Virtually all branches of the Vincentian Family agree on the need for innovative formation processed for their members. Now they are collaborating in formation of a pilot program that will be offered to 30 English-speaking members of the Vincentian Family from 17 countries/regions in May, 2013. Afterwards, it will be adapted to other language groups.
International leaders of the Vincentian Family had asked the Superior General of the Congregation of the Mission lead this effort at collaboration in formation. Fr. Gregory Gay, CM convened representatives from the five Congregation of the Mission institutions of higher education as well as representatives from the CM, DC, and SSVP.
He charged the Vincentian Family Collaboration Commission to form of design team, Vincentian Family Collaborative Action Program Design Team (PDT). Their task is not only to nurture the participant’s Vincentian spirituality, leadership qualities and management skills and understanding, but also to provide for a tangible experience in collaboration: how the charism is alive today, and how it can be projected into the future.
They drew especially on the resources of the educational institutions of the Congregation of the Mission (Adamson in Manila, All Hallows in Dublin, DePaul in Chicago, Niagara in Niagara Falls, and St. John’s in NY). The 10 members of the PDT are:
- Fr. Joseph Agostino, CM – coordinator,
- Fr. Dan Paul Borlik, CM,
- Sr. Kieran Kneaves, DC,
- Eduardo Almeida – SSVP,
- Pamela Mantuhac – Adamson University, Philippines,
- Mary Mc Phillips – All Hallows College, Ireland,
- Marty Martin – De Paul University, Chicago,
- David Taylor – Niagara University, New York, and
- Joan Vivian – St. John’s University, New York.
After initial consultations in early 2012, the PDT met from March 25-30 at St. Vincent’s Seminary in Philadelphia to brainstorm and create the framework, methodology and processes of the program. They were then grouped to work on five different program modules. The team presented its first draft of modules to its coordinator, Fr. Joe Agostino, CM.
For more information, please contact the program coordinator, Fr. Joe Agostino, CM at agostinojv@gmail.com.
Tags: Agostino, collaboration, Featured, formation, Vincentian
LOVE THIS!!!!
Can’t wait to see this
This could be good for something like teaching about the life and writing of the founders, and teaching basic doctrine. Some other aspects (like leadership/management which is simply different in lay organizations vs religious communities, way of life for instance living the evangelical counsels which is core to formation of religious, etc) are going to be different for laity vs religious and priests.