Springtime of the Faith

The family has been described as the "fundamental building block of society." This conference will provide an introduction to the Catholic Church’s teaching on the dignity and nature of the Christian family, and the Christian family’s irreplaceable role, responsibility, and mission in the modern world. Conference participants will reflect with particular attention on the Apostolic Exhortation of Blessed John Paul II, Familiaris Consortio. Conference participants will come to a deeper understanding and appreciation of the vocation to marriage and family life in this time of the New Evangelization and the Springtime of the Faith.

A series of teachings drawing from the rich spiritual tradition of St. Ignatius of Loyola, which will assist students to identify the origins of spiritual influences on their interior life in order to respond properly to them and grow in holiness. Students are introduced to the Rules for Discernment of Spirits as presented in the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius as a means of growing in spiritual self-awareness in order to better discern God’s will in their lives.

This course is suitable for those whom have never studied the Ignatian principles, and as a refresher for those whom have had previous experience in Ignatian Discernment.

Christian education is first and foremost providing a person with the opportunity to have a relational encounter with the person of Jesus Christ and his transforming love and truth. This conference will provide students with a foundational understanding of catechesis and the philosophy of Catholic education, in light of the teachings of the Church on the subject, and the principles upon which to establish effective and dynamic catechetical ministry with children, youth, young adults and adults in a comprehensive model.

An introduction to the Catholic Church’s teaching on the dignity, role, spirituality and mission of the lay faithful in the Church today, through reflection on the thought of the Second Vatican Council, and the hearts of Popes Paul VI, John Paul II, and Benedict XVI, with particular attention to the apostolic exhortation of John Paul II, Christifidelis Laici. Conference participants will come to a deeper understanding of the irreplaceable role and mission of the lay faithful in the Church in the New Evangelization and the Springtime of the Faith.

Using resources from world renowned author and speaker Christopher West, join us as we unpack the Theology of the Body, Pope St. John Paul II’s integrated vision of the human person—body, soul, and spirit—as male and female. These teackings will be augmented through reflection upon the wisdom and insight of St. Thérèse of Lisieux — an exclusive component compiled by Christopher West specifically for this course at St. Therese Institute!

With reflection on the principles of interfaith dialogue and ecumenism established in the Second Vatican Council and developed during the recent pontificates, students will learn about the four stages in coming to an active faith in Jesus Christ and his Church: the grounds for a belief in God, the reasonableness for belief in Christ, the validity of the Catholic Church and its claims, and the necessity in this time of the new evangelization for an active and evangelical practice of the Catholic faith. Students will discuss questions including: Can you prove the God exists? Was Jesus divine? Etc.

The program's name, Teen STAR (Sexuality Teaching in the context of Adult Responsibility) expresses the mission of the program. According to Dr. Hanna Klaus (OB/GYN and foundress of the Teen STAR Program), Teen STAR gives teenagers and young adults "concrete ways of responding to the corresponding emotional changes and pressures," while empowering them through a better understanding of their own biological fertility patterns. It is a powerful tools to live out the teaching of the Church on what is often called "Theology of the Body".

Living Pope Francis' Apostolic Exhortation
EVANGELII GAUDIUM  (The Joy of the Gospel)

St. Augustine said, “You have made us for Yourself, oh Lord, and our hearts are restless until the rest in You.”

This restlessness of heart is an all too common experience in our day as people struggle with a deep hunger for meaning, joy and hope in their lives. In this conference, through reflection on Pope Francis’ letter The Joy of the Gospel, participants will: study the teachings of the Catholic Church on theology of evangelization, mission, and salvation; understand the role of the Holy Spirit and Mary in evangelization; learn what are...

To become a prophetic presence in a culture desperate for the taste of truth and the warmth of grace...

The world needs prophetic voices that speak the truth without fear, and yet with artistry, delight and imagination. Do you have artistic talents that have yet to be shared with those around you, in a way that could light up their path? Do you have words that need to be heard, but you aren’t sure how to begin? This is a conference to expand the horizon of your heart so that you can expand the horizons of those who meet you and who will be blessed by your future artistic work. This conference is your chance to be part of The Bard School (founded by presenter Sarah de Nordwall in London England),  and to see your artistic inklings fanned into a flame.

Participants will engage in the 5 frontier conversations that characterise the Bard School’s learning sessions – Why do artists need theology and philosophy? What is the mystery of the artistic process?  What is the nature of the artistic vocation and its calling to society?  How does our personal maturity and healing in Christ affect our capacities as artists?  The arts business – do I have to become a professional in the way the world understands it? What is my next step?