Magis at Seattle University
Contemplative Leaders in Action (CLA)
Cohort Schedule 2014 - 2016
The curriculum is divided into four parts, with each part emphasizing one of the four weeks of the
Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius and one of the four qualities, or pillars, of leadership (Self Awareness
– Ingenuity – Love – Heroism) outlined by Chris Lowney in Heroic Leadership. This structure is not
intended to substitute for the Exercises, but to provide an introduction to the Exercises as a
developmental process which results in decision-making and leadership skills that are faith-based,
justice-oriented and holistic.
Five texts will be provided for the program: The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything by James Martin,
S.J.; Heroic Leadership by Chris Lowney; The Call to Discernment in Troubled Times by Dean Brackley, S.J.,
Tattoos on the Heart by Greg Boyle, S.J. and Pope Francis: Why He Leads the Way He Leads by Chris
Lowney. These texts will be drawn from at different times throughout the two years, and will be
passed out at the Opening Dinner. Other readings may be recommended from time to time.
**These gatherings are on a night other than the regularly scheduled monthly sessions.
YEAR 1
Part 1 - Understanding Ourselves
Reading:
Heroic Leadership by Christopher Lowney – Chapters 1, 2, 3, 5
The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything by James Martin, S.J.
Welcome Dinner & Introductions
Tuesday, September 9, 2014, 6:00 – 9:00 pm, Student Center 130
Share a celebratory meal, build community, share hopes for the CLA experience, and review the 2year CLA curriculum & details for the Opening Retreat. Receive a brief introduction to the
Enneagram as a teeing-up to the Sept. 23rd session.
Facilitators: Maria Ochoa & Natch Ohno, S.J.
Opening Retreat
Friday, September 12 (6:00pm) - Sunday, September 14 (2:00 pm), 2014, Camp River Ranch,
Carnation, WA
A weekend of prayer, reflection, community-building, and grounding in Ignatian Spirituality &
Leadership. The weekend is intended to bond the group through team building and sharing, while
orienting us towards God. Receive an introduction to CLA Part 1(Week 1of the Spiritual Exercises
& Self Awareness). The retreat will conclude with mass.
Retreat Facilitators: Maria Ochoa & Natch Ohno, S.J.
Enneagram
Tuesday, September 23, 2014, 6:00 – 9:00 pm, Casey Commons
Explore the Enneagram and the productive use of personality indicators that will allow the cohort to
develop and practice self-awareness.
Presenter: N’Shama Sterling
Updated: MLO, 8/20/14
CLA3 Welcome Reception
**Tuesday, September 30, 2014, 7:00 – 9:00 pm, Student Center 160 (LeRoux Conference
Room)
Celebrate with and be welcomed by the entire CLA Community, including CLA1 alumni, CLA2
participants, the Magis Advisory Board CLA Subcommittee, and CLA Mentors.
Self-Awareness and Understanding Ourselves as Leaders
Tuesday, October 14, 2014, 6:00 – 9:00 pm, Casey Commons
Explore with others your experience of self-awareness. Come ready to discuss strengths and blind
spots. What leadership skills do we need to develop? We will also discuss Chapter 5 of Heroic
Leadership in depth.
Facilitators: Maria Ochoa & Natch Ohno, S.J.
Ignatian Tools for Personal and Communal Discernment
Tuesday, November 18, 2014, 6:00 – 9:00 pm, Admissions and Alumni Building
Deepen our understanding of Ignatian Discernment, and how to best utilize these practices to make
decisions in our everyday personal and professional lives. Discuss the importance of the Examen as
a model for honest self-reflection and self-awareness.
Presenter: Marilyn Nash
CLA Community Advent Reflection & Holiday Celebration
Thursday, December 11, 2014, 6:00 – 9:00 pm, Student Center 160 (LeRoux Conference
Room)
The entire CLA community - current cohort members, CLA alumni, the Magis Advisory Board CLA
subcommittee, and CLA mentors and their families - are invited to gather for an Advent reflection
from 6 – 7:30 pm, followed by a holiday social from 7:30 – 9:00 pm.
Part 2 - An Invitation: How & Where We are Called
Reading:
Heroic Leadership by Christopher Lowney – Chapter 6, 7
The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything by James Martin, S.J.
Part 2 Mid-Year Retreat
Saturday, January 10, 2015, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm, Lemieux Library 122 (Boeing Room)
Reflect on Part 1 and introduce Part 2 (Week 2 of the Spiritual Exercises & Ingenuity). Explore the
Radical Example of Jesus, Authentic Leadership, and Growth Plans. Close with a Taize Prayer
Service.
Facilitators: Maria Ochoa & Natch Ohno, S.J.
Leading in a Diverse, Multicultural World
Tuesday, February 10, 2015, 6:00 – 9:00 pm, Casey Commons
Explore our own identities, and our current understanding and capacity to lead in a diverse and
multicultural world.
Updated: MLO, 8/20/14
Emotional Intelligence - Part I
Tuesday, March 10, 2015, 6:00 – 9:00 pm, Casey Commons
Learn skills and behaviors to effectively manage conflict, your relationships, and yourself. Explore
why Emotional Intelligence is essential in leadership.
Ignatian-Inspired Leaders Evening
**Thursday, March 19, 2015, 6:00 – 9:00 pm, Student Center 160 (LeRoux Conference Room)
Leaders, representing a variety of professional fields, share their perspectives on leadership, how
their faith and Jesuit values inform and ground their leadership and how to live an integrated life.
