Dummies Guide To Entering The Convent

[Ancilla Domini]

We can't let this thread slide to page 2 on VS.

So, what chapters do we have so far? And who's working on it?

Cilla looks around - no one is as excited as I am? ... Oh well. :hehe2:

[Carson]

I wish I could contribute. Can we start an official list of writers and what chapters their doing? It could look like this.

 

   Name             Chapter

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

 

 

 

[Spem in alium]

This is an incredible idea!!! I would love to help out!

[maximillion]

I will write an intro to the cloistered section, unless anyone else wants to (Sr Catherine Mary?)

 

 

 

I am also happy to write something about Gregorian ( plain chant - I know not all communities have it but lots do).

And I can do one on the LOTH.

[Ancilla Domini]

We can't let this thread slide to page 2 on VS.

So, what chapters do we have so far? And who's working on it?

Cilla looks around - no one is as excited as I am? ... Oh well. :hehe2:

 

Oh deary me, look at that! It slid to page 2. :bounce:

[brandelynmarie]

Hmmmm...we could have a chapter dedicated to words & terms used in religious life....kinda like a mini dictionary :)

[Lil'Nun]

My two cents worth. A section for older discerners/ would-be entrants would be good. Also, please don't forget those outside the US and Canada. The books will have more appeal if they have a wider geographic focus. :)

[maximillion]

We have plenty of ideas on content but few offers to actually write........

[EmilyAnn]

I can write...some of this overlaps with what I already do for my vocations blog. :)

[Eowyn]

I can write, too.

[EmilyAnn]

I agree with what Lil'Nun said about keeping it as geographically 'neutral' as possible. 

 

So ideas for chapters that come to mind, some based on simpler work I've already done:

 

About Religious Life

 

1.Glossary

2.FAQs

3. Orders & Spiritualities (about various religious 'families', different Rules, )

4. Active/Apostolic (different apostolates, approaches to apostolic life, etc.)

5. Contemplative/Monastic (approaches to monasticism, the cloister, etc.)

6.Divine Office/Liturgy of the Hours

 

Discerning & Advice

 

1.Glossary

2. FAQs

3. Orders & Spiritualities (short summary, how to find where you fit, etc.)

4. Stages of formation (what are the stages, generally how long, etc.)

5. The Vows (evangelical counsels, extra vows, etc.)

6. Discernment Advice (spiritual direction, resources, finding a community, etc.)

7. Questions to Ask Communities (we had a thread on this a while ago)

 

Just a quick few ideas!

Edited February 12, 2014 by EmilyAnn

[Talithacum]

Since we are on the topic on vocations for dummies, I just read a short article on this.

catholicexchange.com/vocations-for-dummies

[maximillion]

Bookmarked it.

 

Okay, so let's get serious.

 

I will do an intro to Cloistered life.

Can we start some threads for FAQ's?

 

Who wants to undertake what and how will we edit/decide/agree on content?

 

If peeps want to pm me I am willing to share my email so we can do some behind the scenes stuff. Also I am not terribly technical with IT stuff so be patient with me!

 

Is someone willing to collate those threads we already have on VS? MaterMisericords resources, the threads on questions and answers.

 

How to tell people.

How to approach a community.

A couple of sample 'lists' for entry requirements.

Documentation prior to entry (visa's included) Tests, exams etc..

This is all stuff that is on VS in various places already. Can peeps note here what they are doing to let others know so we don't have repetition.

Thanks so much.

I really do think we can do this.

Prayers for the project.......

[EmilyAnn]

I agree with maximillion, we can do this! I like the thought of almost doing a trilogy (or a book in three sections, since they would cross-reference) - about the religious life, discerning the religious life and entering religious life. I know I didn't include an entering section in my chapter list but I never got that far so I don't know much about the application and entering parts. Perhaps those with more knowledge than me could do a chapter list for that...if they don't mind!

 

Maybe if we can confirm who is willing to write and who is willing to maybe do research in VS but not write, and assign chapters to save too many people working on one thing and leaving another bit out?  Some of the long-time VSers will know right where to find resources! 

 

Offers to Write

Maximillion

EmilyAnn

Eowyn

 

Offers to Research

[Ancilla Domini]

I agree with maximillion, we can do this! I like the thought of almost doing a trilogy (or a book in three sections, since they would cross-reference) - about the religious life, discerning the religious life and entering religious life. I know I didn't include an entering section in my chapter list but I never got that far so I don't know much about the application and entering parts. Perhaps those with more knowledge than me could do a chapter list for that...if they don't mind!

 

Maybe if we can confirm who is willing to write and who is willing to maybe do research in VS but not write, and assign chapters to save too many people working on one thing and leaving another bit out?  Some of the long-time VSers will know right where to find resources! 

 

Offers to Write

Maximillion

EmilyAnn

Eowyn

 

Offers to Research

 

Offers to Write

Maximillion

EmilyAnn

Eowyn

Ancilla Domini

 

Offers to Research

 

[OnlySunshine]

I really wish I had the time to help contribute.  I have so much schoolwork since I'm a full-time student.  I have 3 homework assignments just for this weekend alone and I'm preparing for a Latin midterm AND a group presentation within the next week or two.  I love to research but I'm short on time lately.  I can't even attend a mandatory EMHC meeting this weekend.  :(

[cartermia]

I didn't think my help would really get us anywhere since I am a 14 year old with only the knowledge of phatmass. But I can help read and review it! I like to read!

[maximillion]

 

I didn't think my help would really get us anywhere since I am a 14 year old with only the knowledge of phatmass. But I can help read and review it! I like to read!

 

Input from all is more than welcome, especially the views and ideas of someone so early on in their journey! :bravo:

[ChristinaTherese]

I don't know if I would know enough to write much.... But if I could help edit writing I'd be glad to, or other non-writing help. (I'm pretty used to writing and editing stuff in college, so that's one thing I think I would be able to do.) Working documents together too, if that needs to be done. What do you mean by research? I have loads on my plate right now, so I need a specific statement. If something isn't too hard or is far enough in the future that my life will have settled down (in a few weeks things will be much better), I'll consider it.

[EmilyAnn]

Any more offers? Even if you can contribute just a small section, you'll be contributing hugely to the success of this project and I really do think we can make this happen! 

 

Updated: 

 

Offers to Write

Maximillion

EmilyAnn

Eowyn

Ancilla Domini

 

Offers to Research

CarterMia

 

Other Help

Christina?

 

Christina, research would probably primarily be seeking out the most helpful threads in VS for a specific topic - we'd need writer-researcher pairs really. The reason I think we need researchers is that VS is HUGE - I've found when using it for my blog work that just FINDING the information is a task in and of itself, without even collating it into something coherent.

 

Editing is again another thing that it might be helpful to have, so you could always be an additional help for some editing if you don't feel you have time for research. ANY help with this will be so useful, and we will probably want to try to keep things concise.