Crucifx at Brent Chapel
SS. Cyril and Methodius Seminary receives seminarians primarily from Poland but also accepts other international seminarians from Europe, Latin America and Asia. No one seminarian experiences the acculturation process in the same way or at the same rate. There are a number of factors that influence the acculturation process. Among those factors are: the individual’s openness to change or diversity, ability to learn a new language and culture and has the person freely migrated or felt obliged to do so?
The formation program recognizes the need to address the stress or culture shock of acculturation process. The formation program accomplishes this in three ways. The first way is cultural learning. This refers to social interaction. The student learns etiquette, how to resolve conflict, and nonverbal communication (eye contact, bodily contact, and gestures). This level of stress varies among students. The next way is social support. The seminary identifies clergy and lay people from a student’s culture who can provide friendship. The final way is providing culture-specific knowledge and skills. (The latter includes practical items, such as: social security card, bank account, driver’s license, etc.)
An outline of the goals of the acculturation process are found below. For more information on the supporting objectives behind them, please feel free to contact us.
Year One
General Goal: Upon completion of a beginning level of the ESL program the international student will make a successful transition and integrate into the seminary community.
Upon completion of a beginning level of the ESL program and first year of formation program the international student will accomplish the following.
Goal One: The seminarian will demonstrate the ability to function effectively in U.S. culture.
Goal Two: The seminarian will maintain a healthy life style.
Goal Three: The seminarian exhibits habits of self-discipline.
Goal Four: The seminarian will develop appropriate new relationships.
Goal Five: The Seminarian will demonstrate a sense of responsibility and accountability.
Year Two
General Goal: Upon completion of the ESL/Pre-Theology programs, the international student will seek to integrate the new culture while recognizing that he will forever be bicultural.
Upon completion of the ESL/Pre-Theology program(s), the international student
Goal One: The seminarian will take responsibility for his formation.
Goal Two: The seminarian will demonstrate capacity for growth in affective maturity and chaste celibate living.
Goal Three: The seminarian will practice the moral virtue of charity and an aptitude for service.
SPIRITUAL FORMATION
Year One
General Goal: Upon completion of the first year of the ESL/Pre-Theology program(s), the international student will have established a relationship with the Spiritual Director and have established a supportive prayer life.
Upon completion of the first year of the Seminary formation program, the international student will accomplish the following.
Goal One: The seminarian will establish an appropriate relationship with the Dean of Spiritual Formation.
Goal Two: The seminarian will identify his motivation for priesthood in the U.S. (discern a vocation that is culturally motivated and/or faith based response).
Goal Three: The seminarian will be open to personal spiritual direction.
Goal Four: The seminarian will actively participate in the praying the Liturgy of the Hours in English and in the prayers and songs of the Mass in English. (as observed by the mentors)
Year Two
General Goal: Upon completion of the (second year) ESL/Pre-Theology programs the international student will have a personal spiritual life and effectively participate in Worship in English.
Upon completion of the (second year) ESL/Pre-Theology programs the international student will accomplish the following.
Goal One: The seminarian will effectively read the Scriptures in English at Mass and at the Liturgy of the Hours.
Goal Two: The seminarian will engage in personal prayer for at least thirty minutes a day.
Goal Three: The seminarian will know how to use the Ordo in preparation for praying the Liturgy of the hours and daily Mass.
Goal Four: The seminarian will begin to integrate his spiritual life with the other three pillars of formation.
ACADEMIC FORMATION
Year One
General Goal: Upon completion of the beginning level of the ESL/Pre-Theology programs, the international student will have sufficient English language competence to be able to communicate satisfactorily outside the Seminary.
Goal One: Speaking: Upon completion of a beginning level of the ESL program the international student will speak on familiar topics, converse intelligibly and be understood by a native speaker of English.
Goal Two: Listening Upon completion of a beginning level of the ESL program the international student will understand daily conversation in English, basic presentations and short lectures.
Goal Three: Reading. Upon completion of a beginning level of the ESL program the international student will read for meaning at a sixth grade level (newspaper/magazine)
Goal Four: Writing. Upon completion of a beginning level of the ESL program the international student will formulate sentences into an appropriately structured paragraph.
Year Two
General Goal: Upon completion of the ESL/Pre-Theology programs, the international student will successfully pass the TOEFL with a score of 71 for admission into the M.Div Program.
Goal One: Speaking. Upon completion of the ESL/Pre-Theology programs, the international student will engage in class discussion of academic topics, be able to give oral presentations on academic topics, and read aloud intelligibly.
Goal Two: Listening. Upon completion of the ESL/Pre-Theology programs, the international student will successfully pass a comprehension test from an academic lecture.
Goal Three: Reading. Upon completion of the ESL/Pre-Theology programs, the international student will read for meaning at a high school level (textbook)
Goal Four: Writing. Upon completion of the ESL/Pre-Theology programs, the international student will successfully produce an outline and an essay which elaborates a thesis statement.
PASTORAL (CULTURAL) FORMATION
Year One
General Goal: Upon completion of the beginning level of the ESL/acculturation programs, the international student will have sufficient knowledge and experience of the American culture to be able to travel and live in a parish community outside the Seminary.
Upon completion of the beginning level of the ESL/acculturation programs, the international student will accomplish the following.
Goal One: The seminarian will recognize the multiculturalism of the United States.
Goal Two: The seminarian will recognize the religious diversity in the U.S.
Goal Three: The seminarian will establish contacts with dioceses in the U.S.
Goal Four : The seminarian will promote Christian community within the Seminary.
Year Two
General Goal: Upon completion of the ESL/Pre-Theology programs, the international student will exhibit an attitude of eagerness to integrate his experience of the positive and negative aspects of American culture with his desire to evangelize its people.
Upon completion of the ESL/Pre-Theology programs, the international student will accomplish the following.
Goal One: The seminarian will demonstrate a level of self-confidence in engaging cultural diversity.
Goal Two: The seminarian will engage in works of justice and charity.
Goal Three: The seminarian will begin to demonstrate the ability to collaborate with people of diverse backgrounds.