “Mamma Mia.”
Kas and Hugo (INDONESIA) still at it
By the end of the workshop, we had nothing but gratitude in our hearts for the gift of these inspiring Ignatian school leaders. Congratulations, Batch 2018!
