Formation Resources
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We thank all Vincentian resource developers for sharing.
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“It is not enough to do good. It must be done well.”
–St. Vincent de Paul
The current national training policy is to insure that all members know and understand the mission and 4 pillars of the national SSVP organisation. Know the history, works and the ethos of the society. The focus is on the development of individuals as the quality of the individual effects the quality of the society in all aspects.
Mission as a Society
A network of friends who seek personal holiness through service to those in need and in defense of social justice.
Mission as National Council
To strengthen this network of friends to uphold the mission of the Society.
National Council Strategy
The strategy is to enable leaders to share this information and have the tools to propagate the 4 C" pillars to the members.
Christ Centered (our spirituality) | Spiritually
Community development (our community / members and our neighbors) | Friendship / Fraternity
Charity (our works and the way we do it) | Service
Compliance (Constitution, The rule, Catholic social teaching)
The tactical approach is to promote the values and virtues of SSVP that cuts across everything done by the society. The society believes that each of our personal journeys towards sanctification is helped by developing the following 4 characteristics;
Prayer - encourage both group and personal prayer.
Study - formation both spiritually and well as personal development
Generosity - to be generous with our time and our possessions
Evangelisation - bring joy and hope.
thus training and development will focus on developing these 4 key characteristics. The objective being to support each other in our individual journey of sanctification.
Spiritual Directors / LOCAL formation Animators - Guides, Frameworks & Resources
(The USA guides serve as a good starting point for the F&T committee to develop a local system.)
Within the context of SSVP we are concern with the effort of members towards building a set of habits that are transformative. Key elements that need to be built into a member's life style that would be beneficial are:
I. Seeing Christ in the Poor:
Encountering the Face of Christ: The foundational element of Vincentian spirituality is the profound belief that I encounter Christ himself in the person of those I serve. This isn't merely an act of charity, but a deeply spiritual experience where I recognize the dignity and inherent worth of each individual as a child of God, mirroring Christ's own identification with the marginalized (Matthew 25:40). This encounter challenges me to move beyond simply providing material assistance to fostering a person-to-person connection built on respect and love.
Being Evangelized by the Poor: I am learning to recognize that those I serve often possess a deep faith and resilience that can inspire and evangelize me. Their courage in the face of adversity and their reliance on God often teach me valuable lessons about faith, hope, and the true meaning of poverty of spirit.
II. Spirituality of Service:
Love in Action: For me as a Vincentian, love for God is expressed concretely through service to the poor. As St. Vincent de Paul said, "Let us love God, but let it be with the strength of our arms and the sweat of our brows." My spiritual development is directly linked to my active participation in alleviating suffering and promoting the dignity of those in need. This service isn't just a task; it's an integral part of my prayer and my living out of the Gospel.
Going to the Poor: The Vincentian charism emphasizes personal contact and home visits. This direct engagement allows me to build relationships, understand the individual needs of those I serve, and offer support that goes beyond material aid. These encounters are opportunities to witness Christ's presence and to grow in compassion and empathy.
III. Community and Friendship:
The Conference as a Spiritual Home: My local SSVP Conference is more than just a meeting place; it's a community of faith and love where I share my spiritual journey with fellow Vincentians. The friendship and mutual support I find within the Conference are essential for my spiritual growth. We pray together, reflect on our service experiences, and encourage one another in our journey towards holiness.
Shared Fraternal Spirituality: The spirituality within the Conference is a source of inspiration and strength. Sharing reflections on our encounters with the poor and discussing our faith journeys deepens my understanding and commitment.
IV. Trust in Divine Providence:
Abandonment to God's Will: A core tenet of Vincentian spirituality is trusting in God's providence. I am learning to rely on God's guidance and provision in my service and in my personal life. This trust encourages me to step out in faith, knowing that God will provide what is needed, even when the path ahead is unclear.
Focus on Charity, Not Outcome: I am reminded that God judges my actions not by their success in worldly terms, but by the love and charity with which they are undertaken. This frees me to focus on serving with a pure heart, trusting the results to God's providence.
