Annual Appeal | December 2, 2024
Dear Members, Collaborators, and Friends,
It is with great excitement that we invite you to imagine the future with us!
Imagine, if you will, ongoing formation groups meeting virtually – across congregations, cultures, and generations – to cultivate the now and new in religious life.
Imagine these ongoing formation circles harnessing the power of shared prayer, deep encounter, and personal integration. From input and dialogue around key characteristics of religious life (e.g., living the vow of poverty) to opportunities to check-in with others on a regular basis, these online small groups will be a transformative, inspiring, and hope-filled experience in the lives of religious today.
With this letter, we ask your support in helping develop this new program that responds to the ‘signs of the times’ by actualizing the power of small group community to live this prophetic life with greater intentionality, authenticity, accountability, collaboration, and synodal spirit. From contemplative online chapels to virtual book clubs, we know today’s technology affords those in consecrated life meaningful opportunities to deepen our shared life and nurture sacred spaces of justice, love, and peace.
An annual appeal gift would enable us to devote time, energy, and resources into developing virtual communities of ongoing formation circles.
A contribution would invest in the resources needed to do this well:
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developing a program timeline, goals, and outcomes,
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crafting relevant curriculum and resources,
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setting-up necessary technological tools,
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promoting and launching online peer groups, and
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assessing input and learnings that incorporate best practices and feedback.
Sister Jane looks forward to coordinating this initiative. We know that ongoing formation is an important aspect of religious life. With your support, we will be able to create new spaces where we can share, learn, and grow together. For more information and questions, feel free to contact her at jaseltyne@relforcon.org.
Please use the link above to make a secure gift online and be part of this exciting new venture for those in consecrated life.
Thank you for helping us imagine the new possibilities that lie ahead and the work we’ve been called to on behalf of the women and men religious we serve. In this season of gratitude, as we take stock of God’s bountiful goodness, we’re especially mindful of benefactors like yourself who animate our work.
We know that, together, we’ll continue to be ‘holy imaginers’ living boldly and faithfully into the future!
Gratefully,
Ryan Hoffmann, DMin
Executive Director
Sister Jane Aseltyne, IHM
Project Coordinator and Program Assistant