Recommendation Form
for
Applying to Enter the CGSAC Formation Facilitator Apprenticeship
Regina Ramos-Urbano
Your Name:
Nancy Wood
email:
Your Mailing Address:
Christ the King Parish, 29 Bramley Rd, London Cockfosters, N14 4HE
Your Church or Organization:
Christ the King Parish, London UK
Work Phone:
Home Phone:
+44 7845 898 953
Background Information
1. a) In what capacity have you known this catechist?
I have known Regina for about 20 years beginning when she enrolled her son in my atrium program at Holy Cross Parish. About a year after that she began assisting in the atrium and eventually did the formation program herself. She continued helping in the atrium at Holy Cross since then, in Level I,II, and III. She has assisted in giving formation courses since 2016. She mentored with me and Heather Lampman for three full level I courses, and probably more after I left Canada to move to the UK in 2020.
That said, I have been away from the Winnipeg formation scene for five years. So my memory for specifics is a bit hazy. I am relying a bit on a reference I wrote when she applied for the FF training program Dec. 2019.
1. b) How long have you known this catechist?
> 5 years
Personal Traits
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.
2. In what ways have you seen this catechist exhibit joy, passion, and enthusiasm for the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd?
In being with the children; in working with parents; in organizing and coordinating the program; in making materials for the atrium; in sharing the work with others…
Yes, she understands how to be with children - quiet voice, stepping back, observant, aware of children's needs. She works well with others. She is especially gifted at material making. I haven't observed her work with parents, but can presume she is warm and tactful.
3. 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?
Regina excels at this. Adult Education is her profession and this comes through in her work in formation. She is observant and practical and collaborates with others at a professional and personal level.
She was especially gifted at the small personal touches (e.g. buying all the catechists sheep socks for Christmas!).
4. Please 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”? In which of these areas does this catechist most need to experience growth? Does this catechist have the confidence to receive feedback offered in support of further development as a faith leader?
While Regina has all these qualities - motivation, reliability, flexibility, emotional maturity, etc. I would say she used to suffer from overload - her fulltime day job, her church commitments, her family - which would make it sometimes hard to give everything a course required. I think that's why she stayed so long in the role of assistant and couldn't find the time to pursue becoming a recognised FF earlier.
Yes, she is open to receiving feedback and critique.
Faith Life
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.
5. 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?
Regina is a prayerful person, listening to God, and always wanting to grow in her faith. She is active in her parish and always finding new and interesting ways to share the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. She has a good relationship with her priest.
Regarding the second question, I think the fact that it has taken her a number of years to complete the FF application process means that she was able to listen to God's timing - not to embark into something she knew she couldn't complete because of the busyness of her life.
6. Is this catechist comfortable speaking about their faith with others, praying with others, and leading others into deeper contemplation of the mysteries of God?
Yes, she is comfortable speaking about her faith and leading others into deeper contemplation of the mysteries of God. In that way, she has a good understanding of this aspect of CGS- the heart of our work. As to praying with others, I would say yes to that, though I can't think of specific examples where I saw that.
Leadership
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 facilitator qualities of this catechist:
7. 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.
As I mentioned above, Adult education is Regina’s profession and communication comes naturally. She is engaging and able to elicit participation by her audience. I was especially impressed one time when we introduced guided reading material in a small group discussion format that really engaged the participants.
She has given numerous workshops to groups like the CWL, diocesan catechetical training sessions, and once as part of our team, a day long presentation to the priests of the Archdiocese of Winnipeg.
Over the years I have been impressed by the spirit of wonder and awe that she displays whenever she discovers something new that she hadn’t seen before. She is able to impart this attitude to the participants in formation course.
8. 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.
Again, this is something Regina excels in - she is practical and down to earth. She has excellent computer skills and organizational abilities. I have never seen her set up an atrium from the beginning. When I left Winnipeg she took over my own atrium at St. Charles Parish on Sunday mornings (while maintaining her involvement at her own parish, St. Anthony where she didn't have an atrium but worked with CGS preparing children for Baptism). Volunteering at Holy Cross had become increasingly difficult because of time constraints so she was thrilled to have her own Level I atrium to manage and be with children. And when I came back for a visit three years later, I see how she could re-organize and improve it.
Summary
9. Based on what you know about this catechist, what would be the three key strengths s/he would bring to the work of leading adult formation courses?
-Organizing and communication
-Easy to work with, a team player
-commitment to and understanding of the CGS philosophy
10. Based on what you know, what areas could this catechist strengthen, if any, in order to better serve in this role?
In 2019 I wrote the following:
"My only hesitation regarding Regina is that she is very busy, under a lot of stress right now and when she gets like that, I’ve seen that she can lose her focus and forget essential points in a presentation. After her cancer and chemotherapy a few years ago, she has admitted that her brain easily goes into a fog."
I don't know if that is true anymore since I haven't worked with her in recent years.
11. We are required to ask the following question:
Do you know any reason why this catechist should not be around children or young people?
no
12. Do you recommend this catechist for acceptance to the CGSAC Formation Facilitator Apprenticeship?
Yes
By clicking the button, "Submit Reference Information," you authorize the CGSAC Director of Formation to share your contact information with the CGSAC Review Committee and/or the CGSUSA Formation Leader International Discernment Committee for the purposes of a follow-up call as part of the review for recommendation of the above-named catechist as a Formation Facilitator Apprentice.
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