Sister Jean Rhoads, D.C.

What sorts of vocation ministry roles have you played?

I have been vocation director for my community, Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul since 2017. I am on the NRVC Finance Advisory Committee, and I serve with Sister Kathleen Persson, O.S.B. as co-coordinator for the Mid-Atlantic Member Area. From 2004 to 2011 I was on my community’s provincial council, which oversaw vocation ministry.

How does your community share responsibility for vocation ministry?

We have a vocation team of two vocation directors (Sister Regina Hlavac, D.C., based in San Antonio, and me in Philadelphia). Five other sisters volunteer time to serve on our vocation team. Their main roles are to help identify vocation opportunities in various geographic areas and to participate in vocation efforts as their responsibilities in other ministries allow.  

Has being a member of NRVC been helpful?

NRVC has been invaluable because of the great people who are part of this organization who provide a solid source of expertise, education, and networking. Vocation ministry has so many facets such as companioning individuals in their discernment, giving small and large group presentations, serving on vocation panels, participating in conferences (e.g., NCYC, FOCUS, etc.), overseeing and posting to social media, and being active in local and state vocation committees. 

NRVC offers ready access to people who have served in this role for years and can share wisdom and insights. It also offers courses and webinars to enhance the skill set of each vocation minister. Thank you, NRVC!

What  program, idea, or approach have you been pleased with lately?

The most meaningful approach I’ve taken this year is to make personal connections to campus ministers in order to be invited to an activity that is already occurring at their colleges or universities. The lives of college students are so busy that the response and participation of potential discerners is much higher when the event is right there and on the regular schedule of the Newman Center or Catholic campus ministry.

Could you share a fun fact about yourself? 

I love to bake (it’s relaxing and lessens stress ), and I make awesome homemade sticky buns, cinnamon rolls, chocolate cake, and various cookies.

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? 

I thought I wanted to be a high school math teacher, be married, and have lots of children. It seems the Lord had other plans!