Most of the Formation Days are presented on the magnificent University of St. Mary of the Lake Campus where nine hundred acres provide a sacred space that's close enough to get to, but far enough to get away.  During breaks or at the end of a formation day, you can walk the trails and enjoy the lavish natural and man-made beauty of this remarkable campus.

All formation days include hot lunch in the spacious Dining Hall of Mundelein Seminary. 

Tentative Formation - Year I
2009-2010
CALENDAR AND LISTING

FORMATION CALENDAR - YEAR I

FORMATION LISTING - YEAR I

Opening Retreat: Exploring My Spirituality (September, Friday evening through Sunday noon)

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This retreat introduces the whole year’s focus on personal spirituality. Spirituality is presented as the way one copes with life, one’s basic attitudes and behaviors. Emphasis is placed on the spirituality of the Real - the way God works through the real events of our lives - rather than the spirituality of the Ideal - a frame work in which individuals are striving to live up to some unattainable concept of what life should be about.

Input, reflection, small group sharing, prayer, and ritual are used to assist the participants in naming their present situation in the spiritual life. The retreat closes by setting one’s personal spiritual growth in the context of the Church’s understanding of spiritual growth - the Paschal Mystery of Jesus.

Growth Begins With Self-Knowledge (Saturday in October)

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Using the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, participants (a) learn more about their own personality, (b) discover the implications of their personality Type for spiritual growth, (c) grow in understanding how people are legitimately different from each other, and (d) learn to see that differences can be gifts. Participants are invited to bring one guest who participates fully in the day. This firsthand experience of a part of the program can help build support and understanding among spouses and close friends.

Communication Skills for Ministry I (Saturday in October) Communication Skills for Ministry II (Saturday in February)

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These days are based on the conviction that genuine, respectful mutual relationships are important, indeed essential, for ministry. As a foundation for those relationships, the day offers experience-based skills training and emphasis the urgency of utilizing effective communication in every dimension of life and ministry.

Specifically, participants are challenged to develop the skills of reflective listening, conflict management, and assertion. These days avoids a “skills only” approach by providing a scriptural and theological understanding of the psychology of human interaction and by examining how the various communications skills are components not only of the good mental health but of living the gospel as well. While these skills are useful in many settings, their exercise in ministry situations receives special attention.

Identifying Values and Gifts (Saturday in November)

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Participants name the values which motivate them and identify the gifts they have used in significant life situations. Roadblocks and resources for living-out one’s values are considered. A profile sheet, drawn up by each participant, summarizes key personality traits, priority values, and personal gifts.

Mariology and Devotional Piety (Saturday in December) Years I & II - Odd numbered calendar years

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No woman holds a higher place in the Catholic consciousness than Mary of Nazareth, the Mother of Jesus. The first part of this formation day will explore the following:

• Mary’s role in salvation history
• Mary as model of Discipleship
• Marian dogmas
• Marian titles and their implicit theology
• The rosary and other Marian devotions
• Marian apparitions and the Church’s stance

There are many other devotions that feed the soul of Catholics. Another goal of this day is to look at the role devotions play in the life of the Church and to explore how devotions and devotional practices have changed since Vatican II. The prayer life of the Church needs to focus on both the transcendent and the immanent. Devotions seem to connect people with both. The principle areas of focus for the second part of the day will be:

• Eucharistic Devotions
• Culture and devotions
• Role of the miraculous
• New age impact on devotions
• Evaluating devotions
• Role of devotions in parish life.

Church and Culture (Saturday in January) Years I & II - Even numbered calendar years

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This day introduces participants to the tensions and the trends at work in the larger Church of today. The inculturation of faith is explored by focusing on the interplay of religious culture and social culture, and on the challenge of pluralism in Karl Rahner’s “third epoch” of Christianity. Presenters from the Latino, African-American, Asian and Eastern European communities offer insights on the cultural and ecclesial aspects of their respective communities.

Stewardship of Life’s Sacraments (Saturday in March)

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This day begins with reflection on one’s life purpose or sense of vocation. These learning’s are added to each person’s profile. The key input of the day focuses on the conflicting models of ministry: dominator vs. partnership. Each participant, regardless of marital status, is involved in relationships symbolized by the sacrament of Marriage. Each participant, while not ordained, is involved in church ministry symbolized by the sacrament of Holy Orders. Given the demands of each of these facets of life, the issue of balance is explored. This theme of stewardship is processed through reflection on concrete examples of the Great Commandment - love of self and others as indicators of ones’ acceptance of God’s unconditional love.

