2025 Vocation Promotion for Today’s Discerners

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Workshop description

Have you ever tried to connect with young people about how God may call them to serve, only to find that your tactics “yielded crickets”? We all know that vocation promotion can be challenging, particularly given the various communication outlets available to the young and the young-at-heart. What may work in some instances may not work in others. What modes should we choose/use, when should we use them, and for how long? Further, what do we need to be aware of when using them?

In the ever-expanding world of new technology, communications, and marketing, vocation ministers must communicate well via various forms to promote religious vocations and accompany inquirers and discerners effectively. This hands-on workshop will explore strategic communication planning, social media content development and analysis of its effectiveness, and how to set up and post your original podcasts. Learn how to tap into and enhance the skills you already have to “speak the same language” as those you encounter, delve into the dos and don’t’s of strategic communication planning, and find ways to stay connected, challenged, and hopeful as you engage with today’s discerners.

Arrival and departure days/times

Please note this two-day workshop begins on July 19 at 9:00 a.m. and ends on July 20 at 4:00 p.m. CST. Overnight accommodations are included, with arrivals after 3 pm on July 18 (the afternoon before the workshop begins) and departures before 9 am on July 21 (the morning after the workshop ends).

Venue

This workshop at our annual Summer Institute will be held at the Marillac Center, in Leavenworth, KS. It is the home of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth. The nearest airport is Kansas City (MCI) and ground transportation is available through Lyft, Uber, and Super Shuttle. The airport is 16 miles from the retreat center. 

Liturgy

Eucharistic Liturgy for workshop participants will be offered each day in the Chapel, including Sunday Mass. All participants are invited to be Liturgical leaders for Mass.

Presenters

Mrs. Renee Dee currently serves as the National Vocation Director for the Missionaries of La Salette and the NRVC Southeast Member Area Coordinator. Before her current ministry, Renée taught primary grades in Catholic schools in New York, Ohio, and Florida, served as a concierge and human resources generalist at a five-star resort, and ministered as a parish Director of Religious Education and Faith Formation.  These distinctive service-oriented perspectives developed her approach to vocation promotion, intermingling hospitality, service, and communication.  She has authored two books about a Gilded Age mansion-turned-resort near her home on Cape Cod, where she is the resident historian.  She holds a master’s degree in Reading Education and a bachelor’s in legal studies. 

Mr. Ernie J. Garrido works full-time in vocations for the Paulist Fathers, a position created in 2023 for a layperson. Ernie has 20 years of experience as a prolific mass media and communications professional. He has worked in magazine publishing, daily newspaper editorials, marketing and public relations, and social media campaigns. Ernie holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from The University of Texas at Austin and was a proud member of the Longhorn Marching Band, the Showband of the Southwest. He is a Lifetime Member of the Texas Exes, the alumni organization. Ernie lives in Brownsville, Texas, with his wife of 8 years. They are both avid marathon runners.

Mr. Dan Masterton is a Catholic pastoral minister, writer, and communicator. He earned a BA in Honors Theology graduating cum laude from the University of Notre Dame. He also earned an MA in Theology from Catholic Theological Union. Dan is a lay Viatorian Associate and works for the Viatorian community in vocation ministry, youth and young adult ministry, and communications, which includes podcast production, video creation, and social media management. You can find Dan’s writing and ministry portfolio at linktr.ee/danmasterton. He is a writer for the NRVC HORIZON Journal and has presented at Talk it up Tuesdays. Dan lives in Bolingbrook, IL, with his wife and three daughters.  

Workshop fees

Workshop fees include materials, speaker stipends, facility fees, all meals, and breaks. The workshop fee also includes overnight accommodations for 3 nights, arriving after 3:00 p.m. on July 18 (the afternoon before the workshop begins) and checking out by 9:00 a.m. on July 21 (the morning after the workshop ends). 

NRVC member: $700                          Non-member: $900

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Late fees

All workshop registrations received after June 30 incur a $100 late fee.

Cancellations

Cancellations for workshops must be received in writing to dinasp@nrvc.net before June 30 to receive a full refund minus a $100 processing fee. After June 30, all fees are non-refundable. 

Financial assistance available

The Misericordia Scholarship Fund is available to assist NRVC members with their professional development. 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.

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. 

Questions about Summer Institute workshops?

Please contact Sr. Dina Bato, S.P. at dinasp@nrvc.net.

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