Intersections: Mental Health and Catholicism | St. John’s College High School – Steven Patzke >> Examine how mental health influences homelessness, racial injustice, marginalization of veterans, criminal justice, youth suicide, and gun violence in the U.S. Participants will learn about the Catholic call to destigmatize mental illness as a human dignity issue and examine personal and social activism and advocacy strategies. |All Groups| Alexandria
Peeling the Onion: Social Analysis | Jesuit Social Research Institute, Loyola University New Orleans – Fred Kammer, S.J. >> Join this introduction to the Pastoral Circle, which implements a faith that does justice though experience, social analysis, reflection, and action. Explore two approaches and sets of questions for addressing social, economic, and environmental challenges in education and pastoral ministry. |All Groups| Fairfax Boardroom
Equity and Inclusion #notdiversity | University of San Francisco – Jane Bleasdale >> This session will share data that reflects the experience of students of color, particularly Black and Latinx students in Jesuit schools. In a discussion-based setting, participants will hear from an educational researcher and a school leader—both committed to creating communities that are equitable and inclusive. |HS*-US*-P-AFVF| Jackson
Caring for All God’s Creation | St. Francis Alliance – Liz Holtz >> In light of Pope Francis’ call in Laudato Si’, how can small changes in our diet, along with activism, make a difference in the fight to protect all of God’s creation? This session focuses on the devastating impacts of factory farming on the environment, animals, and workers. |US-US*-P-AFVF| Jefferson
Dios y la Tierra “Woman: Ally of God and of the Earth” | Maria Christina Herrera >> In this session, break down patriarchal models and violence to establish spaces of safety, affirming of the power of women. |All Groups| Lee
Are Jesuit Schools Perpetuating Systems of Oppression? | Bellarmine College Preparatory – Carlos Jimenez >> Many Jesuit schools engage in significant fundraising to allow students from low-income backgrounds to afford tuition. While this is a worthy cause that builds inclusion and equity, students receiving financial aid often have extra responsibilities to “repay the school’s generosity.” Collaboratively analyze whether these practices perpetuate systems of oppression that predominantly affect students of color. |HS*| Madison
Catholic Women Preach on Justice | Catholic Women Preach – Jocelyn Collen, Cecilia González-Andrieu >> Catholic Women Preach has raised a range of diverse voices—each sharing from her own experience as a gifted Catholic woman—engaged in a variety of vocations across the globe. This session highlights ways CWP preachers have called us to act with and preach for justice. @joce4justice |All Groups| Manassas
Murdered and Missing Indigenous People | Red Cloud Indian School >> In British Columbia, Canada, more than 40 Native women are missing or have been murdered along “The Highway of Tears.” On the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, murders jumped 90% in 2016. Reports are often ignored and these cases are not prioritized. How can we take action on behalf of missing and murdered Indigenous People in the U.S., Canada, and the First Nations? |All Groups| McLean
Stories from Returned Volunteers | Catholic Volunteer Network – Mike McCormick, Katie Strosnider >> During this panel session, engage with former international volunteers and lay missioners who will share discernment stories and speak to the growth they experienced as individuals, community members, and returned volunteers who have transformed their experiences into diverse professional paths. |US| Mt. Vernon
Seeking Dialogue and Peace in Nicaragua | UCA Nicaragua – Jorge Huete-Pérez >> Since April 2018, the people of Nicaragua have experienced repression at the hands of government-sponsored paramilitary groups, leading to the deaths of more than 300 individuals. The Jesuit’s University of Central America in Managua has played a vital role in calling attention to the violations of human rights and the blatant destruction of democratic structures. Learn more about the situation and how you can be an agent of solidarity amid this human rights crisis. |All Groups| Rosslyn 1
L’Arche: Courage to Be | L’Arche GWDC – Crisely Melecio-Zambrano >> Using interactive elements of song, art, storytelling, and small group discussion, explore a call to courage—to be in a community of intersectionality and “journeying together” through discipleship at the margins. |All Groups| Rosslyn 2
2020 Initiative: Ban Assault Weapons | Loyola University Maryland – Timothy Brown, S.J. >> If 20 actions are taken by enough people, enough times, then by 2020 ordinary people will create the climate for change we need—at least 20 states where we see assault weapons of war banned and universal background checks mandated. |All Groups| Salon 1/2
Finding God in Your Day: Learning to Pray the Examen | America Media – James Martin, S.J. >> Learn how to discover God in your daily life in just a few minutes. Fr. Martin has called the examination of conscience the “easiest prayer ever.” So even if you think prayer is beyond you, come and see!
