Orientation to
Formation
for Ministers and Leaders
Oct. 31-Nov. 2, 2008
Passionist Spiritual Center
Riverdale (Bronx) NY.
Description
General schedule
Presenters
Features
What participants have said
Location
Directions
Costs
More info?
Registration Form
Description
This short program:
welcomes new directors of pre-novitiate, novitiate, and temporary professed and those who experience themselves as "new" in these roles. Seasoned directors may find the program a useful 'refresher' as they carry out their ministry. an excellent preparation for congregational leaders who have responsibility in the area of formation and incorporation. is an opportunity to share ideas and gain encouragement from others who are involved in this ministry. An emphasis will be placed on the practical concerns of the participants. encourages discussion and sharing on such topics as a philosophy of formation; the focus of each particular stage of formation; skills for mentoring persons in initial formation; relationships - director and person in formation; spiritual direction; therapy; self-care for director; role of formation director; dynamics of formation community, leadership demands, etc.
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General schedule
In a non-Congress year, the General Schedule would be:
Friday:
-
5:30 pm
Supper
-
7:00 pm
Opening & social
Saturday
-
9 am—5 pm Sessions
-
7:00 pm
Eucharist
-
Social
Sunday
-
9 am
Session
-
Noon adjournment
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Presenters Both Maryann and Don received the Mary Emil Penet IHM Award for distinguished service to formation at the Jubilee Congress 2003
Maryann Seton Lopiccolo, SC, a member of the Sisters of Charity of Halifax, has served in formation ministry for over past nine years. She initiated and directed the lay associates for her congregation and has also served on her provincial council. Until recently, Maryann was the director of the collaborative novitiate for five congregations of Sisters of Charity and the treasurer of RFC's Region 2. She has also served on the RFC national board.
Donald Bisson, FMS, is a Marist brother who is presently serving as novice director. Trained in spiritual direction and Jungian psychology, Don's areas of interest are the relationship between spirituality and psychology, male spirituality, and renewal of religious life. Don also serves RFC's Region 2 as coordinator of the intercongregational program for those in second year novitiate.
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Features
You may enjoy :
the opportunity to gather with those new to the formation ministry or receiving updating. New leaders can use it as a way of becoming familiar with the formation portfolio. the opportunity to share in the knowledge of presenters experienced in the area of religious formation. a retreat center environment. the evening social gatherings.
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What participants have
said:
"As a beginner in the formation process, I found the Orientation Program extremely helpful. It was also an excellent way to evaluate my community's program and get ideas."
"It is so useful for those just starting out. I enjoyed the complementarity of male-female experience in the presenters."
"Besides being very informative, it's a source of great encouragement for new formation directors."
Last year, I attended a Formation Orientation Conference of the RFC. I like to call it Formation 101. It was actually a repeated attendance since I accompanied another sister who is being prepared for formation ministry. I took notes this time from two perspectives, two points of view, one of a director of formation and the other as a person in leadership of our community. As I did, I began to recognize the essential worth of leadership to be grounded in formation....the need for leadership to be grounded within the context of initial and on-going formation can be greatly enhanced only
through an undated experience of formation processes. (Regina Zeleznik SND)
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Costs
Costs: (Date based on postmark.)
On or before September 15, 2008 RFC Members $350 Non-Members $425
On or before September 30, 2008 RFC Members $375 Non-members $450
October 1, 2008, or after RFC Members $400 Non-members $475
Fees include:
All presentations and materials Lodging Friday and Saturday nights in non-Congress years Opening supper Friday evening, all
meals Saturday, and breakfast and dinner on Sunday in non-Congress years. In Congress years, please consult the registration brochure on the Congress 2005 page on the public side of this website.
Complete fee is due with registration, in US Dollars, drawn on a US bank, and made payable to the Religious Formation Conference. Your cancelled check is your receipt. Confirmation letter will be sent in late October. Registration is limited
and must be received in the National Office by October 10. After that date, call the office to check for space availability.
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Location
and dates in Congress year, 2009 yet to be determined.
In a Congress year such as 2009, the schedule would be:
-
Wednesday, November 11 (9 am to 5 pm)
-
Thursday, November 12 (9 am to 3 pm)
In Congress years such as 2009, Orientation is handled as an adjunct to the Congress, and registration is done on the Congress Registration form.
Go to the REGISTRATION FORM or click here to open a pdf form of the brochure (including registration form)
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Directions in non-Congress year:
Driving directions will be sent to registrants if necessary.
More info?
For more information contact:
Religious Formation Conference
8820 Cameron Street
Silver Spring, MD 20910-4152
Phone: (301) 588-4938 Fax: (301) 585-7649
Email: click here.
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