Collaborative Formation

Women and men religious communities from Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana recently concluded their latest session of the Inter-Community Pre-Novitiate Program (ICPN). According to Sr. Mary Lee Grady, SDS, pictured middle row, third from left, the ICPN program offers presentations one weekend a month from September through April. Topics include transitioning into religious life, discernment, and community living skills. The program gives candidates from different religious communities opportunity to share questions and concerns with other women and men in the same stage of religious formation.  Salvatorian Sister Sheila Novak, initiated the ICPN more than 25 years ago, after training in Rome and while ministering in spiritual formation. Back then, it was a bold step, but Sr. Sheila says both new members and formation directors have found the collaborative encounters beneficial.