Scarboro’s lay mission preparation program

By Kate O’Donnell and Mary Olenick
December 2007

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L-R: Sharon Willan (seated), and Lay Mission Office Coordinators Mary Olenick and Kate O’Donnell at work on aspects of Scarboro’s lay mission preparation program.

Beginning in January 2008, five new labourers will be discerning their call to work in God’s field as Scarboro lay missioners. It’s always exciting to bring new life into the mission field. To walk with candidates during their four month live-in formation program brings back happy memories for us, as we remember our time of formation and the feelings of apprehension and excitement.

The four-month schedule for our upcoming program was prepared by Sharon Willan who has worked with Scarboro’s Lay Mission Office for the past six years and has consented to join us again this year to facilitate the spiritual component of the program. Some of the many other components include Cultural Adaptation, Scripture, Social Analysis, Missiology, Trauma in Mission and Social Justice. Due to the fact that many of Scarboro’s mission placements may be in non-Christian settings, it is important for our missioners to understand and appreciate other faith traditions. The program provides a workshop on Interfaith Dialogue as well as visits to Hindu, Muslim and Buddhist houses of worship in Toronto.

Once a week candidates in formation will volunteer through centres in Toronto that minister to the homeless poor and those on the margins of society. This experience of accompanying the poor and marginalized is an important element of preparation for overseas mission.

The four months of formation is a time of continued discernment and a time to nourish, stretch and develop candidates’ unique giftedness. Throughout the program, candidates will live at Scarboro’s central house in Toronto and be part of our community of missioners and staff. This helps to prepare them for the challenges of living and working as a team in overseas mission. They also benefit from sharing life and faith with Scarboro priests and laity who have a wealth of mission experience and are happy to share that experience.

By our baptism we are all called to be missioners. Some of us are called to minister to the world at home while others are called overseas. Where is God calling you?

“The harvest is plentiful but the labourers are few…”
Matthew 9:37

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