Culture Matters: Are We Listening with Today’s Discerners virtual workshop

Fall & Winter events

Culture Matters: Are We Listening with Today’s Discerners virtual workshop

October 14, 21, and 28, 2025

Go Back

Registration for this workshop will open later this year.

Join us for an enriching and transformative virtual workshop series designed for those passionate about promoting vocations and engaging with diverse candidates. Over three dynamic days, you will have the opportunity to:

Work through cultural biases and foster authentic hospitality as you promote vocations and accompany discerners.
Explore the myriad influences on culture and identify key cultural areas that vocation ministers need to focus on.
Guide applicants in crafting their autobiographies and learn to read these narratives through various cultural perspectives.

Please note this three-day workshop begins on October 14 at 9:00 a.m. for three successive Tuesdays, and ends on October 28 at 3:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time (CDT) U.S. There is a 60-minute break from noon - 1:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time (CDT) U.S. Workshop materials will be mailed to participants at least two weeks before the workshop begins.

Please note: This workshop is not recorded to allow the presenter and participants the opportunity to speak authentically in a learning community. Personal recording is prohibited.

Workshop highlights

October 14, 2025: Examining “Culture Matters” in Vocation Promotion, Accompaniment, and Discernment, presented by Br. Ernest Miller, F.S.C.

Delve into the burgeoning topic of ‘culture matters’ and its expanding role in consecrated life. Drawing inspiration from Pope Paul VI’s poignant statement in Evangelii Nuntiandi, “the split between the gospel and culture is without a doubt the drama of our time, just as it was of other times,” this session will explore the theological and practical aspects of culture present in the discernment process, and ultimately, community life. Engage with texts and voices that offer insights into accompanying and fostering authentic and genuine hospitality within your community.

October 21, 2025: Called to Serve the Church in 2050, presented by Ms. Katherine Angulo Valenzuela

Address the pressing challenge of younger generations' disaffiliation from their faith. This session will provide you with strategies to cultivate a culture of engagement that invites the Church of 2050 to participate in God’s mission. Examine the factors influencing young adults' faith choices, decision-making, use of time, and their connections to technology and family. Hear ways young adults build communities, connect with the Church, participate in service immersion experiences, and nurture their faith. Learn what enthusiastic vocation ministers need to know when visiting college campuses to effectively engage students.

October 28, 2025: Stories Matter: Helping Applicants Write Their Autobiographies, and Reading Them from Cultural Lenses, presented by Fr. Patrick Keyes, C.Ss.R.

Understand and appreciate the diverse backgrounds of applicants seeking entrance into religious life. This session will help you guide applicants in writing their cultural autobiographies while also reflecting on your own cultural identity. Share your experiences and learn how cultural backgrounds shape engagement with applicants' narratives. This session builds upon the previous sessions, providing a comprehensive approach to fostering inclusive and welcoming communities.

Workshop fees

Workshop fees include materials, speaker stipends, and postage.

NRVC member: $ 555 Non-member: $ 840

Become an NRVC member here to save on workshop fees.

Late fees

All workshop registrations received after October 1 incur a $100 late fee.

Cancellations

Cancellations for workshops must be received in writing to dinasp@nrvc.net. After October 1, all fees are non-refundable.

Presenters

Brother Ernest Miller, FSC, is a member of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, commonly known as the De La Salle Christian Brothers. He currently serves as Director of the Adrien Nyel Project within the Office for Mission and Ministry in the Lasallian District of Eastern North America. Previous ministry includes Vice President for Mission and then Vice President of Mission, Diversity, and Inclusion at La Salle University in Philadelphia. He also served on the teaching faculty at three La Salle secondary schools. He holds a doctorate in ministry from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, and master's degrees in education from La Salle University, international affairs from The George Washington University, and liberal studies from Georgetown University. He earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from Loyola University New Orleans.

Ms. Katherine Angulo Valenzuela is the Program Director of the Thriving in Ministry Initiative. She directs five important outreach efforts, up to $19 million supported by Lilly Endowment Inc. The newest, called Pathways to Communion, aims to strengthen the ecosystem of theologically informed service opportunities for young Catholics in the United States. Katherine also 1) works to prepare pastoral leaders for long-term ministry in the Church in the Strong Foundations for Catholic Leaders program, 2) provides intellectual and spiritual renewal for invited diocesan priests in the Bishop John M. D'Arcy Program in Priestly Renewal, and 3) is partnering with Iskali to create cultures of affiliation in the Hispanic Catholic Church in the United States through the Young Adult Innovation Hub.

Fr. Patrick Keyes, C.Ss.R. is a Redemptorist priest from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He is of Northern European heritage and a third-generation Cheese-head (Wisconsinite). Fr. Patrick professed first vows in 1985 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1989. After ordination, he worked primarily with the U.S. Latino Community. Fr. Patrick spent four years in Brazil's Amazon Rainforest, accompanying small Christian Communities. He served as postulant director for the Redemptorists of North America and the English-speaking Caribbean in the Bronx, New York. He holds a doctorate in pastoral counseling from Fordham University in New York; his dissertation was on creating culturally diverse communities. Fr. Patrick currently resides at the Church of Holy Trinity in Mexico City and serves as one of the postulant formation directors for his congregation.

Financial assistance available

To assist NRVC members with their professional development, the Misericordia Scholarship Fund is available. Scholarship funds can be applied to NRVC workshops; however, they do not cover the cost of transportation, accommodations, meals, or personal expenses. If you need financial assistance to attend an NRVC workshop, please apply here.

Workshop terms and conditions

Please read our NRVC terms and conditions for all events and programs.

The most helpful insight for me was the importance of focusing on behavior/data and asking questions that provoke conversation about behavior and not just thoughts or ideas about something.

--Fr. Scott Surrency, O.F.M. Cap.

Fr. Ray is direct, clear, and provides depth through his stories. He tackles tough questions. He is so clear and gives salient examples. I do not have enough superlatives to describe his attributes, skills, and knowledge.
--Sr. Marie Mackey, C.S.J.

The workshop met my expectations in learning how to assess candidates to religious life and how to address sensitive areas as well as in gaining knowledge and a sense of what can raise a "red flag" in my interviews with candidates.

--Sr. Inga Kvassayova, ISMM

Workshops are designed from the NRVC curriculum for those who wish to deepen their understanding of the complex theological, spiritual, psycho-sexual, ethical, and diversity issues often present in contemporary vocation ministry. NRVC recommends that vocation ministers participate in ongoing educational opportunities to attend to their own vocation, faith formation, and to further develop their professional competencies.