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AN IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

Dear Friends,

Regrettably we have to announce that for the first time since it began, there will be no Residential Living Theology Summer School in 2012. Unfortunately it has proved impossible to arrange this at Mount St. Mary's, and there was insufficient time to make alternative arrangements at another venue.

This sad development with the 2012 Living Theology Residential Summer School has stimulated the Committee to think very hard about the central question - "What should Living Theology look like in the 21st Century?" Residential Living Theology was originally devised as a means to inform and educate the laity about the developments of Vatican II. The question is, what should Living Theology be doing in the modern Church? The Committee is inviting those who have attended recent Residential Living Theology Summer Schools to participate in the discussion, and those on our database have already been contacted. Do let us know your views.

We also wish to say that this does not mean an end to Residential Living Theology Summer School altogether, and should circumstances permit, we may well hold these again in the future. It may be however that smaller regional events, tailored to the needs and circumstances of local people are the way forward. Suggestions for venues, topics and offers to be local organisers are welcomed.

We do want to emphasise and assure you that other exciting Living Theology events in 2012 will still be taking place in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Liverpool and London, and these will be announced nearer the time. Please do give them your support.

Please help us to spread the word by telling your friends about Living Theology, and if you would like to be added to our Emailing list, or would prefer to receive details of Living Theology events for yourself or friends by post, please Email your postal details to us at lt@heythrop.ac.uk We look forward to seeing you at a future Living Theology event, where you can be assured of a very warm welcome. Why not also bring a friend?

Fr Dominic Robinson SJ, (LT Residential Course Director), and the LT Committee
November 2011

Full details of the Summer Schools and courses which took place during 2011 can still be read by clicking on the links on the left.

The annual Living Theology Summer School which took place from Monday 18 July - Saturday 23 July 2011 at Mount St Marys College, Spinkhill, Derbyshire proved very successfull, and was enjoyed by everyone. Although this was principally a residential course, non-residential day participants were also welcomed. There was a choice of courses to follow, of varying subjects and lengths. Tutors were: Frs Brendan Callaghan SJ, Peter Edmonds SJ, Gerry J. Hughes SJ, John Moffatt SJ, Sr Helen Costigane SHCJ, Jonathan Gorsky, Chris Hewer. The Plenary Lecture given by Fr Brendan Callaghan SJ was entitled "A Safe Church - Lessons from the Child abuse events and how they have been handled" the text of this can be read by clicking here (Word format) or here (PDF)

Other LT events this summer were the evening course in Glasgow which took place from Wednesday 4th May to Sunday 8th May 2011, a daytime course in Edinburgh from Monday 18 July to Friday 22 July, and Liverpool Loyola's Daily Summer School from Monday 25th - Friday 29th July, Following the success of 2010, another long weekend of a similar format was held at Allen Hall Seminary, Chelsea, London from Friday 24th June - Monday 27th June 2011. Three Plenary Lectures were given by Sr Helen Costigane SHCJ, Fr Dominic Robinson SJ, and Mgr John Armitage. Participants could again choose two courses to follow throughout the 4 days, and tutors were Nelle Carty Dalton, Fr John Hemer MHM, Sr Helen Costigane SHCJ, and Fr Peter Burrows. Residential, non-residential (to include lunch) and Plenary Sessions only options were available. Participants were joined for one day by Year 2 students from the Heythrop Foundation Degree in Pastoral Mission (see link below).

WHAT IS "LIVING THEOLOGY" ?

Overview

For over forty years Jesuits and their associates have supported a residential summer school of Christian Faith in the Catholic tradition. In recent years, in addition to the annual residential summer school, various non-residential events have also taken place at several other venues.

We seek to provide opportunities for Christians of all denominations

to deepen their knowledge of the Christian faith,
to learn new and helpful ways of looking at the whole Christian tradition,
to develop their personal reflection on Christian living and belief.

We strive to create an environment in which

liturgies of prayer, Eucharist and reconciliation enrich the experience of the reflecting community,
real questions of Christian living can be discussed frankly, intelligently and without prejudice.

The courses are taught by Jesuits and their associates - some university lecturers, some engaged in academic study and some involved in a variety of pastoral work.