2017 Summer Institute

2017 Summer Institute


2017 NRVC Summer Institute, July 10-25, 2017

Registration and accommodation information

 

Our annual Summer Institute will offer four workshops at the downtown campus of DePaul University, July 10-25, 2017. Choose to attend one or several workshops. Located in the popular Chicago Loop at 1 East Jackson Boulevard, DePaul University is easily accessible from both Midway and O’Hare airports by shuttle, taxi, and Chicago mass transit. . For more information about the venue, visit their website at www.depaul.edu/about/campuses/Pages/loop.aspx 

Workshops

 

Summer Institute

 

Workshop registration

Please register for all workshops through our online registration form. Simply click the registration link that appears in each workshop description to register for that event.

 

Registration fees

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. Not an NRVC member? Signup now to receive the discounted rate on workshops. To sign up click here

Late registration

Registrations for workshops received after June 27 will incur a $100 late fee per workshop.

Accommodations

Overnight accommodations are $115 per night for anyone in need of housing regardless of membership status. 

For the convenience of participants, affordable housing is contracted through University Center, which is just two blocks from DePaul University, close to restaurants, museums, and Lake Michigan. The University Center offers private bedrooms in a two-person suite connected to a shared bathroom with other NRVC workshop participants. A breakfast buffet, linen service, and fitness center is included. Limited rooms are available; make your overnight accommodations when you register for your workshop. Please do not call the University Center for reservations. 

If you need overnight accommodations at the University Center, register as a resident (if you will drive to/from the workshops each day, register as a commuter).

DePaul University is a fantastic location and it has been great to be here!  

Father Brian Nolan, C.S.s.R.

Commuter

If you do not require overnight accommodations, please register as a commuter.

 

Resident

If you need overnight accommodations at the University Center, register as a resident). Reservations are contracted for arrivals after 3 p.m. the day before the workshop begins and most workshops have check-out the day after the workshop ends by 9 a.m. This means you are responsible for the full payment of the room reservation, regardless of your arrival and departure date.  Unfortunately, room reservations cannot be made for earlier arrivals or later departures. The Center has a locked storage unit to hold luggage until you are ready to leave on the day of your departure. If you are staying for the next workshop, you will not need to check out. 

Please note that these accommodations are designed very simply for university students and short stays at an affordable rate of $115 per night, per person. If you need more amenities, make your reservation at local hotels. The Travelodge, Congress Hotel, Harrison Hotel, and the Hilton are all within walking distance from DePaul University. If you do not need overnight accommodations at the University Center, register as a commuter.

 

Cancellations

Cancellations for workshops and/or accommodations must be received in writing before June 27 to receive a full refund, less a $100 processing fee per workshop. After the deadline, all fees are non-refundable for the cancellation of workshops and/or accommodations. 

 

Mass

Mass for workshop participants will be offered each day (except Sunday) at 8 a.m. 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 at  110 West Madison Street, Chicago, IL 60602-4196 offers liturgy at the following times during the week: 6:15 a.m., 7:15 a.m., 8:15 a.m., 11:40 a.m., 12:15 p.m., 1:15 p.m., and 5 p.m. 

Mass at Summer Institute

I appreciate the fine work NRVC continues to do to help vocation ministers and leadership to become more competent.

—Sister Christine Garcia, S.S.N.D.



2017 NRVC Programs and Workshops

Registration is now open!

 

General Information

The Mission of the National Religious Vocation Conference (NRVC) reflects its commitment to provide membership with educational opportunities, resources, and other supportive services that strengthen and enhance the professional ministerial skills of those serving in vocation ministry. NRVC strongly suggests that vocation ministers participate in ongoing educational opportunities to attend to their own vocation, faith formation, and to further develop their professional competencies. It is essential for vocation ministers to keep up-to-date on trends, issues, skills, and best practices in the field of vocation ministry.  

This year, NRVC is offering eight 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 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. 

I have learned so much. I never realized all the implications of what it means to be a vocation minister. What an awesome responsibility! Thank you. You have helped me greatly.

—Sister Laura Urbano, P.B.V.M. 

 

2017 Program Schedule

SUMMER

FALL

Registration fees

Workshops are open to NRVC members at the consistently low discounted rate of $150 per day per member and for non-members at $225 per day per person. The Vocation Ambassador Program requires a preapproved application. Learn more here. 

Not an NRVC member? Signup here to receive the discounted rate.
 

Accommodations

Overnight accommodations are $115 per night for anyone in need of housing regardless of membership status. Click on the following links for additional information regarding accommodations: 

Summer Institute

Fall Institute
 

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 debbiesscm@nrvc.net for an application.
 

