I am NRVC

Being a vocation minister is "a sacred privilege," says Sister Barbara O'Kane, M.P.F. At the same time, it's a great way to give back, having received help from others when she was feeling a call to religious life. Read more...

Brother Brian Poulin, F.M.S. can't wait to get back to working with groups in person, but he is not idle during the pandemic. In addition to accompanying individuals in discernment by phone and publicizing his community via social media, he is also serving on the NRVC Board. Read more...

"So many things tickle and delight me," says Sister Colleen Brady, O.S.F. about her habit of seeing the world with a sense of humor. She uses humor often when engaging with others in vocation ministry. Read more...

Sister Bridget Waldorf, S.S.N.D. wants new vocation ministers to know they've got a lot of support, starting with other members of NRVC. "We are ready to assist, encourage, and share ideas," she says about the network she has found in the National Religious Vocation Conference. Read more...

"God is so very good," says Sister Nancy Uhl, S.N.D.deN. when looking over her vocational journey as wife, mom, widow, and Catholic sister. Her enthusiasm lends itself to vocation ministry. Read more...

Father Tom Whelan, O.S.A. has been a vocation director for 20 years, making him one of the longest tenured vocation directors in the history of NRVC! Read more...

Sister Jenny Zimmerman, S.N.D. is excited about a spiritual mentoring program her vocation ministry team is launching. "So many young adults are simply looking for someone to talk to, someone willing to listen to them without judgment," she says. Read more...

She's come a long way since attending the legendary Woodstock concert in 1969. Today Sister Michael Francine Duncan, S.S.M.O. finds herself praying, organizing, and promoting everything from vocation tweets to vocational Mass intentions. Read more...

A one-time Polish folk dancer, Sister Stephanie Spandl, S.S.N.D. is willing to move with new tunes in vocation ministry, including some recent experiments in online pairing of spiritual seekers with sister-mentors. Read more...

Sister Mary O'Donovan, O.Carm. loves working with young people, and one of her community's best recent innovations is a volunteer program that lets young people immerse themselves in the community ministry with the elderly: SALT (Serving the Aged Lovingly Today). Read more...

Sister Regina Hlavak, D.C. is responsible for vocation ministry in 14 states plus Montreal. A sense of humor helps inspire her, and when she isn't connecting with women in discernment, she enjoys gardening and playing the guitar. Read more...

Gregory Darr, a vocation minister for the Maryknoll Priests and Brothers (who is also a husband and dad), says, "I've come to realize that our best Maryknoll priests and brothers are those who, if they had experienced a different call, would have made wonderful husbands and fathers." Read more...

Brother Chris Patiño sees vocation ministry as a gift to the church: When young people come together with religious to learn how to discern, everyone gains. Read more...

The best part of her ministry is "journeying with young people who are so inspiring and open to God's will," says Sister Angela Gertsema A.S.C.J. Read more...

One of the more exciting things Father Rocco Puopolo, S.X. has tried lately was working with his member area to use Facebook Live for a presentation and panel discussion. It boosted attendance from 45 in-person to more than 1,000 virtual viewers! Read more...

Sister Christine Still, O.S.F. calls it a success any time a person finds his or her true vocation, no matter where it leads. She's also excited about the many ways vocation ministers are collaborating. Read more...

Sister Maryanne Tracey, S.C. says vocation ministry requires plenty of creativity and energy. "I am always trying to think of new ways to repackage our charism so it is attractive and appealing to diverse groups." Read more...

Sister Marie Mackey, C.S.J. says one of her biggest lessons learned in vocation ministry has been the importance of patience. Read more...

"Expect miracles" is the motto of Trappist Brother Christopher Cheney, O.C.S.O. Learn more about how he approaches this ministry. Read more...

An emphasis on serving young people (in contrast to "selling" his community) has allowed Father Leandro Fossa to thrive in vocation ministry. Read more...

Friar Charles Johnson, O.P. hopes that religious communities will draw the church outward to accompany the poor and give witness to God. That essential mission is what vocation ministry ideally promotes. Read more...

Mercy Associate and NRVC member Angie Giuffrè has been involved in vocation ministry for more than 20 years, frequently using social media to connect with women open to religious life. Read more...

In her role as vocation director for the Sisters of Notre Dame, Sister Teresita Richards, S.N.D. is excited about the "possibilities of social media as we try to connect with young adults." Read more...

"It is essential that vocation ministers have a good support system of friends and 'truth tellers' who will keep us honest, support us in those difficult times, and challenge us in times when we might become complacent," says Father Joe Nassal, C.PP.S., who has been involved in vocation work for decades. Read more...

Sister Celeste is excited by the internal work taking place in her community: from discussions about how to invite to efforts to unify the various branches of the S.S.J. sisters, "This is energizing," she says. Read more...

The S.V.D.'s best vocation effort does not belong to one program or technique, but rather a collection of many different efforts that have changed over time and an attitude that we must be proactive in vocation ministry and not sit back and wait for the phone to ring. Read more...

The enthusiasm and energy of NRVC vocation ministers have been a great source of support for Sister Christopher Marie Wagner, O.S.F., one of two vocation promoters for the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia. Read more...

As part of their successful "Vocation Culture Project" Augustinians annually hand out 30,000 mini-posters of their men in formation. They ask people connected to their ministries to display the poster as a reminder to pray for the men in the poster, for themselves, and for all discerners. Read more...

Sister Mary Yun, O.P. is finding that online meetings of groups of discerners have helped the women involved to feel less alone as they explore their callings. Read more...

For Sister Connie Bach, P.H.J.C. personal and communal authenticity is key in vocation ministry. "Our vocation team has worked very hard the last couple of years to look at our life together and ask how to make it more authentic and attractive," she says. Read more...