Tools for the Journey: Spiritual Direction, Prayer, Goal Setting (Saturday in April)

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Participants are provided with an opportunity to summarize the insights they have gained into their personal spirituality. Prayerful consideration reveals areas for growth. Participants then travel through a process of brainstorming and selection of two goals. One is personal; the other is in their area of ministry. There is input on the criteria for spiritual discernment, the role of personal prayer, and spiritual direction.
 

SUMMER FORMATION ASSIGNMENTS
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Press to Open / Print this Summer Assignments in Microsoft Word

Summer Reading - Participants meet with a partner or in discussion groups for monthly conversations on their reading and submit written reports on the books read.

Ministry Visit - (Summer to fall) Participants visit a social service ministry in a cross-cultural setting. The visit and subsequent reflection serve to widen participants’ experience of ministry and cultural plurality.

Tentative Formation - Year II
2009-2010
CALENDAR AND LISTING
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FORMATION CALENDAR - YEAR II

FORMATION LISTING - YEAR II

The Art of Theological Reflection (Saturday in September)

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This day introduces the basic tool of second year formation. In order to live life more consciously, participants learn a method of theological reflection through an experience/explanation format. The process includes sharing an experience of ministry in narrative form, expressing feelings and context of the experience in a metaphor, then finding parallel and/or contrasting expression in the tradition. To further develop theological reflection skills, after subsequent formation days, participants are given written theological reflection assignments related to the content of the day. Participants will be able to enrich their ministerial activities with the skills of theological reflections: breaking open life experience, naming and deepening the stance of faith.
 

Peace & Justice I (Saturday in October) Peace & Justice II (Saturday in February)

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Living the gospel calls for going beyond a “me and Jesus mentality to recognizing that each Christian must bring Christ into the marketplace in an effort to make this a more just world. Building the kingdom involves more than caring for fellow parishioners. It calls us to recognize that God’s reign becomes visible among us when the hungry are fed and the naked are clothed, when widows and orphans are cared for, and when the oppressed are liberated.

These days will stress and examine how working for peace and justice is deeply rooted in biblical spirituality; that the church has a rich tradition of social documents calling the world to be a just and peaceful society; and specific strategies for facilitating a ministry of peace & justice in parishes.

Faith Journey and Faith Development (Saturday in November)

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As human persons, our faith grows and matures through predictable stages. In order to serve effectively, ministers must know the characteristics and challenges of each stage of faith. They also need knowledge of how to minister to individuals operating at different stages of faith development. The history of Israel and the person of Jesus will be used to look at the development and maturation of our own faith. The theories of Fowler and others will be examined.

Mariology and Devotional Piety (Saturday in December) Years I & II - Odd numbered calendar years

Back to Calendar Year II

No woman holds a higher place in the Catholic consciousness than Mary of Nazareth, the Mother of Jesus. The first part of this formation day will explore the following:

• Mary’s role in salvation history
• Mary as model of Discipleship
• Marian dogmas
• Marian titles and their implicit theology
• The rosary and other Marian devotions
• Marian apparitions and the Church’s stance

There are many other devotions that feed the soul of Catholics. Another goal of this day is to look at the role devotions play in the life of the Church and to explore how devotions and devotional practices have changed since Vatican II. The prayer life of the Church needs to focus on both the transcendent and the immanent. Devotions seem to connect people with both. The principle areas of focus for the second part of the day will be:

• Eucharistic Devotions
• Culture and devotions
• Role of the miraculous
• New age impact on devotions
• Evaluating devotions
• Role of devotions in parish life.

Church and Culture (Saturday in January) Years I & II - Even numbered calendar years

Back to Calendar Year II

This day introduces participants to the tensions and the trends at work in the larger Church of today. The inculturation of faith is explored by focusing on the interplay of religious culture and social culture, and on the challenge of pluralism in Karl Rahner’s “third epoch” of Christianity. Presenters from the Latino, African-American, Asian and Eastern European communities offer insights on the cultural and ecclesial aspects of their respective communities.

My Place in the Parish (Saturday in March)

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Participants are asked to integrate their understanding of their spirituality and gifts for ministry vis-à-vis the realistic context within which they will be ministering. They are challenged to examine their views of collaboration vs. competition and how these relate to their ministerial style.

Ecclesial Self-Confidence (Closing Retreat April, Friday evening through Sunday noon)

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Focuses on their growth in ministry during the program years. Participants identify, communally and individually, the factors and dynamics which give them self-confidence as they leave the program and move into ministry. They probe their needs for ongoing support, growth and formation.

Pulling It All Together (Saturday in May)

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On this day we prepare for the Mass of Thanksgiving and we gather for a special time of prayer together celebrating who we have become both as individuals and as a class.