Chris Gleeson sj has updated and added new material to his wonderful book, A Canopy of Stars. Now, as well as the eight Stars of the first edition, we have four Canopies, each of them aligning with one of the four Weeks of the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius of Loyola. These canopies feature the same mix of inspirational thoughts and commentary and quotes gathered from Chris’ reading over the recent decade.
For more than twenty years, Chris was at the head of two Jesuit school communities, and called upon to present numerous public speeches, homilies and reflections, spoken and written. Always, dotted among these commentaries, were quotations from many sources. He put together a collection of these ‘nuggets of wisdom’, as he calls them. He finds them glittering like stars in all that he reads and hears.
The collected material is divided into themes, reflecting the concern Chris has for promoting principles and values – the things that are ‘immutable and rock solid’ in our lives. The book offers challenging and enriching reflections to readers individually, while also being a source of quotes and ideas for teachers and parents, priests and religious, parish workers and catechists. A great gift!
There are times when one needs a jewel on a particular theme, an inspiration or a saying. At such moments A Canopy of Stars is a useful resource ... very accessible and timely, reminding us of the importance of continuing to ponder the eternal truths.
--Champagnat
This is the book’s strength: seemingly simple ideas that open the doors for long contemplation, reflection personal challenge and prayer ... useful for both personal and group reflection on God’s goodness to his people.
--The Mix
Christopher Gleeson sj has spent most of his working life as a teacher and administrator in Jesuit schools, nearly twenty-one of which as Head of both Xavier College in Melbourne and St Ignatius’ College, Riverview, in Sydney. His peers elected him to serve as Chair of the Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia from 1999 to 2001. Since leaving Riverview at the end of 2002, he was Director of Jesuit Publications (now Jesuit Communications) in Melbourne, and inaugural Director of both the Faber Centre of Ignatian Spirituality and the Archdiocesan Santa Teresa Spirituality Centre in Brisbane. In January 2011, he took up his current role as the Provincial’s Delegate for Education and Mission Formation, and in October 2012 was asked to be the Jesuit Conference Asia Pacific (JCAP) Secretary for Primary and Secondary Education. Over the years he has written four books for parents and teachers – Striking a Balance: Teaching Values and Freedom (1993), A Canopy of Stars: Some Reflections for the Journey (2003), Releasing the Angel: Saluting all who strive to teach (2007), and The Front Page: Everyday Ignatian Spirituality (2011).