|All Groups| Salon 3/4
Criminal Justice Reform in Action: Stories from the Jesuit Restorative Justice Initiative | Jesuit Restorative Justice Initiative – Robert Garcia >> The Jesuit Restorative Justice Initiative (JRJI) is a ministry of restorative justice that strives to heal broken relationships with those who are incarcerated, their families, and victims of crime and their families through prayer, education, and advocacy. Hear from Robert Garcia, JRJI’s assistant executive director, about his own incarceration story and his advocacy work. |All Groups| Salon 5/6
Seamless Garment: The Foundation of Our Work for Justice | Xavier High School – Jack Raslowsky >> This session will examine Joseph Cardinal Bernardin’s seamless garment teaching as a way of understanding the church’s commitment to a consistent ethic of life from conception to natural death that respects the dignity of all persons in all stages of life. As Catholic Christians working for justice, we have an obligation to move beyond political positions/labels. How might our work for justice better witness to the sacredness of all human life? |All Groups| Salon A
Finding a Better Way: A Catholic Family’s Pursuit of Restorative Justice Catholic Mobilizing Network – Kate and Deacon Andy Grosmaire >> Dissatisfied with the criminal justice process after their daughter, Ann, was killed by her fiancé, Conor, the Grosmaires, with Conor’s parents, fought to address the crime in a way that allowed their voices to be heard. This session will explore transformative approaches to criminal justice that promote human dignity and solidarity. |All Groups| Salon B (Repeated Session #3)
Make a Change: Become an Organizer! | POWER University – Ray Ward, Maureen O’Connell >> This student-led workshop will explore what makes faith-based community organizing an effective approach to social change. Small group activities will allow participants to practice the fundamental skills of community organizing: one-to-one conversations, power mapping, and planning and executing public actions. |All Groups| Salon C (Repeated Session #3)
Organizing for Farmworker Justice | Coalition of Immokalee Workers – Julia de la Cruz >> Join a conversation about the farmworker-led Campaign for Fair Food and Fair Food Program, which has harnessed the purchasing power of the world’s 14 largest retail food companies to eliminate human rights abuses in U.S. agriculture. Learn how you can join students nationwide to guarantee fundamental protections for all workers. |All Groups| Salon D
Ending Genocides via Campus Actions | John Carroll University – Richard Clark >> Genocides are often fueled by profits derived from conflict minerals which are used in a variety of electronic products. Through the lens of Catholic Social Teaching, explore how, as consumers of electronics, students and schools are uniquely positioned to use their combined buying power to reduce atrocities by holding electronics firms accountable. |HS-HS*-US-US*-P| Salon E
Living Wage, Unions, and Community | Just Employment Project – Alexandros Taliadoros >> All workers should be treated with dignity, in accordance with Jesuit values and Catholic Social Teaching. We are called to live out this principle on our own campuses by ensuring that workers are guaranteed a living wage and basic rights—particularly immigrant workers who face great uncertainty.
@AlexCTaliadoros |US-US*-P-AFVF| Salon F
Transgender Voices in the Church | New Ways Ministry – Robert Shine, Francis DeBernardo >> Catholics increasingly face questions of transgender inclusion, intersecting with issues like race and sexual orientation that compound marginalization. This interactive session will examine how trans voices are both present and silent in our communities. Participants will leave with resources for building trans justice in their communities. |All Groups| Salon G
Educate for Immigration Reform | Kino Border Initiative – Pete
Neeley, S.J. >> What can you do after experiencing the immigration realities on the border with people who have been deported? This session will help high school and university students and teachers organize around immigration reform and engagement, drawing from years of working with student groups on “next steps.” |HS-HS*-US-US*| Salon H
Loyola Rising: Campus Activism | Loyola Rising – Rachael Martines, Alexandria Heredia, Kassina Dwyer >> Learn about Loyola Rising, a student-led movement at Loyola University Maryland, which has succeeded in highlighting the intersectionality of gun violence and racism in the context of Baltimore City. Share your experiences with campus-based activism and anti-racism strategies, and build community. |HS-HS*-US-US*| Salon J
Men for Others in the Age of #MeToo | Georgetown Preparatory School – Amanda Melder >> As the #MeToo movement continues to expose sexism and misogyny in corporate and political settings, teachers and students in Jesuit schools are called to deepen their understanding of what it means to be “men for others.” How does our culture define masculinity, and how might our schools reinforce harmful conceptions of what it means to “be a man”?
@Amanda_Melder |HS-HS*| Salon K (Repeated Session #3)
Racial Wealth Gap Simulation | Bread for the World – Genevieve Mougey >> Experience this interactive session to build your understanding of the connections between racial equity, hunger, poverty, and wealth. Explore the impact of policies that have widened today’s racial, hunger, income, and wealth divides. @genevievemougey |All Groups| Skyview
Student-Centered Advocacy | Brophy College Prep – William Rutt, Beth Clarke >> This session will examine student activism on high school campuses, reflecting on how to engage students in advocacy work. It will also examine the notion of Jesuit institutions as agents of social change and the demands thus placed on Ignatian educators. @wrutt |HS*-US*| See Registration Desk
Take the Challenge: A Call to Reduce Single Use | Ignatian Solidarity Network, Cheverus High School >> A recent report released by the UN estimates that by 2040 the world will experience immediate consequences of climate change. Join us to discuss this year’s Ignatian Carbon Challenge and to learn how our campaign to reduce single-use plastics on your campus is an essential piece in addressing the climate crisis. |HS-HS*| See Registration Desk