FORMATION
FORMATION
PROGRAMME METHOD
A. At the meeting
Each Formation session will be held at that
part of the Branch meeting designated for Christian Formation and Adult Education.
Each session should occupy not less than
twenty minutes and not more than thirty minutes.
The sessions of Formation should preferably
be conducted by one member of the Branch chosen to act as the Formation Discussion Leader
for the year. Two members should be appointed prior to each meeting to confer with the
Discussion Leader, to study the monthly topic and to assist him in the presentation.
The duties of the Formation Discussion
Leader are:
To familiarise himself with the whole
Formation Programme;
To exercise control over each session to
ensure that it proceeds smoothly and maintains the interest of members.
To ensure that copies of the text of the
Topics are available to all members at meetings. While members should bring their own
personal copies of Formation to meetings, additional copies of the monthly topic for
discussion at the meeting may have to be provided by the Formation Discussion Leader from
local resources. It is essential that members have, at least, the text of the exercise
before them.
To encourage all Branch members to
participate in each session. The readings of the various sections of the monthly theme
should be shared by the two members appointed each month.
Each programme is based on a set of
writings: Scripture, papal letters or contemporary articles.
Formation Prayer – Each session will
open with the Formation Prayer recited by all members.
The readings are taken from the writings
chosen for each annual programme.
The Message – The Message which
explains and amplifies the Reading is then read.
Re-reading of the Reading – To gain a
deeper appreciation of the Reading in the light of the Message, it is read slowly and
deliberately a second time.
The Exercise – To assist members in
focusing their thoughts the Discussion Leader firstly slowly reads the words of the
Exercise. The members are then invited to spend five minutes in silence considering the
words of the Reading in the light of the Message and the Exercise.
The Sharing – This sharing is a most
important part of the session and all members should make a sincere effort to participate
and not be inhibited by shyness. The Discussion Leader invites members at random to share
some relevant thoughts which have come to them during the silent Exercise. The Exercise
and the Sharing are intended to draw out the Message and the Reading.
Reflection for the Month – After the
sharing has been completed the Discussion Leader reads out the Reflection for
the Month. This quotation should be repeated and reflected on each day. See B below –
Daily Reflection.
B. Between meetings
Daily Reflection – in between meetings
members are encouraged to repeat frequently and prayerfully the Reflection of the Month
given at the previous month's formation session. To achieve this members should endeavour
to establish a period of reflection each day of two to five minutes – recalling the
reading at the previous meeting and the Exercise that was done. Try to respond to the
Reflection of the Month by looking at how the message it proclaims is present in your
personal life. The reflection should always focus on your personal life situation and be
done with a conscious awareness of the Lord present with you as you reflect. The
reflection should be at a regular time each day – at the time of morning or evening
prayer, on a daily walk, on the way to work or other suitable occasion.
Over a period of time this type of reflection
can affect your whole life and deepen your personal relationship with the Lord. It will
bring you to a deeper awareness of the common life that you share with the Lord and this
will enrich the whole of your life.
This daily reflection is such an important
part of Formation that chairmen should remind members from time to time throughout the
year of the need to familiarise themselves with the contents of this section.
C. Participation in the programme by
members not able to
attend meetings
Members who are not able to attend Branch
meetings should, either alone or with members of their family, set aside one half hour a
month, preferably near the time of the Branch meeting, to read and carry out the exercises
detailed in each theme.
Members should use the sharing session to
reflect on or share with their family what has come to them during the session.
Members should recite the Reflection for
the Month daily and make a firm resolution to carry it with them during the ensuing month.
