This presentation is based on workshop of NACAR North American This presentation is based on workshop of NACAR North American Conference of Associates and Religious, February 20 – 22, 2009 in Conference of Associates and Religious, February 20 – 22, 2009 in Albuquerque, NM. We gratefully acknowledge the work of the Albuquerque, NM. We gratefully acknowledge the work of the presenters Carol Gariano and Mary Jo Mersmann. presenters Carol Gariano and Mary Jo Mersmann. The Ins and Outs of Formation for a Maryknoll Affiliate Maryknoll Affiliate Regional Coordinator Conference, May 3 – 4, 2009
Presentation of 2009 Affiliate Formation Program being developed by Maryknoll Affiliates for new Affiliates.
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This presentation is based on workshop of NACAR North American This presentation is based on workshop of NACAR North American Conference of Associates and Religious, February 20 – 22, 2009 in Conference of Associates and Religious, February 20 – 22, 2009 in Albuquerque, NM. We gratefully acknowledge the work of the Albuquerque, NM. We gratefully acknowledge the work of the presenters Carol Gariano and Mary Jo Mersmann.presenters Carol Gariano and Mary Jo Mersmann.
The Ins and Outs of
Formationfor a
Maryknoll Affiliate
Maryknoll Affiliate Regional Coordinator Conference, May 3 – 4, 2009
• Presentations – Homily, Mission Education talks in schools or Mission fairs
• Get to know us retreat
““How do people find us?”How do people find us?”
• Invitation• Invitation• Invitation
Phases of Affiliate FormationPhases of Affiliate Formation
““Exploring a Relationship”Exploring a Relationship”
• Inquirers become acquainted with the Maryknoll Affiliates, Affiliate leadership and Maryknoll Missioners and familiarize themselves with Maryknoll's mission.
• Inquirers discern with an Affiliate Chapter whether he or she shares the same values and goals as the Maryknoll community.
• Inquirer seeks to answer the question, “Do I want to be an active Maryknoll Affiliate?”
““Exploring a Relationship”Exploring a Relationship”
When the inquirer, Affiliate Chapter and Regional Coordinator are in agreement to go forward with the process, the Chapter Coordinator invites the inquirer to enter the discernment stage.•Through the inquiry process, inquirers and the Chapter discern whether the inquirer's interests and desires are consistent with the directions and vision of the Maryknoll Affiliates, Maryknoll and the Chapter.
““Exploring a Relationship”Exploring a Relationship”
Inquirer who decides to participate in a Maryknoll Affiliate Chapter:
Expresses values, beliefs and commitments in harmony with Maryknoll documents and the affiliate living reality.
Has desire to be a Maryknoll Affiliate Demonstrates a general capacity to cope
with the demands of their life situation. Is physically, mentally and emotionally able
to carry out the responsibilities and commitments of being a Maryknoll Affiliate.
““Exploring a Relationship” Exploring a Relationship”
Steps of Inquiry Process
• Chapter Contact Person informs the Executive and Regional Coordinator about the inquirer and requests information
• Introductory packet mailed to inquirer
• Follow up phone conversation / Interview – Assessment
• How did you find out about Maryknoll?• What about Maryknoll attracts you?• Who in Maryknoll do you know?• Who or what encouraged you to this
step?• What ministries do you serve?• What is your spiritual journey?• Why is Maryknoll your call now?
Ritual of Welcome to Ritual of Welcome to Formation PeriodFormation Period
• Based on RCIA model• Introduce Candidate to others• Hospitality and welcome• Encourage prayer and
support• Ritualize acceptance
Phases of Affiliate FormationPhases of Affiliate Formation
Formation ObjectivesFormation Objectives
• Learn about the Maryknoll response to God’s call demonstrated in: -The loves of the founders - The history and present
lived reality of Maryknoll Affiliates and Maryknoll missioners
- The Charism, Mission and Vision of Maryknoll and the Maryknoll Affiliates
Formation ObjectivesFormation Objectives
• Study the general information about Maryknoll and the Maryknoll Affiliates
• Discern the call to be a Maryknoll Affiliate
• Deepen his/her sensitivity to God’s call to holiness and service.
Accompany Person Accompany Person ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities
• Facilitate the inquiry - discernment process
• Link the Candidate with Affiliates, Maryknoll Missioners, retired Maryknollers, Regional and Executive Coordinator
• Invite the Candidate to join in Chapter meetings, Chapter outreach actions, prayer services (such as Taizé services), social gatherings at the local or regional level.