This event will be open to the greater CLA and Magis community.
Adaptive Leadership & Emerging Leadership Theories
Tuesday, April 14, 2015, 6:00 – 9:00 pm, Casey Commons
Explore Adaptive Leadership and other emerging secular leadership theories that resonate with
Ignatian Leadership including Servant Leadership, Transformational Leadership, and Authentic
Leadership. Consider the roles of vulnerability and humility in leadership.
CLA Year 1 Examen
Tuesday, May 12, 2015, 6:00 – 9:00 pm, Casey Commons
Gather for a night of reflection and celebration of all the learning and growth that has taken place
thus far, and to “collect the graces” of the past year!
Facilitators: Maria Ochoa and Natch Ohno, S.J.
Mentor Meet & Greet
**Tuesday, May 19, 2015, 6:00 – 9:00 pm, Lemieux 122 (Boeing Room)
This evening will offer a chance to meet and chat with potential seasoned mentors who are available
for personal, professional, and spiritual leadership support during the second year of CLA, helping
you to further integrate CLA learnings.
Introduction to Social Justice Project (SJP)
Tuesday, June 9, 2015, 6:00 – 9:00 pm, Introduction to Social Justice Projects, Casey
Commons
Introduce the social justice project – the group’s primary service and justice commitment for the
second year. Social Justice Project small groups will be assigned at this time, fostering opportunities
to practice communal discernment and leadership learnings.
Facilitators: Penny Koch-Patterson & Maria Ochoa
Summer Reading: Tattoos on the Heart by Greg Boyle, S.J.
YEAR 2
Part 3 - Love in Action
Reading:
Heroic Leadership by Christopher Lowney Chapter – Chapter 8
The Call to Discernment in Troubled Times by Dean Brackley, S.J.
Updated: MLO, 8/20/14
Part 3 Opening Retreat
Saturday, September 12, 2015, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm, Location TBD
Introduction to Part 3 (Week 3 of the Spiritual Exercises & Love). Reflect on Tattoos of the Heart and
further facilitation of the developing Social Justice Projects, culminating with 5 minute pitches by
each group at the end of the day.
Facilitators: Maria Ochoa, Natch Ohno, S.J. & Penny Koch-Patterson
The Intimate Connection between Faith & Justice
Tuesday, September 8, 2015, 6:00 – 9:00 pm, Location TBD
Explore Catholic Social Teaching, as well as learn how to faithfully respond to issues of injustice.
The group will then discuss and begin to formulate what role this may have in the larger leadership
conversation.
Presenters: TBD
Social Justice Project Formal Proposals
Tuesday, October 13, 2015, 6:00 – 9:00 pm, Location TBD
SJP small groups will give 15 minute presentations on their project idea, and have an opportunity to
receive helpful feedback from the rest of the cohort.
Facilitators: Penny Koch-Patterson & Maria Ochoa
Group Dynamics & Team Building
Tuesday, November 10, 2015, 6:00 – 9:00 pm, Location TBD
Understand our strengths and growth areas in relation to how we work with others, explore the
overt and covert dimensions of group life, and cultivate team building.
Presenter: TBD
CLA Community Holiday Celebration & Advent Reflection
Thursday, December 10, 2015, 6:00 – 9:00 pm, Location TBD
The entire CLA community – current cohort members and their families, CLA alumni and their
families, and the CLA Advisory team – are all invited to gather for a guided Advent reflection,
followed by a holiday social to celebrate together.
Part 4 - Engaging the Mission
Reading:
Heroic Leadership by Christopher Lowney – Chapter 9, 11
Pope Francis: Why He Leads the Way He Leads by Christopher Lowney
Part 4 Retreat
Saturday, January 9, 2016, 8:30am – 4:30pm, Location TBD
SJP mid-point check-in, as well as an introduction to Part 4 (Week 4 of the Spiritual Exercises &
Heroism), and Emotional Intelligence – Part II. Close with an Ecumenical Prayer Service.
Facilitators: Maria Ochoa, Natch Ohno, S.J.
Call and Ongoing Discernment
Tuesday, February 9, 2016, 6:00 – 9:00 pm, Location TBD
Updated: MLO, 8/20/14
We will explore one’s ‘call’ and life’s purpose, and be inspired to continue to discern and choose our
vocations each and every day.
Inspiring Others: Effective Management, Supervision & Coaching
Tuesday, March 8, 2016, 6:00 – 9:00 pm
Listen to professionals who are leading and coaching in the workplace.
Social Justice Project Final Presentations - Part I
Tuesday, April 12, 2016, 6:00 – 9:00 pm
Small groups will present their SJP to fellow CLA2 cohort members, family, friends, community
partners, and the greater CLA community.
Social Justice Project Final Presentations - Part II
Tuesday, May 10, 2016, 6:00 – 9:00 pm
Small groups present their SJP to fellow CLA2 cohort members, family, friends, community
partners, and the greater CLA community.
Closing Retreat: Reflection and Commissioning (“Setting the World on Fire”)
Friday, June 3 – Sunday, June 5, 2016 (Camp River Ranch, Carnation, WA)
Conclude with a weekend together in prayer (Contemplation to Attain Divine Love), reflection, and
sharing as an opportunity to reflect on all that CLA has been, and on ways to carry the experience
and graces forward. The retreat will conclude with a commissioning mass.
Facilitators: Maria Ochoa & Natch Ohno, S.J.
Updated: MLO, 8/20/14