"The Bishops of the United States call upon the Catholic faithful to a conversion of minds and hearts, imploring us to communion and solidarity with diverse newcomers, and entreating us to find new and meaningful ways to welcome our immigrant sisters and brothers into our parishes, schools and communities." –USCCB website
Encuentro Immersion
Encuentro: Immigration and the Catholic Educator’s Response
Using Catholic teaching, tradition and scripture, the course provides Catholic educators with the opportunity to examine the current reality of immigration—nationally at the U.S.-Mexico border and globally across the world. This one-credit course, offered through Boston College Lynch School of Education and Human Development, includes four sessions on the Boston College campus and a five-day immersion experience in El Paso, Texas and Juarez, Mexico.
At a Glance
Encuentro Topics
In addition to traveling to the U.S.-Mexico border in February, course participants meet on the Boston College campus on four Saturday mornings. In these monthly sessions, educators are invited to examine:
- The current political, social and economic factors influencing immigration
- Theories of immigrant inclusion and exclusion
- The journey of the migrant
- The history of Catholic schools and immigration
- The response of Catholic schools and communities
Course Information
PrintAudience
The Encuentro Immersion is designed for elementary and secondary Catholic school educators, as well as for graduate students in theology, social work, and education.
Dates
- The Encuentro course is not running in Spring 2024. We look forward to running the course again in the future.
- Course participants meet on the Boston College campus on four Saturday mornings to explore and discuss course topics.
- The Encuentro Immersion is a week-long trip, typically taking place during the week of winter break for schools in Massachusetts.
Learn More
Questions? Interested in learning more?
- Contact the Roche Center at rochecenter@bc.edu
- Stayed updated on when the course will be offered again!
About the Facilitator: Melodie Wyttenbach, Ph.D.
Dr. Melodie Wyttenbach is director of the Roche Center for Catholic Education, Boston College. Melodie has served in various leadership roles, always in service to Catholic schools. Most recently she was a faculty member and academic director for the Remick Leadership Program at the University of Notre Dame, and prior to that, served in urban Catholic schools as president, principal, and teacher. Melodie presents nationally on topics such as Catholic School Governance and Effective Board Management, Strategic Planning, Development and Enrollment Management Strategies, and Making Schools Culturally Competent for New and Existing Latino Families. She has a doctorate in educational leadership and policy analysis from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
