Top left: A panelist answers a question during the livestream broadcast of a young adult panel on discernment. Top right: participants enjoy the camaraderie of being with others in vocation ministry. Bottom left: prayer is a valued part of the convocation. Bottom right: Father Kevin O'Brien, S.J., one of two keynoters, speaks about discernment.

More than 300 people attended NRVC's biennial convocation in Overland Park, Kansas, October 27-31, with participants coming from the United States and seven other countries.

At the closing banquet, NRVC honored the following people and organizations for their outstanding contributions to vocation ministry. Catholic Volunteer Network received the Harvest Award. Outstanding Recognition Awards went to Sisters Adrienne Kaufmann, O.S.B.; Lynn Levo, C.S.J.; and Patricia Twohill, O.P. The Mustard Seed Award was given to the Dubuque Area Vocation Association. (Scroll to the end of this story for photos of honorees.) NRVC also paid tribute to Brother Paul Bednarczyk, C.S.C., its executive director from 2002 until September 2016.

Following are some follow-up notes regarding the convocation.

Evaluations, next convocation

Please take a moment to fill out an online evaluation. NRVC is eager for feedback to guide planning for the next convocation, which is scheduled for November 1-5 in Buffalo, New York.

Keynote addresses to be in HORIZON

The convocation keynote addresses and selected reflections will be published in the Winter edition of HORIZON, which is released in early February.

Audio and video of workshops and speakers

CDs and DVDs of the keynote speakers and workshops can be ordered online from Audio Visual Management, by mailing this order form, or calling 888-763-1464.

Collection for Veronica's Voice

Thank you to all who contributed at the final convocation liturgy to the collection for Veronica's Voice, a Kansas City area initiative that supports women escaping human trafficking. Donations totaled $1,655.

Convocation photos, broadcast, and videos

View and download photos at NRVC's Flickr site. View online the livestream interactive broadcast of "So you think you've been called" as well as videos of the convocation.

Hotel billing

Please direct any concerns regarding your hotel bill to Nix and Associates at 800-266-0866 or 314-645-1455.

Thank you sponsors and exhibitors

NRVC extends a final word of thanks to the following groups that helped underwrite the convocation through sponsorship or an exhibit booth. Links to their websites are here.

A Guide to Religious Ministries
Cards by Anne
Catholic Health Association
Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc.
Catholic Theological Union
Catholic Volunteer Network
Conley-Teresi Family
Communicators for Women Religious
Congregation of Holy Cross, Moreau Province
Conrad N. Hilton Foundation
Christian Brothers Services, Inc.
Heartland Member Area
J.S. Paluch Company, Inc. NVAD
Marianists
Missionaries of the Precious Blood
National Catholic Reporter
Paluch Family Foundation
Praesidium
Presence Health
Resource Center for Religious Institutes
Sassetti CPA
Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth
Sister of Mercy of the Americas
Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet
Society of the Holy Child Jesus
Southdown Institute
Smallsmall Acts
Saint John Vianney Center
Saint Luke Institute
Tau Healing Arts
TrueQuest Communications

Award recipients each take a moment for words of thanks. Top left is Ms. Carol Lackie accepting the Harvest Award on behalf of Catholic Volunteer Network. Receiving the Outstanding Recognition awards are, top right, Sister Adrienne Kaufmann, O.S.B., bottom left, Sister Lynn Levo, C.S.J. and, bottom right, Sister Pat Twohill, O.P. Members of the Dubuque Area Vocation Association rejoice in receiving the Mustard Seed Award.

NRVC members and HORIZON readers now have easier access than ever to hundreds of articles on all aspects of vocation ministry, thanks to the new online HORIZON library and Vocation Manual.

The HORIZON library allows subscribers and NRVC members to search for articles by topic, with over 80 topics representing 17 years of HORIZON editions.

The Vocation Manual is a compilation of articles and resources covering all aspects of vocation ministry. A members-only resource, it is organized into eight main topics and 47 sub-topics and will continue to be updated.

