TEACHING PRINCIPLES

This Training Program assumes that the formation of the participants is already in process. Therefore, the teaching process used is the one called “workshop.” In a workshop, the production is collective, utilizing dialogue and the active contribution of all the participants. The learning process used is the action/reflection method. The participants reflect on concrete situations (action) and develop theories and knowledge (reflection) which they then act on as they seek to transform reality. For the method of analysis, interpretation, and planning, we use the see-discern-act method.

SEE refers to the process of analysis. Here we examine the problems we confront as a community and we discover the causes of those problems by using the key question: Why?

DISCERN is the next step in which we try to interpret the question: What does God say about the problems we face? We look for the answer from the biblical perspective and from the perspective of those who suffer injustice and marginalization. It is a process of spiritual discernment.

ACT. Global analysis, discernment, biblical-theological reflection, and spiritual growth are oriented toward action which seeks to transform reality.

The educational process emphasizes the importance and practice of team ministry, creating an atmosphere of collegiality and companionship between the lay missioner and pastor, man and woman, youth and adult, Hispanic and non-Hispanic, academic and non-academic, professional and non-professional.