July 21-28, 2008
Freedom and Responsibility: A Reflection on the Vow of Obedience

The Why

· To provide religious, younger religious in particular,  the opportunity for theological updating and learning from premier theologians throughout the United States in order to be better prepared for pastoral planning and ministry

· To provide a forum for younger religious to come together, learn together, support one another and network for future collaboration in mission

· To provide opportunities for members of immigrant communities in the United States and immigrants within mainstream USA communities to receive firm theological education within the context of the culture in which they will be serving

· To assist religious communities in the transformation of consciousness needed to live and serve in a multicultural world

Where?

Holy Trinity Spiritual Center
8400 Park Heights Ave.  Baltimore, MD 21208
www.trinitarians.org/retreat_center/index.html

Other Details

Program Director: Maria Hughes ASC, Phone: 717-951-2541     Email: hughesmar1[at]aol.com

Registration Form:  Click here

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Registration:

Monday, July 21, 2008: 1– 3:30 pm
Opening:

Monday, July 21, 2008: 4 pm

Closing:

Monday, July 28, 2008: 1pm

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Presenters for the 2008 program are being confirmed at the moment.  Information will be posted here as soon as possible.

Past Presenters have included:

James Scullion OFM holds a PhD in Scripture from the Catholic University of America and is currently Assistant Professor of Scripture and Academic Dean of the Washington Theological Union in Washington, DC Fr. Jim has written articles on the teachings of Scripture and is a Contributing Writer for The Word Among Us and provides theological review for the magazine.

Kathy Galleher Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist, therapist and educator. She was a staff psychologist at the St. Luke Institute in Silver Spring Maryland, where she worked with priests and religious suffering from a wide range of concerns including addictions, depression, sexual issues, and personality issues.  She recently founded KMG Consultation, which is designed to support healthy ministry by providing quality education, training, and mental health services to training and formation programs, communities, and individuals in ministry.

Quinn R. Conners O.Carm., Ph.D. (Clinical Psychology) is a licensed clinical psychologist.  He has served as Provincial and as director of novices, a staff member at Saint Luke Institute, high school principal, Prior and Director of Formation at Whitefriars Hall, Washington, D.C., and as a psychotherapist, spiritual director and part-time faculty member at Washington Theological Union.  He has done extensive research and workshops nationally and internationally in the areas of psychology and spirituality, sexuality, vocational discernment, and issues in the first five years of ministry.

Simone Campbell SSS is a leader, a facilitator, a lawyer and a poet. She is currently the Executive Director of NETWORK, a national Catholic social justice lobby in Washington, D.C. Her past experience include positions of executive director of JERICHO, an interfaith public policy and advocacy organization; founder and lead attorney of a community law center in California; and leadership of her international community.

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Session 1: Took place at Washington Theological Union, Washington DC on July 15-22, 2006

The session dealt with An Economy of Living: A Reflection on the Vow of Poverty.  Presenters were: Historical Perspectives - Janice Farnham RJM; Scriptural Perspectives - James Scullion OFM; Socio-Economic Perspectives - Maria Riley OP; Cultural Perspectives - John Staudenmaier SJ.  Here's what participants said

“The amount of input and the variety (from different perspectives) was a good balance. …The processes are good….Looking at poverty from different perspectives was good.  I was left with much food for thought and prayer …There was a good mix of age groups present so that was good….It is a well-balanced, theologically sound and challenging program.” 

“I would say that this would definitely be a good way for someone like me, who has not had or taken the time to update herself, to receive a view of the vows as lived in today’s world with the opportunity to reflect on how it fits into her own life.”

 

I have gained an expended understanding of the vow of poverty that I know will change me experientially….An opportunity to discover, with other younger members of religious communities, an expanded consciousness of the vow of evangelical poverty that informs our time and place as religious in the 21^st  century…an opportunity to bring our personal experience into dialogue with social and communal reality and responsibility…a walk in solidarity.

 

“Just witnessing the Spirit at work in myself and in those I shared with was a gift.  I look forward to continuing the use of both processes (Theological Reflection and Horizon Analysis) in order to “be the change.”

Session 2: Took place at Holy Trinity Spiritual Center, Baltimore MD  on July 13-20, 2007

The session dealt with Right Relationships: A Reflection on the Vow of Chastity  Presenters were: Scriptural Perspectives - James Scullion OFM;; Psycho-Sexual Perpective - Kathy Gelleher PhD and Quinn Conners O Carm; Mission Perspective - Simone Campbell SSS.     Here's what participants said:

"Gave me a broad perspective of what celibacy means in religious life today and how it impacts in a very positive way our relationships."

"Showed the freeing aspect of the vow when lived in context."

"Through sharing and hearing each others stories these two years, I have come to a deeper understanding of how each vow plays out in my life."

"Let congregations know all ages are welcome - not just younger people, because some RFC members think its just for initial formation folks."

"An opportunity to explore the deeper meaning of the vow and to plumb the depths - historically, scripturally, spiritually, and practically - in the light of the living out of our vows in today's reality.

"The program provides a wholistic approach to exploring the vow of chastity while providing an environment conducive for sharing among participants.  The program connects the expertise with the day to day living of our religious lives.  There is much inspiration to be gained through the multifaceted approach to this vow that is both sensitive and practical."

This program "is a wonderful opportunity to engage the critical issues facing religious life today.  Rooted deeply in our tradition, WATC both celebrates the reality we live today and looks to the future with hope.  I would encourage other members of my congregation to participate."

This program is

made possible through the financial support of

 

The Koch Foundation

The Raskob Foundation

An Anonymous Foundation

RFC Members

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