Recommendation Form
for
Applying to Enter the CGSAC Formation Facilitator Apprenticeship
Maureen Foster Fernandes
Your Name:
Msgr. Maurice Comeault
email:
Your Mailing Address:
513-200 Masson Street, Winnipeg Mb. R2H 3G1A
Your Church or Organization:
Archdiocese of Winnipeg
Work Phone:
204-781-0720
Home Phone:
n/a
Background Information
1. a) In what capacity have you known this catechist?
As her pastor for 14 years at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
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…
I know her as a great mother. She is mature in her faith and full of love. She has been in the Atrium all the years I have been her pastor. She is full of enthusiasm and loves the catechism. With the support of the parish and the children's parents, she has managed to build up to the third level. I was also invited and accepted to celebrate and fulfill the needs she needed from the pastor; I, too, am a fan of the Good Shepherd Catechism. Maureen spent many hours building up the materials needed. Invited help from adolescents as well as faith-filled seniors of the parish. She respects the children and listens with her heart to respond to their actual needs. She is one good shepherd herself,
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?
Maureen has detected the gifts of parishioners who would be good helpers/advisors for parishioners of all ages.
She is also active in what used to be called the RCIA. She has been a catechist at that particular level. Also active on the Parish Council, she was a meaningful contributor with ideas and a vision for the parish as a response to the particular needs that surfaced from time to time.
She was also invited to present the Good Shepherd Catechism to the priests of the Archdiocese of Winnipeg during their annual Study Days. This presentation was greatly appreciated, and the priests' response was remarkable.
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?
As her pastor, I was impressed with her overall gift of self in studying the content and proposed building and creating the needed items and props. As a wife and mother, she can be decisive. She also participates in the regular other needs of the parish. I understand that she experiences growth on an ongoing process, responding to the needs as they manifest themselves. She is a good supporter and helpful at all times of need.
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?
She is a prayerful person who regularly attends Eucharistic celebrations. She is also involved in parish liturgies as a cantor and is an ongoing student of God's love for everyone.
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?
I am now retired, but during my time at her parish, she was also an active presenter and companion for those forming the Initiation Team and a mature sponsor for many seeking God in the way of a parish situation.
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.
I seem to have already mentioned or underlined all those above qualities hoped for in a person like Maureen. The Archdiocese has invited her to help out at that level of need. Again, in my time, she was able to say 'no' because of other commitments. Maureen has been an active, effective, prayerful pastoral minister.
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.
She set up three levels of the program in a relatively short time. She hosted many formation groups in our parish and supported others with similar needs to bring the program to other parishes. She keeps on learning as life goes on. Children and parents have come to know her well and respect her relational qualities. Her organizational skills have been an asset to the parish as people seek to know God more and more and love one another more and more.
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?
1. Her faith. She is on a journey of learning and seeking God,
2. Hope, Her vision of the gift of the Good Shepherd and looking ahead with a positive vision,
3. Charity. Her love of God, married life, family, and the Body of Christ as members of the Church are secure assets and gifts for the Body of Christ, the Church. She knows and loves her place in Christ, the Universal Christ.
10. Based on what you know, what areas could this catechist strengthen, if any, in order to better serve in this role?
She is constantly responding to needs as they appear. She does not live in the past. She moves on and adapts to needs as they appear unexpectedly. She adjusts, repairs, and moves on. She does not hesitate to consult or ask for help when needed. She is actively maturing as she shares all who she is as a loved child of God
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 reason at all.
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.
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.