Programme – RFM Programme

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The RFM Programme follows the September to June academic year and welcomes Sisters, Brothers and Priests from Congregations, Societies and Dioceses.

Its aim is to provide a robust experience of human and spiritual development in the context of a Church and world which are experiencing major social and global changes.
Acknowledging the impact of these challenges and struggling to understand them while respecting the diversity of views, cultures and lived experiences in the group, enables participants to journey more effectively and confidently with others in their search for God in life and ministry today.

Within this context, participants are given space and time for reflection, study and worship in which they can appropriate and communicate the values of the Gospel. In doing this they experience the challenge of intercultural living and engage meaningfully with issues of race, diversity, gender, authority, ecology, and other global concerns related to ministry in the Church and society.

The process of personal integration is enhanced by:

Facilitated group reflection and dialogue
Individual mentoring
Counselling and spiritual direction
An 8 day directed retreat
Pastoral Placement
Liturgy, prayer, sharing, relaxation and fun times which are integral to the life of the group.

A desire to engage in this kind of programme is essential.
Applicants will normally have completed third level education or the equivalent and at least one year of Scripture/Theology/Spirituality studies.
They must be recommended for the RFM Programme by a Congregational/Society Leader or Bishop.
Personal interview by the Team or others nominated by them will finalise selection.
Applications will be processed on a 'first come first served' basis. Late applications will be considered.

The RFM Programme generally runs from mid-September to mid-June.
There is a two week break at Christmas and at Easter.
Weekly sessions normally take place Monday to Friday.
Most weekends are free.
Most weekends are free.
The RFM Programme is non-residential.
Overseas participants are advised to be in the country for 2 or 3 weeks before the beginning of the RFM Programme in order to have the necessary time to rest, find suitable accommodation and settle in.
Allow four months for your visa application to go through.

During this year in Loreto House, I have learnt how to listen to others attentively using, not only my ears, but above all my heart and my whole body. The invitation towards listening to others with empathy, with the intention of understanding the other person’s feelings and “putting yourself in someone else’s shoes” has been a wonderful discovery for me.

The journey of formation is a journey of "unwrapping the gifts". It is a process and an on-going experience towards inner freedom. Formators are first to unwrap their own gifts so that they can empower others to do the same. This is the power of formation which is transformational and integrated and sums up what I experienced here in Loreto House.

The RFM Programme has truly been a transformative journey for me, equipping me with numerous skills for personal growth and leadership. It has introduced me to a fresh perspective, emphasizing leading in harmony with creation. This approach encourages an empowering style of leadership, where both oneself and others collaborate towards a shared goal for the greater good. It is indeed a holistic journey that embraces culture and beauty.

Spiritual Accompaniment helped me to deepen my interpersonal relationship with God, others and nature. Engaging in role-plays and analyzing content from articles enabled me to acquire new understanding and skills which will continue to help me to have a creative and loving response to God, others and nature.

RFMP has been a magnificent experience of personal growth for me. It has really transformed me and enabled me to look at life with a more positive outlook. The contributions of the participants and the support of the team members made it a very enriching time for me.

What an amazing experience! Creative liturgy and prayer opening our minds, hearts and souls to connecting with each other and God in exciting and awesome ways! An adventure that will always be treasured in my heart!

The RFMP is an opportune experience for me which was filled with pragmatic activities for discernment, collaboration and inclusiveness that brought about surprising unity in diversity among us. Through the support of the Team and facilitators, I have journeyed with others, speaking and listening to one another, sharing our realities and experiences in order to find a path forward in our lives and mission in line with the principle of Synodality. The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator helped me to gain insight into my life, develop a clearer sense of self-awareness and awareness of others. I have also learned to serve God creatively as a responsible person in my value-inspired calling.

I was amazed by the similarities between belief systems that we discovered in our exploration of Traditional Religions, despite the many differences that exist in cultures and nations. I was fascinated by the uniqueness of these traditional religions, the moral values underpinning them and the rituals they developed in an attempt to balance human behaviors with the gods, the providers of everyday life, prior to Christianity.

