National Religious Vocation Conference announces new executive director

March 10, 2017

Sister Sharon Dillon, S.S.J.-T.O.S.F.

Chicago –The National Religious Vocation Conference (NRVC) is pleased to announce Sister Sharon Dillon,S.S.J-T.O.S.F. as its new executive director, effective June 1, 2017. Dillon succeeds Brother Paul Bednarczyk, C.S.C. who became vicar general of his community last September after serving at NRVC for 14 years. 

Dillon, a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis, brings a wide array of experience to the position. She was vocation director for her community for 10 years and served as executive director for the Franciscan Federation for six years. In the past 25 years she also co-founded, directed, worked at, and served on the board of several nonprofits that specialize in providing hospitality and support for people with intellectual and medical/physical challenges. Dillon has a master’s in education, is certified in special education and physical education, and is a Franciscan spiritual director.

“I love my vocation,” says Dillon, “and I am thrilled to play a role in carrying on the trailblazing work of the NRVC. Religious life is experiencing a paradigm shift, and NRVC provides important leadership during this transitional period. I look forward to continuing the welcome NRVC offers to men and women from all forms of religious life and safeguarding the outstanding programming and resources that have been the hallmark of NRVC’s contribution to religious communities, the Catholic Church, and the common good.”

The NRVC Board conducted a national search with an extensive interview process by a committee consisting of Sister Mary Rowell, C.S.J.; Brother Ronald Hingle, S.C.; Sister Josita Colbert, S.N.D.deN.; Sister Priscilla Moreno, R.S.M.; Father Ralph O’Donnell; Sister Mary Bendyna, O.P.; and Mr. Len Uhal.

“The board was impressed by the depth and breadth of Sister Sharon’s experience,” says Board Chair Brother Ronald Hingle, S.C. “We are confident that she will carry on the vision and legacy of inclusion and professional excellence passed on by our prior executive directors and effectively advance the mission of NRVC during her tenure.”

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The National Religious Vocation Conference (NRVC) was founded in 1988 as a professional organization of men and women committed to vocation awareness, invitation, and discernment to consecrated life as brothers, sisters, and priests. The NRVC provides its approximately 900 members, most of whom are vocation ministers for religious congregations, with continuing education, programming, and services for professional growth. NRVC also provides vocation-related resources to members, active discerners, parish ministers, and others in vocation ministry.