Pastoral/Fraternal Visitation Questionnaire

- Visitations

Council Pre-Visitation Questionnaire

QUEEN OF PEACE REGION of the SECULAR FRANCISCAN ORDER
PASTORAL/FRATERNAL VISITATION (OFS RULE Art 26.2)
PRE-VISITATION QUESTIONNAIRE FOR THE LOCAL FRATERNITY COUNCIL

1. Before the visitation : This questionnaire is sent to the local fraternity's Minister at least three months prior to the time of visitation. The Regional Executive Council assigns the Fraternal and Pastoral Visitors.
2. The questionnaire is meant to be a collaborative effort accomplished by the entire fraternity council. They may wish to meet together and discuss the questions and their answers. It is not intended for one person to complete. Please answer all questions, and use additional pages if needed, identified by question number.
3. Please return the completed questionnaire at least one month before the date of the visitation to the Fraternal Visitor, who will in turn share its contents with the Pastoral Visitor.
4. After the visitation : The Fraternal Visitor is responsible for sending copies of the final report to: a) the Fraternity Minister and Spiritual Assistant; b) the Regional Minister and Council; c) the Regional Spiritual Assistants; and d) the Provincial Spiritual Assistant.

1. Fraternity:

2. Date this questionnaire is completed:                                             Date of visitation:

3. Minister:

            Address:

            Phone Number:

            E-mail address:

4. Spiritual Assistant:

            Address:

            Phone Number:

            E-mail address:

            Has the Spiritual Assistant completed the Franciscan Family Connections course (Rule    Art 26.1; SSA Art 5.4)
            Does the fraternity have a copy of the official appointment letter (GC Art 89.2)
            Dates of last appointment:
            Total years of combined appointments (SSA Art 15.3):

5. Formation Director:

            Address:

            Phone Number:

            E-mail address:

6. Date of Previous Fraternal Visitation (GC Art 92-94):

7. Date of Previous Pastoral Visitation (GC Art 92-95):

8. Date of Last Election (GC 76-85):

9. Date of Canonical Establishment (GC Art 46):
            Does fraternity have a copy?

10. To Which Obedience/Province is the Fraternity bonded (GC Art 46-47)?

FRATERNITY
11. Number of Active Members:

12. Number of Excused Members:

13. Number of Affiliates (NS Art 18.13):

14. Number of Candidates:

15. Number of Inquirers:

16. Has the fraternity had members transfer in or out, become lapsed or deceased since the last visitation? How many and for which reason?

17. Professed new members?

18. Who updates the ‘official Register’ of the fraternity:
            Where is the Register kept?
            This may be a good time to update membership lists (GC Art 53-60)

19. How often does the Fraternity gather?
            When and what time?
            Where?

20. Description of a typical monthly Fraternity gathering (for example, percentage of time spent in prayer, formation, social, business) (GC Art 8-16):

SPIRITUALITY/PRAYER
21. Is the Ritual used regularly at gatherings, elections, professions, etc. (GC Art 14)?
            What other prayers or liturgies are prayed in fraternity?

            Does the fraternity celebrate TRANSITUS?
            Does the fraternity celebrate their feast day?

APOSTOLATES
22. What apostolates are members participating in, which show a cooperative relationship with     the Pastors of Parishes where they live, thereby making the Secular Franciscan Order    more visible in their area (GC Art 17, 98-103)?

23. What apostolates or activities does the Fraternity engage in as a group (GC Art 17-27)?

BUSINESS
24. Do the Fraternity members understand the obligations of Fair Share? (Rule Art 25)?
            Is the Common Fund explained and prayed over as it is collected?
            Does the fraternity participate in its own financial planning? (GC Art 30)
            How do they participate?

COUNCIL
25. How often does the Fraternity Council meet (GC Art 49-52)?
            Describe the collaboration between the members of the Fraternity Council.

            Describe the assistance of the Spiritual Assistant (GC Art 85-91).

26. How does the Fraternity Council provide stimulation and spiritual growth for the members to carry Francis’ charism to others (GC Art 28-36)?

27. Does the fraternity publish a newsletter?
            Do they have a fraternity web site (other than the standard Regional one)?
            Is the fraternity on social media (such as Facebook or Twitter)?

28. Does the Minister attend the Annual Regional Gathering?
            Do other members of Council and/or fraternity attend these Regional workshops, retreats, gatherings or national events, and share that information with the fraternity (GC Art 53)?
            List the gatherings attended.

29. Does the Formation Director/team attend Regional workshops/conferences to update             methods of preparing those in Initial formation for Profession?

30. Does the minister and/or council support the efforts of the Regional Executive Council (GC    Art 61-75) by:
                        Submitting annual Census Reports and Fair Share in a timely manner?
                        Copying and distributing TRACINGS to each member shortly after its                                                        publication?
                        Distributing information from NAFRA (the National Fraternity of the Secular                                               Franciscan Order?

31. Does every member of Council have a copy of the Rule, the Constitution, the Statutes, the    Regional Guidelines and all the “tools” of their position – including a job description –             available at both general and council meetings? Does the fraternity have a copy of the     latest Spiritual Assistants Handbook and The Servant Leaders Handbook? (GC 1-7)

FORMATION (GC Art 37-45)
32. Are there people in initial formation?

            If so, how many are Inquirers?

            How many are Candidates?

33. How does the fraternity attract new members?

34. What books and materials are used for those in Initial formation:
            Orientation (min.3 months):

            Inquiry (min. 6 months):

            Candidacy (min. 18 months to max. 36 months):

35. Examples of the records/information kept for each person in Initial Formation:
            Is the fraternity using the Regional Formation standard attendance record sheet?
            How often are these records shared with and evaluated by Council?

36. What books or programs are being used for On-going Formation for the professed      members (GC Art 44-45)?

            How are Ongoing Formation sessions documented?

37. Is “Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation” (JPIC) an ongoing formation topic several times             during the year (GC Art 18-24)? Please describe.

38. Are there any efforts/programs to attract and encourage Franciscan Youth (GC Art 25, 96-    97)?

39. Please describe how/when the Fraternity conducts Days for Spiritual Renewal, special           programs, or cluster activities, and attendance information (GC 98-103).

40. Describe the fraternal relationship/cooperation between the Spiritual Assistant and the             members of the Fraternity (GC 85-91).

41. Is the Fraternity sponsoring a newly forming group or an emerging fraternity? If yes, describe their status (GC Art 31-36).

42. What goals would you like to see accomplished in the next three years?

VISITATION
43. Does the fraternity have specific questions for the visitors, about local or regional or national OFS issues?

44. How can the Regional Executive Council assist the Local Fraternity in achieving your goals?

45. Please provide the visitors with any additional information that you would like them to know    about the fraternity (for example, what has worked successfully for you, your achievements, your concerns, your shortcomings).