EXPLORE THE WORLD. START WITHIN.EXPLORE THE WORLD. START WITHIN.

Lessons Learned from the Little Way Learning Community: Teaching

Vocation and Discernment Across the Curriculum

Dr. Melanie-Préjean SullivanDirector of Campus Ministry

EXPLORE THE WORLD. START WITHIN.

Background

• Theology of Discernment, 2008 (98th percentile)

• Whispers, Nudges and a Couple of Kicks, 2009

• CIC Network for Vocational Undergraduate Education conference, Indianapolis, 2013

• Knights of the Round Table, 2013• Little Way Learning Community

Grant, 2014-2016• Future Plans: YOU

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Knights of the Round Table September 17, 2014 - Frazier Hall 4 pm

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Ideas Imbedded within the Grant

Explore the world. Start within.

What DOES that mean?

Avoid silo effect (BMS)

spiritual/religious/theological/not my field

What is discernment? How do/can we practice, transmit, teach such skills within our respective disciplines?

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Discernment Questions to Ponder

The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.

― Frederick Buechner, Wishful Thinking: A Theological ABC

• What do you LOVE to do? (self)• At what are you very GOOD? (others)• What does the world need?

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Practical skills for classroom use

• Journal prompts• Mindfulness; intentional silence• Free writing, in-class assignments• Interviews• Research• Spiritual Autobiography• Theology Reflection…Ultimate Question,

SO WHAT?

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SO WHAT ?

For me to be a saint means to be myself. Therefore the problem of sanctity and salvation is in fact the problem of finding out who I am and of discovering my true self.

~Thomas Merton, New Seeds of Contemplation

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Resources

Thomas Del Prete. Thomas Merton and the Education of the Whole Person. Christine M. Bochen. Thomas Merton Essential Writings James Martin, SJ. Becoming Who You Are

Peter Senge, et al. Presence. An exploration of profound change in people, organizations, and society.

Andrew Newberg et al. Why God won’t Go Away. Brain science and the biology of belief Minna Proctor. Do You Hear What I Hear? An unreligious writer investigates religious

calling.

Tim Clydesdale. The Purposeful Graduate. Why colleges must talk to students about vocation

Sharon Daloz Parks. Big Questions, Worthy Dreams

Wilkie and Noreen Cannon Au. The Discerning Heart. Exploring the Christian Path Edward P. Hahnenberg. Awakening Vocation. A Theology of Christian Call.

Melanie-Prejean Sullivan. Whispers, Nudges, and a Couple of Kicks. A guide for those who teach and practice discernment