Spiritual Formation Frameworks in Catholic Schools Greg Sunter Mission & Formation Services
Feb 22, 2016
Spiritual Formation Frameworks in Catholic Schools
Greg Sunter Mission & Formation Services
Key Components
• Grounded in research– contemporary spirituality and spiritual formation, adult
learning, theology, ecclesiology, evangelisation, change facilitation.
• Theological underpinning– Jesus, Communion, Mission
• Narrative phases of spiritual formation– My Story, Our Story, The Story
Mission & Formation Services | [email protected] | 3033 7620
Key Components
• Holistic engagement approach– Head, Heart, Hands
• Reflective praxis• Capacities of Christian Communities– Presence, Prayer, Principle, Welcome, Ritual, Journey,
Purpose, Commitment, Fidelity
Mission & Formation Services | [email protected] | 3033 7620
Application to student formation
• With a differently articulated purpose, the basic elements of the model are equally relevant for student formation and staff formation.
• The narrative phases (My Story, Our Story, The Story) are essential for student formation.
• The holistic engagement approach (Head, Heart, Hands) is relevant and appropriate.
• Neither of these elements prescribe a specific methodology, but provide underlying principles and approaches.
Mission & Formation Services | [email protected] | 3033 7620
Design Principles
• Design Principles underpinning BCE Approach to Spiritual Formation
• Design Principles underpinning Catching Fire Staff Formation programs
• Principles of Practice for facilitators
Mission & Formation Services | [email protected] | 3033 7620
School-based Formation Framework
• Identify purpose • Audit current student offerings • Identify the gaps/overlaps• Reconfigure or realign activities • Formation or inservice for staff
Mission & Formation Services | [email protected] | 3033 7620
School-based Formation Framework
Identify purpose • Identify a clear purpose • State the values & characteristics that will be
developed by the school formation program• Purpose will be informed by school charism,
mission, values, existing statements/metaphors, BCE Spiritual Formation Framework
Mission & Formation Services | [email protected] | 3033 7620
School-based Formation Framework
Audit current student offerings – e.g. camps, retreats, reflection days, social justice
programs, activity days, charity fundraising, newsletter communications, cultural activities, leadership programs
• In what ways do these activities contribute to the articulated purpose?
• How might they better contribute?• Are they sequential, logical, strategic?
Mission & Formation Services | [email protected] | 3033 7620
School-based Formation Framework
Identify the gaps/overlaps• Do the current offerings provide a clear
developmental pathway towards the purpose?• What’s missing?• What’s redundant or unnecessary?
Mission & Formation Services | [email protected] | 3033 7620
School-based Formation Framework
Reconfigure or realign activities • How might some of these activities be
reconfigured or realigned so that they are seen by those responsible for them as contributing to the overall formation of students?
• Not just a stand-alone or subject-specific activity.• Requires buy-in across all staff and clear direction
from leadership.
Mission & Formation Services | [email protected] | 3033 7620
School-based Formation Framework
Formation or inservice for staff• Simple awareness-raising• Common understanding about the school
approach to formation of students• Collective formation around the purpose / values /
characteristics that underpin student formation• Skill-specific and role-specific professional learning
Mission & Formation Services | [email protected] | 3033 7620
Ongoing Support
Mission & Formation Services:• Jill Gowdie • Steve Dunne• Catherine Foley• Greg Sunter
Mission & Formation Services | [email protected] | 3033 7620