Taking part in the 2018 Summer Institute are Sister Linda Van Bussel, R.S.M., from Sisters of Mercy of New Zealand, and Father Richard Goodin, O.F.M., Province of St. John the Baptist.
The NRVC will offer five workshops in Chicago July 9-24. The following courses will be offered, all of them on the campus of the Catholic Theological Union in the dynamic lakeside neighborhood of Hyde Park. Registration for Summer Institute will open in February.
Orientation Program for New Vocation Directors
July 9-13
Ethical Issues in Vocation and Formation Ministry
July 15-16
Behavioral Assessment 1
July 18-20
Due Diligence in Vocation Ministry
(for those involved in vocation ministry for four years or more)
July 18-20
Communication Skills to Promote Vocations
July 22-24
2018 NRVC Workshop Information
Schedule & fees
General Information
This year, NRVC is offering six workshops intended for vocation ministers, formation teams, communicators, religious leadership, and others entrusted with the assessment of discerners and candidates. Workshops are designed from the NRVC three-component curriculumfor those who wish to deepen their understanding of the complex theological, spiritual, psycho-sexual, ethical, and diversity issues often present in contemporary vocation ministry.
These workshops are in line with the mission of the National Religious Vocation Conference (NRVC) to provide membership with educational opportunities, resources, and other supportive services that strengthen and enhance the practiced ministerial skills of those serving in vocation ministry. NRVC strongly suggests that vocation ministers participate in continuing educational opportunities not only to attend to their own vocation and faith formation and to further develop their professional competencies, but to keep up-to-date on trends, issues, skills, and best practices in the field of vocation ministry.
Workshops are open to NRVC members at a discounted rate and for non-members at an affordable price. Since 2014, all NRVC workshops are consistently priced at $150 per day per NRVC member, regardless of the topic or speaker. Non-members pay $225 (an additional 50%) per person per day for each workshop. If you would like to become a member to receive the discounted rate, click here. Overnight accommodations are $115 per night for anyone in need of housing regardless of membership status. Registration begins in early February.
Late Registration
Registrations for Summer Institute received after the June 25, 2018 will incur a $100 late fee.
Cancellations
Cancellations for Summer Institute and/or accommodations must be received in writing before June 25, 2018 to receive a full refund, less a $100 processing fee. After the deadline,all fees are non-refundable for the cancellation of workshops and/or accommodations.
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 email Sr. Debbie at debbiesscm@nrvc.net for an application.
I have learned so much. I never realized all the implications of what is means to be a vocation minister. What an awesome responsibility! Thank you, you have helped me greatly.
—Sister Laura Urbano, P.B.V.M.
National Catholic Sisters Week, March 8-14
National Catholic Sisters Week (NCSW) invites all to celebrate women religious from March 8-14.
NCSW is an annual celebration that began in 2014 to honor women religious with a series of events that instruct, enlighten, and bring greater focus on the lives of these incredible women. It’s a chance to recognize all that they do, with the hope that as more young women learn about women religious, more will choose to follow their example.
Visit the NCSW website, nationalcatholicsistersweek.org, to learn about the organization, find an event near you and join in honoring women religious, or plan an event of your own and spread the word.
Mini-grants available
NCSW is giving $85,000 in mini-grants, available in increments up to $1,000, to organizations across the country that host celebratory events during National Catholic Sisters Week, March 8-14. The NCSW mission is to honor women religious through a series of events that instruct, enlighten, and bring greater focus to the lives of these incredible women. For more information and to apply before the deadline of November 1st, click here. Applications here.
Check out the new curriculum developed by the National Catholic Sisters Project in English and Spanish.
NCSW is sponsored by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation.
The purpose of the World Day of Prayer for Vocations is to publicly celebrate vocations to ordained ministry and religious life in all its forms. Many parishes and religious institutes commemorate this day with prayer for vocations and vocation promotion events. Considering that 73 percent of women and men professing final vows participated in one or more parish activities and 88 perecent served in one or more parish ministries before entering religious life, our presence and participation in activities that mark this special day is essential. Consider asking parishes for opportunities to speak, pray, provide bulletin inserts, prayer cards, and conversation before and after Masses, in religious education programs, RCIA and confirmation formation classes on this day.
Prayer for World Day of Prayer for Vocations
Holy Spirit, stir within us the passion to promote vocations to the consecrated life, societies of apostolic life, diocesan priesthood, and permanent diaconate.
Inspire us daily to respond to Your call with boundless compassion, abundant generosity, and radical availability.
Help us to remember our own baptismal call to rouse us to invite the next generation to hear and respond to Your call.
Inspire parents, families, and lay ecclesial ministers to begin a conversation with young Catholics to consider a how they will live lives of holiness and sacred service.
Nudge inquirers and motivate discerners to learn more about monastic life, apostolic life, missionaries, cloistered contemplative life, and evangelical Franciscan life.
Ignite our Church with the confident humility that there is an urgent need for religious sisters, brothers, deacons, and priests to live in solidarity with those who are poor, neglected, and marginalized.
Disrupt our comfortable lives and complacent attitudes with new ideas to respond courageously and creativity with a daily 'YES!' Amen.
NRVC member, Sister Chela Gonzalez, O.P. was inspired to create two doodles for World Day of Prayer for Vocations. These coloring pages can be used with all ages who want to pray through art. Sr. Chela used the rosary as the core focus of her design, using any Mystery of the Rosary. The lower left swirl is for the Apostles Creed while the lower right swirl is for the Hail, Holy Queen. Each of the diamonds (two at the top and three at the bottom) are for the Lord’s Prayer, while each row of circles represents five Hail Mary prayers. The Glory Be prayer is prayed after praying ten Hail Mary prayers, and the artist can color in the design around the circles. This design is meant to intentionally bring one into prayer while coloring. The person can prayerfully name those who are discerning vocations, those who have already committed to single, ordained or vowed life, as well as asking for direction to answer God’s continuous call to holiness.
Religious Brothers Day is held annually on May 1, the feast of Saint Joseph the Worker.
All religious brothers are recognized during this international event. Prayer services and reflections for celebrating this day are available at yearforconsecratedlife.com.
For more information about Religious Brothers that may assist you in celebrating this vocation, download:
Here are the NRVC member institutes with religious brothers. To find links to websites and social networks to each of these communities go to our institutes website page.
National Catholic Sisters Week (NCSW) invites all to celebrate women religious from March 8-14. 
NRVC member, Sister Chela Gonzalez, O.P. was inspired to create two doodles for World Day of Prayer for Vocations. These coloring pages can be used with all ages who want to pray through art. Sr. Chela used the rosary as the core focus of her design, using any Mystery of the Rosary. The lower left swirl is for the Apostles Creed while the lower right swirl is for the Hail, Holy Queen. Each of the diamonds (two at the top and three at the bottom) are for the Lord’s Prayer, while each row of circles represents five Hail Mary prayers. The Glory Be prayer is prayed after praying ten Hail Mary prayers, and the artist can color in the design around the circles. This design is meant to intentionally bring one into prayer while coloring. The person can prayerfully name those who are discerning vocations, those who have already committed to single, ordained or vowed life, as well as asking for direction to answer God’s continuous call to holiness.
Religious Brothers Day is held annually on May 1, the feast of Saint Joseph the Worker. 
