Brother Paul Bednarczyk, C.S.C. will be leaving NRVC to serve his community.

After 14 years as NRVC’s executive director, Brother Paul Bednarczyk, C.S.C. will soon resign his position to serve as vicar general and first assistant for the Congregation of Holy Cross, a six-year position in Rome he was elected to in July. As he said in his announcement to the NRVC membership, he was intending to resign from NRVC next year in September 2017. He said, "Fresh leadership, new vision, and creativity are needed for all organizations."

The NRVC board is currently working on an interim transition plan that includes the beginning of a search for a new executive director. Brother Ronald Hingle, S.C. will communicate this plan to the membership when it is finalized at the end of August. Brother Paul plans to attend the October NRVC Convocation. NRVC’s board and members extend their gratitude to Brother Paul for his faithful service to NRVC and his commitment to vocation ministry.

Brother Paul has also stepped down from the board of the National Fund for Catholic Religous Vocations (NFCRV), which he helped conceive and establish. Director Mark Teresi and the NFCRV board are grateful for Br. Paul's vision and dedication in addressing the challenge of educational debt to religious vocations.

They came dancing, singing, praying, and hugging. More than a million young pilgrims from around the world united by their Catholic faith descended on Krakow, Poland July 25-31 for World Youth Day, and religious from NRVC were there to share the experience with them.

Members, board, and staff from NRVC and VISION were present in the Tauron Arena, which was re-named the Mercy Centre, for World Youth Day. NRVC and VISION were the sponsors of the Vocation Café, where religious were able to hold informal conversations in a relaxed setting, discussing whatever was on the minds of pilgrims. NRVC sponsored similar venues in Rio de Janeiro and Madrid.

"These young people desire to deepen their faith, and it is important for them to know that religious care and are willing to help them in their journey," said Brother Paul Bednarczyk, C.S.C., NRVC's executive director, who attended, along with several NRVC board members, Sister Deborah Borneman, director of member relations and services, and Patrice Tuohy, executive editor of VISION Vocation Network.

The highlight was Pope Francis’ visit to the arena, where he thanked the thousands of volunteers who assisted with World Youth Day before he headed back to Rome.

The Mercy Centre, which took more than two years to plan, was a collaborative effort of the Knights of Columbus, Canadian Salt + Light TV, Holy Cross Family Ministries, and NRVC.

Be sure to check out the videos and photos on NRVC's Facebook page.

Sister Deborah Borneman, SS.C.M.

Congratulations and best wishes to Sister Deborah M. Borneman, SS.C.M. on her recent election as second councilor for her community, the Sisters of Saints Cyril and Methodius. Sister Debbie will fulfill her community duties while continuing her full-time ministry at NRVC. NRVC is grateful for her ongoing service to religious life. 

Brother Paul Bednarczyk, C.S.C., standing on far right, gave a presentation on vocation ministry to O.M.I. men from around the world who are responsible for new membership.

At the invitation of the superior general of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, NRVC's executive director, Brother Paul Bednarczyk, C.S.C., addressed an international meeting of O.M.I. vocation directors early in July. This first ever gathering took place in Provence, France and had simultaneous translation with representatives from more than 30 countries. Brother Paul’s topics ranged from the inspirational to the more practical elements of vocation ministry.  

Convocations are a time for members to be enriched as they support and encourage each other. When NRVC members gather, they also have fun—as seen here during Summer Institute 2016.

Vocation directors and others interested in building the future of religious life are cordially invited to attend the October 27-31 convocation of NRVC in Overland Park, Kansas.

Hundreds of vocation ministers will gather under the theme "Awakened by the Spirit: Called to Discipleship." The convocation will include keynoters, workshops, a special live-streamed panel with young religious, networking, and inspiring companionship and liturgies.

Increase your learning at the convocation by arriving early enough for a pre-event workshop on October 27. Choose from one of four workshops starting that morning:

Understanding and assessing behavioral addictions
Father David Songy, O.F.M. Cap.

Vocation ministry and the issues of civil, canon, and immigration law
Mrs. Donna Miller and Mr. Miguel Naranjo

Crafting authentic community
Sister Ruth Anne Harkins, I.H.M.

Tips of the trade: How to market vocations for your religious institute
Ms. Cynthia Krohn

Don't delay. Take advantage of pricing without late fees by registering today.

NRVC completed its annual Summer Institute workshop series, held July 13-23 in downtown Chicago with a record 138 participants.

Participants representing 55 religious communities from four countries took part in workshops on: "Orientation for New Vocation Ministers," "Ethical issues for Vocation and Formation Ministers," and "Behavioral Assessment I." The NRVC Misericordia Fund helped underwrite the cost of attending 11 workshops.

Below are newer vocation ministers who attended all three workshops, as well as a collage of images from the Summer Institute 2016.

Religious brothers can point to three more milestones along the way to greater recognition in the church and society:

♦  A day for celebrating and promoting the vocation of Catholic brothers has been designated: May 1, 2017.

