The 2017 Chapter recommended the establishment of an Ongoing Formation Team. In order to distinguish between the existing ongoing formation teams like Cor Vitae or Cor America, this group was established as a Commission of the General Administration.
Role
The Acta of the General Chapter states;
#8. We recommend the establishment of an On-Going Formation Team.
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- Under the responsibility of the General Administration, to come under the portfolio of one of the General Council.
- Drawing on the multiple existing resources of the Society (Cor America, Cor Vitae, personnel and program resources)
- Using the variety of means available (e.g.; I.T., etc) to coordinate on-going formation for all members and entities.
- The members of the team reside in their country(s) of origin and cooperate with one another internationally through electronic media.
- The team should research, plan and co-ordinate programs of renewal in all the areas that have been named as priorities; leadership, financial accountability, quality and integrity of our community life, ageing, healing.
- Formation for finance personnel should include formation in Charism and Spirituality, as well as accountability, transparency, etc.
- Formation for community to build stronger and deeper connections in our communion in brotherhood, by actively encouraging the method of shared discernment across our community gatherings world-wide, and ensuring it is at the core of all we do.
- Formation for the graced time of ageing should include creating opportunities to engender a positive attitude towards the ageing process, rather than focusing on diminishment. To care for the aged as persons, reinforcing their valued presence within our common life. Helping the aged to accept the new reality of ageing.
- Formation in healing includes coordinating and resourcing the Society with healing methodologies and practices.
- To bring about a shift in the way we think about ourselves and our hurts and woundedness.
- To help us become “wounded healers” able to be less defensive/protective about ourselves, and grow in our capacity for mission in a broken hurting world.
- In initial Formation, formators need to have formed a healthy relationship with their own hurts and wounds in order to initiate and process the life’s hurts of the formandi.
- Formandi need to be engaged actively in this task of healing to ensure unhealthy attitudes are not perpetuated post-formation when it is more difficult to confront them.
- A ministry of healing to be available to all members, leaders, communities and entities
Core Values
The Commission recognises that its own operation has to be consistent with the principles underlying the approach it takes to ongoing formation. Hence, its system of reference is guided by these Core Values:
- To discover and affirm that each member is loved
- Transcending self
- Sharing our stories with one another brings change and growth
- Spending time together builds community and strengthens brotherhood
- Honesty
- Patience
- Silence enables what is heard to mature
- Creating and sharing sacred and safe spaces enables vulnerability
- Willingness to take risk and to enter vulnerability promotes trust
- Respectful listening builds respect
Commission Members
The current members are (clockwise from top left);
Luis Carlos Araujo Moraes msc
From the São Paulo Province. He comes from Vargem Grande-MA in the Northeast of Brazil. He took vows on January 31st, 1993 and was ordained on January 25th, 1997. After 10 years accompanying the Postulants and Pre-Novices in Brazil, he was appointed to the MSC Secretariat in Rome as General Secretary (2007-2013). In 2013, he went back to Brazil and took over the Formation of Postulants and Pre-Novices for the second time. From 2019-2020 he accompanied the MSC Scholasticate. He was also member of the Provincial Council from 2005 – June 2007/2014-2017/2017-2020. Luis Carlos was MSC Local Superior from 2002-2005 and member of the Brazilian Religious Life Local Team from 1999-2001 in St. Luis. He also has a significant experience in accompanying people on Spiritual Direction. He was presently appointed to the MSC mission in the State of Amazon, in the North of Brazil. Luis Carlos is always committed to his own ongoing formation process.
ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor in Theology (FAJE – Jesuits Faculty of Theology, Brazil, 1996)
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING & QUALIFICATIONS
One year Counselling Training (Edith Stein Institute, Genova, Italy – 2009)
Human Formation Course for Religious Life and Priesthood (Cammilianum & Ut Vitam Habeant Foundation, Rome, 2012-2013)
Canonical Management Practice (Congregation for the Priesthood, Rome – 2008-2010)
Master Coach Qualification Training (Febracis School of Coachin, Brazil & Florida Christian University, Orlando, Fl, USA – 2016-2018).
