Summer Institute 2018: Downward Mobility

The society in which we live suggests in countless ways that the way to go is up. Making it to the top, entering the limelight, breaking the record – that’s what draws attention, gets us on the front page of the newspaper, and offers us the rewards of money and fame.

The way of Jesus is radically different. It is the way not of upward mobility but of downward mobility. It is going to the bottom, staying behind the sets, and choosing the last place! Why is the way of Jesus worth choosing? Because it is the way to the Kingdom, the way Jesus took, and the way that brings everlasting life.

–Henri J. M. Nouwen

Come join us for this three-day conference where we will explore the call to imitate Christ’s example of downward mobility.

Speakers

Shane Claiborne is a prominent speaker, activist, and best-selling author.  Shane worked with Mother Teresa in Calcutta, and founded The Simple Way in Philadelphia.  He heads up Red Letter Christians, a movement of folks who are committed to living “as if Jesus meant the things he said.” Shane is a champion for grace which has led him to jail advocating for the homeless, and to places like Iraq and Afghanistan to stand against war. And now grace fuels his passion to end the death penalty.

Shane’s books include Jesus for President, Red Letter Revolution, Common Prayer, Follow Me to Freedom, Jesus, Bombs and Ice Cream, Becoming the Answer to Our Prayers, his classic The Irresistible Revolution and his newest book, Executing Grace. He has been featured in a number of films including “Another World Is Possible” and “Ordinary Radicals.” His books have been translated into more than a dozen languages. Shane speaks over one hundred times a year, nationally and internationally. His work has appeared in Esquire, SPIN, Christianity Today, and The Wall Street Journal, and he has been on everything from Fox News and Al Jazeera to CNN and NPR. He’s given academic lectures at Harvard, Princeton, Liberty, Duke, and Notre Dame.

Shane speaks regularly at denominational gatherings, festivals, and conferences around the globe.

Robert Ellsberg has spent the last thirty years as editor-in-chief and publisher of Orbis Books, where he worked with Daniel Berrigan on many books. His friendship with Berrigan extends back to 1975 and the five years he spent as part of the Catholic Worker community in New York City. There he also worked closely with Dorothy Day, whose selected writings, diaries, and letters he has edited. He is the author of numerous books, including The Franciscan Saints, All Saints: Daily Reflections on Saints, Prophets, and Witnesses for Our Times, Blessed Among All Women, The Saints’ Guide to Happiness, Modern Spiritual Masters, and Blessed Among Us: Day by Day with Saintly Witnesses, which is based on his daily entries for Give Us This Day. A former managing editor of The Catholic Worker, he has written extensively about the life and legacy of Dorothy Day, and has also edited anthologies of writings by Gandhi, Flannery O’Connor, Thich Nhat Hanh, Charles de Foucauld, and Carlo Carretto, among others.

Sue Mosteller is a Sister of St. Joseph, who for forty years lived and worked with people with disabilities in the L’Arche Daybreak Community in Toronto.  She served as leader of the International Federation of L’Arche, working with Jean Vanier, and has had a wide experience with different cultures and different religious traditions.  Sue was a close friend and confidant of the late Fr. Henri Nouwen during the ten years he was pastor at Daybreak prior to his death.  Today Sue lives in Toronto, is retired and works with Henri’s spiritual legacy, giving retreats and workshops in Canada and elsewhere in the world.  She authored three books, the latest being Light Through the Crack, Life After Loss.

Tentative Agenda

Monday, June 18, 2018

Tuesday, June 19, 2018

Wednesday, June 20, 2018

Registration

Registration Fee: $85

Does not include meals or lodging. A list of nearby restaurants will be provided to all Institute participants. A limited number of meal packages are also available for purchase.

Meal Package: $65

All meals will be served at Oblate Renewal Center, beginning with dinner on Monday and ending with dinner on Wednesday. At the time of purchase, please notify us of any dietary restrictions in the notes section.

Single Occupancy Lodging: $225

Lodging for one individual in a single occupancy room at Oblate Renewal Center.

Check-in at 4pm on Monday, June 18, 2018.

Check-out at 11am on Thursday, June 21, 2018.

Double Occupancy Lodging: $255

Lodging for two individuals in a double occupancy room at Oblate Renewal Center. At the time of purchase, please indicate the name of the second lodger in the notes section.

Check-in at 4pm on Monday, June 18, 2018.

Check-out at 11am on Thursday, June 21, 2018.

Participants are encouraged to bring a light jacket/shawl, reusable water bottle, and writing materials.

For information or to register by phone, contact Noemy at (210) 341-1366 EXT 212

Continuing Education events are free* to all enrolled OST students.

All other students, 50% off with student ID.

To receive discount, register with Noemy Colon at ncolon@ost.edu or (210) 341-1366 EXT 212

*Does not apply to meals and lodging.

All refunds subject to 10% processing fee.