♦  A resource is available for reading and reflecting upon the Vatican's document, "Identity and Mission of the Religious Brothers in the Church." This paperback book includes the document in English and Spanish, along with reflection questions. It can be ordered here.

♦  A national symposium on religious brotherhood will take place March 25, 2017 at the University of Notre Dame, sponsored by the Religious Brothers Think Tank. For details, contact rbc@todaysbrother.com.

Two stories from recent weeks gave attention to religious vocations.

Sister Julie Vieira, I.H.M. wrote on taking advantage of the Pokemon Go craze in "Young people flock to the convent in search of Pokemon" in Global Sisters Report.

A New York Times reporter looked at vocation "speed dating" and a volunteer program with a strong vocation element. (Note: A future edition of HORIZON will carry an in-depth report on this volunteer program and its vocation connections.)

Catechetical Sunday is September 18. This is a wonderful resource to share with parish catechists, who are some of the best religious life ambassadors in the church. Consider ordering this excellent resource for community members who work in parish ministry.

This sharp, 8-by-11-inch laminated brochure is designed to encourage DREs and catechists to promote vocations in religious education classes and retreats. It helps them reflect on the role each person has to pass on the faith, including vocations.

You can also leave this brochure behind during classroom visits in parishes and schools. It has space to place a label with your contact information.

Available in packs of 50. Member price: $5 for 50. Non-member price: $8 for 50. Click here to purchase, or call 773-363-5454.

RFC hosts series of contemplative conversations

The Religious Formation Conference is sponsoring a series of workshops to encourage contemplation and conversation. Details are at relforcon.org.

On September 9-10, in Chicago, Sister Teresa Maya, C.C.V.I. and Sister Sophia Park, S.N.J.M. will present on “Sent from the Well: Encounter, Mutual Transformation and Mission “

On September 23-24, in Renton, Washington, Sister Helen Marie Burns, R.S.M. will present on “Preserving Patrimony on the Journey (What do we take? What do we leave behind? What if we haven’t time/opportunity to choose?)”

On November 18-19 at Rancho Palos Verdes, California, Brother Donald Bisson, F.M.S. will present on “Acting on the Journey of Transformation.”

On December 2-3 in Cincinnati, Ohio, Father Daniel Horan, O.F.M. will present on “Crossing the Borders of Human Exceptionalism: Community, Colonizations, and Care for Creation in the Age of Laudato Si.”

Catholics on Call hosts Partner Conference in September

The Partner Conference for Catholics on Call will take place September 15-16 in Chicago and is open to religious institutes that are its partners. Learn about partnership with Catholics on Call and the September event here.

Communicators for Women Religious conference

The Communicators for Women Religious will hold its annual conference in Indianapolis October 4-7. The theme will be "Advance Your Mission! Turbocharge Your Communications." Learn more at c4wr.org.

What does your ministry encompass?

I'm provincial assistant for vocation ministry for the Jesuits of the Maryland and USA Northeast Provinces. My territory stretches from Maine to Georgia.  

How long have you been in vocation ministry?

I served as coordinator for the Baltimore region for three years after my ordination in 2006. Then I was appointed director. This is the end of my seventh year as director, with more to come.

What do you enjoy most?

The best part of this job is walking with the men and helping them to hear what it is Jesus might be calling them to as vocation. What a gift and a privilege. I also very much appreciate traveling around and helping our communities and apostolates to discern how to best promote the Jesuit vocation.  

Has belonging to NRVC helped you?

The programs offered by NRVC have served me extremely well in learning how to do the job, learning how to take care of myself and meeting others in the ministry. NRVC's professional development, social engagement, and prayerfulness all make the job of inviting young men to our religious life easier and more grace-filled.

What has been your best project?

My most fruitful and fun vocation event was in September 2015 when the Holy Father came to Philadelphia. Our Jesuit school St. Joseph's Prep hosted 425 kids for 47 Jesuit high schools in the U.S. and Canada. We had four nights to focus on the Holy Father's key themes of joy, mercy, and encounter. These young people were so inspired by the pope's presence, the camaraderie of their peers, the common faith they shared, and the call that each has felt deep in their hearts. They felt the fire of the Lord in their hearts and deepened their faith and commitment.

What's your approach to this ministry?

So much of our work as vocation directors is "bridge building." We help our own folks see and understand vocation in the cultural context of today; we help young men see who we are as religious priests and brothers in community; we help people see who the church is in a world disconnected from it; and we help the church to keep Christ at the core of people's lives.

Tell us something surprising about yourself.

In my spare time, as a trained Culinary Institute of America chef, I use food to bring people to the table. I try to help folks see the connection between breaking bread at a meal and knowing Christ through the Eucharist. In  September 2015 I did a Cooking Channel TV show called "Holy & Hungry" on this theme (episode CCHOL-102H).