Accompany Person Accompany Person ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities
• Provide the Candidate with information about service opportunities with other Affiliates or with Maryknoll.
• Lead the Candidate through the inquiry - discernment process.
• Advise the Chapter or Regional Coordinator or his/her desire to make commitment and may assist with planning a covenant signing ceremony.
Guidelines for Accompany Guidelines for Accompany PersonPerson
• Meet - communicate regularly
• Pray together• Assign Material• Reflect and discuss material
for that step on discernment• Theological reflection• Repeat the above over and
over.
Phases of Affiliate FormationPhases of Affiliate Formation
Information (Resources)Information (Resources)
This is the “Head piece” of relationship• Books• Discussion• DVDs• Websites i.e. Virtual Learning
Community for Faith Formation (vlc.udayton.edu)
• Maryknoll Magazine• MOGC News Notes• Not So Far Afield
Information (Information (Content from the Content from the
above resourcesabove resources))• Founders• History of Maryknoll• Charism, Mission, Vision• Spirituality• Ministries• Affiliate History• Four Pillars• Meaning of Mission• Crossing Cultural Boundaries• Catholic Social Teaching
Phases of Affiliate FormationPhases of Affiliate Formation
IntegrationIntegration
This is the “Heart piece” of relationship• Celebrations – Liturgies
--Covenant Signing ceremonies of others,
--Prayer services, -- Visits by Entity members -- Retreats
• Meetings --Chapter Meetings --Regional Meetings
IntegrationIntegration
• Social Events --Summer picnics --Multi-chapter gatherings
• Communications --Website --Emails --Newsletters
IntegrationIntegration◦Local Chapter Actions
Volunteer at soup kitchen Join Habitat for Humanity project Do prison ministry, volunteer at nursing
home or homeless shelter ◦Local Personal Actions
Volunteer at nursing home or food pantry Join Immigration advocacy group.
◦National and International Actions Visit US border support Groups Take emersion visit to US Poverty area Participate in international advocacy
groups
Phases of Affiliate FormationPhases of Affiliate Formation
DiscernmentDiscernment
This is the “Spirit piece,” personal and communal. This is the heart of the Formation Process.
•Discernment: Making decisions from a spiritual perspective. •This is an ongoing process from Discovery to Commitment.•Information and Integration are used to arrive at Commitment.
DiscernmentDiscernment
DiscernmentDiscernment
Is the decision to join this community healthy:• for me, • for this community, • for those values that I have as
‘passions of my life?’
Phases of Affiliate FormationPhases of Affiliate Formation
Making Commitment – Making Commitment – Covenant SigningCovenant Signing
• Candidates know and become known by the community.
• Candidate presents gifts and hopes of membership in chapter: --How they relate to the Affiliate
Chapter. --How the Affiliate Chapter
community enhances their spiritual journey.
--How they extend the mission of Maryknoll into the world.
Making CommitmentMaking Commitment
• Candidate makes Affiliate commitment with letter by Accompany Person: --Why he/she wants to be an
Affiliate --Ways he/she has Maryknoll
Charism --Ways he/she participates in
Affiliate Chapter --Gifts he/she brings to Maryknoll --What he/she plans to give and to
receive from Maryknoll Communities.
Making CommitmentMaking Commitment
• The Chapter meets with the candidate desiring commitment.
• The Chapter along with the Regional Coordinator approve and invite the candidate’s commitment
Celebration of CommitmentCelebration of Commitment
• When? Once a year, or at group acceptance ceremony, or at Chapter or Regional meeting.
• Where? Maryknoll house or a church or outdoors or home or where Chapter meets.
Celebration of CommitmentCelebration of Commitment
• People – Affiliates, Maryknoll Missioners, Regional Coordinator, family, friends, other candidates.
• Ritual – Prayers, Music, Readings, Companion and Coordinator(s) statements
• Objects – Certificate, Metal/Pin, Program, Invitations, Food and refreshments.
Renewal of CommitmentRenewal of CommitmentWhen:• Every year• Every three years• PeriodicMethod:• Weekend retreat• Suggested readings • Form to sign and return Where:At Chapter Meeting, Regional or General Conference
Other Formation ProcessesOther Formation Processes
• Affiliate Chapter Formation (new Chapters) See: Guidelines to establish new Maryknoll Affiliate Chapter
• Affiliate Clubs Coordinator training.
• Affiliate Chapter Coordinator training.
• Affiliate Regional Coordinator training.
Next StepNext StepProcedures not yet included are candidate withdrawal and termination