Letter of Reference

for

Applying to Enter the CGSAC Formation Facilitator Apprenticeship

Paula Rush

Your Name

Your Church or Organization

Your email

Work Phone

Your Mailing Address

Home Phone

You have been asked to write this letter of reference for a catechist applying to enter the Formation Facilitator Apprenticeship with the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Association of Canada (CGSAC). Formation Facilitators lead courses to form adults as catechists in the method known as the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS).

Thank you for your interest in this catechist and your support of this ministry. Please answer all questions that apply to you and feel free to add other comments. YOUR RESPONSES WILL BE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL.

Background Information

1. a) In what capacity have you known this catechist?

1. b) How long have you known this catechist?

Personal Traits

2. From your observations, what seems to indicate that this catechist operates out of “a sense of being called” to the work of ministering to children and adults?

Q2. My involvement in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) as catechist, formation facilitator, and writer, has helped me to understand that each of us is called into covenant relationship, with the dignity and honour of participating in bringing about the reign of God. The light I received in Baptism is personal, but with the grace of Confirmation, I am empowered to hold that light aloft for the benefit of the larger community: children, parents, adults in formation. This is vocation. I did not have the language for this prior to CGS.
The MAPS-CGS program at Aquinas would be oil for my lamp. It is not that I believe knowing more about the faith and the Word will make be a better catechist per se. The children do not need me to know more and more. However, I do think that the more I study, the more comfortable I will be sitting with children before the big questions, without having answers. I will become a better companion to both children in the atrium and adults in formation, ever more humbly aware that God is beyond our knowing, yet at the same time, wanting to be known. Having a firmer foundation undergirding my reflections for children would ensure that insights that I glean from scripture are not untethered, random thoughts, but resonate with centuries of thought and reflection that have gone before me.

We would like to hear about your experience of working with this catechist, whether in the atrium, in a parish ministry, or in another context. As you are able, please share your thoughts on the catechists' particular strengths in each of the following areas and provide supporting examples when possible.

3. In what ways have you seen this catechist exhibit passion and enthusiasm for the method of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd? What aspects of work does this catechist particularly seem to enjoy or to excel at? (being with the children; working with parents; organizing and coordinating the program; making materials for the atrium; sharing the work with others...) Does this catechist have a natural rapport with children?

4. We would also like to hear about this catechist’s manner of working with other adults. Can you name any ways in which this catechist has identified gifts in and supported the development of other adults? Can you comment on this catechist’s capacity to collaborate and to welcome others into their work? Is this catechist comfortable working with individuals at different places in their faith journey? Is this catechist comfortable speaking about their faith with others, praying with others, and leading others into deeper contemplation of the mysteries of God?

Faith Life

5. Tell us about this catechist’s general characteristics. How has this catechist demonstrated motivation, reliability, flexibility, emotional maturity, good judgement, a capacity to be decisive, and a willingness to “pitch-in”? Does this catechist have the confidence to receive feedback offered in support of further development as a faith leader? In which of these areas does this catechist most need to experience growth?

Q 5. “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
   		 to the house of the God of Jacob;
that he may teach us his ways
   		 and that we may walk in his paths.” (Isaiah 2:3)
	This is one of my favorite passages from Isaiah. The invitation to climb together makes my insides quicken. This speaks to me of community, of people united in their desire to sit at the feet of God, pruned by the Word. All the excitement of beginning a journey is here, with only a hint of struggle—it is a mountain after all. Isaiah, though, knew only the mountains of Israel, not the great heights of the Himalayas. The mountains of Israel are climbable. God wants to be found.
	I hope this passage points to studying at Aquinas. I hope the call is to me. In some ways it is a luxury to study, but the invitation has now presented itself at least three times; I am afraid that I will soon be left on the wrong side of the banquet door. 
	What I am most interested in is the Word of God—the relationship between the way the Word is spoken of in the Hebrew Testament (“He sends out his command to the earth; his word runs swiftly.” Psalm 147:15) and the person of Jesus. How did St. John come to understand that Christ is the Word-made-flesh? We consider Jesus to be the sacrament of God, the visible sign of our transcendent God; is he also the sacrament of the Word, who speaks and it is so? Jeremiah speaks of consuming the words of God (Jeremiah 15:16); Ezekiel eats a scroll (Ezekiel 3:3).

Leadership

Formation Leaders actively practice their faith through prayer, regular attendance at Mass/The Holy Eucharist, and involvement in their church community. They seek to deepen their relationship with God through ongoing study of Scripture and Liturgy.

6. What have you witnessed of the faith life of this catechist? What gifts has this person been given to help them answer the call to work fruitfully as a catechist?

CGSAC Formation Facilitators must demonstrate clarity in both written and oral communications, possess the organizational and administrative skills to coordinate all aspects of a course, exercise humility, patience and exhibit a capacity for confidentiality. Please comment on the following leadership / adult educator qualities of this catechist:

7. a) Public Speaking Ability: (e.g. speaking about CGS at parent meetings or parish gatherings; speaking about faith to adults through other church ministries such as Baptism preparation)

7. b) Organization/Administration Ability: (e.g. setting up an atrium and coordinating the CGS ministry, or assisting with the hosting of a formation course. Please feel welcome to offer examples of organizational and administrative abilities outside of CGS)

Summary

7. c) Style of Leadership: (e.g. modelling positive and respectful interactions with children and their families, fellow catechists, church staff or co-workers)

8. Based on what you know about this catechist, what would be the three key strengths she/he would bring to the work of leading adult formation courses?

9. Based on what you know, what areas could this catechist strengthen, if any, in order to better serve in this role?

10. We are required to ask the following question: Do you know any reason why this catechist should not be around children or young people?

11. Do you recommend this catechist for acceptance to the CGSAC Formation Facilitator Apprenticeship?

Yes

Your Privacy

The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (the "CGSAC") is committed to preserving your right to privacy. We ensure that the confidentiality of your information is maintained and the collection, use and disclosure of your information is in compliance with the applicable provincial and federal privacy laws. The personal information collected through this process is not distributed to any private organizations except as stated in this document and is not used for commercial marketing. Your information will be used as part of the record for recognition as a CGSAC Formation Facilitator. Any personal information you provide to the CGSAC is managed in accordance with Canadian Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL), the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and other applicable federal and provincial privacy legislation. If you have any questions about the collection of your personal information, or wish to view the full privacy policy, contact formation@cgsac.ca.