Welcome!
Dear Sisters 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 provides young, emerging Catholic female leaders (aged 21-35) with guidance, support, and accompaniment as they navigate the questions, opportunities, and challenges that face contemporary Catholic women. 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 2024 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 and Alumnae Director and the GIVEN Team
What's Next
Mentor & Mentee Meetings: July 2024-May 2025
Mark Your Calendars
October 23, 8pmET – “Witnessing the Feminine Genius in Your Action Plan” with Sr. Mary Madeline Todd, OP
- Formation session for mentees, optional for mentors
October 31 – Deadline for mentees to submit first Action Plan Milestone Report
November 20, 8pmET – Mentor Group Virtual Check In
Past Mentor Trainings
Training Session – September 18, 2024
In-Person Training – June 8, 2024 Handout
Orientation and Session with Dr. Joshua Miller
Training Session 1 – April 17, 2024 and Handout
Training Session 2 – May 8, 2024 and Handout
Training Session 3 – May 22, 2024 and Handout
Consider Donating to the Forum
Your accompaniment is a gift to the mentees and the Church and we know that our mentors also report being enriched and strengthened through their participation in GIVEN. The total cost to The GIVEN Institute for a mentor to participate is $500, however, through the generosity of our donors, The GIVEN Institute is able to provide lodging and meals for our Mentors. Travel reimbursement is available for religious sisters who take a vow of poverty.
As a not-for-profit organization we greatly appreciate the generosity of many friends in the GIVEN network. Please consider making a donation to help us defray costs associated with the Forum. Here are a couple of ways:
1. Donate any amount towards the cost of your meals and lodging for the Forum – $500
2. Support the cost of a religious sister attending the Forum as a Mentor or volunteer – $1,000
3. Sponsor a young woman to attend the Forum and participate in the Art of Accompaniment Mentoring Program – $2,500
Click here to make a donation. We are grateful for any amount you can provide within your means.
Resources
Click here to download the slides from Christina Valenzuela’s mentoring testimony presentation at the 2024 Forum.
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.
FAQ
Where will the 2024 GIVEN Forum be held?
Lodging and most programming for the 2024 GIVEN Forum will take place at The Catholic University of America: 620 Michigan Ave NE, Washington, DC 20064. 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 Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and the Saint John Paul II National Shrine.
Where will I stay during the 2024 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 Catholic University beginning on the arrival date that you specify in your registration form. Accommodations at CUA include a shared suite with a single room with privacy of a door and a shared 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 Catholic University, 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.
When should I arrive?
We welcome our mentors to arrive Friday, June 7th. Please arrive at Catholic University between 4-6PM to allow time for check-in and dinner before the 7:30PM Mass and conference by Fr. John Burns. The Forum will conclude on Wednesday, June 12th by 2:00pm. Please book your departing flights after 5:00pm 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 Friday, June 7?
4:00PM-6:00PM – Check-in for Mentors & Volunteers
6:00PM – Dinner Available
7:30PM – Mass
8:00PM – Adoration and Conference by Fr. John Burns
What is the schedule for Saturday, June 8?
We will share more details about Saturday’s schedule soon!
To which airport or train station should I arrive?
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is the closest airport to Catholic University. Upon arrival visitors can take a taxi, Metrorail or rental car to reach campus. You may also arrive at Baltimore/Washington International or Dulles International. The closest train (Amtrak) station is Union Station.
If I am driving, will I need a parking pass?
Yes. You may register for a one-week visitor parking permit at CUA’s parking website.
If I am staying at home and commuting to the Forum, what time should I arrive and leave each day?
On Friday, June 7, check in takes place from 4-6PM followed by dinner at 6PM. Mass and a conference by Fr. John Burns begin at 7:30PM.
On Saturday, June 8, please arrive by 8AM and plan to leave 9-10PM
On Sunday, June 9, please arrive by 8:30AM and plan to leave 8-9PM
On Monday, June 10 and Tuesday, June 11, please arrive by 8:30AM and plan to leave 9:30-10:30PM
On Wednesday, June 12, please arrive by 8:30AM and plan to leave 1:30-2PM
Will there be time for sightseeing during the Forum?
No, there will not be time allotted for sightseeing in DC 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: https://washington.org/
What is the weather like in June in DC?
June 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 Catholic Female Leaders Celebration on Tuesday night, the dress code is cocktail attire.
Should I bring spending money?
All meals will be provided. 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.
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.