Collaborative Formation Gatherings

In 1995, at the Chicago USCMA meeting, lay groups gathered for the Lay Mission Forum. East Coast groups began discussions on the possibility of developing a collaborative formation effort.

In 1996 a retreat was held for directors of Lay Mission programs in the eastern United States. This included directors of lay groups woking in both foreign and domestic service. A plan came out of that retreat/meeting for a common formation event, with a committee to organize it.

Directors felt that such an effort would provide an opportunity to share, reflect and learn together for part of the initial formation of candidates. This collaboration allows each participating program to share the resources, gifts and charism of each.

In the Fall of 1996 the first Gathering, "Laity in Mission Conference" or "Shared Formation Event," occurred. It included Cabrini Mission Corps, SMA Lay Mission Program, Franciscan Mission Service, Scarboro Lay Missions, Salesian Lay Mission, Maryknoll Mission Association of the Faithful, The St. Vincent Pallotti Center, Catholic Network of Volunteer Service and USCMA. The theme was "Called to be Church."

A second Gathering took place in the fall of 1997 with the theme of "The Harvest is Great, the Workers are Few." A panel of people from "receiving countries" was a feature. A directors' meeting was held afterwards and it decided to lengthen the Collaborative Formation Gatherings.

"Love Your Neighbor as Yourself" was the theme in 1998 for the third Gathering. Presentations and discussions on mental, spiritual, physical and emotional health covered the general theme of holistic health. It was also followed by a director's meeting.

CFG 1999, the fourth Gathering in the Fall of 1999, continued the theme of holistic health with the title, "Holistic Living in a Fractured World: Healing, Self-care and Balance of Christians in Service." This gathering included missioners, volunteers and directors of lay programs that work in the U.S. as well as overseas. Workshops and discussions focused on the Enneagram, Violence and Trauma, Co-dependency, Roles of the missioner.

The 2000 CFG, "Holistic Living in Mission," as well as the Gathering in 2001, "Journey to Wellness and Holiness," continued the theme of holistic health.

With the Gathering in 2002, "Called to Life in Cross-Cultural Mission," the focus changed from holistic health to cross-cultural mission. This theme continued in 2003, "Many Windows, Different Views: One World in Mission." An additional component in 2003 was the use of the Intercultural Development Inventory.

The theme of the 2004 CFG, "Called and Challenged: A Cross-Cultural Experience," continued this cross-cultural theme.  This theme was used again at the CFG held at Maryknoll in October 2005 and will be the focus at the CFG to be held in October 2006.

Directors of the participating programs met at Georgetown University in March 2005 for a two-day prayer/work gathering prayer/work gathering.  Those discussions were fruitful.   A second two-day gathering of Directors took place February 8-9, 2006 at Maryknoll.  Directors from six sending groups as well as USCMA participated and continued discussions on numerous shared issues and concerns.  They have committed themselves to continue these gatherings and have selected topics for the next year.  The hope is to increase the collaboration that has grown out of the Collaborative Formation Gathering and the Directors' Gatherings.  Resources recommended by the Directors of these groups are being hosted on this website.  

For More Information:

If you are a program director or interested in more information about the Collaborative Formation Gathering, please contact:

Megeen White Testa
Franciscan Mission Service
PO Box 29034
Washington, DC 20017-0034
Phone: 202-832-1762
megeen@juno.com

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