Kate Monkhouse is a facilitator who is passionate about participation, spirituality and social justice. She is currently Executive Director of Creators of Peace worldwide women’s programme where her work includes training and accompanying peacebuilders in conflict-affected countries. She has 20+ years’ experience of working with faith-based and community organisations, including with London Civic Forum, Jesuit Refugee Service and Initiatives of Change.
Kate will share how undertaking the Spiritual Exercises transformed her understanding of what an “apostolic spirituality” might look and feel like. And how this profound experience, and learning alongside others working for the common good, has re-shaped her own missional work for dignity, for herself and the equity-seeking communities she is connected with.
Piaras Jackson SJ has served in a variety of ministries since ordination in 1985. He worked widely in religious education and communications before becoming director of Manresa Jesuit Centre of Spirituality in Dublin, Ireland in 2012. A registered MBTI practitioner and certified Veriditas labyrinth facilitator, he enjoys taking and making opportunities to explore aspects of the Spiritual Exercises in spiritual direction and retreat ministry.
Piaras will consider why Ignatius invites us to consider God’s perspective and to engage with the events of Jesus’ life. He will reflect on how the Second Week of the Exercises invites us to take new perspectives and to grow in appreciation of how God looks on us. As we consider Jesus’ intentions, we notice how God continues to seek us and bring us to life; we grow in discipleship and are shaped in what we seek, perceive and value.
Nick Helm is passionate about enabling people to live their God-given dream and purpose in life. As an Anglican priest, his ministry has been in inner-city parishes and as a diocesan officer with responsibility for Spirituality and ministry development in London, Sheffield and Hereford Dioceses. Ignatian spirituality has been hugely significant in enabling his own growth and he has been offering spiritual direction and training in spiritual direction for over 20 years.
He has published three books in the Grove Spirituality series: Soul Spark, Ignatius of Loyola and Seeking Spiritual Direction. He has been chair of SEN since 2013.
Nick will join the other speakers in a plenary session to end the conference.