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
ABFC Photo Release Form
January 26, 2012 by ABFCWeb
Click to download and print the latest Photo Release Form.
REMINDER…DID YOU SEND IN SURVEY RESPONSES?
January 2, 2012 by ABFCWeb
ABFC Members:
There are survey’s that need to be submitted. Please check and see if you sent yours in.
Blessings to all of you in this Christmas season and in 2012.
Sister Kimberly Rose Prohaska
ABFC Web Coordinator
Reminders and Deadlines for Surveys
December 5, 2011 by ABFCWeb
REMINDER TO ABFC MEMBERS
If you have not already done so, please complete the following surveys which can be found in
“More Information” on the right side of the ABFC home page.
Thank you from the Core Team
DUE DECEMBER 15, 2011
Vision Ad Registration Update 2012-2013
December 1, 2011 by ABFCWeb
Updated Core Team & ABFC Guidelines
November 11, 2011 by admin
More updated information regarding Core Team and ABFC procedures/guidelines.
Core Team – updated description of general Core Team information
Core Team Responsibilities – updated information on Core Team job descriptions
ABFC Guidelines – updated procedures for ABFC
ABFC Business Meeting Minutes – read the minutes from our May meeting