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Religious Formation Ministry Programme

Dublin, Ireland

Celebrating Forty Years

Closure of the Religious Formation Ministry Programme June 2026

With hearts full of deep gratitude and treasured memories, we continue the intentional journey towards the closure of the Religious Formation Ministry Programme in June 2026.

This year’s participants have the privilege of being the final group to experience what the RFM Programme has remained committed to since its inception in 1982 - namely, to be a beacon in the area of formation for formators and leaders; relentlessly striving to equip participants with human, spiritual and pastoral competencies to face the ever-changing challenges of the Church and the world.

While this is a nostalgic time for everyone associated with the RFM Programme, our desire is to embrace it with hope and transform it into an opportunity for reconnection.

We encourage you to contact us at rfmp40jubilee@gmail.com to ensure that we have your current email address. We also invite you to share our email address with other Past Participants, Team Members or Friends of “Loreto House” so that we can keep everyone informed over the coming months.

Calling all Past and Present RFMP Participants, Team Members and Friends!

ZOOM GATHERING

Join us for a Zoom Gathering on Saturday 6th June 2026 from 12.00pm – 2.00pm Irish time to mark the closure of the RFM Programme.
Email us at rfmp40jubilee@gmail.com for further details.

 

“A journey becomes a pilgrimage as we discover, day by day that the distance travelled
is less important than the experience gained.”

Ernest Kurtz

 

 

Memories of Loreto House by Participants and Others

1982-2026

These recollections are set to scroll on a loop which can be paused when needed

 

Greetings from St. Anthony’s community in Lusaka, Zambia. My Loreto experience remains very fresh in my heart and continues to help me immensely. Although I feel sad that the Loreto Programme is coming to an end, I am deeply grateful for the chance to have been part of it. The lessons and experiences I gained will remain with me for a very long time.

Lucy Chimezie (2024-2025)

 

The Loreto House Programme was one of the significant turning points in my life as a Religious. The modules were largely process-oriented. I kept reminding myself TRUST the PROCESS, and it made all the difference.

Placid Henriques (1999-2000)

 

There is a time to plant and a time to harvest… You will all be in my prayer along the pilgrimage.

Bernie O'Donovan (1990-1991)

Truly sorry to hear that the RFM Programme is coming to an end. It was a very high point in my life. God bless all the wonderful facilitators and all the participants no matter where in the world they may be.

Erle Miranda (2011-2012)

 

Greetings from Lagos, Nigeria. I write with a grateful yet heavy heart on hearing of the final closure of the Loreto House Religious Formation Ministry Programme this June. It is truly the end of a remarkable chapter.I would like to express my deep appreciation for the invaluable learnings, formation, and experiences I was privileged to receive through the programme. Its impact over these past 43 years has been profound, and I remain sincerely thankful for the role it has played in shaping so many lives, including mine.While it is saddening to see it come to a close, I am also grateful for the legacy it leaves behind. I look forward to joining the upcoming Zoom gathering with fellow alumni to celebrate and honour this journey together.With heartfelt thanks and warm regards,

Jacinta Ugonma Mahakwe (2023-2024)

 

 

Dear All in Loreto House, A note of congratulations on the many individuals who have been inspired through the Religious Formation Ministry Programme. The National Board for Safeguarding Children (NBSCCCI) has had a long and beneficial relationship with the program. From Aidan (CEO) and myself please accept our congratulations on such a meaningful Programme. We have always been welcomed with warmth and openness by both the organising team of Sr Jennifer, Sr Angèle and Br Donal and the attendees of the Programme. I was a participant of the initial Loreto House programme 1982-1983. We were actually based in Loreto House in the grounds of Carysfort Teacher College. We were twenty-six participants, all from Ireland, though some were ministering in foreign mission territories. The group consisted of nineteen sisters, three priests and three brothers. There was a team of three consisting Sr. Patricia Sweeney, Sr. Eleanor Dorgan and Fr. Brendan Staunton. Right from the start, we seemed to gel quite well as a group and there was a very good community spirit amongst us. The programme began in August 1982 and the first month was rather a full month with classes taking place until after six o'clock in the evening. Much to everyone's relief this only lasted for the duration of August. (Continued in next slide ....)

