NEWS
Celebrate Religious Brothers Day—May 1 Zoom event
A virtual celebration of Religious Brothers Day will take place on May 1, 1 p.m. AND 7 p.m. Central Daylight Time, hosted by the Brothers Think Tank. All are welcome to both events. The Brothers Think Tank is composed of the NRVC, Religious Brothers Conference, Conference of Major Superiors of Men, and Religious Formation Conference.
Register for the 1 pm CDT event here and the 7 pm CDT event here.
All are urged to shine a spotlight on the community, lifestyle, and good works of brothers on May 1—through social media, events, prayer services, and more. Learn more about Religious Brothers Day and how to celebrate it here.
Speakers and arrangements for convocation 2024
The speakers for the NRVC convocation in Minneapolis Oct. 31 - Nov. 4 will be:
Ms. Ann Garrido, D.Min. an associate professor of homiletics at Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis. She will lead a workshop on healthy communication and conflict management in a vocation context.
Brother Christopher Patiño, F.S.C. is general councilor for the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools (De La Salle Brothers). He will speak on a global view of religious life and vocations, moving beyond a United States-only narrative to define who we are.
Sister Patricia Chappell, S.N.D.deN. has served on her community's Provincial Leadership Team and was elected to the U.S.-East-West Unit Provincial Team. She works in anti-racism efforts and will address anti-racism spirituality, nonviolent communication, and ways vocation ministers can navigate change toward interculturality.
Note: for those concerned about travel plans and voting in the Nov. 4 election, usa.gov/early-voting provides details on ensuring your ability to vote. Other details on the convocation are here.
Resource of the month: "10 questions people ask" brochure
This colorful brochure answers 10 of the most common questions about religious life vocations, such as: How do religious spend their days? Are people entering? How are religious orders different from one another? The brochure comes in packs of 100, making it an affordable resource to use in schools, parishes, sponsored ministries, etc. $15 for members; $23 for non-members. Details and ordering are here.
Summer Institute this July includes Ethics
Ethical Issues in Vocation and Formation Ministry will be one of five workshops offered at NRVC's Summer Institute, which will take place at the Marillac Center in Leavenworth, Kansas, July 9-30. The ethics workshop will be presented July 16-17 by Father Raymond P. Carey, Ph.D.
Every vocation minister is urged to learn and take to heart the ethics governing vocation and formation ministry. Workshop topics include the ethical principles governing agency, confidentiality, and obligations related to positions of trust; dissemination of information; the timeliness of admissions or dismissal decisions; dual relationships; document disposition; the respect for human dignity, interculturality, and more.
Details and registration are online for all the workshops:
Orientation Program for New Vocation Directors
Ethical Issues in Vocation and Formation Ministry
Behavioral Assessment 1
Health and Wellness Issues in Candidate Assessment
Being Human and Sexual: An Evolving Understanding
Member Area meetings
A major perk of membership in the National Religious Vocation Conference is the ability to network with and learn from other vocation ministers. Any member can attend any Member Area meeting. For details, contact your member area coordinator.
International Member Area— April 9, via Zoom
Mid-Atlantic — April 30, Washington DC, In-person and Zoom
Pacific Northwest— April 30 to May 2, In-person and Zoom
Heartland — April 30 to May 2, Atchison, KS
New England — May 2, via Zoom
Hudson Valley — May 5-7, Albany, NY
Lake Erie/Ohio River — May 9 via Zoom
Midwest — May 13 via Zoom
Southwest — May 14, via Zoom
Delaware Valley — June 22, Huntington Valley, PA
News and events of our collaborators
Check out news about our collaborators: resources, classes, retreats, and gatherings.