Application Process: Contemplative Formation

Contemplative Formation 2022 Application Process: Instructions and Forms

Step 1:  Application Form:
Please fill out the online form.  A $50 non-refundable fee must be paid to accompany the application.  You can pay the application fee at the link, below, or send a check, made out to the Center at Mariandale, to Karen Bernard at the Center at Mariandale, 299 N. Highland Avenue, Ossining, NY 10562. Upon acceptance into the program, the fee will be applied to the program’s tuition cost.

Contemplative Formation 2022 Application Form

Contemplative Formation 2022 Application Fee Payment

Deadline for application and fee: November 30, 2021

Step 2:  Reflections Questions

Answer the five reflection essay questions (below) on separate paper.

These questions invite you to discern how God might be calling you to a more intimate relationship through this program of spiritual deepening by considering the wide scope of your life — those events and experiences that have most influenced your inner journey. Your answers should be in depth, but collectively not longer than 2 double spaced, 12 point, typed pages.  Your responses may be emailed to Janet Corso (jecorso@aol.com) as an attachment, or mailed to Karen Bernard, Program Coordinator, at the Center at Mariandale, 299 N. Highland Avenue, Ossining, NY 10562.

Deadline for Reflection Questions:  November 30, 2021

1.  What attracts you to this program and why do you believe that you are being invited to participate at this particular time in your life?

2. Describe your current spiritual practices.

3. What has been your experience of being drawn to the contemplative practices of listening, silence, and open availability to the Divine Presence?

4. What are your experiences and/or involvement in justice, volunteer or community work?

5. Highlight how some significant experiences and events in your life have influenced your spiritual journey.

Step 3:  References:  Please print out and give the reference form to two (2) people who are in a position to assess your suitability for the program. Have them complete the form, sign it and then mail it directly to Janet Corso at jecorso@aol.com

Deadline for both references: November 30, 2021.

Step 4.  Zoom Interview: You will be contacted about scheduling a Zoom interview with two team members once all of your material is submitted. On the application form you will have a choice of an appointment during the day or on an evening. We hope that the time with us will help you in your discernment. Interviews will be informal, and will last around 15- 20 minutes or so.

Step 5. Zoom/In-Person Orientation: Upon acceptance into the program, you will attend an orientation as part of the beginning of the program.  On the application, you will indicate whether you will be attending the 3-hour session on Saturday, February 5 in person or by Zoom (10 am to 1 pm at Mariandale; lunch included).  We encourage you to attend in person, if possible.

Finally, we believe that by discerning this program that you recognize that God has placed a desire for a deepened contemplative life in your heart.

Behold the dreamer cometh; let us see what becomes of his/her dreams. – Genesis 37

If you have any questions, contact Karen Bernard, Program Coordinator, at kbernard@mariandale.org,  or Janet Corso, Program Presenter, at  jecorso@aol.com.

Mariandale’s mailing address is The Center at Mariandale, 299 N. Highland Avenue, Ossining, NY 10562.

Important Dates for the Contemplative Formation Program

Orientation 2022

Saturday, February 5, 2022,  (in person or by Zoom) from 10am to 2pm. On-site will be held at at Mariandale, 299 N. Highland Avenue, in Ossining, NY.

Weekend Dates 2022

Feb. 18 to 20
April 1 to 3
Sept. 23 to 25
Oct. 28 to 30
Dec. 2 to 4

(6) 2022 Small Groups/Circles (2 hrs. each):

March                                                   July or August
May                                                       September
June                                                      November