The schedule was super! Time for breakfast, prayer, Mass in the morning without rush—as well as generous time for lunch and breaks. 

—Sister Laura Cavanaugh, S.B.S



Behavioral Assessment I, July 10-12, 2017

Presenter: Father Raymond P. Carey, Ph.D.

Click here to register.

 

This workshop presents practical interviewing techniques housed in a theoretical framework of behavioral assessment. While the focus of the workshop is on initial assessment of candidates, the methodology easily applies to assessing candidates in other stages of formation as well. Workshop participants study sample case reports, and learn skills for interviewing as well as guidelines for organizing the information into useful reports. Interview topics include: family background, educational and occupational histories, psychosexual histories and intimacy skills, faith history, and other pertinent issues related to comprehensive vocational assessment.

Schedule

The workshop begins at 9 a.m. each morning, from July 10-12. Please note this workshop ends at 4:30 p.m. on July 12. Overnight accommodations are contracted for 4 nights, arrival on July 9 and check out on July 13.

Fees

Workshop fees include materials, speaker, morning light refreshments, and facility fees. The fees do not include meals or parking. 

Commuter: $450 – NRVC Member     $675 – Non-NRVC Member
Resident: $910 – NRVC Member        $1135 – Non-NRVC Member

 

Presenter

Father Raymond P. Carey, Ph.D. is a priest of the Archdiocese of Portland, OR. He has taught at both the secondary and university levels, and currently teaches at Mount Angel Seminary Graduate School of Theology in Saint Benedict, Oregon. Father Carey holds a doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Ottawa, Canada. He has presented workshops in North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. He is a past recipient of the NRVC Harvest Award for his work in service of vocation ministry.

 

An in-depth look at more challenging issues of personal experiences in assessing candidates, this is a gold mine. Father Ray’s rich knowledge and experience in his field is very helpful, it gives a sense of authenticity. I am challenging myself to be better in assessing inquirers and my own materials.

—Sister Gloria Tamayo, M.M.

Thank you for the simplicity in your presentations that are so powerful. I feel really confident now that I can do candidate assessment. I have learned much in this workshop. 

—Sr. Palepa Iaone, S.M.S.M.

Father Ray is amazing! He gave me the tools I need to be more competent and professional in my candidate assessments.

—Father Ray Ignatius Smith, C.M.F.

Click here to register.

 
 


Understanding, Assessing, and Fostering Psycho-sexual Integration, July 17-20, 2017

Presenter: Sister Lynn M. Levo, C.S.J., Ph.D.

Click here to register.


Vocation ministers need to have an understanding of psychological well-being and psychosexual development so that they may adequately assess a candidate’s ability to lead a passionate, healthy and integrated life. In this workshop we will explore: well-being, an integrated understanding of sexuality, the centrality of relationships and intimacy, the necessity of personal boundaries, the impact of one’s past, especially physical, emotional and sexual abuse on one’s ability to relate, emotional awareness and integration, living a healthy sexual and celibate life as well as the impact of social media on personal development. 

Schedule

The workshop begins at 9 a.m. each morning, July 17-20. The workshop ends at noon on July 20. Overnight accommodations are contracted for 4 nights, arrival on July 16 and check out on July 20, the same day this workshop ends.

Fees

Workshop fees include materials, speaker, morning light refreshments, and facility fees. The fees do not include meals or parking. 

Commuter:  $525 – NRVC Member    $788 – Non-NRVC Member
Resident:  $985 – NRVC Member   $1248 – Non-NRVC Member

 

Presenter

 

Sister Lynn M. Levo, C.S.J., Ph.D., is a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, a licensed psychologist, consultant and lecturer. She received her Ph.D. from the University of New York at Albany, completing her clinical training at The University of Kansas School of Medicine. After serving 12 years as the Director of Education and Editor of Lukenotes at Saint Luke Institute, Silver Spring, MD, Lynn is currently a consulting psychologist in private practice, offering consultations, presentations, and workshops both in the U.S. and abroad on fostering healthy integrated sexuality, celibacy, relationships, intimacy, mutuality in community, and emotional intelligence. Lynn received the NRVC Outstanding Recognition Award at Convocation 2016.

 

.

The depth of content, ongoing research, and practical stories were most helpful. Sister Lynn has excellent material, excellent stories and excellent delivery. I loved your inspiring quotes to start each day of the workshop!

—Father John Bamman, OFM. Conv.