Father Charles Frederico, S.J. helped host 425 high school kids when the pope came to town, and he loved it. "They felt the fire of the Lord," he says. Read more...

Felician Sister Jane Mary has served as associate vocation director for the San Antonio archdiocese for nine years, in addition to being involved for many years in her own community's vocation efforts. "There are so many aspects to enjoy," she says of vocation ministry. Read more...

Meeting other vocation directors through NRVC has inspired Sister Charlene Herinckx, S.S.M.O., a lifetime member. "Their fervor and love of their communities and their vocations was always inspirational to me," she says. Read more...

The former executive director of NRVC continues to support vocations, but in a different way now. Find out how this NRVC Lifetime Member keeps the flame burning. Read more...

This Dominican Sister of Peace has seen her own ability to minister grow and become fruitful in the two years she has ministered in vocations. Read more...

"We had an open house in which every sister who lived here at the center participated—that was a great shot in the arm! We also have encouraged our sisters to create their own groups wherever they live and invite young women into the convent." Read more...

"NRVC has been a wonderful source of support and encouragement in my ministry," says Sister Anna Maria Lionetti. "I have received much in the way of formation by attending the convocations, and these moments have helped me network and be enriched by the experience of other vocation directors." Read more...

"Our best vocation effort is to simply imagine and be open to the possibility of new U.S. vocations. We’ve done that on the leadership level, and for us, that is no small thing." Read more...

"I find great meaning in Busy Persons Retreats, online retreats, and events that connect sisters and young adults in active service to the poor," says Sister Barbara Ann Smelko, S.C. Read more...

With six years under her belt in vocation ministry, Sister Sue Weetenkamp, R.S.M. says, "NRVC is my 'go to' for any questions about what is going on in the larger world of vocations." Read more...

Collaborating with others to get the word out about religious life is one of things that Sister Rita most enjoys about her work as a vocation minister for the Presentation Sisters of Dubuque, Iowa. Read more...

NRVC's "Orientation Program" was a lifeline for Sister Sarah Roy, O.S.F, Sisters of St. Francis of the Immaculate Conception, West Peoria, Illinois. "It gave me a strong foundation of what vocation ministry is all about and the tools I needed to be a good vocation minister." Read more...

The vocation director for the Society of the Holy Child Jesus, Sister Anita Quigley, S.H.C.J., says NRVC's "Keys to the Future" truly energized her community. She also enjoys putting on anti-stress workshops to connect with college students. Read more...

This long-time vocation minister finds it rewarding to "walk with a woman on her vocational journey." Sister Janet, vocation director for the Cenacle Sisters, also values the resources and support she finds from being united with other vocation directors. Read more...

A vocation minister for the past 15 years, Brother Jim McDonald, C.F.C. is energized by working with young adults and is blessed by the good friends he has made through NRVC. Read more...

Vocation director and NRVC board member, this Sister of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament never tires of hearing and sharing a good vocation story. Read more...

This Marianist vocation director says retreats and one-on-one companioning are the two most important things he does. Read more...

Maintain a sense of humor! That is the final bit of advice shared by this seasoned vocation director for the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm. Read more...

When Sister Dorothy is asked what has worked best in promoting vocations, she has an enthusiastic list of six ways she ministers. Read more...

For a short period of time in someone's life, I get to help them understand how God might be calling them. It amazes me every day. Read more...

As vocation director, Sister Maria Eleanor Caisido works to build a culture of vocations within her congregation. At the same time she reaches out to young adults in myriad ways. Through it all, she says, she plants and waters the seeds--and God causes the growth. Read more...

Every month Sister Vicki's community sponsors a dinner with "People of Hope," young people in volunteer or social justice positions. The young people get support. The sisters get inspiration and a chance to network. Read more...

NRVC has been a "guiding light" for seasoned vocation minister Sister Pat Twohill, O.P., whose outreach ranges from retreats, to live-in experiences, to an up-to-date website. Read more...

Dr. Nan Brenzel says one of her best ways to connect with young women is by inviting them to "events that address the critical issues of our times." Read more...

Cultivating relationships with eligible men and having a strong digital presence are the two main ways Friar Paul and his community conduct vocation ministry. And NRVC has been part of it from the start. Read more...

How long have you been in vocation ministry?First I was assistant director (2004), and then I became director in 2008.Are you part of a vocation team or a one-person operation?I'm a one-man show, with "other duties as assigned. Read more...

"Listen, listen, listen. Be available to young people. Go where they are and stay awake, literally as well as figuratively. Their schedule is not 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday! Don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions, especially of seasoned vocation directors. Don’t get stuck on numbers. Be faithful to your call as a vowed religious, and live with joy!". Read more...

Sister Julie Myers tells how she discerned God's call to be a vocation minister, how networking has helped her, and why being an NRVC member energizes her. Read more...

Now her community's formation director, Sister Virginia has been involved with vocation ministry for many years. NRVC membership gives her support, information, and strength. Read more...

Sister Jo-Anne Miller, CSJP says she has learned valuable information, developed useful skills, and made good connections by belonging to NRVC. Read more...

This vocation minister covers 18 states, Jamaica, and Guam. But she finds the training and collaboration from NRVC helps her do it all gracefully. Read more...

"It is a privilege to be able to listen deeply and to help women listen to God’s loving call in their lives." That is the reward and the challenge for Sister Colleen Brady, O.S.F., a vocation minister for the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, New York. Read more...

Sister Kathleen Branham, O.S.F. has loved letting her creative juices flow in response to vocation needs during the pandemic. She's excited to be partnering with the Franciscan Brothers of Brooklyn to host a new Franciscan Online Discernment Group. Read more...