Module One Sessions and Assignments
DRAFT. DRAFT. DRAFT.
Saint Benedict Cycle
Reflecting on, and taking responsibility for, your spiritual life
October 10, 17, 24, 31 and November 7, 2025. Sessions are all two hours.
Fridays Sessions begin at 9:00 am Pacific (USA). The room opens at 8:50 am
There will be some revisions to this before we begin in October and as we move through the module.
The Collect we’ll use as we begin sessions - HERE
Orienting yourself to the program
If you register early enough do some reading that will orient you to the culture and values of the program we suggest:
1. Chapter One: The Purposes of the Parish Church in An Energy Not Its Own: Three cycles of parish life and the purposes of the parish church AMAZON The purposes are explored in more depth within sessions during the Saint Scholastica Cycle.
2. Some reading in Seeking God: The Way of St. Benedict, Esther de Waal AMAZON Do what you can.
Orienting yourself to this cycle
for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure
The passage is from Paul’s letter to the Philippians (2:13). God is at work in you. In the parish and in you as an individual. And just prior to that Paul wrote, “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (2:12) We are called to play our part. In this module we’ll provide you with ways to reflect on and take responsibility for your spiritual life and to assist the parish in doing the same.
A few assumptions
- Parishes are likely to be healthier and more faithful if, people are given ways to reflect on and take responsibility for their own spiritual life. This is also true for the parish as a corporate body.
- People’s sense of proficiency and commitment is enhanced by having several ascetical models they can use in that reflection. This fits with the organization development understanding of the need for a common language in the culture of any organization.
- The parish as a whole is grounded and strengthened when there is at its center an apostolic core.
Objectives
Overall: This module is designed to help us reflect on and accept responsibility for our individual and parish spiritual lives.
1. To learn three ascetical models that can be used to reflect on an individual’s spiritual life and as well as the health and faithfulness of a parish church.
2. To increase the range of ways we have for understanding our spiritual life.
3. To increase our understanding of the spiritual life dynamics in a parish church.
4. To continue to engage the early stages of group formation (inclusion, acceptance, bonding, dependence) and how that is an element in accepting responsibility for our whole life. Note: we will make use of at least four group development type models in STP.
Interviews - You need to line this up now. You need it done by Session 3. You can do it anytime between when you registered for STP and Session 3.
Interview two or three people from your parish using “Interview Questions - a worksheet” Also available in the Five Core Models section Shaping the Parish Resources (Note: The questions are also in Nothing so Contagious as Holiness in Chapters 3 and 5. You are just using the questions on the first two pages, Questions 1 through 8. You may do this one-on-one or as a group. If you do it as a group we suggest that you participate and share your responses to the questions
Before Session 1
1. Read about the Renewal – Apostolate Cycle in Fill All Things Chapter 1 and in An Energy Not Its Own Chapter 4.
2. Complete three assessment forms based on the model. Apply to your parish. Bring them to the session
Renewal-Apostolate Cycle - an overall parish assessment
Renewal-Apostolate Analysis #2
Distorting tendencies -also apply this to yourself, your own inclinations.
There is some overlap in the forms. You only need to respond on one form when there is an overlap.
(You can also find them in the Assessments section Shaping the Parish Resources www.orderoftheascension.org )
Optional: There is a video presentation of The Renewal - Apostolate Cycle
Session 1 Renewal-Apostolate Cycle
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Time (Pacific) |
Activity |
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9:00 – 9:10
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STP Prayer Overview of the session Other announcements |
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9:10 – 10:10 |
In groups – Briefly Introduce yourselves (name one thing you want the group to know about you). Then share and discuss your work on the Renewal-Apostolate Cycle assessments. Focus one something that was a learning for you or is challenging for you to consider. |
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10:00 – 10:10 |
Break - the group takes a break |
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10:10 – 10:35 |
Return to your group - Agreeing to standards and norms for the group. 1) Here are the core STP standards. These are norms that we want everyone to agree to work with. You want assent to the norms by everyone in the group. -We will stay with the process presented in the educational design. -We will speak up if we think we are drifting away from the assigned work. -We will arrive at the session having completed the readings and assignments. -We will make use of a group facilitator who appears to have the gift of facilitating a learning group. - We will have someone serve as time keeper -We will treat one another with respect, including gently confronting others if they are breaking the norms 2) Add other norms that may just apply to your group |
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10:35 – 11:00 |
Whole group, Q&A, comments |
Before Session 2
1. Read Chapter 2 “the Christian Life Model” in Fill All Things
2. Read The Christian Life Model - individual spirituality - 4 page booklet. Also found in the Shaping the Parish resources www.orderoftheascension.org In “Five Core Frameworks” section. Focus on the 4th page “An Integrated, Responsive and Stable Spiritual Life” as it relates to completing the assessment “Christian Life Model - Your spiritual life” (see below)
3. Complete two assessments using the Christian Life Model. Both found in the Shaping the Parish Resources www.orderoftheascension.org in “Assessments” section. Bring them to Session 2.
