ins and outs of affiliate formation5

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

Formation Committee ValuesFormation Committee Values

• Wisdom is held in the group

• Customize the following to fit the Maryknoll Affiliates

Language – TermsLanguage – Terms

• Maryknoll Affiliate• Maryknoll Missioner/Entity

member• Affiliate candidate• Accompany Person• Chapter Coordinator• Chapter Contact Person• Regional Coordinator• Executive Coordinator• Affiliate Board

Phases of Affiliate FormationPhases of Affiliate Formation

““How do people find us?”How do people find us?”

• Personal Relationship• Volunteering• Entity participation• Mission volunteer experience• Maryknoll Magazine/Revista

Maryknoll• Web


• Advertizing – Newspapers, Diocese Justice and Peace Office, Parish Bulletins

• Presentations – Homily, Mission Education talks in schools or Mission fairs

• Get to know us retreat


• Invitation• Invitation• Invitation

““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?”


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.


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

Introductory PacketIntroductory Packet

• Maryknoll Affiliate Covenant• Maryknoll Affiliate Identity

Statement• Frequently Asked Questions Sheet• Maryknoll Affiliate Brochure• Sample Not So Far Afield/No Tan

Lejos del Horizonte• Basic Information Form

Introductory PacketIntroductory Packet

What else do we want to add?

• Application process booklet• Fact sheet about chapter,

region, affiliate movement• Articles about Affiliates and how

they participate in the chapter.• Business Cards

““Exploring a Relationship” Exploring a Relationship”

Elements of the Inquiry Process

• It is an invitation to explore• Participate in Chapter meetings asking,

“Is God calling me to Maryknoll at this time?”

• Attention to one’s own thoughts, feelings, energy with the Chapter.

• Develop contacts with Affiliates• Chapter Coordinator and Accompany

Person invites into the discernment period

Interview – Sample QuestionsInterview – Sample Questions

• 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

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.

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

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

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.


Is the decision to join this community healthy:• for me, • for this community, • for those values that I have as

‘passions of my life?’

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

• How? Eucharistic liturgy, Prayer Service, Chapter gathering

• 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

ins and outs of affiliate formation5

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