In keeping with a longstanding tradition of earning annual editorial awards, VISION Vocation Guide and HORIZON recently received four awards from the Catholic Press Association. Congratulations to the team of writers, editors, and graphic designers for their outstanding work!  

Best Reporting on Vocations to Priesthood, Religious Life or Diaconate: First Place VISION Vocation Guide, See the Spirit in sisters  

Best Story and Photo Package: Second Place VISION Vocation Guide, Divine design: The holiness of place  

Best Interview: Third Place VISION Vocation Guide, "Monja” no era el plan original

Best Essay: Third Place HORIZON: Talking about and inviting to brotherhood  

NRVC's Misericordia Fund, which helps communities to take advantage of NRVC programming, has raised more than $26,000 this year—the largest amount in its history. Heartfelt thanks to the generous members of NRVC whose donations made this possible!  

Gifts are still welcome. Click here for details.

Meanwhile, the National Fund for Catholic Religious Vocations (NFCRV), a separate but affiliated organization that helps with new member education debt, is now reviewing eight grant applications. It will make funding decisions this month. The opportunity for education grants is a benefit available only to NRVC members.

Religious are being invited to minister to Catholic teenagers attending the National Catholic Youth Conference November 21-23 in Indianapolis. Make your plans to attend in one of three ways: as a volunteer, an exhibitor, or as an attendee with a group of young people.

This conference is a high-energy biennial gathering of engaged teens, youth  ministers, and parent-chaperones. Religious are encouraged to be present to serve and give witness to their way of life. NRVC is sponsoring Inspiration Nook, an inviting, vocation-themed gathering place for conversations with young people. 

If you know  you will be attending, please email NRVC's Sister Deborah Borneman, SS.C.M. at debbiesscm@nrvc.net with the name of your institute and names of attendees. Also, be aware that every participating adult, with no exceptions, must complete an online safe environment training. Details about attending as a vocation minister may be found on nrvc.net; additional event information is at ncyc.info.

More than 150 people from the United States and abroad will be taking part in the NRVC Summer Institute in Chicago July 9-24. Openings are still available for last-minute enrollments.

Fall Institute will take place on the beautiful grounds of the Marillac Center in Leavenworth, Kansas October 8-23.

This month, we call attention to Behavioral Assessment 2, being offered October 8-9. If you've taken the introductory course on this theme, don't miss the chance to go deeper. This workshop is for those who have done assessments already. Through group interaction and the guidance of  the seasoned presenter, Father Raymond P. Carey, Ph.D., participants will strengthen and expand their skills and knowledge. 

Behavioral Assessment 2                                             October 8-9

Behavioral Assessment 1                                             October 11-13

Orientation Program for New Vocation Directors     October 15-19

The Art of Accompaniment and Discernment           October 21-23

This summer and fall representatives from NRVC will be attending conferences of several national Catholic organizations, a step that builds strong communication and collaboration with those who till similar fields. These relationships pay off for our members by helping construct a vocation-positive environment in our church and allowing all of us to share resources and work in sync. A look at our outreach:

A Religious Brothers Symposium will take place at Boston College on April 4, 2020 with a theme of "The Prophetic Call of the Brother in the Church."

The event is co-sponsored by NRVC, the Religious Brothers Conference, Conference of Major Superiors of Men, and Religious Formation Conference.

Brother Guy Consolmagno, S.J., director of the Vatican Observatory, will be the keynote speaker. Cardinal Sean O'Malley, O.F.M. Cap. will preside at Mass, and optional trips will be organized to Spencer Abbey and downtown Boston.

Registration will open September 1.Watch for updates at religiousbrothers.org.

These postcard-sized prayer cards feature Kente cloth designs and are a perfect resource to promote all vocations in a variety of settings. The front of the prayer card contains a moving prayer by Sister Beatrice Jeffries, S.B.S. and the back has scripture verses from 1 Kings 19:11-12.

This resource was suggested by our NRVC Black Religious Committee and was then designed by NRVC Board member Sister Jo-Anne Miller, C.S.J.P.

Sold in packs of 100, the price for members is $5; non-members: $8. Order yours today at nrvc.net/store.

Redemptorist Renewal Center

The peaceful Sonoran Desert is the stunning setting for this retreat center. It offers programs year-round, including its "Contemplative Study and Sabbatical Program" and the "Hesychia School of Spiritual Direction." Learn more at desertrenewal.org. 

Jackson Psychological Services

Assessments of candidates to religious institutes are offered by a skilled, experienced religious, psychologist, and NRVC member / presenter / HORIZON writer: Sister Cindy Kaye, R.S.M., Ph.D. 

Institute of Religious Formation & Hesburgh Sabbatical 

The Institute of Religious Formation and Hesburgh Sabbatical Programs at Catholic Theological Union are currently accepting applications for the fall semester of both programs, which begin August 28. For more information, see ctu.edu/academics/special-programs.

Mexican American Catholic College

The Mexican American Catholic College in San Antonio, Texas offers courses in Pastoral Spanish and Hispanic Ministry. Participate in a transformative experience and be part of a diverse community rooted in faith: maccsa.org.

Thank you HORIZON advertisers!

HORIZON reaches a premier niche of highly educated religious men and women and lay ministers. Readers hold leadership positions in their communities and influence community decisions. Contact editor Carol Schuck Scheiber for more information: cscheiber@nrvc.net or 567-288-2255. Download the current rate card here.

COLLABORATING ORGANIZATIONS

Catholics on Call

Catholics on Call is sponsoring a Young Adult Conference July 23-27. The conference will be expanded to a five-day program at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. This experience is designed for women and men (ages 18+) who may be thinking about a life of service in the church as a lay minister, religious sister, brother, or priest. Applications for the 2019 Young Adult Conference are available here.

Catholics on Call also invites campus ministers, vocation directors, and anyone who works with young adult Catholics to attend its next Partner Conference, which will be September 19-20.

CTU offering online class about religious life

The online course "Religious Life for the 21st Century: Creating Communities of Hope on a Global Scale," will be offered by Catholic Theological Union starting September 9. Sister Maria Cimperman, R.S.C.J. will teach the course. Learn more at ctu.edu.

RFC conference: Sept. 15 discount rate deadline

The Religious Formation Conference is gathering October 24-27 for its biennial congress in Louisville, Kentucky: "Being Signs of Courageous Hope."  Sister Norma Pimentel, M.J. and Father Bryan Massangale will be keynote speakers. Pimentel has been an outspoken advocate for immigrants and refugees as the executive director of of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley. Massangale, who teaches at Fordham, has long been a voice for social justice, particularly racial justice. 

Visit www.rfccongress2019.com; the deadline for discounted registration is September 15. For questions about sponsoring or exhibiting, contact Ryan Hoffmann, associate director at rhoffmann@relforcon.org.

Conference on Human Formation next April

Save the date for the Conference on Human Formation: Mental Health Matters, April 20-23, 2020, to be held at Saint Meinrad, Indiana Archabbey, Seminary, and School of Theology.

The conference will address mental health concerns that commonly arise among men and women pursuing priesthood and religious life. Topics include addressing mood disorders and anxiety, understanding personality disorders, screening for emotional and psychosexual concerns, dealing with trauma or abuse in discernment, and more. Learn more here.