Spirituality of the Heart Today and Towards the Future (Cor Novum, Issoudun, France – 2000)
Vocational Accompaniment Training (IPV – CNBB, Brazil – 1998-199)
Spiritual Accompaniment Training (CRB, Brazil)
Formators Course holding the different areas of Formation Process (OSIB – CNBB, Brazil).
Chris Chaplin msc
Chris is a member of the General Leadership Team in Rome and from the Australian Province. He took vows on January 14th, 1984 and was ordained August 20th, 1988. After six years in a parish, he completed a full-time training in Spiritual Direction at Heart of Life Centre, Melbourne and was appointed to three years facilitating retreats for staff and students of Australian MSC Colleges. In 1997 he began three years of living an MSC eremitical life. He served on the Australian Provincial Council from 1998 to 2000. He worked in initial formation in the Pacific Union for six years, with two years as a principal of Chevalier Farm Training Centre in Fiji. Upon returning to Australia he had three years as director of St. Mary’s Towers Retreat Centre, Douglas Park, before resuming eremitical life for a further nine years. Throughout all his appointments he has maintained ministries in Spiritual Accompaniment and Psychotherapy. In 2017 he was elected to the General Leadership Team and has responsibility for the Ongoing Formation portfolio, Tri-Generalate Liaison with Cor Vitae, as well as other ministries. His geographical mandate is the Western APIA region. Most importantly Chris is committed to the value and practice of his own ongoing formation, spiritual accompaniment and personal work.
ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor Theology (Melbourne College of Divinity, 1987)
Drawing Art Certificate (NSW TAFE Darlinghurst Campus, 1986)
Cartooning Certificate (Leichhardt/Marrickville College, NSW, 1987)
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
Full time 12 months INSTEP. Clinical Pastoral Education. Melbourne 1982. (400hrs supervised practice)
Certificate in Emotional Release Counselling (ERCNSW – Ellenborough, NSW, 1999)
Diploma in Emotional Release Counselling (ERCNSW – Ellenborough, NSW, 2001)
Certificate in Emotional Release Counselling for Children (ERCNSW – Ellenborough, NSW, 1997)
Certificate in Spiritual Direction Siloam – Heart of Life, Melbourne
ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIPS
Pioneer and continuous member of the Association of Transpersonal and Experiential Psychotherapy – ATEP Inc.
Member of the Conference of Spiritual Directors Australia – CSD Australia
FACILITATION EXPERIENCE – SOME EXAMPLES
Facilitated Personal Growth Weekends. Douglas Park N.S.W. 1995
MSC Education Retreat Team. Faith and personal growth retreats 1995 – 1997
Children’s Emotional Release Workshops. Darwin, N.T., 1996
Men’s Emotional Healing Weekends. Darwin, NSW and Victoria, 1996 – 2014
Annual Retreat Programs. Douglas Park N.S.W. 2007 -2010
Public Retreats and Workshops. Australia 1998-2017, Kiribati 2007, Malaysia 2016 & 2018,
Vietnam 2017 and the Philippines 2018, 2019.
“At The Well”, 3 week Personal Formation programme. Corpus Christi Teachers College, Suva, Fiji. 2004
Enneagram process retreats and workshops, TEP NSW, TEP Victoria and CLC Adelaide, 2008 – 2017
Facilitation of MSC: Ignatian Spiritual Exercises. Australian Missions Conference, 2007. APIA Formators Conferences Japan 2016 and Sydney 2018. Cor Vitae Formators Training modules 2017 and 2019. MSC General Conference, Busan, Korea, 2019.
Process-oriented spirituality programs, Heart of Life Spirituality Centre, Melbourne 2010-2017. Presenter Cor Vitae ongoing formation programs.
