Sixteen educators from our four high schools in Japan and Sophia University completed the workshop on Ignatian leadership held from the 3rd of August to the 7th. The workshop was conducted at the Jesuit Retreat House in Kamakura, Japan, with attendees from Eiko Gakuen High School (Kamakura), Roko Gakuin High School (Kobe), Hiroshima Gakuin High School, Sophia Fukuoka High School, and Sophia University (Tokyo).
Fr. Johnny Go SJ with Fr. Lee Sung-il SJ and the participants of the leadership workshop pose for a photo on the last day. Photograph courtesy of Paul Isaka, who took this picture.
Facilitated by JCAP Education Secretary, Fr. Johnny Go, the workshop, aptly called “Leadership by Discernment,” dealt with Ignatian discernment, with the first three days focused on individual discernment while the remaining time was spent on communal discernment. It was an experience customized for our colleagues in Japan, based on two IGNITE leadership workshops that have been offered the past years in Asia Pacific
One issue that Fr. Go had been concerned about was the language since not all the participants considered themselves highly proficient in English. But after the initial ice was broken and the participants were encouraged to speak in Nihongo, the discussions eventually became quite vigorous, and the participants quite engaged, thanks largely to the competent and hardworking team of interpreters.
Paul Isaka, one of the interpreters, led the discussion for one session
It was the first time for some of the participants to attend an Ignatian seminar of any sorts. Nevertheless, they found the experience meaningful since the sessions started with the basics–including an entire discussion on the Ignatian worldview that is essential for any talk on discernment.
The workshop was designed deliberately in a manner that participants “learn by doing.” Each day the participants had to engage in active individual reflection on their own lives and work in order to learn.
Kunio Otoshi (Eiko), Yoshiki Morimoto (Rokko), and Sumio Takahashi (Rokko) exchanging questions and comments
The participants also had a lot of opportunity to share their comments and questions both in plenary and small groups.
One of the highlights of the workshop was an adapted communal discernment process that the participants underwent. This firsthand experience of discerning in common gave them the chance to compare this unique process with the usual decision-making process used in their schools. They also got the chance to brainstorm on initial steps that they can take to introduce elements of communal discernment at work.
Japanese educators try their hand in communal discernment.
The insights and questions that emerged from the discussion proved quite valuable in helping the attendees better appreciate Ignatian discernment in a way that can be applied realistically in their schools.
Iki Futoshi of Eiko Gakuen shares his opinion about Ignatian discernment.
An interesting consensus that surfaced in one plenary discussion is the need for their colleagues to be guided in deepening their self-awareness in order to engage in Ignatian discernment.
Mr. Koisumi, Principal of Rokko Gakuin High School (second row) in discussion with Mitsuhiro Aioki, while our delegates from Sophia University, Yasuyuki MIyai and Yoshiharu Aioi (front row), exchange notes.
Though still recovering from his recent surgery, Fr. Lee Sung-il SJ, the Japanese education secretary, had somehow managed to organize this workshop and was happily around to lend his moral support to the workshop participants.
Fr. Lee Sung-il with Fr. Johnny Go
Anyone who knows Fr. Lee understands that with him around, no event is complete without his signature barbecue. So on the last evening, we all gathered at the veranda to enjoy the freshly grilled food.
Participants help one another prepare the barbecue on the last evening.
The workshop ended on the 7th with a Eucharistic Celebration presided by Fr. Go. The Mass was promptly followed by a simple closing ceremony where each participant received a certificate of completion from the Jesuit Education Center of the Sophia School Corporation and the Ignatian Initiative for Teacher Excellence (IGNITE) of the Jesuit Asia Pacific Conference.
According to participant and JSEC member Paul Isaka, the workshop “was a great opportunity for all of us to learn about and experience the individual and communal discernment. I’d like to keep thinking how I could apply this to my job as a teacher and assistant principal.”