• Christian Life Model - Your spiritual life
• Christian Life Model assessment - parish
4. Download, read, and bring with you to the session –
Small Group Work – Inclusion a diagnostic process and an assessment. Please read and complete the assessment on p.2
Instructions for Small Group Work - Christian Life
5. Optional: View this short video on the model - The Christian Life Model
Session 2 Christian Life Model
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Time (Pacific) |
Activity |
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9:00 – 9:10
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STP Prayer Overview of the session Other announcements |
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9:10 – 10:00 |
Small group work – use the Instructions for Small Group Work Christian Life Model |
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10:00 – 10:10 |
Break - return to whole group, the group takes a break |
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10:10 – 10:35 |
1. Presentation – Group development and the dynamics of inclusion. We’ll be doing more with this group development model later in the module. (7 - 10 min) 2. Ask participants to complete the form on inclusion, second page Small Group Work — rate the two items and make comments as requested. (5 min) 3. Use raised fingers to have group share response on the ratings, (5 min) |
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10:35 – 11:00 |
Whole group, Q&A, comments |
Before Session 3
Assignments
1. Interview two or three people from your parish using “Interview Questions - a worksheet” Also available in the Five Core Models section Shaping the Parish Resources (Note: The questions are also in Nothing so Contagious as Holiness in Chapters 3 and 5. You are just using the questions on the first two pages, Questions 1 through 8. You may do this one-on-one or as a group. If you do it as a group we suggest that you participate and share your responses to the questions
Please bring your interview notes to the session
2. Read “The Task of the Church and the Role of Its Members” Focus your attention on the process of oscillation.
3. Print out a copy of Oscllation Theory and Interviews for use in the session.
Session 3 Oscillation theory – the Interviews
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Time (Pacific) |
Activity |
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9:00 – 9:10
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STP Prayer Overview of session Other |
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9:10 – 9:25 |
Discussion on the process of oscillation with an emphasis on extra dependency and the concrete ways in which people may exercise that. |
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9:25 – 9:40 |
Individual work on worksheet and short break.
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9:40 - 10:30 |
Small groups – follow Instructions on worksheet |
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10:30 – 11:00 |
Q& A with trainers |
Before Session 4
1. Read two chapters about the Shape of the Parish model: Chapter 4 “Shape of the Parish” in Fill All Things and Chapter 3 “Power from the Center Pervades the Whole” in A Wonderful and Sacred Mystery.
2. Complete an exercise to get a sense of the shape of your parish. Use “Shape of the Parish - an exercise” Also found in the Assessments section of Shaping the Parish Resources www.orderoftheascension.org Also found as the first part of Chapter 4 in Fill All Things. Draw what you come up with on a sheet of paper. Show the numbers in each circle. Please use a pen or marker thick enough so the image can be seen by others on Zoom.
3. Optional: View this short video on the model - Shape of the Parish
Session 4 Shape of the Parish
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Time (Pacific) |
Activity |
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9:00 – 9:10
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STP Prayer Overview of the session Other announcements |
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9:10 – 10:25 |
Group – The facilitator and time keeper will want to give careful attention to insure that each person has time. 1) Each hold up to the screen your diagram of the shape of your parish. Allow a minute for others to absorb it. 2) What was the most significant thing you are taking away from your reading and work on the model? 3) Briefly, what has your journey been in relation to the stages of faith seen in the model? Take a break during group time. |
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10:25 – 11:00 |
Whole group, Q&A, comments |
Before Session 5
1. Read three handouts on group development.
I-C-O — inclusion, control, openness (was affection in earlier forms)
I-C-A — Basic Concerns of Any Group
Also find them in the Group Development section of Shaping the Parish Resources www.orderoftheascension.org
2. Read “Thoughts on Shape of the Parish and the I-C-O model”
3. Download a copy of “Small group work - Shape of the Parish and I-C-O” for use during the session
Session 5 Shape of the Parish and Group Development (I-C-O model)
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Time (Pacific) |
Activity |
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9:00 – 9:10
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STP Prayer Overview of the session Other announcements
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9:10 – 10:25 |
Groups – engage the process offered in “Small group work - Shape of the Parish and I-C-O”. Take a break during the group time.
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10:25 – 11:00 |
Whole group, Q&A, comments; close module |