Welcome!

Dear Sister in Christ,

Welcome to GIVEN! We are so grateful for your willingness to journey with the young women in our Art of Accompaniment Mentoring Program. The program aims to provide emerging Catholic female leaders with guidance, support, and companionship as they navigate the questions, opportunities, and challenges posed to the contemporary Catholic woman in her twenties. Our Mentors accompany these young women and help them to discover and activate their gifts for the Gospel. 

We are honored to welcome you into the 2022 GIVEN cohort and look forward to also journeying with you throughout this year. You are truly an important part of this work, and we are grateful for the gifts you bring.

In Christ,

Cynthia Psencik/Mentoring Program Director and the GIVEN Team

Mentor Directory Information

We ask you to upload a photo and bio for our Mentor Directory given to the young women as they request mentors. Returning mentors will have the opportunity to review the information we have on file and update if if necessary. Click the following links to go to your application portal to complete this information:

Important Dates

Please mark the following dates:

June 20 – Mentor Arrival and In-Person Training Day: Putting Fulfillment Stories into Practice with Dr. Josh Miller

Resources

Overview of Inscape Center Trainings

Click here to watch a video by Dr. Josh Miller and Donna Ottaviano-Britt explaining how Fulfillment Stories and MCODE will fit into GIVEN Mentor training.

Mentor Training Materials

Click here to view the recording of the Mentor Orientation from April 5, 2022. You can download the slides separately at this link.

Click here to view the recording of the training from April 19, 2022, Getting to Know Millennials & Gen Z with Dorrie Donahue. You can download the slides separately at this link.

Click here to view the recording of the training from May 3, 2022, The Gaze of Mercy with Darilyn Bixenman. You can download the slides separately at this link.

Click here to view the recording of the training from May 17, 2022, Personal Vocation with Dr. Josh Miller. You can download the worksheet separately at this link.

Click here to view the recording of the training from May 31, 2022, Empathic Listening and Asking Good Questions with Dr. Josh Miller. You can download the worksheet separately at this link.

Click here to view the recording of the training from June 14, 2022, Introduction to Fulfillment Stories. You can download the worksheet separately at this link.

Safeguarding of Children and Vulnerable Adults

To review the Safeguarding agreement that you signed at registration, click here.

The link to report child abuse in every state in the country can be found here. The link to report abuse of vulnerable adults in every state in the country can be found here. Then, contact GIVEN Staff immediately to report any safeguarding concerns.

FAQ

Where will the 2022 GIVEN Forum be held?

Lodging and most programming for the 2022 GIVEN Forum will take place at Neumann University: 501 Convent Rd, Aston, PA 19014. Directions for how to get to the campus from area airports or driving can be found on the university’s website. Portions of the Forum will also take place at the Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary and the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, which is home to the tomb and shrine of Saint Katharine Drexel.

Where will I stay during the 2022 GIVEN Forum?

Through the generosity of our donors, The GIVEN Institute is able to provide lodging and meals for our Mentors. Travel reimbursement is available for Consecrated women who take a vow of poverty. Lodging will be provided at Neumann University beginning on the arrival date that you specify in your registration form. Accommodations at Neumann include a shared suite with a single room with privacy of a door and a shared Jack and Jill bathroom, as well as linens and towels. If you need hangers, a clothes iron or a hair dryer, please bring those items. The dormitories are well air-conditioned, so please keep this in mind while packing if you tend to be cold. If you are local and are not going to stay at Neumann, there is a spot to indicate that on the registration form. If you prefer to stay at a hotel at your own expense, you may see this list of local hotels, some of which offer discounts for Neumann University guests. 

When should I arrive?

We welcome our mentors to arrive Monday, June 20th. We suggest arriving at Neumann University by 8am on Monday to allow time for registration and check-in before the 10:00am Mentor Training. Religious sisters are invited to arrive on Sunday, June 19th for Adoration and Conference by Fr. John Burns. The Forum will conclude on Saturday, June 25 by 12:00pm at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in downtown Philadelphia. Please book your departing flights after 3:00pm to allow enough time for transportation to the airport. For those traveling by train or bus, please take into consideration the transportation time needed to get to the appropriate stations.

What is the schedule for Sunday, June 19?

4:00PM – Check-in for Volunteers and Consecrated Women
5:00PM – Traveler’s Mass
5:00PM-7:00PM – Dinner Available
7:ooPM-8:30PM – Adoration and Conference by Fr. John Burns

What is the schedule for Monday, June 20?

8:00AM-10:00AM – Check-in for Mentors
10:00AM-12:00PM – Training Session
12:00PM-1:00PM – Lunch
1:00PM-2:30PM – Training Session
3:00PM – Mass celebrated by Archbishop Nelson Pérez
5:00PM – Evening Prayer
5:00PM-7:00PM – Dinner Available
7:30PM-10:00PM – Adoration and Conference by Fr. John Burns

To which airport or train station should I arrive?

We recommend that you fly into Philadelphia International Airport, a short drive away from Neumann University. The closest major train station to Neumann University is Philadelphia 30th Street Station, which is a 30-45 minute drive from the university.

How do I get from the airport or train/bus station to Neumann University?

Uber and Lyft rides are a convenient option, especially for those flying into Philadelphia International Airport, which is a 20-30 minute drive to the campus. If you would like to coordinate transportation with other GIVEN Forum attendees, we encourage you to use the Facebook group to connect with others who may have similar arrival times. You can find more information about getting to Neumann’s campus at this link.

