Transformation of Religious Life in North America: An Action-Oriented Initiative

(Please scroll down for a quick access to the registration links)        En Español

Following a groundbreaking and successful first series of workshops held in 2011 as part of the Transformation of Religious Life in North America initiative, the Religious Formation Conference (RFC) invites you to participate in Spring 2012 in one of five workshops to be held across the US.  The 2012 national convenings will address the challenge of engaging Religious Life in service to the Church and world of the 21st century. Topics include:

• Mission,
• Theology and Spirituality of Religious Life,
• Congregational Life and Discernment,
• Skills for Life and Mission.

Program Objective:  To assist congregational members in various roles to assume responsibility for animating communal openness and movement towards transformation - in the service of shaping prophetic Religious Life for the future.

Who is this for? Congregational members committed to shaping the future of a prophetic Religious Life, including elected leaders, formators, general membership and newer members.

Focus: To develop awareness, resources and capacity for individual and communal transformation.

How: Through evocative presentations and facilitated processes in a contemplative context.

Why Attend?

• Exert communal and ministerial leadership and dare new undertakings where needed.
• Increase awareness that change is an ongoing process and proceed more boldly into an uncertain future.
• Collaborate with other congregations in ways which support full thriving, maximize impact, and unleash new energy.
• Assess critical ministry decisions with greater skill through newly acquired communal discernment processes.
• Create action steps to achieve greater effectiveness in communal discernment leading to more vibrant religious life and ministry.
• Attract new members and retain those in formation
• Engage the trends in Religious Life, Church and world with greater clarity, skill and confidence.

Dates and Location:
April 14-15, 2012 – San Antonio, TX – Oblate School of Theology
April 28-29, 2012 – West Hartford, CT – Passionist Retreat House   filled
May 5-6, 2012 – Renton, WA – Providence Health & Services          filled
May 12-13, 2012 – Villa Maria, PA - Villa Maria Spirituality Center    filled
May 19-20, 2012 – St. Louis, MO – Pallottine Renewal Center          filled

Time and Schedule:
8:45 am Saturday through 4:00 pm Sunday. Please click here for a generic schedule.

Presenters:
April 14-15, 2012 – San Antonio, TX – Oblate School of Theology
    Luis Vera, OSA; Doris Gottemoeller, RSM; Luisa Saffiotti, PhD and Ray Dlugos, OSA
    (both via DVD and Skype); Juan Molina, O.SS.T.
April 28-29, 2012 – West Hartford, CT – Passionist Retreat House
    Steve Bevans, SVD; Pat Walter, OP; Luisa Saffiotti, PhD and Ray Dlugos, OSA (both
    via DVD and Skype);  Mary Pellegrino, CSJ. West Hartford is filled - please see below.
May 5-6, 2012 – Renton, WA – Providence Health & Services
    Fintan Sheeran, ss.cc.; Doris Gottemoeller, RSM; Luisa Saffiotti, PhD and
    Ray Dlugos, OSA (both via DVD and Skype).  Renton, WA is filled - please see below.

May 12-13, 2012 – Villa Maria, PA   - Villa Maria Spirituality Center
    Steve Bevans, SVD; Pat Walter, OP; Luisa Saffiotti, PhD and Ray Dlugos, OSA (both
    via DVD and Skype); Mary Pellegrino, CSJ.    Villa Maria is filled - please see below.

May 19-20, 2012 – St. Louis, MO – Pallottine Renewal Center
    Roger Schroeder, SVD; Doris Gottemoeller, RSM; Luisa Saffiotti, PhD and
    Ray Dlugos, OSA (both via DVD and Skype); Juan Molina, O.SS.T. 
    St. Louis is filled - please see below.

Pricing:
$ 250 for 2 Overnights, 5 meals, meeting room and presenters    
$ 225 for 1 Overnight,   4 meals, meeting room and presenters   
$ 150 for commuters,    3 meals, meeting room and presenters

For the Renton/WA location only:
$ 150 for commuters,   3 meals, meeting room and presenters
(SpringHill Suites by Marriott accommodation for Renton/WA location if needed - see registration page)

Registration Now Open:  Due to the popular nature of this initiative, a high volume of registration is expected. Please register at your earliest convenience. In order to share the significance of this experience with your respective communities, we strongly encourage three or more members of each participating community to attend.

Registration Links: Please click on the link below related to the session and payment preference.

San Antonio-payment by credit card
San Antonio-payment by check
West Hartford, CT is filled. Please call Lauren Conroy from Nix & Associates to check for cancellations and/or be put on a waiting list. Phone: 314-645-1455.

Renton, WA is filled. Please call Lauren Conroy from Nix & Associates to check for cancellations and/or be put on a waiting list. Phone: 314-645-1455.

Villa Maria is filled. Please call Lauren Conroy from Nix & Associates to check for cancellations and/or be put on a waiting list. Phone: 314-645-1455.
St. Louis is filled. Please call LAuren Conroy from Nix & Associates to check for cancellations and/or to be put on a waiting list. Phone: 314-645-1455.

For more information please call the RFC national office at 301-588-4938.

RFC gratefully acknowledges the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation’s generous support of this initiative.
We look forward to welcoming you . . .