All workshops were filled to capacity .The number of registrations for Summer Institute was the highest since 2009.

Our annual Summer Institute offered three workshops at the downtown campus of DePaul University, July 12-23, 2016. Participants could choose how many workshops to participate in. Located in the popular Chicago Loop at Jackson and State Streets, DePaul University is easily accessible from both Midway (MDW) and O'Hare (ORD) airports by shuttle, taxi, and CTA trains. The Loop Campus is located at 1 East Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL. For more information about the venue, visit their website at www.depaul.edu/about/campuses/Pages/loop.aspx 

2016 Workshop Schedule and Fees

• Orientation Program for New Vocation Directors, offered July 13-17, 2016.  
• Ethical Issues in Vocation and Formation Ministry, offered July 18-19, 2016. 
• Behavioral Assessment 1, offered July 21-23, 2016. 

Orientation Program for New Vocation Directors

Commuter: $675 NRVC Member;  $1,015 non-NRVC member

Resident (includes housing): $1,225 NRVC member;  $1,565 non-NRVC member 

Ethical Issues in Vocation and Formation Ministry

Commuter: $300 NRVC member;  $450 non-NRVC member

Resident (includes housing): $630 NRVC member;  $780 non-NRVC member

Behavioral Assessment 1

Commuter: $450 NRVC member;  $675 non-NRVC member

Resident (includes housing): $890 NRVC member;  $1,115 non-NRVC member

For all workshops: Late registration fee of $100 for registrations after July 1.

Financial assistance is available to NRVC members through the Misericordia Scholarship Fund. Click here to learn more about the Fund.

Cancellations 

Cancellation of any summer workshop or room accommodations must be received in writing before June 15 to receive a refund less a $100 processing fee. After June 15, all payments are non-refundable.

Registration Reminders

Resident

Limited rooms for overnight accommodations are available in reserved blocks for NRVC Summer Institute participants at the University Center, which is just two blocks from DePaul University. Enjoy the convenience of having your workshop close to restaurants, shopping, museums and Lake Michigan. The University Center offers two-person suites, which include a private bedroom and a shared bathroom with another NRVC workshop participant. Your overnight accommodation includes a buffet breakfast on weekdays or a brunch on weekends.

Make your reservations for overnight accommodations when you register online for your workshop. Reservations for rooms are made in a block schedule for each workshop. You are responsible for the full payment of the room reservation, regardless of your arrival or departure times. Check-in is after 3:00 p.m. on the day before the workshop begins. Check out dates vary depending upon each workshop. Due to the contractual agreement with University Center, dates cannot be adjusted for early arrivals/late departures. If you are traveling from overseas, please call the NRVC office at 773-363-5454 for possible housing alternatives if you need additional nights of accommodations. Please do not call the University Center for reservations. 

Mass 

Mass for workshop participants will be offered each day (except Sunday) at 8:00 AM in the Lewis Center building located within the DePaul University Building at Jackson and Wabash. If you need to attend liturgy at another time, St. Peter’s in the Loop located at  110 W Madison St, Chicago, IL 60602-4196 offers liturgy at the following times during the week: 6:15 AM, 7:15 AM, 8:15 AM, 11:40 AM, 12:15 PM, 1:15 PM, and 5:00 PM. 

I loved the accommodations: they were safe and close to DePaul University. The cafeteria at the University Center was also very good; I used it often for my breakfast. —Father Remo Zanatta C.R.S.

DePaul University is a fantastic location and it has been great to be here!  —Father Brian Nolan, C.S.s.R.

It was convenient to have breakfast right there at the University Center. I guess I'd have to say that the biggest plus for me with housing was that it was so close to where we met for the Institute. I liked being able to walk there and not have to worry about finding transportation. It was also close enough to the lake that we walked there a number of evenings.

—Sister Clarice Korger, O.S.B.

I appreciated the longer lunch break to relax and to network. Thank you for a well organized workshop.

—Father Stephen Lopez, O.P.