If I am driving, will I need a parking pass?

No, free parking is available throughout the Neumann University campus.

If I am staying at home and commuting to the Forum, what time should I arrive and leave each day?

On Monday, June 20, volunteers should arrive by 8:45AM and Mentors should arrive by 10AM. Working sessions end at 2:30PM, and the afternoon and evening will be filled with beautiful opportunities for prayer and reflection, ending at 10PM.

On Tuesday, June 21, please arrive by 9AM and plan to leave 9-9:30PM

On Wednesday, June 22, please arrive by 8AM and plan to leave 10-10:30PM

On Thursday, June 23 and Friday, June 24, please arrive by 8:30AM and plan to leave 10-10:30PM

On Saturday, June 25, please arrive to the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul by 9AM and plan to leave around noon.

Please check back to this page for updates and changes between now and the beginning of the Forum.

What should I expect regarding COVID safety at the Forum?

We are committed to providing a safe environment that respects the variety of experiences and comfort levels among all attendees while maintaining the spirit of the Forum: a beautiful community of Catholic female leaders! Please check back to this page for updates as requirements may shift. Currently, Neumann University and Archdiocese of Philadelphia policies require the following:

  • Anyone entering a campus building, including contractors, vendors, suppliers, and visitors, must comply with all posted signage and not enter university buildings if they are feeling sick.
  • Additional safety measures for residential guests: For attendees staying in the dorms, guests who have been vaccinated against COVID will be asked to provide proof of vaccination. A booster is not required at this time. Non-vaccinated guests will be asked to provide a negative antigen test completed within 24 hours of check-in or a negative PCR test within 3 days of check-in.

Participants assume any risk associated with public exposure to the COVID-19 virus, and will hold The GIVEN Institute, Neumann University, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and our sponsors blameless in the event of a COVID exposure or any related illness.

Will there be time for sightseeing during the Forum?

No, there will not be time allotted for sightseeing in Philadelphia during the days of the GIVEN Forum. If desired, feel free to make travel arrangements to allow for sightseeing either prior to or following the GIVEN Forum. You are wholly responsible for all costs and accommodations outside the days of the GIVEN Forum. If you do decide to extend your stay, you can visit the following website for tourist information: www.visitphilly.com.

What is the weather like in June in Philadelphia?

June in Philadelphia tends to be warm, often between 70-85°F. As the event draws nearer, we suggest checking weather.com for more specific temperatures.

What is the dress code for the GIVEN Forum?

Business casual dress is appropriate for attending the conferences, workshops, and liturgies throughout the week. Be prepared for chilly air conditioning for indoor programming and in the dorms. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.

For the Meet and Greet Evening on Wednesday night, the dress code is cocktail attire. You may also want to bring business cards if you have them, as this will be an opportunity to network with GIVEN alumnae, mentors, and community members as well as your fellow Forum attendees.

Should I bring spending money?

All meals will be provided from Tuesday evening through Saturday morning. You will need to bring money to pay for your travel costs and any additional or personal spending you desire throughout the week.

Will there be time to exercise?
Yes, you are welcome to exercise during free time periods. A group often forms for morning runs as well!

How do I share my dietary restrictions?
You can share any needs for diet or accessibility, as well as any other notes for Forum organizers, in your registration form.

Will there be a daily holy hour and time for private prayer?
Yes. During the Forum preparation days, Adoration is scheduled for the evenings, and during the days of the Forum, Adoration and Morning Prayer are scheduled for the morning before daily programming begins. You will also have the opportunity for private prayer during lunch and dinner breaks.

When will the MCODE be sent?
We are excited to offer the MCODE assessment as a gift to you, and are planning to send it in May to be completed before you arrive at the Forum.

May religious communities provide information for the young adults?
Religious communities are welcome to bring a brochure or piece of literature about the community. We will have a table to place these items where attendees can pick them up.

Where do I update/send my headshot and bio?
New or updated mentor bios and headshots are due on April 10th. You can provide this information on your registration form in the application portal. For sample bios, please see the following Forum speakers: Donna Ottaviano-Britt and Cassie Panzenbeck.

One more thing…
In preparation for the GIVEN Forum, we recommended that the participants explore the following documents. Although there is no requirement to read them, we want you to have access to these great resources that speak to the beauty and dignity of women as well as the gift of our personal vocation:

  • Letter to Women: This letter, written to women throughout the world, addresses the concept of woman and her indispensable role in the Church, the family, society, and the world.
  • Mulieris Dignitatem: This apostolic letter on the dignity and vocation of women considers the anthropology of man and woman, God’s intention for their relationship, woman’s vocation to motherhood, and the Church as Bride of Christ.
  • Redemptoris Mater: This encyclical focuses on the role of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the plan of salvation and her continued role in the life of the Church.
  • A Meditation on Givenness: This meditation is a powerful reflection on the concepts of gift and entrustment within human relationships and in our faith.
  • Christus Vivit: This Post-Syndonal Apostolic Exhortation by Pope Francis speaks “to young people and the entire people of God” about being alive in Christ and cultivating a lively Church culture through the full activation of personal vocation.
  • One thing Necessary: This e-book by Luke Arthur Burgiss and Joshua Miller, Ph.D. is a great short read to overview the vision of personal vocation that we are communicating through GIVEN mentoring. We highly recommend reading this e-book prior to our first session with Dr. Miller. This e-book is based on the longer published book that we also recommend, Unrepeatable.