Recommendation Form
for
Applying to Enter the CGSAC Formation Facilitator Apprenticeship
Monica Perry
Your Name:
Claudia Malczynski
email:
Your Mailing Address:
11884 83 Avenue
Your Church or Organization:
Immaculate Conception Parish, Delta
Work Phone:
16047290943
Home Phone:
Background Information
1. a) In what capacity have you known this catechist?
I have known Monica as a friend in my parish and as her catechist assistant..
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…
Monica is always looking for greater engagement for the children's faith formation, she is knowledgeable and her presentations are well prepared. She is observant and attentive to the children. She has a good communication with parents keeping them inform of any events coming up and she's prompt in answering any questions. In fact, she organizes open houses where she presents to parents what their children have been learning. About the materials for the atrium, I have seen materials that she has worked hard to create. Lately, she brought a beautiful grape vine and the wooden tablets for the maxims, to me that tells me her dedication and love to bring to the children beautiful material to work with .
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?
I would like to share my experience working with her.
Thanks to Monica, I came to know about CGS. Now, I am a catechist and I have just finished my level 2 formation last November. I have worked with Monica as her catechist assistant for the last two years at our parish, Immaculate Conception in Delta. Monica has shared her experiences and knowledge with me. She is a great collaborator, she involves me in her plans, she makes me participant and always asks me for my opinion. I have great love and respect for Monica and to me, she is my mentor.
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?
Monica meets all the above characteristics. I would like to talk about her motivation. Like I said before, Monica is always looking for greater engagement for the children's faith formation, an example of this, is her involvement in the planning of a sacramental retreat based on the Rome model used by Sophia Cavalletti that will be offered for the first time in March at the John Paul II Pastoral Center in Vancouver.
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?
Monica is knowledgeable about her faith.
I have witnessed it when she confidently shares her faith with others, when she participates in discussions, at the open houses with parents, at her presentations for the children.
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 and confident.
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.
Oral communication:
Monica is very eloquent and confident when she does CGS open houses presentations for parents.
She introduces speakers with informative background and she can gracefully put together a summary about the speaker's topic by the end of a talk.
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.
Monica has a been involved in the organization of two events that I know of:
The Sacramental Retreat for children. She has made sure that all the necessary items are met to host an event like this, from having a Priest to celebrate mass and to listen confessions, venue, schedule for the day, food, emailing parents with full details and follow up.
She has organized a 3 days workshop of the Montessori Method with Angela Sali, Educational Strategist. She sent emails about the event well in advanced with details about workshop, the venue, dates, food arrangements and parking.
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?
Her knowledge, eloquence and organization.
10. Based on what you know, what areas could this catechist strengthen, if any, in order to better serve in this role?
Monica has many good qualities. She will be a good formation leader.
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?
Monica can be trusted to work with children or young people.
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.