John McCourt (1982-1983)

I can't remember too much of the content of all the courses but I do remember some of the very fine lecturers we had over the course of the year, people like, Peter McVerry, Bishop Cumiskey, Malachy Thomas come to mind straight away. One thing I do remember from Patricia, which often came to mind when I was a director of novices in Zambia, was that "you should remember that the cup of tea around the kitchen table at night with a young novice has more formation value possibly than all of the content you may have learned here in Loreto House." The celebration of the Easter Triduum together is something that comes to my mind as I try to recall that year in Loreto House. Another very rich experience for me was the thirty-day retreat which took place in the Holy Rosary Sisters centre in Killeshandra. The centre was quite isolated and was very suited for prayer and reflection. Also, if I remember rightly, we had some very enjoyable social nights throughout the year which were great for us bonding as a group. Some of us are still in touch from time to time. Sadly, some of the group members have passed away. There are other members of the group who went on to important leadership roles in their congregations. I am truly grateful for the experience I had in Loreto House over forty years ago. Take care and God bless.

John McCourt (1982-1983)

I was part of the 2019–2020 batch during the formation programme at Loreto House, a time that coincided with the challenging COVID year. Despite the uncertainties, it became a deeply meaningful and transformative experience in my life.The positivity I received during that time continues to stay with me. It has shaped me to remain strong in every situation, to hold myself with confidence, and to face challenges with courage and faith. The Counselling and Spiritual Accompaniment sessions were especially helpful—they provided strength, clarity, and inner peace during a time of great uncertainty.The programme also nurtured my creativity and helped me grow both personally and spiritually. Most importantly, it formed in me the spirit of servant leadership. I learned that true leadership lies in humility, service, and the ability to uplift others. This value continues to guide me in my mission and responsibilities today.Beyond the structured sessions, it was the simple moments—shared experiences, meaningful conversations, and quiet reflections—that touched my heart deeply. These have left a lasting impact on me.Loreto House has given me more than memories; it has given me a strong foundation for life. I carry deep gratitude for all that I received, and I continue to draw strength from it in my journey.With heartfelt thanks and warm wishes to all who carry forward this beautiful legacy.Sincerely

Sukirtha Kulandai (2019-2020)

 

Programme Participants 2025-2026

 

Present Participants and the Team with Gerard Gallagher, AMRI Secretary General

Glimpses of Recent Events 2025-2026

Slide to see more

  • Recent Events
 
 
  • jpic
    Toni Pyke and Lara from the AMRI desk facilitated the morning of 12 February 2026 on Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation as well as a workshop on Doughnut Economics.
  • jpic-composite-web2
    Toni Pyke and Lara from the AMRI desk facilitated the morning of 12 February 2026 on Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation as well as a workshop on Doughnut Economics.
  • jpic-graphic-web
    Toni Pyke and Lara from the AMRI desk facilitated the morning of 12 February 2026 on Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation as well as a workshop on Doughnut Economics.
  • mcverry
    Peter McVerry, SJ delivered the module, Ministry At The Margins on Thursday, 19 February 2026
  • adultfaith-web
    Taken on Friday, 13 February at the end of the module on ADULT FAITH DEVELOPMENT which was presented by Finola Cunnane, SSL
  • gls1
    Taken on Friday, 6 February at the end of a 2-day Module on Gay and Lesbian Sexuality led by Stephen Vaughan. We had the privilege of Encountering four of his colleagues on the second half of the last day. They were pleasant people to relate with and we had some enriching conversations with them all.
  • gls2
    Taken on Friday, 6 February at the end of a 2-day Module on Gay and Lesbian Sexuality led by Stephen Vaughan
  • dreams
    The Participants with Anne Hession at the end of a two-day Module on Dreams 16 January 2026
  • colab
    The group with Ann Codd PBVM on Thursday, 5 February after the module she gave on Collaborative Ministry
  • cosmic
    Taken on Thursday, 22 January with Colette Kane OP after her session on the Cosmic Story
  • enneagram
    At the end of a creative and inspiring two days where Therese Ryan took the participants on a journey, the introduction to Enneagram. (4 December 2025)
  • healing
    Taken on 28 November 2025 with Charles Sweeney and Theresa who led the participants through a-three-day enriching module on Life's Healing Journey
  • listening2
    A Listening Skills module with Eileen and Mary who are members of the Manresa Retreat Team.
    Taken on 1 December 2025.
  • focusing-web
    Taken on 20 November 2025 at the end of the module on FOCUSING with Anne Harte Barry
  • origin_web
    Taken on 19 November at the end of a full week's model of Family of Origin with Esther Pepple Onolememen.
  • scripture_web
    Taken on 11 November with Sean Goan after an enriching session on Introduction to Scripture
jpic

Contact Us

For further information and application forms please contact:

The Director
Religious Formation Ministry Programme
Willow Park
Rock Road
Blackrock
County Dublin
Ireland
A94 TW98 AMRI logo

Tel: + 353-1-2107921

Email: rfmploretohouse@gmail.com