ABOUT

Intercongregational * Intercultural * Intergenerational

Overview

Together: A Collaborative for Theological Education, Formation, and Community, is cosponsored by Catholic Theological Union (CTU) and the Religious Formation Conference (RFC).

Together is a cohort-based, residential theology program for religious sisters and brothers in temporary vows and for newly finally professed religious who are willing to commit to full participation in all three program components: theological education, formation, and community.

Together participants will enroll in a graduate theology program at CTU, share community in a designated space in the residence hall, and participate in ongoing formation together as an inter-congregational, intercultural, and intergenerational cohort. It consists of at least one full year of study that would lead to a certificate in an area of theology/spirituality, or two to three years of study that would allow participants to earn a master's degree in theology, pastoral studies or divinity.

Objectives

Participants will acquire fundamental knowledge in theology, Scripture, and ministry that will form the basis of their ministerial lives and a foundation for further learning.
Participants will form relationships with other new religious and thus build a supportive structure as they continue to live religious life.

Outcomes

Participants will develop a firm foundation in theology, Scripture, and ministry and strengthen their ability to make applications in their personal, communal, and ministerial lives.
Participants will acquire increased knowledge and literacy in how Scripture informs their spirituality and ministries.
Participants' understanding of their congregation's charism and mission will grow to incorporate those of other participants as well as the broader charism of religious life.

Letter from RFC and CTU

We invite you to read a letter from the Religious Formation Conference (RFC) and Catholic Theological Union (CTU) inviting women and men religious to participate in the Together community.

Program Coordinator

Sister Patricia Crowley, OSB is a Benedictine Sister of Chicago (a native and a resident of Chicago) and currently serves as a spiritual director, as a team member with the Ignatian Spirituality Program (ISP), and as Board president of Bethany House of Hospitality (for young women seeking asylum in the U.S.). She was the Executive Director for Deborah’s Place and the Howard Area Community Center while working in the field of homelessness for many years in Chicago.

As a former prioress of the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago, she was also the President of the Conference of Benedictine Prioresses and a Board member of the LCWR (Leadership Conference of Women Religious). She earned her Master’s in Catechetical Theology at Manhattan College, New York and her certification in spiritual guidance from the Siena Center in Racine, Wisconsin. During the past year she has begun to lead short online series to help people learn the ancient practice of Lectio Divina.

Application

To learn more about the application process, click here.

Connect with us

Questions about the program? Want to connect with someone about Together? Email Sister Patricia at pcrowley@relforcon.org or call us at 773.675.8362 and we'll be sure to be in touch!

We'll send you more information

Fill out and submit the online inquiry form and we'll automatically send you more information.

Attend an Upcoming Virtual Information Session

We've got a handful of online information sessions coming up. Join us! Register here.