Ireneo Lee msc
Ireneo is Formation Director in the Korean Province. He has been a Formator at the Novitiate both in the Philippines and South Korea since 2016. He was first professed on January 25th 2009, and made his Perpetual Profession, January 25th 2012. He was ordained to the Priesthood, January 8th 2014.
ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS
MA in Biblical Theology
SOME PROFESSIONAL TRAINING & QUALIFICATIONS
Certificate in Cor Vitae, MSC Formator Formation Program, Manila
Certificate in Formation Courses for Formators, Emmaus Psycho-Spiritual Formation Center, Manila
ACCREDITATIONS
Accredited Supervisor Teen STAR(Sexuality teaching in the context of adult responsibility)
Tony Nolan msc
Tony is a member of the Irish Province and a Provincial Councillor. He has more than thirty years experience working reflectively with a wide range of groups and individuals including ordinands, parish councils, clergy, lay groups and religious. In 1993, Tony started working ecumenically and spent eight years as an ecumenical university chaplain. He has continued to work closely with those in ministerial leadership in other denominations especially the Church of England and the Methodist Church including three years on the academic staff of Sarum Theological College in Salisbury, England. Tony is an experienced group facilitator, supervisor, trainer of supervisors, spiritual director and supervisor or supervision. He lives in Salisbury (UK) where, he works as an ecumenical freelance facilitator specialising in ministerial development, spiritual adult formation and clergy support.
ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS
Postgraduate Certificate in Conflict Resolution Skills
Postgraduate Diploma in Consultative (Clinical) Supervision
MA in Celtic Christianity
SOME PROFESSIONAL TRAINING & QUALIFICATIONS
Certificate in Mindful-based Supervision
Appreciative Inquiry Champions Training
Professional Certificate in Mediation Skills
Certificate in Facilitation Skills
ACCREDITATIONS
Senior Accredited Supervisor Association of Pastoral Supervision & Education (APSE)
Full Member Supervisors Association of Ireland. (SAI)
Founding Member. Institute of Pastoral Supervision and Reflective Practice (IPSRP)
Member Independent Supervisors Network UK. (ISN)
TRAINER EXPERIENCE
Spiritual Accompaniment Training Course Waterford, Ireland
Enriching Ministry: the practice of supervision Sarum Theological College, Salisbury
Reflective Practice, MA in Leadership. Sarum Theological College, Salisbury
Certificate in Pastoral Supervision & Reflective Practice IPSRP
FACILITATION EXPERIENCE – SOME EXAMPLES
Reflective Practice Groups for newly ordained clergy Dioceses Salisbury & Portsmouth
Chapter and Assembly Facilitation
Churches Together Leadership Groups Facilitation
Consultant Supervisor for a Roman Catholic Diocese, UK
Organisational Review, Church of England Diocese of Bath
Facilitation of the Trustees of the Community Chaplains Association
Georges Diabone msc
Currently District Superior of Sénégal, and working in Post-Novitiate formation and Ongoing Formation in the U.A.F. He was born April 24, 1981 in Dakar, Sénégal. He made first vows on August 15, 2004 at Kinshasa, Congo (DRC) and Final Vows on May 23, 2009 in Gossas, Sénégal. Ordained to the Diaconate on June 27, 2009 at Foundiougne, Sénégal , he became a priest on June 11, 2010 at Gandiaye in Sénégal.
