Minutes
St. Louis University High School
Ignatian Mission & Identity Committee
November 7, 2005
Attendance:
Thomas Auffenberg, Robert Bannister, Timothy Chik, Thom Digman, Daniel Finucane, Ralph Houlihan, S.J., Michael Marchlewski, S.J., Mark Michalski, Shane Mulligan, Matthew Sciuto, and Matthew Stewart.
Absent:
Thomas Cummings, S.J. and Kate Hochmuth.
The meeting was called to order at 3:15 p.m. with a prayer and reflection offered by Mr. Digman.
Ralph Houlihan, S.J. welcomed all in attendance and requested approval of the August 30, 2005 minutes. Upon a motion made by Dr. Bannister, seconded by Mr. Stewart, the motion passed unanimously.
Fr. Houlihan, S.J. called upon Mr. Chik to give an overview of a pilot faith sharing program entitled the League of Believers. This is a student sponsored program of faith sharing—similar in nature to Christian Life Communities—intended to provide the participants the opportunity to: create friendships with like-minded individuals; reignite faith in teenage participants; allow teens the opportunity to learn spirituality in the Jesuit philosophy; and to create a structure to pass along spirituality to others. A discussion followed. The next meeting of this group is scheduled for November 29th in Room J121 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Mr. Sciuto asked the group to express their thanks to Mr. Chik and Mr. Stewart for the introduction and implementation of the EXAMEN during this school year.
Fr. Houlihan, S.J., called upon Mr. Digman to review the final draft of the foundational or visioning document prepared by the subcommittee regarding the charge of this committee and a supplemental goal statement prepared by Mr. Auffenberg. A discussion followed. Upon a motion made by Mr. Stewart, seconded by Mr. Auffenberg, the Committee unanimously recommended to the Board of Trustees the adoption of the visioning and goal statements for this Committee a copy of which is attached and incorporated into these minutes
A discussion was then held on the creation of a Lenten program for parents. This evolved into a discussion of larger issues including the creation of a parenting program regarding a myriad of issues relating to teenagers and parenting, a short review of some programs anticipated by Mothers’ Club and Fathers’ Club, and the investigation and implementation of a variety of spirituality and parenting programs. Mr. Laughlin, Mr. Sciuto, and Mr. Stewart agreed to look in to these matters.
A discussion was then held on addressing a long range plan for the invitation, education and practice of spirituality among the various constituencies at SLUH. Mr. Laughlin informed the Committee of a survey he is undertaking to attempt to quantify what is being done, who is currently engaged in various programs and ministries, and to identify a series of steps to continue and bolster the good work already underway at SLUH. A copy of the survey is attached and incorporated into these minutes. Fr. Houlihan, S.J. appointed the following subcommittee to work with Mr. Laughlin on this issue: Mr. Laughlin, Mr. Auffenberg, Dr. Bannister, Mr. Digman, Mr. Mulligan, and Fr. Houlihan.
Mr. Mulligan informed the Committee about the student response to the Jostens Company’s representative. A copy of the PREP NEWS editorial is attached and incorporated into these minutes.
Mr. Stewart opened a discussion of the organization of the chapel and outlind for the Committee impediments he sees inhibiting full student participation in liturgies and services held there. A lengthy discussion followed. Fr. Houlihan requested that this topic be held over until the next meeting.
As the hour was drawing late, Fr. Houlihan, S.J. informed the committee of upcoming meeting dates for the 2005-2006 school year. Those dates are:
February 16, 2006 (NOTE DATE CHANGE)
May 9, 2006
All meetings will commence at 3:15 p.m. in the St. Ignatius Conference Room.
The meeting adjourned at 4:15 p.m.
ACTION ITEMS:
ALL MEMBERS: Attempt to incorporate the Examination of Consciousness into their daily lives.
Foundational or visioning document and goal statements forwarded to the Board of Trustees for their review, modification and approval.
Mr. Stewart: Chapel history of changes and recommendations.
Mr. Laughlin: Convene Long Range Plan Committee.
.
The next meeting was set for Thursday, February 16, 2006 at 3:15 p.m. in the St. Ignatius Conference Room
Foundation Statement
What is the Ignatian Mission and Identity of St. Louis University High School?
The Ignatian Mission and Identity committee, a standing committee of the Board of Trustees, exists to advise the Board in all matters concerning the Ignatian Mission and Identity of the school.
St. Louis University High School’s identity, as an apostolate of the Society of Jesus, centers on a vision that Ignatius of Loyola had at La Storta.
In this vision, God the Father placed Ignatius with Jesus the Son as a companion; Ignatius was to work with Christ in the task of helping souls and likewise, the Father places us with Jesus Christ in this same work.
This mission and identity is an explicitly Catholic, Christ-centered one, in the model of the Society of Jesus.
Jesus is there, on the metaphorical battlefield, in the fight against the evils of our time, calling us to join him in imitating his self-sacrificial actions.
The Ignatian Mission and Identity Committee assumes and hopes there will be several groups promoting Ignatian spirituality throughout the SLUH Community (students, teachers, staff, parents and alumni). We consider our primary role to be encouraging, supporting, educating ourselves about and monitoring the efforts to promote Ignatian spirituality at SLUH. Additionally, we envision our role to include the following:
occasionally originating and/or spearheading an effort promoting Ignatian spirituality;
Communicating to the SLUH Board of Trustees regarding Ignatian spirituality in the SLUH Community;
Assisting the SLUH Board of Trustees with communicating about the state of Ignatian spirituality at SLUH to the larger Jesuit community, for example, the Provincial of the Missouri Province and the JSEA.