 |
|
|
|
ForMission
In May 2000 the Religious Formation Conference, with the cooperation of Chicago's Catholic Theological Union and the Washington Theological Union, launched a new program for directors of incorporation and formation.
Why this program?
ForMission: This program is for women and men currently accompanying new members of their religious congregations at any stage of initial formation. The program is composed of 4 intensive residential sessions over a two year period and is hosted at Catholic Theological Union, Chicago, IL, Oblate School of Theology, San Antonio, Texas and Holy Trinity Retreat Center, Baltimore, MD. Program presenters are drawn from theological schools, are first rate in their respective disciplines, and lecture nationally and internationally.
The primary aim of the program is to foster personal transformation of the participants
for the sake of mission. This is accomplished by supporting participants to articulate and develop the vision and skills necessary for formation for religious life as a prophetic enterprise in the 21st century.
This summer’s session is scheduled for June 10 - 18 for new participants
and June 11 - 18 for returning participants, at Catholic Theological Union.
The theme is: "Reflections on the Reign of God." New applicants are invited to enter the January or June sessions and complete the program in the following three sessions.
Learning at Home
While carrying out their ministry at home, participants will do assigned readings and engage in discussion of these with a study group formed from members of their own community. It is hoped that the program can thereby have the wider effect of strengthening community support for the incorporation process. Short reflection papers will also be required of the participants.
Mentors and Supervisors
Each participant will have a mentor with whom he or she meets/contacts regularly; the RFC will provide a training program for all the mentors. Participants
are required to participate in a peer conversation or supervision group in their respective locales.
Intensive Sessions
In the week-long intensive sessions participants will approach formation for mission by looking at the world today through the lenses of
• REFLECTIONS ON THE REIGN OF GOD
• AN ECONOMY OF LIVING:WHAT DOES THE VOW OF POVERTY MEAN TODAY?
• RIGHT RELATIONSHIPS: WHAT DOES THE VOW OF CELIBACY MEAN TODAY?
• FREEDOM AND RESPONSIBILITY: WHAT DOES THE VOW OF OBEDIENCE MEAN TODAY?
In the intensive sessions, a variety of methods appropriate for adult learners will be used to draw on the expertise of participants, faculty and facilitators. These will include theological reflection and other reflective processes. Emphasis in these methods is on empowering the directors for their task. Prayer, community, and leisure are integral to the sessions.
Dates, Location, Cost
Those interested in entering the ForMission program can begin the cycle with the
summer 2011 session. Exact dates will be forthcoming.
The dates and locations for upcoming sessions of existing groups are:
* June 10-18 2010 - Catholic Theological Union, Chicago, IL
*
January 8-16, 2011- Holy Trinity Spiritual Center, Baltimore, MD
* June 10-17, 2011, Catholic Theological Union, Chicago, IL
Housing during these sessions will be at the schools or in a nearby facility.
You may open a .pdf copy of the ForMission brochure by clicking here
Costs:
Effective January 2010: $11, 025
(includes tuition, room and board for the total program) paid in four installments. Non-members of RFC pay an additional amount. There is a non-refundable deposit of $500, applicable to tuition. Checks (in US
dollars and drawn on a US Bank) should be made payable to the Religious Formation Conference and sent to the name and address below.
An additional fee for supervision may incur. **Please Note: Your
cancelled check is your receipt of payment.
Other Requirements:
* The deadline for the written application will be April 15, 2011 for the summer session.
More information will be forthcoming.
Applications will be processed as they are received.
* Your application must be accompanied by a letter of support from a member of your leadership team.
* Please include a recent photo of yourself with your application
How to Apply
Those interested in applying for admission to ForMission should email an application found here and send it to
Yvonne DeBruin, Program Director at
ydebruin@relforcon.org. Please contact her prior to applying.
ForMission Program
Religious Formation Conference
8820 Cameron Street
Silver Spring, MD 20910-4152
Phone: 301 588 4938
Fax: 301 585 7649
|
|
|
|
|
