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ProgramsClick on a program that interests you or scroll down to find out more about each. Advent Evening of Reflection Advent Evening of ReflectionSunday, December 7, 2008 To register, please call 412-341-7494 or 1-877-324-6873 by December 1, 2008. Facilitated by Susan Muto and Father Ralph Tajak, OSB Free Will Offering ---------------------------------------------- (Return to top of page)Becoming Spiritually MatureMondays: 7:00-9:15 P.M.
The wisdom and insights for spiritual living offered by this co-facilitated video series on Becoming Spiritually Mature are framed within the context of formative spirituality and its servant science of formation. These inspired lifelong teachings of Adrian van Kaam and Susan Muto provide the solid foundation upon which this series draws. It offers an excellent introduction to the science, anthropology, and theology of formation that undergirds all Academy courses. Topics
General Information Direction-In-CommonTuesdays: 7:00-9:00 P.M.
Spiritual Direction-in-Common is the most basic kind of formation we receive or, for the most part, may need to receive. It implies that we open ourselves honestly and humbly to life call disclosures that may come to us—insofar as we are readied by grace to receive them—from such common sources and ways of formation as: participating in shared spiritual reading groups; listening attentively to a well-prepared homily, sermon, lecture, or conference; connecting what we learn of spiritual formation with our daily experiences through journaling or conversing with like-minded seekers about topics of prayer and action that really matter to us—not debating but deliberating about the experience of God’s call in our lives. Based on Rediscovering the Meaning of Our Christian Personhood by Adrian van Kaam, these sessions challenge us to find and follow God’s will in daily life so that we can open our hearts more fully to others in the spirit of mature Christian love, peace, and joy. General Information ---------------------------------------------- (Return to top of page) Epiphany Associates Retreat
Program description is in PDF format. PDF viewer can be downloaded for free by clicking here:
Epiphany Certification Program (ECP)Application to the Epiphany Certification Program is now available on line. Please complete this form and return it to the office with your $25.00 processing fee. If you prefer, you may call the office at 1-877-324-6873 with your credit card information. The Epiphany Certification Program (ECP) is a unique, ongoing, innovative formation opportunity offered by the Epiphany Association at two locations, one in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and the other in Indianapolis, Indiana. ECP pursues the highest levels of excellence both theoretically and practically. We draw upon the van Kaamian theory of personality, which posits that all people are endowed by the mystery with a transcendence dynamic that orients us to go more deeply into or to go beyond who we are and what we can do by ourselves alone. this way of thinking gives all in attendance the best possible preparation available in the field of formative spirituality. Core Curriculum The ECP curriculum consists of an ordered series of six courses. The first three explore formation theology, anthropology, and science and the second three facilitate their application to everyday life and ministry. Building on this groundwork, these final courses extend the application of the theory of formation to the variety of ministerial settings in which our students serve family, church, and society. PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS Course I: Foundations of Human and Christian Formation Enables students to express with great accuracy the dimensions, dynamics, dispositions, and phases of their own and others' journey to spiritual maturity. While the concepts and constructs of formative spirituality apply universally, special emphasis is placed on the fullness of grace, which flows from and leads to the mystery at the center of our field of formation. Course II: Basics of Formation Anthropology and Formation Theology Examines the influence of our unique-communal life call on every phase of our spiritual maturation. While students focus closely on their human potency for transcendence, special attention is paid to the formation of conscience and how it influences our everyday life; the obstacles pride uses to obscure the Christ-form of our soul; and the conditions that facilitate our choice of the appreciative abandonment option. Course III: Formation of the Human and Christian Heart Identifies the role of dispositions and virtues in the formation of the human heart, especially the central disposition of awe. A main focus of this course concerns the interplay of spirit, heart, mind, and will, and on how they influence the formation, deformation, reformation and transformation of our lives. Students explore how their own memory, imagination, and anticipation can nurture or cripple their growth in faith, love, and hope. Course IV: Living Our Faith and Formation Traditions Ponders the connection