Assessment

Assessment

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The basics of psychological assessment

HORIZON interviews Donna Markham, OP, Ph.D.

Yes, there are three requisites vocation ministers should evaluate when considering accepting a candidate for entry to a community. The first concerns the capacity a person has to form healthy attachments to other people. Read more...

Religion during adversity: What it tells us about vocation candidates

By Joseph J. Guido OP

Vocation ministers often hear stories of how grace has triumphed over adversity and in the process revealed or confirmed a vocation to church life and ministry. Candidates tell stories of conversion, renewal and return to the practice of the faith, of turning away from sin, the development of prayer and the deepening of understanding, the decisive importance of a mystical experience, a devotion to Mary or the role of a confessor, and the sudden or gradual conviction that one has been called. Read more...

Finding a psychologist to help with assessment

By Sr. Carol Mucha R.S.M.

While doing its own behavioral assessment of a candidate is the first step for any community, it’s also good to work with a psychologist who can answer the community’s questions and conduct psychological tests. Many experienced vocation ministers feel such tests should primarily serve to confirm a community’s own behavioral assessment. Read more...

Tests for assessing applicants to religious communities

By Eric and Eric Haas

For a vocation minister to work effectively with a psychologist, it helps to know the testing instruments that are available. The right combination of tests can uncover personalities, pathologies, strengths and weaknesses. Read more...

Psychological assessment: why, what and how to assess

By Ronald J. Karney

For most religious communities in the U.S. today, an important step in the entry process is a psychological assessment. Why make this assessment? What can it tell communities? And how does the vocation minister proceed? Read more...

Faith development takes time, and it can be assessed

Faith development takes time, and it can be assessed

By Father Kevin Nadolski O.S.F.S.

The depth and breadth of theological reflection depends on the individual’s level of spiritual development. Here is a straightforward look at the road to faith maturity. Read more...

Vocational discernment and the psychological report

By Sr. Mary M. Lindsay S.S.J.

For the sake of everyone involved, vocation ministers should seek insight into an applicant’s personality, maturity and mental health. A careful assessment will look at each of these areas in detail. Read more...

Assessment with cross-cultural candidates

By Fr. Gerard J. McGlone S.J. and Fernando A. Ortiz

Religious communities are welcoming people from a variety of cultures and races. Yet it can be a challenge to conduct an accurate and culturally sensitive assessment. Two professionals offer their insights. Read more...

What happens with the assessment?

By Sr. Mercedes J. McCann R.S.M.

Ideally an assessment provides information that can be used to shape a Plan for Growth during formation. The major superior, vocation director, the candidate and all the formators should have access to and use the assessment. Read more...

When the vocation minister assesses

Seeking consistent belief, word, action

By Sister Cindy Kaye R.S.M.

How does a vocation minister go about conducting a behavioral assessment? An experienced veteran offers her wisdom. Read more...

The essentials of candidate assessment

The essentials of candidate assessment

By Father Raymond P. Carey

Every vocation director needs skills in assessing applicants. Behavioral assessment is one of the best ways to objectively consider whether a candidate is likely to fit well and be a productive, contributing member. Read more...

Assessing cross-cultural candidates

Assessing cross-cultural candidates

By Fr. Gerard McGlone S.J. and Fernando Ortiz

It takes extra effort and understanding to assess a candidate from a different culture. Read more...

Saying no to a candidate

Saying no to a candidate

By Sr. Adrienne Kaufmann O.S.B.

One of the most difficult tasks for a vocation director faces is to tell a candidate "no." An experienced minister shares how and why she does this. Read more...

Selecting a psychologist to assess candidates

By Ronald Karney

Here are important questions to ask of any professional who might be helping your community to assess a candidate for membership. Read more...

Candidates looking for the “best deal” in religious life

A few years ago I met with a graduate student who was seriously considering a vocation to religious brotherhood. We met in the university cafeteria over a cup of coffee. Read more...

When a vocation director needs to say “no”

It’s never going to feel good to turn down a candidate. Here is a close look at the emotional and ethical considerations. Read more...

Signs of readiness for community life

Signs of readiness for community life

By David Couturier O.F.M., Cap.

Given the many new realities in today’s church and world, what are the signs that an individual may be prepared for life in a religious community? Read more...

What every vocation director should know about process addictions

What every vocation director should know about process addictions

By Christiana Ashabo

As process addictions continue to increase, it’s important for vocation directors to understand how they develop and how to recognize them. Read more...

Can this candidate be flexible and adapt?

Can this candidate be flexible and adapt?

By Sister Dorothy Heidersheit O.S.F.

Rigid personalities can cause strife in religious life. Here’s an overview of how to assess for adaptability. Read more...

Case studies in assessment of international candidates

Case studies in assessment of international candidates

By Emily R. Cash Psy.D.

Three case studies shed light on the nuanced process of assessing someone from a culture outside your own. Read more...

Spiritual development merits careful assessment

Spiritual development merits careful assessment

By Father Kevin Nadolski O.S.F.S.

Religious life candidates need to begin formation at a high level of faith maturity. That’s why vocation directors must delve deeply into this area. Read more...

When a clear no is called for

When a clear no is called for

By Father Raymond P. Carey

Turning away an interested person can sometimes be the correct, compassionate action. While assessment is full of gray areas, there are some characteristics that indicate a firm no is needed. Read more...

Taking a sexual history

Taking a sexual history

By Sister Lynn M. Levo C.S.J.

Uncovering a person’s sacred sexual story is a process that occurs over time and by working intentionally with a qualified psychologist. Read more...

What skills and qualities do people need for religious life?

What skills and qualities do people need for religious life?

HORIZON presents the qualities that candidates ideally have in order to live consecrated life well--especially the call to live communally. Read more...

HORIZON Fall 2024 ...

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Sister Jenny Wilson, R.S.M.

Sister Jenny Wilson, R.S.M.

Short-term volunteer stints have proven to be a good way for Sister Jenny Wilson, R.S.M. to get to know women who might consider religious life. Building a relationship with people is key, she says, and the volunteer experience allows time for that. Read more...

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