SXU hosts Bishop Gorman Institute on June 23 and 24

Saint Xavier University (SXU) School of Education (SOE) will host their Bishop Gorman Institute (BGI) professional development opportunity for teachers on Tuesday, June 23 and Wednesday, June 24 from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on SXU’s Chicago campus, 3700 West 103rd Street.

The conference will include presentations from the faculty as well as clergy in the area on the topic of “Discipleship: Constructing Thoughtful Believers.” The presenters, both from SXU’s College of Arts and Sciences and SOE, will focus on math, science, technology, literacy, discipleship, music and art.

“Networking with others about the disciplines we teach, the pedagogy involved in teaching and the Catholic foundation of discipleship are all important aspects of our coming together for the Bishop Gorman Institute,” said Dr. Eileen Quinn Knight, SXU SOE professor.

As part of the conference, SXU will host Father Bradley Zamora to serve as a guest speaker on Wednesday, June 24. His presentation will uncover the topic: “The Language of Discipleship: Announcing the Good News of the Lord.”

Father Bradley Zamora, director of Liturgy at Holy Name Cathedral, is considered a “lifer” in the Archdiocese of Chicago Seminary System. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from Loyola University Chicago and a Master of Divinity and Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology from the University of St. Mary of the Lake. Before ordination to the priesthood, he served as the director of Music Ministries at Good Shepard Parish in Little Village and served as choir director and organist at St. Barbara Parish, where he led the adult and children’s choirs, cantors and a small ensemble. In addition to those two full-time jobs, Father Bradley can still be seen from time to time sitting on the organ bench filling in for musicians throughout the Archdiocese. With a true love for music and liturgy in his heart, he seeks to invite others into a relationship with Christ, through a personal encounter with Christ through liturgy.

All teachers and administrators are welcome to attend. If a Catholic school teacher brings a public school teacher, they will receive a Starbucks gift card. Both breakfast and lunch will be served each day, with networking opportunities available at noon.

For more information on this wonderful professional development opportunity, please visit the SXU website; keyword: Gorman. If you are from a Big Shoulders School, your registration can be made to knight@sxu.edu.

About the Bishop Gorman Institute

BGI was founded by SXU’s SOE to provide outstanding professional development for teachers, principals and leadership teams of Catholic schools and it is part of the comprehensive relationship between SOE and partner schools in Chicago and other communities. Bishop John Gorman, a well-known leader in Catholic Education, continues to provide support and encouragement to the BGI.