The National Religious Vocation Conference (NRVC) reflects all forms of religious life and is committed to providing its membership with educational opportunities, resources, and other supportive services that strengthen and enhance spiritual, professional and personal growth. It is essential for professional vocation ministers to keep updated in the trends, issues, skills, and best practices in the field of vocation ministry. NRVC members make lifelong education a priority and the NRVC recommends that all vocation ministers participate in ongoing educational opportunities to further develop their professional skills and competencies. 

This year, NRVC is offering three workshops for professional development at its annual Summer Institute. Workshops are intended for vocation ministers, formation teams, seminary personnel, religious leadership and others entrusted with the assessment of discerners and candidates. Workshops are designed 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.

While the message from the risen Christ to “Come, follow me” has not changed in over two millennia, the methods used to promote vocations continue to evolve. Through our programs, NRVC strives to provide participants with the tools and information they need to minister effectively in this day and age.

Sister Deborah M. Borneman, SS.C.M.

Director of Member Relations and Services

 

2016 Workshop Schedule

• Orientation Program for New Vocation Directors  July 12-17, 2016
• Ethical Issues in Vocation Ministry and Formation Ministry  July 18-19, 2016
• Behavioral Assessment 1 July 21-23, 2016

Financial assistance available

In his announcement of the Holy Year of Mercy, Pope Francis said, “No one can be excluded from the mercy of God . . . the Church is the house that welcomes all and refuses no one.” Because we at NRVC believe in what do, we want to welcome all—and refuse no one—to our mission of promoting religious life for the next generation.

The Misericordia Scholarship Fund is available for NRVC members due to the generosity of donations made by NRVC members. Scholarship funds can be applied to NRVC workshops, however they do not cover the cost of transportation, accommodations, meals, or personal expenses. If you would like to attend an NRVC workshop and need financial assistance, please contact our Director of Member Relations and Services, Sr. Deborah Marie Borneman, SS.C.M. at debbiesscm@nrvc.net. 

Advent can be the ideal time for busy vocation and formation ministers to slow down for much needed self-care and intensive prayer. This year, NRVC and the Religious Formation Conference (RFC) are collaborating to offer their members four days in the desert to focus on transformation and the journey of faith. The program will be held at the Redemptorist Renewal Center in Tucson, AZ. Situated in the foothills of the Tucson Mountains in the beautiful Sonoran Desert, it is a site that appeals to the nature lover and gently challenges city dwellers. Overnight accommodations include private room and bath as well as internet access and all meals. The retreat center is approximately 20 minutes by shuttle from the Tucson airport (TUC). For more information about the facility, go to: www.desertrenewal.org. Please do not call the Redemptorist Renewal Center for reservations.

Due to low registration, this event has been cancelled.

If you would like to be present for a private retreat at this time, please call Sister Debbie, Director of Member Relations and Services at 773.363.5454 or email her at debbiesscm@nrvc.net 

Learning to live and pray in joyful hope

This Advent retreat experience offers vocation and formation ministers opportunities to embrace spiritual practices characteristic of traditional Advent spirituality: waiting, accepting, anticipating, listening, heightened awareness, gratitude, silence, and pondering into the depths of the heart. These practices aid us along the way of our hurried lives and especially help us to slow down a bit during the hustle and bustle of the commercialized rush to Christmas. Our days of reflection and renewal will offer participants a needed pause that will refresh bodies, minds, and souls with inspiration that flows from the season’s scriptural readings, music, symbols, and rituals. Come join us as we pave the way for our hearts to wait in joyful hope to celebrate the wonder and peace of Christmas, not just for a day but the whole year long.

Schedule

This program begins at 5 p.m. on Monday, December 14, and ends at 10 a.m. on Thursday, December 17.

Presenter

Program fees

Fees include three meals, materials, speaker, and facility fee. Resident: $675 – NRVC or RFC member. Room reservations are for 3 nights with a check-in on Monday, December 14 and a check out by 11 a.m. on Thursday, December 17. 

Just the opportunity to take the time to pause and breathe intentionally…and in community with other vocation ministers. I hope NRVC will keep programs like this to tend to our spiritual needs.

—Sister Maria Brizuela, O.S.F.