between what we believe and how we live in the light of full field appraisal of our faith and formation traditions. This process pays particular attention to the guidance of the Spirit and the need for interformation with others. Special attention is given to uncovering the effects of prior and current habits of formation that may block or build upon our openness to spiritual guidance. Considered also is the impact that faith and formation traditions have on us during crucial turning points in our quest for Christian maturity. Course V: Dynamics of Spiritual Direction Focuses in detail on the three modes of spiritual direction: spiritual self-direction; one-on-one or private direction; and spiritual direction-in-common or in a group setting. The art and discipline of spiritual direction must be grounded in listening to the Spirit. Training sessions allow students to experience roles as both directors and directees. These three modes of direction are complemented by an introduction to transcendence therapy. Course VI: Integrating Contemplation and Action in Daily Life Extends the art and discipline of formative spirituality to a renewed appreciation for the wealth of texts available to us in Holy Scripture and the spiritual classics. Special attention is given to formative reading and journaling as well as to related practices that nurture the contemplative life. This culminating course in the program enhances one's sensitivity to life-call questions, growth in prayer, and dedication to ministry in such areas as spiritual direction, teaching, counseling, and mentoring. The culminating project involves the preparation of a guided reading program for those whom the students already serve or plan to serve in the near future. COMPONENTS OF THIS PROGRAM We hope you will consider this two-year post-graduate certification program as an essential component of your commitment to continuing Christian education and adult faith formation. Offered is the premier theoretical and practical program in spiritual and ministerial formation that will qualify you in the new fields of formation anthropology, formation science, and formation theology that together comprise formative spirituality. The science of formation utilizes a precise metalanguage and an empirical-experiential research methodology to disclose and integrate findings leading to the emergence of a truly systematic and holistic theory of personality. Formation science lays the groundwork for a complementary anthropological analysis and synthesis of the dynamics of human existence in service of a better understanding and living one's beliefs as articulated in formation theology. The primary focus of this kind of theological reflection is to gain insight into the ways in which the authoritatively affirmed foundations of a faith tradition can be effectively implemented in the anthropological and theological details of our daily lives. To help you to learn more about these rigorous and interconnected fields of endeavor, we have designed a program suited to your needs and workable with your already busy schedule. You have the option of taking the courses in a regular two-year cycle or in a three-year intensive summer cycle (See insert for dates). These offerings consists of the following four components for certification: · Theoretical Component Take in sequence either in Indianapolis or Pittsburgh the first three theoretical core courses, which will provide the integrative and experiential background for the remainder of the curriculum. · Practical Component Take in sequence either in Indianapolis or Pittsburgh the remaining three practical courses that will ready you for the teaching, directing, mentoring, or counseling work you plan to do in the field of formation and that will enhance your professional training and expertise in this area. · Retreat Component Attend an Epiphany Lay Formation Academy (ELFA), if you have not already done so, prior to graduation. (For further information on ELFA, call us at 1-877-324-6873 to receive an invitational letter.) · Assignment Component Do the course work, required readings, and written home study assignments for each course over the regular two-year or three-year intensive summer cycle. Any one of your papers may be eligible for possible publication in our yearly review, Epiphany International: The Journal of Formation Science, Anthropology, and Theology. *Reading lists for each of these courses will be sent upon receipt of your preregistration form or on request. Having outlined the core curriculum, program requirements, and components of ECP, we want to explain the Epiphany Academy's commitment to offer comprehensive coursework in the study of formative spirituality. Under this canopy term we place the three interrelated fields of formation science, formation anthropology and formation theology. Our goal is to present them in a systematic, systemic, and original way. Details pertaining to each of these three intertwining fields are as follows: Formation Theology 1. Formation theology offers an evolving, coherent integration of generally spiritual and specifically Christian wisdom. Initiated in Europe in