About the Areté Centre
Our Story
The original dream of a Centre to form people as leaders in the Church’s evangelising mission began with Fr Chris Ryan MGL’s belief that the number one priority for the Catholic Church in Australia ought to be the formation of leaders who are passionate about Jesus Christ and his mission. That dream became the Areté Centre for Missionary Leadership in 2019.
The Areté Centre is an important expression of the Missionaries of God’s Love’s charism, as the MGL congregation has been committed to the formation of lay people as disciples, missionaries, and as leaders in the Church since its founding in 1986.
The Areté Centre’s Foundations of Missionary Leadership course draws upon Fr Chris’ practical experience and doctoral research in evangelisation and leadership formation, as well as the formation provided by a gifted and diverse faculty consisting of Missionaries of God’s Love priests, sisters, and lay leaders.
The Areté network provides an ongoing community for the graduates of the Foundations course so that a body of passionate, faith-filled, gifted and equipped leaders will emerge that can make an important contribution to the renewal of the Church.
What is Areté
Aretè is a Greek word which means ‘excellence of any kind’. This notion of excellence refers to the act of living up to one’s full potential. Aretè may also mean ‘moral virtue’ or ‘knowledge’.
In English, Aretè means a ‘mountain ridge’. In the Scriptures, mountains are the site of theophanies; of God’s self-revelation, culminating in Jesus’ death on Calvary. The Aretè Centre will also be a significant site of encounter with the Triune God.
Our Philosophy
Encounter
A live-in experience, comprising spiritual exercises that lead people to a personal experience of the Triune God: the Father Heart of God, the Saving Love of Jesus and the New Life in the Spirit. This will help you to more deeply discover the call to know, love and serve God.
Formation
This phase lays a theological foundation for mission. Interactive sessions introduce the Sacred Scriptures, the Creed, missiology (including the new evangelization), fundamentals of moral theology and the Church’s social teaching. Attention will also be given to the philosophical and sociological underpinnings of the Australian context
Mission
This phase addresses the practical dimensions of leadership for mission. Arete builds ‘vision-carriers’, who will form other leaders in turn. Participants will be able to learn about different ministry strands, including parish leadership, leadership in new communities, youth ministry, prayer and adult faith formation.
Who is The Foundations of Missionary Leadership Course For?
This course is open to anyone passionate about parish renewal, who already works in ministry or is interested in starting. Whether you are a volunteer or in paid employment, a youth minister, involved in adult evangelisation, or in leadership in your parish, movement or community, the Foundations of Missionary Leadership Course is for you.
A Work of the MGLs
Areté is a work of the Missionaries of God’s Love (MGL) priests and brothers, a new religious congregation. The MGL’s share in the work of Evangelisation in a collaborative way with lay people. They seek to empower people in their call to holiness and mission.
Safeguarding
The Areté Centre for Missionary Leadership is committed to the safety, well-being and dignity of all children, young people and vulnerable adults.
Participants must have current working with children check clearance from their home state, as well as evidence of completion of Safeguarding training for their local diocese before commencing any Areté Centre course.
As a work of the Missionaries of God’s Love, the Areté Centre for Missionary Leadership follows the safeguarding policies and documents of the MGL Priests and Brothers. These documents can be accessed at the MGL Priests and Brothers website.