V. Prayer and Reflection:
Integrating Prayer with Action: Prayer is not separate from my service; it fuels and informs it. I pray before and after meetings and for the individuals and families we assist. Reflecting on my Vincentian experiences in prayer allows me to discern God's presence and deepen my understanding of His will.
Meditating on Vincentian Experiences: By reflecting on my encounters with the poor, I gain a deeper spiritual understanding of myself, others, and the goodness of God. These experiences become a form of personal spiritual formation.
VI. Journey Towards Holiness:
A Call to Personal Conversion: My involvement in SSVP is a call to ongoing personal conversion and a journey towards holiness. By serving Christ in the poor and through my participation in the Conference, I aspire to grow in love, compassion, and Christ-like virtues.
Learning from the Founders: The lives and teachings of St. Vincent de Paul and Blessed Frédéric Ozanam serve as constant inspiration and guidance for my spiritual development within the SSVP. Their example encourages me to continually seek a deeper union with Christ through service.
Tools to grow spiritually:
To build a relationship you need to understand people:
a. Understand yourself and the others (self awareness and self-care)
b. Understanding others (empathy)
c. Skills to Building Relationships - (communication styles best suited, story telling as an effective means of getting points across)
d. Listening to understand the other.
e. Helping the others find solution (Effective ways to resolve misunderstanding or solving issues).
The Church’s social teaching is a rich treasure of wisdom about building a just society and living lives of holiness amidst the challenges of modern society. Modern Catholic social teaching has been articulated through a tradition of papal, conciliar, and episcopal documents. The depth and richness of this tradition can be understood best through a direct reading of these documents. In these brief reflections, we wish to highlight several of the key themes that are at the heart of our Catholic social tradition.
Facilitators Guide: download | Bahasa Guide download
This guide will help group discussions on each topic in more detail. Nest to video are the guide as individual themes
The Catholic Church proclaims that human life is sacred and that the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society. This belief is the foundation of all the principles of our social teaching. In our society, human life is under direct attack from abortion and euthanasia. The value of human life is being threatened by cloning, embryonic stem cell research, and the use of the death penalty. The intentional targeting of civilians in war or terrorist attacks is always wrong. Catholic teaching also calls on us to work to avoid war. Nations must protect the right to life by finding increasingly effective ways to prevent conflicts and resolve them by peaceful means. We believe that every person is precious, that people are more important than things, and that the measure of every institution is whether it threatens or enhances the life and dignity of the human person.
Genesis 1:26-31
God created man and woman in his image.
Deuteronomy 10:17-19
God loves the orphan, the widow, and the stranger.
Psalms 139:13-16
God formed each of us and knows us intimately.
Proverbs 22:2
The Lord is the maker of both rich and poor.
Luke 10:25-37
The good Samaritan recognized the dignity in the other and cared for his life.
John 4:1-42
Jesus broke with societal and religious customs to honor the dignity of the Samaritan woman.
Romans 12: 9-18
Love one another, contribute to the needs of others, live peaceably with all.
1 Corinthians 3:16
You are holy, for you are God’s temple and God dwells in you.
Galatians 3:27-28
All Christians are one in Christ Jesus.
James 2:1-8
Honor the poor.
1 John 3: 1-2
See what love the Father has for us, that we should be called Children of God.
1 John 4:7-12
Let us love one another because love is from God.
We show our respect for the Creator by our stewardship of creation. Care for the earth is not just an Earth Day slogan, it is a requirement of our faith. We are called to protect people and the planet, living our faith in relationship with all of God’s creation. This environmental challenge has fundamental moral and ethical dimensions that cannot be ignored.
Genesis 1:1-31
God made the heavens and the earth and it was good.
Genesis 2:15
Humans are commanded to care for God’s creation.
Leviticus 25:1-7
The land itself must be given a rest and not abused.
Deuteronomy 10:14
All of heaven and earth belong to the Lord.
Psalm 24:1-2
All the earth is the Lord’s.
Daniel 3:56-82
Creation proclaims the glory of God.
