Orientation to Formation

Updated 4/21/2026

The changing and hope-filled realities of religious life today raise challenging questions regarding the present and future life of the global Church. These questions are especially relevant to leaders and formators involved in the sacred ministry of initial formation. 

The critical question most often raised by leaders and formation directors alike is how best to accompany new members as they discern their call to religious life?

Overview

An Introduction to the Ministry of Formation

Orientation to Formation (OTF) is designed as a starting point—a guided introduction into the ministry of formation in religious life. It is not a comprehensive formation program, but rather an opportunity to explore, understand, and begin to imagine what it means to serve as a formator.

Whether you are newly invited into a formation role, discerning this ministry, or supporting others in formation, OTF offers a foundational overview of the formator’s identity, responsibilities, and essential skills. This annual, virtual program will provide a range of resources for formation ministers and elected leaders. It will also offer opportunities for formation ministers and leadership to connect and share best practices with presenters, RFC staff, and other participants.

Through this experience, participants will:

• Gain a broad understanding of the ministry of formation
• Reflect on the role and vocation of the formator
• Explore key themes such as accompaniment, discernment, and human development
• Become familiar with the realities and challenges of formation today
• Begin to assess their own readiness and areas for growth

OTF is intentionally designed as an orientation—not a full training. It provides clarity, language, and initial tools, but does not replace the depth of formation needed for this ministry.

In 2026, OTF will be offered as a 5-week online experience via Zoom. Participants will meet from 11 am to 2 pm (Central) on Tuesdays in September and October (September 29; October 6, 13, 20, and 27). Preparatory materials will be sent in advance of each session. The online time together will consist of input, focused conversation in small groups, and large group sharing.

All participants are encouraged to establish ongoing individual and peer group supervision. For more information about individual and peer group supervision, contact the RFC office at rfc@relforcon.org. 

• Week I: Formation Ministry Today
• Week II: The Art of Accompaniment
• Week III: Relationship/Community: Locus of the Formative Journey
• Week IV: Religious Life: Ever Ancient, Ever New
• Week V: Formation Personnel and Leaders: Working in Partnership 

The deadline to register for this program is Friday, August 28.

Click here to register

Facilitators

Mary Pat Garvin, RSM, PhD, a member of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, serves as an educator, consultant, and facilitator for national and international conferences of religious, as well as religious congregations worldwide. Her other ministerial experiences over the years have included: a member of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas Institute Leadership Team (2011-2017); co-designer and instructor in the UISG international program for the preparation of formators; and educator in primary, secondary, and higher education, including the Gregorian University where she received a doctorate in psychology and served on the faculty for eight years. Currently, Mary Pat is a member of the national boards of the Religious Formation Conference (RFC) and the Inter-Congregational Collaborative Novitiate (ICCN). In 2017 she received the Penet Award from the RFC for her contribution to the ministry of initial and ongoing formation. In 2025, Mary Pat received the Outstanding Leadership Award from the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR). Her research interest is the interplay of spirituality and psychology in the promotion of a healthy and holy living of religious life.

Paul Michalenko, ST, PhD is a religious Brother with the Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity. He has served as Novice director and coordinator of his congregation’s international vocation and formation programs while serving on the general council. He taught at the Institute of Religious Formation for 17 years and was director of that program for six years. Paul has served as a facilitator and organizational consultant to many church and nonprofit groups over the past thirty-five years. He has worked with women’s and men’s religious congregations, facilitating reconfiguration processes, assemblies, chapters, pastoral planning and other transition processes.

Tuition

Five-Day Package
Member rate: 

• $450 per person
• $400 per person for groups of 4 or more from the same congregation

Non-member rate: 

• $550  per person
• $500 per person for groups of 4 or more from the same congregation

Cancellation policy

What Comes Next?

For those who are called to go deeper, the ForMission ASP program offers a comprehensive, integrative formation experience. It is a multi-dimensional, mentored journey that develops formators across human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral dimensions. It includes sustained accompaniment, practical skill-building, theological reflection, and peer learning—equipping participants for the real demands of formation ministry.

Mary Daniel Turner, SNDdeN Scholarship Fund

We are happy to share that partial scholarship funds are available for RFC member congregations/provinces. Learn more