Recommendation Form
for
Applying to Enter the CGSAC Formation Facilitator Apprenticeship
Rebecca Malone
Your Name:
Stephen Corsi
email:
Your Mailing Address:
44 rue Benoit, Vaudreuil-Dorion, QC, J7V 8P5
Your Church or Organization:
St Ignatius of Loyola Parish
Work Phone:
5142902688
Home Phone:
5142902688
Background Information
1. a) In what capacity have you known this catechist?
Rebecca has been an employee at our parish for the past several years (approx 6) and under my direct supervision.
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…
Rebecca has exuded a 'life's passion' level of focus and emphasis when it comes to CGS. She has single handedly advocated for an Atrium at our parish, and with leadership's approval, has built two separate spaces from nothing, supporting 7 groups over 2 levels. Weekly, the staff at the parish is regaled with stories of fruitfulness in her work with the children, showing us their work as we pass by her office. I don't believe anything can stop Rebecca from pouring herself into CGS in one way or another!
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?
Rebecca has built a large team of catechists, and also other volunteers, both for the direct work with children and its ongoing support. She has recruited and trained several catechists, and created roles that are less training intensive to get people who are less available to take first steps into roles of leadership and service. Rebecca is never judgmental of others' faith journeys and is very sensitive to the fact that folks who serve are in different stages of growth. She honours them and includes all of them in her program development and work.
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?
Rebecca is excellent and professional when it comes to her work - in and out of the Atrium. With her background as a school principal she is very capable of helping parents understand and connect with the work she does and the work the children do. Rebecca is often among the first to offer extra help when we ask staff to support for things outside 'the usual', and is a very cheerful office mate. She is quoted as greeting people with "Happy Monday"! I certainly see in Rebecca a desire for continued personal and spiritual development and have seen her develop spiritually in these last years. I am confident that she will continue to pursue her own growth and that of others indefinitely as this seems to be an important part of herself.
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?
Rebecca is a fully devoted follower of Jesus in the context of our Catholic Faith. Her faith practice is whole and varied and she has been open to new practices as well as our staff share their own different devotions. Rebecca brings a serene and contemplative style of prayer to the staff team and often leads her volunteers and children through prayer in this mode.
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?
She is! She seems most comfortable when this kind of sharing is bolstered by some experience or material from the Atrium, actually.
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.
Rebecca has developed the beginnings of our Sunday Children's Liturgy and been able to transfer it to another staff member. She currently coordinates our 1st Communion prep. These areas are very communication and organizationally heavy and put her in touch with some of the most- and least-engaged parishioners. Rebecca has shown strength, clarity, and professionalism when it comes to communicating with parents, even those who are simply present because they want the sacraments for their kids.
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.
Rebecca has organized several training courses for catechists from the whole city of Montreal, and has built from scratch, two large and beautiful Atria. I am not worried in the least about her ability to organize and execute programming, or build something from nothing. I see it as one of her strengths.
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?
Rebecca is a huge advocate for children and is passionate about their growth and development. She couldn't help but bring that focus to the group - it's about the kids!
I believe she will bring joy and hospitality to a formation course, helping create a space for catechists to connect relationally and feel comfortable and at easy to better enter into the training.
Rebecca will also be very structured and clear when it comes to organization and will be very clear in communicating expectations with her fellow team members and those in attendance. She is very strong organizationally.
10. Based on what you know, what areas could this catechist strengthen, if any, in order to better serve in this role?
Rebecca has admitted herself that she needs to grow in being able to delegate responsibility and leadership. I think she does better than she thinks, but at the same time I agree - she, like me! - can improve on the delegation of leadership and authority. That being said, I have seen her grow in this area already and she is actively working on it. Apart from that, I see some minor need for growth in the areas of receiving constructive feedback, as well as entering into conflict when disagreements arise. Again, though, minor improvement, as for the most part Rebecca also displays strength at times in these areas.
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.
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.