Matthew 6:25-34
God loves and cares for all of creation.
Romans 1:20
Creation reveals the nature of God.
1 Corinthians 10:26
Creation and all created things are inherently good because they are of the Lord.
A basic moral test is how our most vulnerable members are faring. In a society marred by deepening divisions between rich and poor, our tradition recalls the story of the Last Judgment (Mt 25:31-46) and instructs us to put the needs of the poor and vulnerable first.
Exodus 22:20-26
You shall not oppress the poor or vulnerable. God will hear their cry.
Leviticus 19:9-10
A portion of the harvest is set aside for the poor and the stranger.
Job 34:20-28
The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
Proverbs 31:8-9
Speak out in defense of the poor.
Sirach 4:1-10
Don’t delay giving to those in need.
Isaiah 25:4-5
God is a refuge for the poor.
Isaiah 58:5-7
True worship is to work for justice and care for the poor and oppressed.
Matthew 25:34-40
What you do for the least among you, you do for Jesus.
Luke 4:16-21
Jesus proclaims his mission: to bring good news to the poor and oppressed.
Luke 6:20-23
Blessed are the poor, theirs is the kingdom of God.
1 John 3:17-18
How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s good and sees one in need and refuses to help?
The person is not only sacred but also social. How we organize our society—in economics and politics, in law and policy—directly affects human dignity and the capacity of individuals to grow in community. Marriage and the family are the central social institutions that must be supported and strengthened, not undermined. We believe people have a right and a duty to participate in society, seeking together the common good and well-being of all, especially the poor and vulnerable.
Genesis 2:18
It is not good for man to be alone
Genesis 4:8-15
I am my brother’s and sister’s keeper.
Leviticus 25:23-43
What you own belongs to the Lord and is given for the good of all.
Jeremiah 7:5-7
If you act justly with one another, God will dwell in the land.
Micah 6:6-8
Act justly, love kindness, walk humbly with God.
John 15:12-17
This is my commandment: love one another as I have loved you.
Acts 2:43-47
Life among the believers.
Romans 12:4-8
We are one body, individually members one of another.
Hebrews 10:24-25
Rouse one another to love and good works.
James 2:14-17
Our faith is dead if we ignore others in need.
1 Peter 4:8-11
Serve one another with the gifts you have received.
1 John 3:16-18
We ought to lay down our lives for one another.
1 John 4:19-21
Those who love God must love their brothers and sisteers.
The Catholic tradition teaches that human dignity can be protected and a healthy community can be achieved only if human rights are protected and responsibilities are met. Therefore, every person has a fundamental right to life and a right to those things required for human decency. Corresponding to these rights are duties and responsibilities--to one another, to our families, and to the larger society.
Leviticus 25:35
When someone is reduced to poverty, we have an obligation to help.
Ruth 2:2-23
Boaz cares for Ruth, a widow and a foreigner, giving her far more than the law requires.
Tobit 4:5-11
Give from what you have received and do not turn away from the poor.
Proverbs 31:8-9
Open your mouth to speak on behalf of those in need.
Isaiah 1:16-17
Seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.
Jeremiah 22: 13-16
A legitimate government upholds the rights of the poor and vulnerable.
Jeremiah 29:4-7
Seek the welfare of the city, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.
Matthew 25: 31-46
Just as you did it to the least of these, you did it to me.
Luke 16:19-31
The rich man has a responsibility to care for Lazarus.
Acts 4:32-35
There was not a needy person among them.
2 Corinthians 9:6-15
God’s gifts are given to be shared.
James 2:14-18
Faith without works is dead.
We are one human family whatever our national, racial, ethnic, economic, and ideological differences. We are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers, wherever they may be. Loving our neighbor has global dimensions in a shrinking world. At the core of the virtue of solidarity is the pursuit of justice and peace. Pope Paul VI taught that “if you want peace, work for justice.”1 The Gospel calls us to be peacemakers. Our love for all our sisters and brothers demands that we promote peace in a world surrounded by violence and conflict.
