Study Group Discernments

Study Group Profession Request Procedure

As an individual is approaching the time for First Promise or Definitive Promise, we ask that you have them write a letter addressing the questions included below. These questions have been provided by one of our canonical communities who uses them as part of their discernment process and the hope is that they will aid both the individual and the council.

It is best if the reflections on these questions are written and submitted to the LOCAL council prior to an interview. We do ask that you, as the Local Council, interview each candidate.

Then, a summary report of the interview as well as the letter should be sent to the Provincial Council. The report should include the following for each candidate:

• Summary of the interview
• If any concerns were raised with the candidate, what were the concerns? Please tell why the council now feels that the concerns have been addressed.
• How has the candidate been living community life?
• Is the candidate open to change? Teachable?
• Include the attendance record of the candidate for the full current period of formation.

If at all possible, they should be in electronic format (Word files or text in emails) which will enable us to easily post the report and letters for review by the full Provincial Council. We can handle hardcopies if necessary but electronic files will make things much easier. The letter and council report should be sent to

korves@astro.as.utexas.edu
or
OCDS Provincial Council
c/o Elizabeth M Korves OCDS
1015 E Yager Ln# 57
Austin TX 78753

We need approximately six weeks to do this. We know that sounds like a long time but we seem to always have several things on our agenda and so it may take a few weeks for requests to reach the top of the list of things to look at. We'll make them a priority but ask your patience as more pressing matters sometimes have our attention.

Once we've voted on the candidates, we will get back to you. If all are approved, we'll simply drop you a quick email. If we don't approve someone or have some concerns where we think someone's formation period should be extended first, then we'll actually call either the president or the formation director to discuss in person what those concerns are.

First Promise

After reflecting and pondering your spiritual journey of the past two years, as well as prayerful reflection on the Constitutions, consider carefully what you are promising to do and write for us a description of:

· how has your experience of God changed?
· what has changed or developed in your prayer life?
· briefly describe your prayer
· how has Carmel been involved in these changes?
· why do you feel that God is calling you to this decision?
· what do you bring to community and what have you received from community?

The length of the letter will vary from person to person depending on how much you are able or willing to share with the council. We pray that writing it out will be helpful in discernment both for you and for the council.

Definitive Promise

After reflecting and pondering your spiritual journey of the past two years, as well as prayerful reflection on the Constitutions, consider carefully what you are promising to do and write for us a description of:

· how has your experience of God changed?
· what has changed or developed in your prayer life?
· briefly describe your prayer
· how has Carmel been involved in these changes?
· why do you feel that God is calling you to this decision?
· what do you bring to community and what have you received from community?
· how has the experience of living the Promise these past three years confirmed continuing this commitment for the rest of your life?

The length of the letter will vary from person to person depending on how much you are able or willing to share with the council. We pray that writing it out will be helpful in discernment both for you and for the council.