Ministry Formation Program

The Program

Participants will engage SSND's history and heritage, mission and educational vision and the unfolding charism as laid out in the General Chapter directional statement and province commitments flowing from that. They will explore ways to integrate these into their ministry in SSND sponsored ministries and province departments.

The MFP offers opportunity to meet and network with others who work in similar SSND ministry and will have opportunities to nurture their own spiritual lives.

The program serves:

  • Board chairs, administrators, and other selected leaders of SSND sponsored ministries;
  • Province department directors and other selected leaders sharing the SSND charism in particular ways.

Components of the Program

  • Ministry Formation Sessions

    • Together with others in key leadership positions, participants learn more about SSND charism and culture, Catholic social teaching, justice and peace, and spirituality and prayer.

  • One-on-One Mentoring

    • Leaders are able to meet one-on-one with a member of the Ministry Services team to explore SSND values, charism, mission and educational vision and how they apply in their places of ministry

  • "Claiming the Fire Within" Retreat

    • This time is dedicated to deepening SSND themes, communal prayer, quiet reflection, and small-group sharing.

Upcoming Sessions and Retreats

2025 - 2027

  • November 14-15, 2025
  • March 6-7, 2026
  • November TBD, 2026
    • Ministry Formation Session 1, In-Person, Dates to be Confirmed
  • March TBD, 2027
    • Ministry Formation Session 2, In-Person, Dates to be Confirmed

Click to open PDF online Ministry Formation Sessions and Retreats (please use legal paper Click Here to Print)

Retreats

  • June 16-18, 2026
    • "Proclaiming the Fire Within" at Cranaleith Spiritual Center, Philadelphia, PA

For More Information Contact

Yvonne DeBruin, Director, Mission Formation

Mission Formation News

First "Proclaiming the Fire Within" Retreat Was a Success

At the end of June 2022, Ministry Services offered a new retreat, "Proclaiming The Fire Within," at the Cranaleith Spiritual Center in Philadelphia. This retreat builds on the foundational retreat "Claiming The Fire Within," which is offered every other year.

Change and Tranformation for the Sake of Unity and Nurturing Contemplative Hearts

Ministry Service facilitated Ministry Formation Session IV on March 4th and 5th, focused on Change…Transformation…Unity, presented by Sr. Kate Duval, SSND of the CP Province and SSND Prayer and Spirituality, presented by Sr. Eileen Eppig, SSND of the AM Province

Beginning the SSND Journey Together

Seventeen leaders from seven sponsored ministries and province departments gathered virtually from all parts of the Atlantic-Midwest Province for the New Employee Orientation (NEO), offered on Tuesday morning, November 9th and Wednesday afternoon, November 10th.

The Office of Mission Formation is designed to
educate, form, and support lay leaders
partnering in mission with the School Sisters
of Notre Dame of the Atlantic-Midwest Province.