ICF: ITS BEGINNINGS
The Institute for Continuing Fomation was conceived by the Conferences of Major Superiors of Religious Congregations, men and women, some time in 1990, but could be earlier. As the name suggests, it was meant for the continuing formation of their members, both men and women.
A preparatory committee was appointed to oversee the implementation of this noble idea. Some of the members were: Br. Maarteen Bouw, FIC, Sr. Elisabeth Mensah SIJ; Sr. Madeleine, CSC; Fr. Giles Zakowicz OFM Conv. and Fr. Sjef Moonen SMA, among others. They met a number of times in 1990 and gradually came to understand what the aim of the Institute should be, the kind and content of courses to be given and what means could or should be used to achieve that aim.
Br. Maarteen Bouw’s name came up as a possible director of the Institute in February 1991. He was not very keen to accept the post because he was in the middle of building their FIC house in Adenta, Accra. Moreover he had not followed any special course or studies to prepare for this kind of work and responsibility. But then several persons, among whom were Fr. Edmund Nomo, SVD and Fr. Moonen SMA, both of blessed memory, persuaded, advised and encouraged him to take this task upon me.
In the course of 1991, therefore, Br. Maarteen Bouw, FIC, became the first Director of the institute. He made contacts with possible members of staff, among whom were Sr. Virginia Tuonibe SMI, Bro. Nee Wayoe CSC, Sr. Nora HCJ, Fr. Giles Zakowicz OFM Conv, Fr. Patrick Ryan SJ, Bro. Vincent Gross CSC, who later on became full-time and parttime staff members. Apart from them other religious were invited just for a few days to offer a course or days of reflection on subjects they had specialised in.
The plan had been to start with a nine-month course in September 1991 for young, temporary professed religious, women and men. However, the building which the Brothers of Holy Cross were putting up and furnishing for their own use at Brafuyaw, but was eventually going to house the insitute was not ready by then. The beginning was therefore postponed till January 1992.
Meanwhile the Board of Directors was meeting regularly to straighten up things before the official inauguration took place on Saturday, 11th January 1992. It took the form of a Prayer Service beautifully prepared by the late Bro. John Kleinpenning, FIC, of blessed memory who had then arrived in Ghana and had taken on the task of executive secretary of the Conference of Major Superiors of Men.
The day after, the first ‘business meeting’ took place during which explanations were given concerning time-table, calendar events, etc. and questions were raised and answers given. Regular staff meetings were held. The director of the course was invited to attend the meetings of the Board of Directors which were also held at regular times. The newly established institute enjoyed full support of the members of the Board and the Staff. To be mentioned also was the great moral and material support of the two communities that ‘surrounded’ the centre, namely the community of the Jesuits and of the Brothers of Holy Cross. Every Sunday the staff were invited to have lunch with either of them. A good, cordial relationship developed and prevailed among staff and participants. At this juncture, I wish, on behalf of the Board and Staff of ICF to say a big “thank you’ to Holy Cross Brothers for all their generosity to the Centre for the past seventeen years and more!
The pioneer group to participate in the programme at ICF numbered 11: 6 Sisters and 5 Brothers. It lasted 6 months: 11th January-30th June 1992. To be noted, there was something about this first group of participants. Although the origin is not known, at least some of the them harboured the idea that the institute had been established for young religious who were not serious enough in their religious life! That, it was a course for ‘bad’ religious! It took some time before they got rid of this idea after which they became more cooperative and appreciative of what the course had to offer them. Personal talks and persuasions from the staff did the trick. The second group which pioneered the nine months programme, numbered 12 out of which 2 were brothers. To be mentioned, diocesan clergy have benefitted from some of our programmes. During the past sixteen years 481 Religious Brothers and Sisters and Diocesan clergy have participated in the programmes.
The first course ended with a Closing Ceremony that had been composed by Bro. John Kleinpenning, FIC, of blessed memory who, soon after, was appointed as the second director of ICF. The Directors that followed him are: Fr. Michael Schramm, SVD, Sr. Donna Webber, SSPS, Bro. Robert Aaron, CFC, and presently, Fr. Vincent Kwame Owusu, SVD.
The main purposes of bringing this Institute into being can be said to be: to create space, time and opportunity for young religious to discern and deepen their commitment to this way of life. It was to provide means to gain a better understanding and appreciation of the religious life in order to live it happily, joyfully, effectively, and perpetually. Initially it was mainly set up for young religious who were in temporary vows in their different congregations and societies. Following courses at ICF could be seen as a phase, a stage in their growth towards real maturity in the living out of their vows and apostolic commitment. Especially after my closer involvement in the life and activities of ICF, I have come to see it as a very important body in the formation, especially in the ongoing formatiom of all religious and non-religious in Ghana and those who join us from outside. It provides a need that before its existence was lacking in the formation of most congregations and which they could not start or undertake individually. It helps us to see and appreciate ourselves as “birds of the same feathers”.
Later on, from 2000 to 2006, also religious in final vows, during mid-life or even at a senior age, could and do take part in courses organised by ICF in order to remain fresh and even still come to a more profound living of their life as religious. For these renewal courses, three programmes each year for three months duration were conducted. Since 2006, ICF started programmes that will address the need for training formators such as candidates directors, postulants directors, novice directors and those who support temporary professed religious. Why a formation programme? There is no place in Ghana that trains formators and so help them be prepared for the task of working with candidates, postulants, novices and temporary professed religious. Congregations are currently having to send their potential formators to other countries. This is done at considerable cost to the Congregations, some of which do not have the money. So, often they do not send anybody and therefore do not have trained formators. As a consequence the early formation of young religious is often not what it should be and consequently their future roles in socio-pastoral work will be limited. An advantage of our formation programme is that it is done in context.
PAST DIRECTORS OF ICF GHANA