Religious Formation Ministry Programme
Celebrating Forty Years
More Detail on the RFM Programme
The Aim of the Programme
The RFM Programme follows the September to June academic year and welcomes Sisters, Brothers and Priests from Congregations, Societies and Dioceses. Its aim is to provide a robust experience of human and spiritual development in the context of a Church and world which are experiencing major social and global changes.
Acknowledging the impact of these challenges and struggling to understand them while respecting the diversity of views, cultures and lived experiences in the group, enables participants to journey more effectively and confidently with others in their search for God in life and ministry today.
The RFM Programme incorporates the best available contemporary insights in spirituality, theology, cosmology, psychology, social justice and group dynamics to give participants a vision of formation and leadership which energises, renews and affirms them as they return to take up their roles at the end of the year.
Recent Input Sessions on Various Topics
This was the end product of a creative reflective session on PILLARS OF FORMATION INTEGRATION. Jennifer Burke led the participants through this integration. At the end of the two sessions, the participants were able to recognise how the different modules they have covered over the past ten weeks fit under the four pillars of HUMAN, SPIRITUAL, INTELLECTUAL & PASTORAL.
After two full days on Sexuality led by Donal Kirk. The participants were amazed at the depth of the sessions. They resonated with the fact that the human person seeks for connection and this is because we are sexual people.
The busy week ended with pomp and pageantry as we celebrated the birthdays of three of the participants. Mihwa Kim had the privilege to be captured on camera with her birthday cake as 6 December was the day of her birth!
Patricia Allen Garrett took the participants on Listening Skills over a period of 5 Weeks. This happened every Monday for the five weeks. November 25th was the conclusion of the module on Listening Skills. The participants found the module very helpful, interactive and grounding for them.
Both Lyn McDermott and Aidan Gordon are members of the National Safeguarding Board of Ireland. They treated Safeguarding and the Seven Standards. Their approach resonated with the participants very much and listening to them share many practical examples helped to allay the fears of the participants as they continue to engage with the Loreto House Programme.
Maureen Bassett engaged the participants for a full day on WHAT SHAPES SOCIETY. They were introduced to Social analysis, learning how to tackle social issues considering the implications of social analysis.
At the end of our Desert Day of recollection. We were praying with clay, inspired by the passage in Jeremiah 18:16.
With Peter McVerry at the end of a day's enriching sessions on Ministry at the Margins
Niamh Brennan on the Spirituality of the Universe Story
Anne Caulfield on Violence Against Women
Maureen Treanor on Family of Origin
Therese Ryan on the Enneagram
Donal Dorr on Spirituality for Today
Anne Harte Barry on Focusing
Gabrielle Farrell on Self-Esteem
David Gibson on Transactional Analysis
Gerry O'Hanlon on the Church in Ireland
The Context of the RFM Programme
Participants are given space and time for reflection, study and worship in which they can appropriate and communicate the values of the Gospel. In doing this they experience the challenge of intercultural living and engage meaningfully with issues of race, diversity, gender, authority, ecology, and other global concerns related to ministry in Church and society. The process of personal integration is enhanced by:
- Facilitated group reflection and dialogue
- Individual mentoring
- Counselling and spiritual direction
- An 8 day directed retreat
- Pastoral Placement
- Liturgy, prayer, sharing, relaxation and fun times which are integral to the life of the group.
Criteria for Applicants
- A desire to engage in this kind of programme is essential.
- Applicants will normally have completed third level education or the equivalent and at least one year of Scripture/Theology/Spirituality studies.
- They must be recommended for the RFM Programme by a Congregational/Society Leader or Bishop.
- Personal interview by the Team or others nominated by them will finalise selection.
- Applications will be processed on a 'first come first served' basis. Late applications will be considered.
To open a printable copy of an Application Form Click Here
To open a printable copy of an Recommendation Form Click Here
Practical Details
- The RFM Programme generally runs from mid-September to mid-June.
- There is a two week break at Christmas and at Easter.
- Weekly sessions normally take place Monday to Friday.
- Most weekends are free.
- Participation in the RFM Programme is full-time; participants must be completely free from all other commitments during the year
- The RFM Programme is non-residential.
- Overseas participants are advised to be in the country for 2 or 3 weeks before the beginning of the RFM Programme in order to have the necessary time to rest, find suitable accommodation and settle in.
- Allow four months for your visa application to go through.
