MEETING OF CALASANZIAN HIGH SCHOOL TEACHERS IN ITALY
Hno Gerardo Leyva. Sch.P.
On May 4th, the meeting of Calasanzian teachers of the 1st and 2nd institutes of the Italian Province of the Piarist Fathers was held at the Calasanzio Institute in Rome, convened by Provincial Father Sergio Sereni.
Forty-three teachers gathered, including ten from the Calasanzio Institute of Genoa Cornigliano, eight from the Guido Alfani Institute of Sesto Fiorentino, and, of course, the teachers of the Calasanzio Institute of Rome. Two people in charge of the Guido Alfani Institute’s administrative area were also among the participants.
Some Piarist religious were present: Father Sergio Sereni, Father Paolo Bertollo, Father Angelo Celani, Father Francesco Pandolfi, Father Elia Guerra, Father Luigi D’Altilia, and Brother Gerardo Leyva.
The meeting had three parts:
- General meeting in the auditorium of the Institute, in which Fr. Provincial addressed a message of welcome. Then, each participant introduced himself, indicating his name and teaching subject. Paolo Bertollo on a passage from the Memoriale al Cardinale Michelangelo Tonti (1622). Laura Castella and Prof. Renzo Santinon expanded the reflection.
- The second part of the meeting saw the participants split into two groups: high school teachers and secondary school teachers. This interactive session encouraged the sharing of school-specific characteristics, experiences, challenges, and needs. The atmosphere was one of open dialogue, active listening, and a strong willingness to collaborate.
- At the end of the meeting, a plenary session was held to gather the echoes that had emerged during the previous moments.
The host institute distinguished itself for its hospitality. It offered lunch and a gift for each participant: a cap, a shirt, a pen, a small image of St. Joseph Calasanz, and a sports bag.
It is with deep gratitude that we acknowledge all those who made this meeting possible. Our special thanks go to the Community of the Calasanz Institute of Rome, and particularly to Fr. Angelo Celani, whose unwavering support and provision of necessary resources made this meeting a success for the Calasanz schools of the Italian Province of the Pious Schools.
