Theme

Drawing on the insights of human development and contemporary theology, Transforming Grace will explore topics pertaining to the accompaniment of those involved in vocation discernment and the process of initial formation. This course is open to vocation and formation directors, as well as leadership.

Facilitator

Since 1994 Mary Pat Garvin, RSM, Ph.D. has ministered both nationally and internationally in vocation and formation ministry, explicitly focusing on the education and training of vocation and formation directors. Mary Pat has published numerous articles on vocation discernment and the formative process in Horizon: Journal of the National Religious Vocation Conference (NRVC), InFormation Magazine published by the Religious Formation Conference (RFC), Human Development, as well international journals dedicated to vocation and formation ministry. Mary Pat has served on her congregation’s general leadership team. In 2017 she was the recipient of the Religious Formation Conference’s “Penet Award” for her contribution to formation ministry both nationally and internationally. In 2025 she received the “Outstanding Leadership Award” from the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) in the United States. Mary Pat serves on the board of the Intercongregational Collaborative Novitiate (ICCN) in the USA.

Dates and Topics

29 May - Basic Concepts
This session will present the basic concepts of this course, which vocation and formation directors may find useful in their own ministry. All are welcomed to this session, which is specifically designed for those new to CRA’s annual online course for vocation and formation directors.

2 June - Identifying a “Growth Mindset:” A Valuable Asset for Vocation Discernment and the Formative Journey
Having a growth mindset is a valuable asset for those discerning religious life. But what precisely is a growth mindset and how can it be identified? This session will explore the research behind growth mindsets and how they differ significantly from fixed mindsets. We will also consider how best to accompany individuals, no matter what their mindsets, as they discern their felt-call to religious life.

7 July - Transition: Chaos or Kairos?
Transitions, from vocation discernment through perpetual profession…and beyond, are a key feature of religious life today! How might those discerning religious life, as well as vocation and formation directors, approach transitions in a manner most beneficial to discernment. This session will explore the multiple transitions that occur throughout the formative journey, in hopes that both those discerning religious life and directors may live these transitions as kairos moments, moments of grace and opportunity…not withstanding a few bumps in the road.

4 August - Accompaniment: Keeping It Healthy and Holy
This session will explore key elements that point to healthy and holy accompaniment, while also identifying those dynamics and consequences of accompaniment that may indicate the presence of psychological or spiritual abuse. Being aware of the signs of healthy accompaniment, as well as warning signs of abuse, is essential for those involved in spiritual direction/companioning and the formative process.

8 September - Autism: An Introduction for Vocation and Formation Directors
Autism is a developmental condition that affects an individual’s social communication and interaction, behaviours, and interests. This session will offer vocation and formation directors an introduction to autism and its possible influences on the process of discernment, initial formation, community life, and ministry as a religious in today’s world.

6 October - Well-Being: Gift to Self and Others
Practicing healthy self-care is essential for well-being, that is, the ability to live joyfully and with enthusiasm as a religious in the 21st century. Vocation and formation directors who struggle to maintain healthy self-care practices frequently experience a lessening of the creativity and energy needed to accompany, to be a graced companion, to those discerning religious life. This session will explore self-care practices designed to support a healthy (and holy!) sense of well-being.

Time

WA: 7.30am
SA, NT: 9.00am
NSW, VIC, ACT, TAS, QLD: 9.30am

Each seminar will go for 2.5 hours

Registration

Fee: $380 for the series, 6 sessions. Participation in this course includes free access to SLIConnect: Resources for Healthy Life and Ministry, for the duration of this eCourse.

RSVP: Friday 15 May 2026

Enquiries: Natalia López Plata Ph: 02 9557 2695

E: secretariat@catholicreligious.org.au

Contact the host of Transforming Grace: Continuing Education for Vocation and Formation Directors