NADI

DESCRIPTION

 The Novice and Director Institute (NADI) began in 1988 with the Federation of St. Gertrude.  Originally a four-week institute, it was shortened to a three-week event.  When the American Benedictine Formation Conference was formed in 1991, NADI came under the direction of ABFC and became a two week institute.  Participation, staff and host sites are open to all federations/congregations of American Benedictines.

 NADI serves Benedictine novices and their directors.  It is strongly recommended that directors accompany their novices; however, if this is not possible, another member of the formation team is encouraged to attend.  Sharing between a novice and her director is very helpful in integrating the NADI experience. 

 

 

 Dates:

May 6-20, 2010 at St. Gertrude Monastery, Cottonwood, Idaho

   Director:  Sr. Agnes Reichlin

 

May 16-31, 2011 at  Immaculate Conception Monastery, Ferdinand, IN

   Director:  Sr. Rose Wildeman

 

2012 Date TBA at St. Scholastica Monastery, Atchison, KS

   Director:  Sr. Cecelia Olson

 

  Clickhere to download the NADI registration form. (Not available)

 

 PROGRAM

 The program is focused on Benedictine themes and explores essential elements of monastic life as found in the Rule of St. Benedict.  Sometimes presenters will address both novice and directors; at other times they will speak separately to novices or directors.  Commitment to the group for the duration of the event is important.

 In addition to the specific elements suggested below, the NADI schedule includes a balance of prayer-common and individual, presentations and processing experiences, silence and leisure.  A prayer space in the conference area can facilitate the reflective environment.

 These specific elements are part of the NADI schedule:

 -A 10 minute presentation about each community represented at the institute, given by the novice(s) or by a director if she is attending without a novice.

-Some participation in the lives, meals, liturgies, other events of the hosting community.

-Manual labor such as cleaning the common spaces designated for NADI, dishes or other meal service tasks.

-Designated free time for participants to do things independently or in small groups.

-Possibilities for a novice and her director to process the experience.

-Scheduled occasions for the directors to “Share the Wealth of Experience” among themselves. (e.g. ideas, programs, experiential wisdom, questions, materials, etc.)

-A two-day retreat.

-An expression of appreciation to the hosting community by the novice participants toward the end of the institute..

-A banquet at the close of the institute.

 (Note: because a soil ritual is a traditional part of the Benedictine Spirituality and Retreat it is not included in NADI.)

  GOALS of the PROGRAM

 For novices, NADI is planned and structured to

 -Provide experiences of the unity and diversity of Benedictine communities while living in the midst of the hosting community.

-Explore some essential elements of the monastic life as found in the Rule of Benedict.

-Listen with the “ear of the heart” to the Benedictine call to be transformed in Christ.

-Receive peer support and feedback regarding their experience of monastic formation.

 For novice directors, NADI is planned and structured to

 -Receive peer support as well as input regarding specific matters, concerns or questions.

-Share wisdom, programs and resources among directors.

-Support the novice in her experience of the NADI program.

 

 LITURGY

 While NADI participants usually celebrate Liturgy of the Hours and Eucharist with the hosting community, they may celebrate an hour of the Liturgy in their own NADI group.  They may serve in ministerial roles as feasible in each setting. 

 STAFF

 The director and assistant director are named by the ABFC Core Team.  The director hosts NADI at her monastery; the assistant director is the following year’s director. 

 At its fall meeting, the ABFC Core Team determines the following year’s stipends for director, assistant director and any additional non-staff presenters.  NADI director and assistant director do not pay NADI fees.  

 Stipends for 2010 NADI are as follows:  the director, a $1500 stipend; the assistant director, a $250 stipend, program fees and travel; non-staff presenters, $100 per hour stipend, travel and a small personal gift. (Core Team Meeting, September 21, 2009)

 FINANCES

 The ABFC Core Team annually, at the fall meeting, sets fees for the coming year’s NADI participants, stipends for the director and assistant director and for other presenters.

 -Participant fees cover room and board for participants and speakers; speakers’ travel and stipend; stipend for director; stipend, program fee and travel for assistant director; stipends and travel for non-staff presenters; supplies; small personal gifts for the assistant director and presenters; other incidental costs.

-Fees for transportation to and from airports, buses are not included in participant fees.

 -ABFC, through the treasurer, provides the director with funds sufficient to cover initial programming costs.

-Partial scholarships may be provided for participants.  Requests for financial assistance are submitted in writing to the ABFC treasurer.

-ABFC subsidizes NADI when income does not meet expenses.

 

 PROCEDURES

 The director and assistant director begin planning the fall prior to NADI.  By means of phone calls, emails or an in-person meeting financed by ABFC they outline the schedule and arrange for speakers.

 The fact sheet for NADI, which includes the ABFC logo, is prepared by the director and sent to the vice-chair of the core team who reviews it and forwards it to the website contact for inclusion in the January posting. 

 The fact sheet

-Describes the NADI program and its theme and lists dates, deadlines and fees.

-Includes a registration form.

-Requests travel information (flight, bus, car) as well as participant’s special needs.

-Lists options for transportation to and from the airport or bus as well as fees for this service.

 

 The director confirms in writing or via email each participating community’s registration providing helpful information

           -Items to bring:  clothing, Bible, RB, etc.

           -Map for participants who drive.

-Announcement of the 10-minute presentation by each community.

-Tentative schedule for NADI

 

The director and assistant director prepare a folder for each participant including

 -Name tag with a calendar and schedule

-Participant list with name, address, birthday, phone and email.

-Evaluation form which also asks for suggested topics for future institutes.

 

 At the conclusion of NADI each participant is thanked for her presence and contribution to NADI.  A letter goes to the prioress of participating communities giving basic information about the institute and thanking them for participation.

 Staff members prepare and send, within a month after the close of NADI, a written report to the chair of the ABFC Core Team including

 -Names of director and assistant director; their comments on the overall process; their evaluation of the experience along with recommendations; their perception of the hospitality and involvement of the hosting community.

-Participant list with their age and nationality, their monastery and federation/congregation.

-List of presenters and their topics.

-Summary of participants’ evaluations.

 -List of suggested topics for future institutes.

-Financial report.

 

 The items listed above along with the fact sheet advertising NADI are also filed in the director’s notebook which is passed on from one director to the next.

 OTHER

 A group outing for novices and directors, separately or together, may be included.  It may include a visit to a neighboring Benedictine community of women or men.

  

Prepared by ABFC Core Team

   ? 1998

   September 2009