- This event has passed.
WISE Conference 2020
June 29, 2020–July 2, 2020
Event: 5th Annual WISE Conference
Date: June 29 – July 2, 2020
Place: Aquinas College, Nashville
UPDATE 4/21/20 Due to the ongoing concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, Aquinas College has made the difficult decision to suspend all events to be hosted on the campus through mid-July.
Therefore, the 5th annual WISE Conference scheduled at Siena Hall for June 29-July 2, 2020, has been cancelled.
We are grateful for your interest in the conference and will continue to post resources and opportunities offered by the Center for Catholic Education. Be assured of our prayers for you and for all your work on behalf of Catholic school students and their families, especially during these difficult times.
The WISE Conference is an educator formation initiative sponsored by the Center for Catholic Education at Aquinas College.
Participation in the 5th Annual WISE Conference will provide an opportunity for Catholic school principals, vice principals, pastors, teachers, parents, and board members to deepen their understanding of the unique nature and mission of the Catholic school.
What educators learn and experience through WISE helps them to assess the depth and expressions of Catholic Identity in their own school communities and to understand how their mission as educators impacts the total school community.
Who Attends WISE?
Catholic school superintendents, principals, vice principals, pastors, teachers, board members, parents, and staff! Teams of three from each participating school are recommended. A school may however send as few as one delegate. The program is limited to 30 participants.
Please consider sharing information about this event with your colleagues!
WISE 2020 Flyer (pdf)
Click here to view the schedule.
Monday, June 29
1:00 Arrival and check-in begin
3:00 Orientation and Introductions
3:30 Session 1: Mission and Vision: Making it Happen!
4:30 Break
5:00 Session 2: On a Mission from God
6:00 Vespers and rosary
6:30 Reception and dinner
7:30 Discussion
8:15 Compline
Tuesday, June 30
8:00 Morning Prayer
8:20 Breakfast
9:00 Session 1: Elements of Catholic Identity
Inspired by a Supernatural Vision
Founded on Christian Anthropology
10:00 Break
10:15 Session 2: Elements of Catholic Identity
Animated by a Spirit of Community and Communion
11:15 Break
11:30 Session 3: Elements of Catholic Identity
Imbued with a Catholic Worldview
12:15 Mass
1:00 Lunch
1:45 Session 4: Elements of Catholic Identity
Sustained by Gospel Witness
2:45 Break
3:30 Travel to Saint Cecilia Motherhouse
4:00 Tour of Motherhouse
4:30 Exposition/adoration
5:00 Vespers and rosary
5:30 Supper
6:40 Spiritual reading, Night prayers, Compline
7:15 Guest lecture
Wednesday, July 1: Retreat Day!
8:00 Morning Prayer
8:20 Breakfast
9:00 Leave for Bethany Retreat House
10:15 Orientation
10:30 Conference 1
11:15 Break
11:30 Mass
12:30 Lunch
1:30 Conference 2
2:30 Exposition, confessions available
3:15 Vespers, Reposition of the Blessed Sacrament
Depart: Free night in Nashville, on your own
Thursday, July 2
8:00 Morning Prayer
8:20 Mass
9:00 Breakfast
Pack lunch
10:00 Panel Presentation
11:00 Closing prayer
Departure
Venue
Our conference will be held at Aquinas College’s Siena Hall. Though just 15 minutes from downtown Nashville, the College is surrounded by 83 acres of sprawling natural beauty.
- Siena Hall is a spacious, new facility which opened in 2016. The Hall is dedicated in honor of St. Catherine of Siena, a fourteenth century Dominican and Doctor of the Church.
- Bedrooms are single occupancy with a shared, conjoining bath. Each room is equipped with a desk, chair, dresser, and wardrobe.
- Siena Hall contains an Oratory for private prayer. The Corpus Christi Adoration Chapel is a brief walk from Siena Hall.
- Common areas and classrooms provide spaces for study, discussion, and presentations
- Free Wi-Fi throughout the building
- In-room temperature controlled AC/heat
- Free parking
- Within walking distance to various restaurants, grocery stores and other businesses
