Convocation: Rewind the Future

Convocation: Rewind the Future

Roundtable Conversation at Convocation


Rewind the Future Roundtable Conversation at Convocation

Thirty years ago in 1992, Sr. Miriam Ukeritis, C.S.J. and Fr. David Nygren, C.M. conducted the first in-depth study of women's and men's religious institutes, the Future of Religious Orders Study. They gathered data from more than 10,000 members of women’s and men’s religious institutes to generate a picture of possible futures. This seminal research examined what changes must occur if religious life is to remain a vital gift to the Church in the next millennium. This study called for a radical response to the Gospel and a life more aligned with serving those who are poor and living on the margins.  

Ten years ago in 2012, the NRVC produced a video with eight newer entrants to religious life highlighting the key themes from the benchmark 2009 NRVC/CARA Study on Recent Vocations to Religious Life among women and men who entered from 1993-2008. The video was part of a larger program called, Moving Forward in Hope: Keys to the Future, where almost 100 participants participated in a 2 day workshop to lead their own congregations in moving forward in hope. 

This lively roundtable conversation will provide time to ponder: In hindsight, what would they say today about their insights, lived experiences, and understanding of religious life? What changes have they experienced in religious life since 1992 and 2012? Are they still moving forward in hope? What do they perceive to be the keys to the future for religious life? Time will be allotted for presentation and table conversation on November 4 at Convocation to integrate the 2020 NRVC/CARA Study on Recent Vocations to Religious Life. This presentation is included in the Convocation registration. 

Presenters

Father Kevin DePrinzio, O.S.A., is an Augustinian Friar of the Province of St. Thomas of Villanova. He entered the community in 1998 and professed solemn vows in 2003.  He has served in campus ministry at both Merrimack College and Villanova University. In addition, he was also vocation director and a member of the initial formation team for his province, while also completing a term on the board for NRVC.  Father Kevin holds a doctorate in Christian Spirituality from the Catholic University of America and currently serves as Vice President for Mission & Ministry at Villanova University.


Sister Ana Dura, C.R., is a native of Northern California, and initially served as an Occupational Therapist in the Congregation's health care ministry and in their transistional housing facility for women and children experiencing homelessness. She has served as director for the Province's vocation and formation ministry and was elected to serve on the Province leadership team. Woven throughout these ministries Sister Ana has followed a call to care for creation by initiating a community garden that has evolved into a small farm that seeks to raise awareness of our connectedness and dependence upon creation.  Currently she serves full-time in this ministry.


Sister Angela Gertsema, A.S.C.J., is originally from St. Joseph, Missouri. She joined the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in 2002 and professed perpetual vows in 2010. Sr. Angela has a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary School Education from Iona College, a Master’s degree in Special Education from Fordham University; and a certificate in Spiritual Direction from Fairfield University. She served as an elementary school teacher, a missionary in Taiwan, and vocation director. Sr. Angela is currently a formation directress and a provincial councilor. 


Sister Sarah Kohles, O.S.F. is a Sister of St. Francis of Dubuque, entering the community in 2003 and professing perpetual vows in 2011. She earned a Ph.D. in Biblical Studies from Graduate Theological Union in 2019. She has served as an adjunct professor at Loras College, St. Mary's University in San Antonio, and the Franciscan School of Theology. Sister Sarah is a coeditor and contributor to In Our Own Words: Religious Life in a Change World, and a contributor and editor for the book, Creating Spaces for Women in the Catholic Church.


Sister Miriam D. Ukeritis, C.S.J. is a Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet.  She ministered as a member of her Province Leadership Team from 1996 to 2004 and on her Congregational Leadership Team from 2014 to 2019.  From 2003 through 2013, Sr. Miriam served as Director of Research, then as CEO, at the Southdown Institute in Ontario, Canada. Her professional background includes masters and doctoral degrees in clinical psychology from the University of Pittsburgh.  Sr. Miriam, with Fr. David Nygren, CM, engaged in research on the Future of Religious Orders in the United States in 1992. She currently ministers as co-Director of Vocations for her province and co-Director of Novices for their congregational novitiate.


Brother Patrick Winbush, O.S.B. was born in 1980 in New Jersey. After completing his freshman year at Saint Peter’s University, Brother Patrick entered the Benedictine Abbey of Newark at the age of 18. In 2005, he professed his solemn vows. Brother Patrick has served as a teacher, assistant dean of discipline, level coordinator, campus minister, and group moderator. In 2015, he was appointed Principal of Saint Mary School in Newark. Patrick has served as vocation director since 2007 and in 2012 was appointed Sub-Prior of the monastery. He is currently studying for the priesthood at Immaculate Conception Seminary in N.J.

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1 Comment

Nrvc avatar default

Sr. Connie Bach P.H.J.C.

17:12:04 - 2022. Apr 13

Looks to be quite interesting and hopeful!

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