2023 Texas Alcuin Retreat
REMEMBERING THE HEART OF VIRTUE
The Texas Alcuin Fellowship Retreat : 10-11 February 2023
Retreat Details
- Participants: Teachers and administrators in classical schools in Texas (Because of limitations of space and the dynamics of the seminar, the number of participants will be capped at 17).
- Location: Waco, TX at Baylor University.
- Duration: Two days in length (from Friday, February 10 at 5 pm through the evening of Saturday, February 11).
- Leadership: Alcuin Fellows from the Texas chapter will be present to lead the retreat and engage others in conversation.
- Presentations: Presentations are paced to allow time for conversation and discussion between sessions.
- Cost: $150 (includes three meals; does not include lodging). Space is limited. Register by January 6, 2023.
- Registration: Educators can register using this link: Register for the Texas Retreat.
- Preparation and Reading: Participants are asked to read A Brief Reader on the Virtues of the Human Heart by Josef Pieper prior to the retreat. Copies of the book can be purchased here.
- Lodging: Participants must make their own arrangements for accommodations.
- Questions: Contact Allison Buras at aburas@liveoakclassical.com.
Description
“Wisdom and virtue” – this pair is often touted as the goal of classical education. After
all, wisdom helps us to discern the good to be done, and virtues – both moral and
intellectual – strengthen our ability to choose it. Within classical Christian schools,
wisdom and virtue are baptized and take on new meaning in the light of Christ.
But how do we cultivate virtues in our students and in ourselves as educators? How is
such cultivation possible in a world that has largely forgotten how to speak about the
virtues, much less recognize what such habits look like in action? This retreat will
explore the cardinal virtues of prudence, temperance, courage, and justice, and
consider them in light of Christian faith.
The attempt to recover a vocabulary of human virtue is the goal of Josef Pieper’s book,
A Brief Reader on the Virtues of the Human Heart (trans. by Paul. C. Duggan). At this
retreat, Pieper’s text will inform conversations among classical educators about how to
foster growth in virtue, whether in ourselves or in our students.
The keynote address on Friday evening will be given by Dr. Todd Buras, Associate
Professor of Philosophy at Baylor University and an Alcuin Fellow. Roundtable
discussions on Saturday will be led by various Alcuin Fellows and will include a session
led by Allison Buras and Alyssan Barnes on ways virtue education has been practiced
in Classical schools. Prayer and worship sessions will be held Friday and Saturday.
all, wisdom helps us to discern the good to be done, and virtues – both moral and
intellectual – strengthen our ability to choose it. Within classical Christian schools,
wisdom and virtue are baptized and take on new meaning in the light of Christ.
But how do we cultivate virtues in our students and in ourselves as educators? How is
such cultivation possible in a world that has largely forgotten how to speak about the
virtues, much less recognize what such habits look like in action? This retreat will
explore the cardinal virtues of prudence, temperance, courage, and justice, and
consider them in light of Christian faith.
The attempt to recover a vocabulary of human virtue is the goal of Josef Pieper’s book,
A Brief Reader on the Virtues of the Human Heart (trans. by Paul. C. Duggan). At this
retreat, Pieper’s text will inform conversations among classical educators about how to
foster growth in virtue, whether in ourselves or in our students.
The keynote address on Friday evening will be given by Dr. Todd Buras, Associate
Professor of Philosophy at Baylor University and an Alcuin Fellow. Roundtable
discussions on Saturday will be led by various Alcuin Fellows and will include a session
led by Allison Buras and Alyssan Barnes on ways virtue education has been practiced
in Classical schools. Prayer and worship sessions will be held Friday and Saturday.
TWO ADDITIONAL REGIONAL RETREATS: CALIFORNIA, ILLINOIS
Every year the Alcuin Fellowship conducts retreats for school faculties in various regions of the country. We try to keep the size manageable (less than 35 teachers) in order to encourage great conversation and fellowship.
This year we will be hosting three regional retreats: one in Santa Clarita, CA; one in Waco, TX; and one in Wheaton, IL.
- Click here to learn about the other regional retreats of the Alcuin Fellowship