Genesis 12:1-3
God blessed Israel so that all nations would be blessed through it.
Psalms 72
Living in right relationship with others brings peace.
Psalms 122
Peace be with you! For the sake of the Lord, I will seek your good.
Zechariah 8:16
These are the things you should do: Speak truth, judge well, make peace.
Matthew 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers, they will be called children of God.
Matthew 5:21-24
Be reconciled to one another before coming to the altar.
Romans 13:8-10
Living rightly means to love one another.
1 Corinthians 12:12-26
If one member of Christ’s body suffers, all suffer. If one member is honored, all rejoice.
Colossians 3:9-17
Above all, clothe yourself with love and let the peace of Christ reign in your hearts.
1 John 3:16-18
The love of God in us is witnessed to by our willingness to lay down our lives for others as Christ did for us.
The economy must serve people, not the other way around. Work is more than a way to make a living; it is a form of continuing participation in God’s creation. If the dignity of work is to be protected, then the basic rights of workers must be respected--the right to productive work, to decent and fair wages, to the organization and joining of unions, to private property, and to economic initiative.
Genesis 2:1-3
God rests on the seventh day.
Genesis 2:15
God settles man in the garden of Eden to cultivate and care for it.
Deuteronomy 5:13-15
The Sabbath is for everyone—all are allowed to rest from their work.
Deuteronomy 14:28-29
The Lord blesses our work so that we may share its fruits with others.
Deuteronomy 24:14-15
Do not withhold wages from your workers, for their livelihood depends on them.
Sirach 34:26-27
To deprive an employee of wages is to commit murder.
Isaiah 58:3-7
To observe religious practices, but oppress your workers is false worship.
Jeremiah 22:13
Woe to him who treats his workers unjustly.
Matthew 20:1-16
All workers should be paid a just and living wage.
Mark 2:27
The Sabbath was made for people, not people for the Sabbath.
Luke 3:10-14
Practice integrity in your work.
Luke 12:13-21
One’s worth is not determined by an abundance of possessions.
James 5:1-6
Those who become rich by abusing their workers have sinned against God.
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[https://resources.depaul.edu/vincent-on-leadership/training/training-options/Pages/eLearning-Modules.aspx]
We are pleased to present the following eLearning module on leadership coaching to help you reach your goals.
We plan to provide additional modules soon.
Module: Introduction to Leadership Coaching
This introduction provides a review of the basic principles and practices of leadership coaching. You also will learn how to use the GROW Model developed by Sir John Whitmore in your coaching practice.
Each segment of this introduction to leadership coaching includes three parts:
1. Video – a short introduction to essential coaching principles and practices by Elizabeth A. Kaye, executive leadership coach and consultant
2. Handout – a one-page PDF for you to read for further learning and reflection
3. Assignment – a one-page PDF with an activity to help you further integrate and apply what you are learning
On your own, these materials will help you learn more about why coaching is a very effective tool for enhancing personal growth and behavioral change. They also will help you begin to plan how you will continue to improve your coaching skills.
However, to get the full benefit of this eLearning experience, we recommend that you engage with the materials along with two or three colleagues in order to have the opportunity to practice coaching with one another. You can begin by using the GROW Model with one another.
We are deeply grateful to our two experienced leadership coaches and colleagues, Elizabeth A. Kaye and Mary McGuinness, for collaborating with us in creating this eLearning experience.
Permission to use the GROW Model is kindly given by Performance Consultants International and the estate of Sir John Whitmore.
Overview
Video: Why Coaching Maximizes Leadership Effectiveness
Handout: Coaching Learning Objectives
Assignment: Personal and Group Reflection Process
Part 1
Video: Cut to the Chase: Two Bottom-Line Questions About Coaching
Handout: Preparing for the Coaching Conversation
Assignment: Coaching Skills Assessment
Part 2
Video: What Leadership Coaching Is and Is Not
Assignment: Coaching Personal Action Plan
Part 3
Handout: G.R.O.W. Coaching Model
Assignment: Coaching Practice in Triads