WEBINAR | LEGAL QUESTIONS IN RELIGIOUS LIFE TODAY: A SAMPLING

This webinar will focus on new legal questions religious congregations encounter today. These include such delicate topics as end of life decisions and issues which newer members who have raised families and/or had long careers before entering religious life may present: concerns about property disposal, inheritance, debts, contracts, and insurance. There will be an opportunity for webinar participants to raise questions and issues of concern to them.

Lynn M. McKenzie, OSB, is a member of the Benedictine Sisters, Sacred Heart Monastery, Cullman, AL. A civil and a canon lawyer, she is currently an ombudsman/mediator for the Department of Labor of the State of Alabama, a judge and defender of the bond for the Tribunal of the Catholic Diocese of Birmingham, AL, and a canonical consultant and advocate for leaders and members of religious communities. Her civil law degree is from the University of Alabama and her licentiate in canon law from the Catholic University of America.

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Formation Resources: 
Bibliography and Resources
Moral and Ethical Aspects
Finances and Stewardship
Practices

WEBINAR | BASICS OF IMMIGRATION LAW FOR RELIGIOUS MEN AND WOMEN

This webinar will provide an overview of the immigration processes available for “religious workers.” In immigration law, the term “religious worker” encompasses men and women, both religious and lay, who serve in various capacities in religious organizations. For purposes of this webinar, we will focus our attention on members of religious institutes. We will cover immigration basics, including R-1 status, R-1 visas, and the permanent residency process. This will include a breakdown of the different regulations for the temporarily-professed and the perpetually-professed members of religious communities. We will also briefly discuss the regulations regarding students visa and visitor visas for missionaries. Finally, we will discuss USCIS site visits, as well as record keeping and best practices for maintaining immigration files.

Megan S. Turngren is an attorney in the Religious Immigration Services division of Catholic Legal Immigration Network (“CLINIC”). Ms. Turngren first came to the immigration field in 2003, and in 2005 began practicing immigration law with one of the best known immigration firms in the United States. In July 2012, she joined CLINIC and started working exclusively with foreign-born religious workers. By utilizing her expertise, Ms. Turngren is able to assist her clients in navigating this complex area of law by offering consultations, advice, and preparation of legal filings of immigration petitions and applications. Currently, she represents more than 35 religious entities, including Catholic Archdioceses, Dioceses, and Religious Communities, as well as over 150 foreign-born religious workers.

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Formation Resources: 
Bibliography and Resources
Moral and Ethical Aspects
Practices
Social Justice

WEBINAR | THE TRANSFORMATION OF RELIGIOUS LIFE: REFLECTIONS FROM “YOUNGER” MEMBERS

This webinar will present the findings from a recent survey of sisters under 50 years of age who were invited to share their reflections on the transformation of religious life. The results of their reflections will be offered in this webinar in order to elucidate and amplify the voices of younger members, sharing what they see emerging on the horizon and enriching our collective understanding of the ongoing transformation of religious life.

Dr. Ted Dunn is a licensed clinical psychologist with over thirty years of experience providing consultation, training and facilitation services to religious communities and other faith-based organizations throughout the United States and internationally. He regularly writes, presents, and works with vocation/formation groups, leadership teams and congregations at all levels. The context for this webinar is work he is currently doing accompanying communities who are discerning God’s call to new life through a Journey of Transformation.

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Formation Resources: 
Accompaniment
Bibliography and Resources
Biopsychosocial Development
Intercongregational Formation
Leadership

WEBINAR | POPE FRANCIS'S GAUDETE ET EXSULTATE

Fr. Dan Horan discusses his recent book on this encyclical by Pope Francis titled Reading, Praying, Living Pope Francis’s Rejoice and Be Glad: A Faith Formation Guide.

Daniel Horan, OFM

He is a Franciscan Friar, Assistant Professor of Systematic Theology and Spirituality at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, and the author of numerous articles and twelve books, including The Franciscan Heart of Thomas Merton: A New Look at the Spiritual Influence on his Life, Thought, and Writing (2014) and, most recently, Reading, Praying, Living Pope Francis’s Rejoice and Be Glad (2019).

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Formation Resources: 
Bibliography and Resources
Teaching (Formation)
Church and Culture
Ecclesiology
God

Annotated Formation Handbook

The Annotated Formation Handbook, prepared by Brother Donald Bisson for his own congregation, the Marist Brothers, should prove useful to RFC members engaged in formation ministry and easily adapted to their particular situations. We are grateful to Brother Don for once again sharing his time and talent with the Conference. Access to his other offerings can be found at www.donbisson.org and www.YesNowProductions.com.

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Formation Resources: 
Assessment
Bibliography and Resources
Biopsychosocial Development
Priesthood
Cover image for Resource Manual Volume 4

Resource Manual Volume 4, Part 3, Prophetic Way : Chapter 10

Formation Resources - Resource Manuals - Volume IV

III. Formation for a Prophetic Way of Life

  • 3.10. Additional Resources
    • 3.10.1. Print Resources, Film Resources
    • 3.10.2. Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur: Reflection Process
    • 3.10.3. Benedictine Sisters of Erie: Benedicta Riepp Program

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Formation Resources: 
Bibliography and Resources
Community Life
Mission
Ecological Consciousness
Cover image for Resource Manual Volume 3

Resource Manual Volume 3, Part 3, Welcoming : Chapters 05-06

Formation Resources - Resource Manuals - Volume III

Part III: Welcoming Communities : Best Practices

  • 5-6. Welcoming for Discerning Life Choices & Additional Resources
    • 5.1. Sisters of Saint Joseph of Baden, PA
      • 5.1.1. Proposal to Leadership
      • 5.1.2. Letter to Congregation
      • 5.1.3. Response Form for Congregation
      • 5.1.4. Visitation House Article
      • 5.1.5. Visitation House — Project Director Job Description
      • 5.1.6. Visitation House — Application for Residence
      • 5.1.7. Visitation House — End of Year Reflection
      • 5.1.8. Visitation House — Brochure
    • 6. Additional Resources

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Formation Resources: 
Bibliography and Resources
Vocation & Discernment
Collaboration
Community Life
Cover Image: Resource Manual Volume 2

Resource Manual Volume 2, Part 2 Multiculturalism : Article 07

Formation Resources - Resource Manuals - Volume II

Part II : Multiculturalism

  • Resources: Immersion Experiences
    • 8th Day Center for Justice
    • Ignatian International Immersion Experience
    • GATE (Global Awareness Through Experience) Program
    • MACC Border Witness Program

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Formation Resources: 
Bibliography and Resources
Intercultural Aspects
Interculturality