ABOUT US

About the Belfast Jesuit Centre

Our team consists of 3 Jesuit priests, Gerry Clarke SJ (Director), Tom Layden SJ, Piaras Jackson SJ, Caren Collins (Executive Support and Programmes Coordinator), and several volunteers. The special gift of the Jesuits and our partners in mission has always been spiritual guidance. Our founder, St Ignatius of Loyola was gifted with skills of “helping souls” and in our own way, we too, do this through a ministry of Spiritual Direction and a variety of creative programmes using Scripture, prayer, poetry, literature and even film, to offer ongoing spiritual formation for those seeking to deepen their relationship with God. Our current programmes include weekly Lectio Divina, a weekly book club, monthly Faith and Film evenings, and programmes for Lent, Holy Week, Pentecost and Advent. Our charism offers special skills in understanding and practising the Synodal process of communal discernment and we offer training and formation to empower people to step into their Baptismal calling. We are involved in Campus Ministry at UU, Directorship of Boards and Ecumenism. We offer Days of Reflection for parishes and other groups upon request. Our Jesuit ministry is fully shared with lay persons.