With a wide range of topics and modules, the RFM Programme offered me a safe and nurturing space; aiding my journey of self-discovery and growth. Thanks to the Pastoral Placement experience, I have benefited from a more comprehensive understanding of the socioeconomic issues currently confronting our societies. I am inspired by the involvement of many organisations and individuals who are committed to providing safe and non-judgmental environments, where the less privileged and vulnerable receive care and services that uphold their human dignity.

Loreto House, Religious Formation Ministry Programme, has been a journey towards self-discovery and personal transformation for me. A daily invitation to experience, share and celebrate individual giftedness, constantly aware that 'I am because we are' (African Proverb).

It was a great privilege for me to be a participant of the Religious Formation Ministry Programme during the year 2023 to 2024. The RFMP course has been a great inner journey of transformation for me personally along with my companions. It has brought a change in my perspectives and attitudes in understanding of Catholic Church and priesthood especially in making sense of a synodal church in the modern world.

I am grateful to God, my Congregation and the entire Loreto House leadership team for the opportunity to participate in the Religious Formation Ministry Programme. It has been a journey of self discovery, encountering the other, personal growth and transformation. Among the various topics treated, I was touched by the inputs on emotions which has enabled me to be aware of my emotions, to welcome them as they are and to express them. This will go a long way in helping me in my encounter with others in my ministry.

My participation in RFMP has helped me to deepen my self-awareness. Through the workshop on self-esteem and other inputs, I have come to appreciate my giftedness. I am very grateful!

I had an amazing experience spending time with nature reflecting on the blessings of God, in awesome ways. We are all a unique part of God's creation.

RFMP has been a journey of inner transformation and awareness of the signs of times for me. I am empowered by the RFM Programme to live my faith fruitfully in the light of our changing world and culture so that my faith will be life-giving to others.

In Psychosocial and Psychosexual development and relationships, I learnt that the only person I can change is myself! I found freedom in discovering that I have no control over other people’s behaviour but that I can choose how I will react.

History of the RFM Programme

The Loreto House Programme, as the Religious Formation Ministry Programme is more popularly known, was established in Ireland in 1982. The initiative was taken by the Conference of Religious of Ireland (then known as the Conference of Major Religious Superiors). It came into being in response to the need to prepare religious women and men and for the ministry of formation of new members and for leadership roles in their Congregations/Societies/Dioceses. However, a significant number of religious also availed of the RFM Programme for personal renewal or to discern future ministry during a time of transition.

As the number of international participants increased the sponsorship of the RFM Programme was taken over by the Irish Missionary Union in 1998. It offers a valuable resource to its members, many of whom are in the process of handing over responsibility for formation, leadership and projects to local members of the Congregation /Society abroad.

In 2016, CORI and IMU came together to form a new body called AMRI, Association of Leaders of Missionaries and Religious of Ireland. AMRI is now the sponsoring body of the Religious Formation Ministry Programme.

RFM Programme locations since 1982
1982 - 1997	Carysfort School Campus in Blackrock, Dublin
1997 - 1999	Dominican Priory in Tallaght, Dublin
1999 - 2005	Mill Hill Campus, Dartry, Dublin
2005 - 2024	Willow Park School Campus, Blackrock, Dublin
2024 - the present	St Raphaela's School Campus, Stillorgan, Dublin

Participants From the beginning the course welcomed applicants from any part of the world, though the majority in the early years were Irish born. To date 1001 women and men have participated in the RFM Programme.
Africa	Asia	Europe	Oceania	The Americas
291	164	468	63	15

Participants

From the beginning the course welcomed applicants from any part of the world, though the majority in the early years were Irish born. To date 1001 women and men have participated in the RFM Programme.

Africa

Asia

Europe

Oceania

The Americas

291

164

468

The RFM Programme continues to develop and adapt to meet the needs of participants in a rapidly evolving world and universe. In the rich and challenging environment of diverse cultures, worldviews and experiences, the RFM Programme aims to create an inclusive, welcoming community which seeks to read the signs of the times from a Gospel perspective.