HISTORY of ABFC
The American Benedictine Formation Conference (ABFC) has its roots in the Federation of Saint Scholastica who formed a Federation Formation Conference in 1982. At the 1989 Federation meeting the decision was made to expand the conference to include all American Benedictine women. This proposal was approved by the 1989 Conference of American Benedictine Prioresses, giving birth to the American Benedictine Formation Conference.
In April 2009 ABFC went on line: www.abfconline.org In addition to a public side, this website has a members only side which is password accessible and includes the membership directory, guidelines for Novice and Director Institute (NADI) and Benedictine Spirituality Workshop and Retreat (BSWR) and a resources page. All communications with the members takes place electronically.
Archival materials for ABFC are held at Mount St. Scholastica Monastery; 801 South 8th Street; Atchison, KS 66002-2724; 913-360-6200. Contact: Director of Archives.
RESPONSIBILITIES of ABFC
The American Benedictine Formation Conference is composed of American Benedictine formation and vocation personnel belonging to communities that have submitted a membership application. The conference:
-Holds the biennial ABFC Symposium to provide a forum for
Peer support
Sharing ideas
Education on significant topics
Collaboration on common issues
Electing members of a Core Team which handles the business of the conference
-Sponsors the annual Novice and Director Institute (NADI), a two-week study/exchange experience for novices and their directors. (The redesign of NADI which is currently in process will become effective in 2013.)
-Sponsors the annual Benedictine Spirituality Workshop and Retreat (BSWR), a two-week plus six-day silent directed retreat for Benedictine women anticipating perpetual monastic profession in the next five to sixteen (5-16) months.
-Facilitates the collaborative ad for VISION for Benedictine Sisters.
-Establishes committees in response to needs surfaced by the membership.
-Assists member communities by providing funds for
Partial scholarships for participants in NADI and BSWR events
Core Team personnel responsibilities
Other ABFC sponsored programs
Supplemental assistance for ABFC membership and VISION fees
-Provides member communities a directory of ABFC formation and vocation personnel.
-Preserves pertinent items in the archives at Mount St. Scholastica Monastery, Atchison.
-Maintains the ABFC website abfconline.org
RESOURCES NEEDED FOR ABFC: SOS!!
May 3, 2013 by ABFCWeb
The ABFC Core team needs assistance!
We are asking that your send items for RESOURCES for FORMATION and VOCATION page for ABFC!
We are grateful for the few selections we have received at the symposium.
We hope to provide a page that will help with FORMATION MINISTRY and VOCATION MINISTRY! What might you contribute?
Please send your responses to Sister Gabrielle Marie at the following address:
or Mail contributions to:
Thank you!
ABFC Core Team
ABFC Photo Release Form
April 23, 2013 by Tech
The ABFC Photo Release Form has been updated. Please view the document as soon as possible. The document must be printed, signed, and delivered with any future photos to be used on the ABFC web site.
Click here for the ABFC Photo Release Form.
SOS to ABFC Members!
April 1, 2013 by Tech
At the upcoming ABFC Symposium, we will elect two Core Team members and an alternate.
Thanks to the four communities who recommended sister for leadership of ABFC. And thanks to the sisters who have considered the invitation to be a nominee.
We are hoping for a ballot of around six. As of March 31, 2013 we do not have that number. So we need ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS immediately!!!!!
Click here for the recommendation form and directions. Thanks.
FORMATION RESOURCES: Recommended Resources for Initial Formation
Please note the link to the form for listing formation resources. These resources will eventually be posted on the ABFC website. Thank you.
Recommendation for leadership!
April 1, 2013 by Tech
Please click here to view the form of Recommendation of Leadership.
Membership Directory Updated
April 1, 2013 by Tech
The Membership Directory has been updated: April 1, 2013
Please see the updates by clicking here.
Reminder: this document is password protected. If you need the password please contact Sr. Kimberly Prohaska.