The content was extremely interesting, relevant and needed. I needed to be educated and updated. Sister Lynn makes me feel comfortable with sensitive subjects which allows for openness and feedback. Thank you for being transparent, concise and passionate.

—Sister Barbara Smith, O.S.B.

 

Click here to register.

 


Ethical issues, July 14-15, 2017

Presenter: Father Raymond P. Carey, Ph.D.

Click here to register.

This workshop will explore ethical principles governing confidentiality, agency and obligations related to positions of trust. The workshop will also address issues related to dissemination of information, the timeliness of admissions or dismissal decisions, and other issues related to ethical rights of candidates as well as ethical rights of those in positions of authority. 

 

Schedule

The workshop begins at 9 a.m. each morning from July 14-15. Please note this workshop ends at 4:30 p.m. on July 15. Overnight accommodations are contracted for 3 nights, arrival on July 13 and check out on July 16.

 

Fees

Workshop fees include materials, speaker, morning light refreshments, and facility fees. The fee does not include meals or parking.

Commuter:  $300 – NRVC Member    $450 – Non-NRVC Member
Resident:  $645 – NRVC Member       $795 – Non-NRVC Member  
 

Presenter

Father Raymond P. Carey, Ph.D. is a priest of the Archdiocese of Portland, OR. He has taught at both the secondary and university levels, and currently teaches at Mount Angel Seminary Graduate School of Theology in Saint Benedict, Oregon. Father Carey holds a doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Ottawa, Canada. He has presented workshops in North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. He is a past recipient of the NRVC Harvest Award for his work in service of vocation ministry.

 

Father Ray is leading by example, he takes every question seriously and answers clearly, truthfully, and respectfully. I found the real life examples and respect for each person to be most helpful. 

—Sister Theresa Helena Muzeta, R.S.C.

Father Ray's ability to back up principles with real life examples was helpful. He gave me great information to take back to share with my leadership.

—Brother  August Schaefer, O.S.B.

The topics that were most helpful were the rights of minimal intrusion, fiduciary trust, and confidentiality. I learned what not to ask and how to assess skills for religious life. Father Ray's concrete examples and stories were helpful.

—Sister  Barbara Wells, R.G.S.

Click here to register.



Orientation Program for New Vocation Directors, July 21-25, 2017

Presenters: Deborah M. Borneman, SS.C.M. and Sharon Dillon, SSJ-TOSF

 

Click here to register.

This workshop is intended for new and recently appointed vocation directors.  Its goal is to provide participants with the skills, context, theory, challenges and practicalities of contemporary vocation ministry. Topics will include:  theology of call; candidate issues; discernment, assessment and the application process; the role of membership and religious leadership; advertising and education; ethics and boundaries; and self-care of the vocation director.

Schedule

This workshop begins at 9 a.m. each morning from July 21-25. Please note this workshop ends at 4:30 p.m. on July 25. Overnight accommodations are contracted for 6 nights, arrival on July 20 and check out on July 26. 

Fees

Workshop fees include materials, speaker, morning light refreshments, and facility fees. The fees do not include meals or parking. 

Commuter:  $675 – NRVC Member     $1,015 – Non-NRVC Member
Resident:  $1,365 – NRVC Member   $1,705 – Non-NRVC Member  

Presenters

 

Sister Deborah M. Borneman, SS.C.M. is a member of the Sisters of Saints Cyril and Methodius. She began working for the NRVC in 2011 and currently serves as the Director of Member Relations and Services. Sister Debbie has served previously in youth ministry, campus ministry, parish pastoral care, and as vocation director for her congregation. She also ministered as coordinator for vocation awareness programs for the Diocese of Harrisburg. Sister Debbie has a Master of Divinity degree and a Master of Arts Degree in Pastoral Studies from Loyola University of Chicago. She focused her research on The Weariness among Women Religious in Promoting Vocations to Religious Life in the Twenty-first Century.

Sr. Sharon Dillon, S.S.J.-T.O.S.F.Sister Sharon Dillon, S.S.J.-T.O.S.F., is a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis. 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.


 

 

The warmth, enthusiasm, and positive spirit of the speakers created a very supportive atmosphere which helped build confidence and spark ideas. They created an atmosphere of encouragement, hope, and gave solid, practiced, and holistic information.

 —Sister Sharon Ratteree, O.S.C.

The wonderful resources, especially for first year vocation directors, were helpful. Everyone was welcoming and the structure of the entire program was well organized and flexible. 

—Brother David Eubank, M.S. 

 

Click here to register.



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