Ministry Formation Program

Office of Mission Formation Statement of Purpose

To support the Atlantic-Midwest Province and its sponsored and co-sponsored ministries in ensuring that ministry

  1. reflects the values and commitments of SSND;
  2. maintains Catholic identity;
  3. aspires to high standards in service, administration, and management;
  4. creates pathways for sustainability in the future.

 

 

In particular, support happens by:

  1. Implementing and evolving lay leader ministry formation and board development in sponsored and co-sponsored ministries, province departments and continuum of care centers;
  2. Developing resources and offering consultation in support of a) above;
  3. Strengthening the relationship building and unity among SSND, ministries and people served;
  4. Supporting selected province initiatives and programs, and
  5. Supporting governance relationship with the sponsored ministries to align governance to current needs

The Program

Participants will engage SSND's history and heritage, mission and educational vision and the unfolding charism as laid out in the General Chapter directional statement and province commitments flowing from that. They will explore ways to integrate these into their ministry in SSND sponsored ministries and province departments.

The MFP offers opportunity to meet and network with others who work in similar SSND ministry and will have opportunities to nurture their own spiritual lives.

The program serves:

  • Board chairs, administrators, and other selected leaders of SSND sponsored ministries;
  • Province department directors and other selected leaders sharing the SSND charism in particular ways.

Components of the Program

  • Ministry Formation Sessions

    • Together with others in key leadership positions, participants learn more about SSND charism and culture, Catholic social teaching, justice and peace, and spirituality and prayer.

  • One-on-One Mentoring

    • Leaders are able to meet one-on-one with a member of the Ministry Services team to explore SSND values, charism, mission and educational vision and how they apply in their places of ministry

  • "Claiming the Fire Within" Retreat

    • This time is dedicated to deepening SSND themes, communal prayer, quiet reflection, and small-group sharing.

  • Heritage Pilgrimage

    • Visits to significant SSND sites in Bavaria, Vienna, and Rome and meetings with sisters in their places of ministry, provides the pilgrim with a unique, first-hand perspective of SSND's foundations, internationality and ministries.

Upcoming Sessions and Retreats

2024 - 2026

  • March 7-8, 2025
    • Ministry Formation Session 2, In-Person
  • October 17-18, 2025
    • Ministry Formation Session 3, In-Person; Dates to be Confirmed
  • March 6-7, 2026
    • Ministry Formation Session 4, In-Person; Dates to be Confirmed
  • November TBD
    • Ministry Formation Session 1, In-Person, Dates to be Confirmed

Click to open PDF online Ministry Formation Sessions and Retreats (please use legal paper Click Here to Print)

Retreats

  • June 23-26, 2025
    • "Claiming the Fire Within" at Malvern Retreat House, Malvern, PA

For More Information Contact

Yvonne DeBruin, Director, Mission Formation

Mission Formation News

Ministry Formation Session III - October 20-21 2023

Recently, another Ministry Formation Session was held in-person at Villa Assumpta in Baltimore, Maryland. We had a total of seven participants which included leaders from the Academy of the Holy Angels, Notre Dame Preparatory School, Corazón a Corazón, the Atlantic-Midwest SSND  Justice, Peace...

First "Proclaiming the Fire Within" Retreat Was a Success

At the end of June 2022, Ministry Services offered a new retreat, "Proclaiming The Fire Within," at the Cranaleith Spiritual Center in Philadelphia. This retreat builds on the foundational retreat "Claiming The Fire Within," which is offered every other year.

Change and Tranformation for the Sake of Unity and Nurturing Contemplative Hearts

Ministry Service facilitated Ministry Formation Session IV on March 4th and 5th, focused on Change…Transformation…Unity, presented by Sr. Kate Duval, SSND of the CP Province and SSND Prayer and Spirituality, presented by Sr. Eileen Eppig, SSND of the AM Province

The Mission Formation Program is designed to
educate, form, and support lay leaders
partnering in mission with the School Sisters
of Notre Dame of the Atlantic-Midwest Province.