Friday, April 13, 2007

My Sabbatical at Hawkstone Hall

Hello everyone!

As I prepare to begin my sabbatical at Hawkstone Hall, I thought you might be interested in knowing what I will be studying. Remember, my sabbatical is not simply about playing around in Britain(!) but will be a time of study and spiritual growth for me. Take a look at these lectures:
Our own Story as a Source of Spirituality The course of these lectures extends an invitation to you: firstly, to be more grounded in your own humanity, and secondly, to appreciate that your authentic human living is closely linked to a deepening relationship with Christ.

Jesus and the Gospels I, II & III How did the early community move from the historical Jesus to the formation of the Gospels? We reflect on the death and resurrection of Jesus as the central Christian message. We move on to focus on the person of Jesus of Nazareth; how his mission, his stories, his values had a profound effect in some people's lives, to become good news for so many.

The Spirituality of True Self-Esteem Our attitude to ourselves is shaped and formed by our spirituality, and self-acceptance or self-rejection is the fruit of that spirituality. A healthy spirituality is vital for our personal happiness and well-being. The spirituality of true self-esteem is based on the word of God and is our response to God's life affirming word to us and within us, to have a high regard for ourselves and to live accordingly. The spirituality of true self esteem is the fruit of many different forms of renewal in the Church: the renewal of the Word of God; the charismatic renewal, and the healing ministry especially inner healing.

Christian Spirituality In past times, spirituality was understood largely in religious terms. More recently, spirituality has been spoken of in broader terms, involving a way of viewing and experiencing God, ourselves, others, and creation. We explore the consequences of this dynamic vision.

The Parables One of the most interesting aspects of Jesus' ministry is how much he communicates through storytelling. We look at the parables as Jesus' subversive way of challenging people to think and act differently.

Christ: an Unfinished Portrait This week examines traditional images and concepts of Christ, and invites us to look again at the way we understand Christ and his saving work.

Catholic Morality Throughout its history the church has always been faced by new moral questions. How do we meet today's questions honestly? We explore ways of doing this with confidence and hope.

Living Pathways What does it mean to walk the pathways of our own personal experience as companions of the Lord? How might we be able to turn routine living into redemptive living, by attuning our own lives to the True Life in Christ? During the week we will reflect on our calling to become co-creators of the Kingdom in our personal circumstances and life situations, and we will look at some tools to help us put this desire into practice.

Don't these sound exciting?! I am looking forward to being a student for three months. Hopefully, though, there won't be much homework!
Stay tuned for more information as I begin my three months at Hawkstone! I look forward to sharing my travels and experiences with you!
Fr. Perry

No comments: