The women, who are in the various stages of initial formation, and the members of the formation team, who oversee the process of initial formation, are the Formation Community. They gather together for weekends several times a year to share prayer, study, and lots of laughter. Sometimes inquiring women are invited to join this group for one of our weekend gatherings. It is a time and place to spend quality time with those who are on the journey themselves. Below are photos of these weekends.

These formation weekends not only give the women in formation opportunities to build relationships with other sisters, but also offer opportunities for reflection and prayer surrounded by the beauty of nature.

February 2009

On our February formation weekend, we traveled to a school in Monterey that is part of our history, Santa Catalina School. With thoughts of our original founding in Monterey in 1850, Sisters Margaret Thompson and Mary Kieran founded it as a school for girls in 1950. Presently it is a boys and girls preK-Grade 8, and girls boarding and day high school. Sister Christine Price, Assistant Head of Upper School, graciously hosted us, proudly showing us every nook and cranny. What a beautiful school, a enduring heritage, and wonderful ministry! This was a very special weekend for all of us!

Our group posing in the front of the school.	Walking into the beautiful chapel.
The inside of the original 70 year-old hacienda which was on the grounds before the school was begun.	Everyone enjoyed walking down to the wine cellar, even though it is no longer used for that.
Sister Christine talks to us about the girls' dormitories.	Sister Cyndie Cammack enjoying a moment with a scrapbook.
Stained glass window of Sts. Dominic and Catherine receiving the rosary from the Blessed Mother.	Detail of one of the mosaics. This one portrays campus life in 1950.
The Formation Team: Sisters Gervaise Valpey, Sue Pixley, Kaye Ashe, and Pat Farrell.	Sister Gervaise thanking Sister Christine for wonderful morning.
Following our visit to Santa Catalina, we visited the Mission in Carme. Everyone was grateful that our rooms are no longer so austere.	We wondered how our computers today would ever fit on a desk like this!

In the evening we returned to Santa Cruz; some of the sisters enjoyed some Scrabble.

On Sunday morning, we journaled as part of our prayer together.

It's always wonderful to enjoy the sunrise
when we are in Santa Cruz.

December 2008

Sisters Kaye Ashe and Mary Kieffer are participating in a weekend workshop on Journalling with Sister Mary Neill.

Sister Mary Neill leads the group in a body movement prayer.

On our return from Saturday evening Eucharist, we returned to this marvelous sunset. Sister Gervaise enjoys it here in this shot.

December 2007

Sister Pat tries to snap a picture of Sister Roselli and Sister Mary Kieffer looks on.

Sisters Kaye Ashe and Cyndie Cammack share during prayer time.

An evening game of Phase 10 is a fun form of recreation!

December 2006

Sisters in the Formation Community spend an afternoon at Lourdes Convent.	Just visiting with the sisters there is a great way to build relationships.
Sister Roselli Tria shows Sister Sue Pixley a program on her laptop.	This is the community that gathered together at San Domenico during the time that Sister Roselli came "home" from the novitiate for Christmas vacation.