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OrganizationMEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDINGThe Salesian Scholars Seminar understands itself as a working group that operates with a certain formality. Ordinarily, the Seminar meets every two years at De Sales Resources & Ministries. Papers prepared by Seminar participants are circulated and read prior to the Seminar meeting; Seminar sessions are devoted to discussion of these papers. Typically, the Seminar is scheduled during October, beginning on Thursday evening and continuing until Saturday evening. Themes for future seminars will be solicited from the wider membership and discussed by participants present at the prior Seminar meeting.
Some Seminar participants are also members of other scholarly societies (e.g., Patristic, Medieval, and Renaissance Studies Conference, Sixteenth Century Studies Conference, Renaissance Society of America, Society for Emblem Studies, Society for Early Modern Catholicism, Catholic Historical Society, etc.) and may, as the opportunity presents itself, arrange for panels or sessions focused on the Salesian tradition at the annual meetings of these societies. Seminar members may be invited to participate. This interface with other academic societies can give the Seminar wider visibility and familiarize other academics with the Salesian tradition. As in the past, the Seminar may choose to meet at a different locale and time if circumstances arise that would make that appropriate.
This "Memorandum of Understanding" was formulated on October 26, 2002, by those present at the 2002 Salesian Scholars Seminar, held at De Sales Resources & Ministries, Stella Niagara, NY. It has since been renewed and updated and stands as a current statement.
Leadership
Collaborative leadership will be chosen from among Seminar participants. Currently Fr. Joseph Chorpenning, OSFS, and Dr. Wendy M. Wright serve as leaders. Decisions about future leadership will be determined at each Seminar. Leaders are responsible for planning, organization, and communication about upcoming Seminars, as well as for maintaining communication with Seminar members about topics of common interest. Leaders will finalize themes (previously suggested by the membership) for Seminars. Leadership will make decisions about structure, attendance, and direction of the Seminar. Leaders will be responsible for contact with staff at the Seminar site. As in the past, for the foreseeable future the De Sales Resources & Ministries staff will provide support and on-site organization.
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Membership
Membership in the Seminar is by invitation. It will consist primarily of working scholars, archivists, and those who represent an important link to the lived Salesian tradition. There will be no calls for papers, but the invitation to participate will be extended to past and present members. The seminar may decide to invite, either on a one-time or long-term basis, guest scholars, participants, or auditors.
Communication
Seminar leaders will maintain communication among members about future Seminars or other gatherings of interest. Projects, new or ongoing research, publications, etc., should be reported to Seminar leaders so that members can be informed of developments in Salesian scholarship. Any new publications or major research should also be reported to Fr. Alexander Pocetto, O.S.F.S., for inclusion in the International Commission on Salesian Studies (ICSS) Newsletter ([email protected]). All Seminar members should be receiving this Newsletter. Seminar information should also be provided to centers and Province leaders who are engaged in disseminating Salesian spirituality.
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Publications
The Seminar is involved, in a variety of ways, in bringing to birth new publications on Salesian spirituality. Individual members of the Seminar may be more or less engaged in any given project. Most of these projects are presently being carried out on the initiative of or with the cooperation of De Sales Resources & Ministries and under its imprint. Present projects include the publication of a collection of the essays of Fr. Joseph F. Power, O.S.F.S., and a collection in English translation of the essays of Sr. Mary Patricia Burns, V.H.M., on St. Jane Frances de Chantal. The Seminar also encourages its members to publish in other venues and with other publishers. Papers from past Seminars are archived at De Sales Resources and Ministries.
Finances
In general, each Seminar participant (or sponsoring institution) will pay his or her own expenses, including travel, room and board, and overhead (for expenses at site). If the need exists (graduate students, overseas travel etc.), a search for outside grants and gifts will be initiated by Seminar members. If needed, DeSales Resources and Ministries will help coordinate the grant.
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Next Seminar
The 2012 Salesian Scholars Seminar will take place at DeSales Resources & Ministries, Stella Niagara, NY on October 18-21, 2012.
The theme of the 2012 Seminar will be: "Pentecost in the Salesian Tradition"--a topic that is understood in the broadest sense so as to encompass a wide range of topics (such as the foundation of the Visitation Order, the Visitation mystery, the Eucharist, the Sacred Heart, the so-called 19th-century Salesian Pentecost, etc.--to offer just a few examples).
Arrival is Thursday, October 18. Participant papers will be presented and discussed on Friday and Saturday. Departure is Sunday, October 21.
If you are interested in further information or in submitting a request to attend, contact either of the Seminar leaders below:
Wendy M. Wright, Ph.D.
Professor of Theology
John C. Kenefick Faculty
Chair in the Humanities
Creighton University
2500 California Plaza
Omaha NE 68178
Tel. (402) 280-2611
Fax (402) 280-2502
E-mail: [email protected] |
Joseph F. Chorpenning, O.S.F.S.
Chairman, International Commission
on Salesian Studies (ICSS)
Editorial Director, Saint Joseph's
University Press
5600 City Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19131-1395
Tel. (610) 660-1214
Fax (610) 660-1257
E-mail: [email protected] |
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