the 1940's by Father Adrian van Kaam, C.S.Sp., Ph.D., this theology brings together contemplatively and practically foundational insights into the formative, reformative, and transformative emergence of our human and Christian character, personality, and life call. The primary sources for such inspiring insights are the formational messages found in Holy Scripture and in the writings of the apostolic and patristic tradition; ecclesial doctrine, especially as expressed in catechetical theology; and the basic classical as well as classics-compatible writings of Church-acknowledged saints and masters of spiritual formation. Formation theology roots its ecclesial-experiential research, teaching and publication, insofar as possible, in our common Judeo-Christian heritage: the Ten Commandments; the Beatitudes, the Evangelical Counsels; the Lord's Prayer as taught to us by Jesus Christ; the creed of the apostles as well as the teachings of the early councils of the undivided church. It highlights in these and related sources meanings and implications for distinctively human and Christian character and personality formation, reformation, and transformation. 2. Formation Science and Formation Anthropology In service, first of all, of its contemplative-experiential integration, formation theology has been developing an auxiliary pretheological formation science and a pre- and proto-theological formation anthropology for over sixty years. The term "science" is used in the original classical sense of "scientia." This term comprehends not only the more recent positive sciences; it also fosters any reliable approach that can disclose the spiritual facets of distinctively human transcendence that cannot be measured by the methods of the positive sciences alone. The term "scientia" also takes into account, in the light of its own objective, contemplative-experiential findings, helpful insights from the sciences of measurement and the sciences of meaning that may aid our integrational understanding of human and Christian phasic and spiritual maturation. Formation science, and the truly holistic anthropology of formation that it serves, can also illumine the distinctively human transcendent personhood of those who do not share our own Christian faith and formation tradition. In its pretheological outreach, this approach is both ecumenical and transecumenical. It offers fresh and invaluable insights, rooted in wellsprings of formative wisdom, that may help to offset the devastating consequences of misunderstanding or distorting the essential messages of religious and ideological faith and formation traditions. Pre-theological formation science and its intact, prototheological anthropology offer excellent means to promote conflict resolution and to seek peace without compromise of what we believe. In this way we can begin to overcome the tension between form-traditional accretions and transcultural classical faith foundations. Locations and Dates for ECP PITTSBURGH Summer Intensive
Pittsburgh Three-Year Cycle
Indianapolis THREE YEAR CYCLE
ECP Graduation 2008-2010 (Including summer) A $25.00 processing fee is required to receive the application packet for the Epiphany Certification Program Please send a check to: Epiphany Lay Formation AcademyAugust 27-31, 2008 Become Jesus: The Basics of Christian Character Formation Drumalis, Ireland $650.00 Includes detailed workbook and prayerbook Register by August 1, 2008 Daily schedule available upon request. ---------------------------------------------- (Return to top of page) Meditating with the MastersA Year of Love Wednesdays, 7:00-9:00 P.M. Maximus the Confessor --- The Four Hundred Chapters on Love Bernard of Clairvaux --- On Loving God, Parts 1 to 4 T. S. Eliot --- The Four Quartets Facilitator: Doctor Susan Muto Assisted by members of the Epiphany faculty Fee: $10 per session Required books on site for purchase Approximately $20 each Registration necessary by February 20, 2008 For further information please call us at 412-31-7494 or 1-877-324-6873 ---------------------------------------------- (Return to top of page) Oasis Experiences"Come to the Waters" September 13 Caring for Others’ for Christ’s Sake September 27 Welcoming the Cross in Fidelity to Chist’s Call October 11 Following the Path to Peace October 25 Loving as Jesus Loves November 8 Forming Christian Hearts and Minds November 22 Becoming Responsive to Divine Guidance December 13 Walking in the Truth of Who We Are Free Will Donation ---------------------------------------------- (Return to top of page) SAINT JOHN OF THE CROSS:MASTER OF ASCETICAL-MYSTICAL THEOLOGY Tuesdays & Thursdays - 7:00 - 9:30 PM -- Fee: $60 Oct. 14 - Introduction..................................................................... Oct. 16 - Ascent of Mount Carmel Oct. 21 - Dark Night of the Soul.......................................................... Oct. 23 - The Spiritual Canticle Oct. 28 - The Living Flame of Love..................................................................... Oct. 30 - Conclusion ---------------------------------------------- (Return to top of page) Copyright © Epiphany Association. All Rights Reserved. |
