TRUTH AND JOY IN THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL

(February 12, 2009)

From July 12 - 17, Catholic teachers, administrators, and board members from throughout the United States will gather at the University of St. Francis in Fort Wayne, Indiana, for a most unusual Academic Retreat dedicated to and entitled, “Truth and Joy in the Catholic School.”

For five days, these educators will study such topics as such topics as the history of education, the trivium and quadrivium, natural sciences, history, literature, philosophy and theology, by immersing themselves in selected works from Christopher Dawson, Euclid, Descartes, Newton, Newman and John Paul II. They will also participate in seminars on Sophocles and Shakespeare, and reflect on lectures on poetry and music.

Not only will attendees learn about a traditional Catholic curriculum and its critical importance in forming Catholic students in character and intellectual virtue, but these educators also will have lived and experienced it together with their colleagues and peers for five days.

“The academic retreat is like none other,” explains Andrew Seeley, the Institute’s executive director. “As a result of discussions and reflections on what we are reading and learning, participants form genuine friendships. They walk away from our retreats invigorated, encouraged and refreshed. Their own passion for growth and learning is fed, and this spills into their classroom teaching, impacting the way they engage students in the future. It’s very exciting to see!” Past attendees concur, as exemplified by one of many thank-you notes and emails:

“What made this experience unique was that we did more than simply talk about the merits of a classical curriculum, we experienced them for ourselves first-hand…it provided a muchneeded respite from the stress and chaos of becoming assistant principal at a new high school,” wrote Peter Fletcher, assistant principal at St. Michael the Archangel High School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

The entire week-long retreat, including room, board and materials, is only $450 if reservation is confirmed by June 1. After June 1, the cost is $495. For more information, go to www.CatholicLiberalEducation.org or call 805/625-1817.

About the Institute for Catholic Liberal Education: Founded in 1999, in response to the Second Vatican Council’s call for the renewal of Catholic education, the Institute is dedicated to fostering Catholic liberal education (often referred to as classical education) through research, education and consultation, summer Academic Retreats, teacher in-service trainings, presentations and more. Learn more at /www.CatholicLiberalEducation.org/.

CONTACT:
Karen Walker: 949.370.1442 —studioraphael@earthlink.net
Andrew Seeley – 805.625.1817 –atseeley@gmail.com