RELIGIOUS FORMATION & STUDIES:
Pre-Novitiate (Philosophy) : 2000 to 2003; Dakar, Sénégal
Novitiate: 2003 to 2004; Kinshasa, Congo (DRC)
Post-Novitiate (Theology) : 2004 to 2008, Yaoundé, Cameroun
FORMATION TRAINING:
Formation for Formators (Mater Christi) : 2012 to 2013; Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina-Faso
Formation for Formators (Cor Vitae) : 2016 to 2017; Manila, Philippines
ASSIGNMENTS:
Parish Pastoral Work : 2010 to 2012 in Kaolack, Sénégal
Formator Pre-Noviyiate : 2013 to 2016; Dakar, Sénégal
Formator Post-Novitiate : 2017 to 2020; Yaoundé, Cameroun
MSC Ongoing Formation Commission : 2018 till present
Sénégal District Superior : 2020 till present
Program Creation
The Commission will research, plan and co-ordinate programs of renewal in all the areas that have been named as priorities;
- Formation in leadership, team ministry. management, administration, transition, conflict transformation, human resources, group dynamics, self-care and healing, processes of evaluation. Facilitating leadership vision and mission.
- Formation for Formators.
- Formation for finance personnel should include formation in Charism and Spirituality, as well as accountability, transparency, etc.
- Formation for community to build stronger and deeper connections in our communion in brotherhood, by actively encouraging the method of shared discernment across our community gatherings world-wide, and ensuring it is at the core of all we do.
- Formation for the graced time of ageing should include creating opportunities to engender a positive attitude towards the ageing process, rather than focusing on diminishment. To care for the aged as persons, reinforcing their valued presence within our common life. Helping the aged to accept the new reality of ageing.
- Formation in healing includes coordinating and resourcing the Society with healing methodologies and information; To bring about a shift in the way we think about ourselves and our hurts and woundedness. To help us become “wounded healers”, less defensive or protective about ourselves, and grow in our capacity for mission in a broken hurting world. To enable formators to develop a healthy relationship with their own hurts, in order to process the hurts of formandi and ensure they can live a healthy MSC life. To develop a ministry of healing for leaders, communities and entities.
Resourcing MSC Entities
The Commission will create a range of resources to be made available to our entities. These will include;
- A printed handbook of programs detailing possible strategies for ongoing formation in areas named as priorities.
- Where needed and through the mechanisms in the General Administration the Commission will establish resource teams for program implementation. Not all programs will need specialist personnel to implement them. The Commission will work to keep the implementation of ongoing formation at the local level where possible, to avoid costly travel and heavy organisational structures.
- training workshops when needed, for those local members chosen to implement or facilitate programs.
- a list of MSC and non-MSC personnel suitable for facilitating ongoing formation programs.
- a catalogue of MSC and non-MSC ongoing formation programs already available in different regions.
- a variety of resource media in areas of ongoing formation. One example of this is the printing of books on Communal Wisdom for the use of members.
Evaluation
- The Commission is directly accountable to the General Administration.
- It will include in its calendar an annual evaluation of its work to assess how well it is working to fulfil its mandate, how well it is functioning as a team, and what changes may need to be made in its operation.
- It will present an annual report on this to the General Administration.
- All programs will request some evaluation of the content and process used from facilitators and those who have participated. The purpose of the evaluation is to gather information that may lead the Commission to make improvements in content, process or methods of facilitation.
- Those engaged in implementing or facilitating programs on behalf of the Ongoing Formation Commission will be asked to make use of similar evaluative procedures and will be accountable to the Ongoing Formation Commission.
- Facilitators engaged by MSC entities are accountable to those entities.
Relationship to MSC Entities
- The Commission comes under the responsibility of the General Administration and under the portfolio of one of the General Council.
- Ongoing formation in an MSC Entity is the responsibility of the Major Superior of that Entity, not the Ongoing Formation Commission. Entities are required to have their own ongoing formation team or responsible person.
- Adaption of programs to local contexts and realities is the responsibility of the MSC Entity. The Ongoing Formation Commission will gladly collaborate in this process.
- The Commission works in collaboration with regional bodies such APIA, CA-MSC and PEC, and with the existing formation teams of Cor Vitae, Cor America, Ametur (Indonesia), and qualified members.
Budget
The Commission budget covers; an annual meeting, several online meetings using a dedicated service, printing and translation of resources.