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AACSS: The Future |
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Presently the AACSS is developing a Continuing Education Program for Sisters (CEPS) to assist women religious throughout the Sub-Sahara to plan, develop, present and evaluate a continuing education program for local Sisters. During the first half of 2010 and especially during their three week visitation to four sub-Saharan countries, the AACSS Co-Directors have been gathering information from Sisters through personal interviews, small group activity, questionnaires and e-mail correspondence. Sisters throughout the Sub-Sahara have expressed the following areas of concern to the Co- Directors: the challenge of Islam, concerns about health and healthy relationships, training to be more effectively involved in teaching, pastoral work and counseling. Tribalism is a very common theme because it cripples the effectiveness of Religious authority and profoundly impedes any process to develop the potential of women religious for creating change within the sub-Sahara. In response to the above needs and issues, the following topics have been most commonly recommended by Religious for a CEPS syllabus: · Ongoing education is seen as the first step toward self-reliance. · Presentations on grieving will address the very present, painful and sometimes terrifying reality of Sisters addressing HIV and AIDS issues. · Medical Information regarding HIV and AIDS is essential. · Presentations on Psychology and Religious formation will address concerns about a healthy lifestyle and healthy relationships. · Scripture Study can move Sisters toward a less literal reading of scripture and empower them to more comfortably engage in ecumenical dialogue. · Sociology presentations will enable Sisters to collaborate more effectively in processes to address divisiveness caused by these factors. · Theology presentations would offer Sisters a deeper understanding of Christianity which would, among other goals, enable them to deal more comfortably with the challenge of Islam. Within the AACSS program, empowering religious Superiors is crucial. They understand the need to provide their Communities with meaningful education and effective policies regarding the issues that surround HIV and AIDS. |
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