The manual originally was published as a large binder with 600-plus pages that eventually grew to two binders. Thanks to the assistance of TrueQuest Communications, this resource has been updated and digitized, giving members instant online access to a wealth of vocation ministry wisdom.

The NRVC has updated its recommended curriculum, which is now posted on nrvc.net. Members are encouraged to review the revised curriculum to see if they have completed both the foundational workshops and those encouraged for ongoing education.

The document takes into account the preparation and continuing education vocation ministers need to minister effectively today, including the theological, spiritual, psycho-sexual, ethical, and diversity dimensions of the ministry. 

NRVC extends its gratitude to the task force, whose members provided insight for the final recommendations: Father Thomas McCarthy, O.S.A. and Sisters Catherine Bertrand, S.S.N.D.; Charlene Herinckx, S.S.M.O.; Lynn Levo, C.S.J.; and Patricia Twohill, O.P.

National Vocation Awareness Week is right around the corner: November 6-12. NRVC encourages members to take advantage of this opportunity to promote vocations in schools, parishes, and other venues.

The week has been designated by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). Free resources, including prayer cards, homily points, holy hours, liturgy planners, etc. may be downloaded from the USCCB  and from Serra USA.

The NRVC Board continues to accept applications from vowed religious for the position of executive director. Find a job description and application requirements here. Applications must be in by December 16.

Members of the Mid-Atlantic member area gathered October 5 and will meet again December 12.

Following are details about the four NRVC member areas that will meet in November or early December.

Pacific Northwest

November 11-12, Renton, WA

For details contact Sister Michael Francine Duncan, S.S.M.O., 503-644-9181, srmichaelfrancined@ssmo.org or Sister Christine Still, O.S.F., 253-797-0173, cstill@osfphila.org.

Delaware Valley

November 15, Aston, PA

For details contact Sister Celeste Mokrzycki, S.S.J., 215-248-7200, cmokrzycki@ssjphila.org or Sister Christopher Wagner, O.S.F., 610-350-6479, cwagner@osfphila.org.

West Coast

November 17

For details contact Sister Mary Yun, O.P.,  213-760-3085, mary@msjdominicans.org or Brother Chris Patino, F.S.C., 310-849-1061, cpatino@dlsi.org.

Mid-Atlantic

December 12, Washington, DC

For details, contact Sister Mindy Welding, I.H.M., 610-547-9715, sismindy@gmail.com or Mr. Chris Irr,  443-805-5294, cirr@xaverianbrothers.org.

The 20-page booklet, "Discerning Your Vocation: Religious Life and Diocesan Priesthood," is written for discerners of all ages. It has been adapted with permission from the book Vocations Anonymous by NRVC member Sister Kathleen Bryant, R.S.C.

The booklet explains prerequisites for admission to candidacy, suggests questions to ask vocation directors, and helps readers form questions about vowed communal life and diocesan priesthood. It's an excellent resource to give to those already in discernment or who attend Busy Persons Retreats or Come and See experiences. Only $2 per booklet for members; $3 for non-members. Order it from the NRVC store.

Saint Luke Institute offers online formation program, free trial

Saint Luke Institute has a new online program for formation called "Foundations." It includes more than 30 on-demand, online courses to help those in initial formation cultivate the emotional, psychological, and spiritual skills needed to thrive in ministry. While designed for seminaries, the content easily can be used with other initial formation programs. A free trial is available. Direct questions to Beth Davis, director of education, at sliconnect@sli.org or 502-632-2471.

RFC hosts workshops, webinars

The Religious Formation Conference (RFC) is sponsoring a series of workshops to encourage contemplation and conversation.

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, 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.”

The RFC is also sponsoring two webinars. On November 9, 2 p.m. Central Time, Sister Maco Cassetta, C.N.D. will present "Kindling the Energies of Love" on sexuality and inter-connectivity. 

On December 12, 2 p.m. Central Time, Benjamin Williams, Ph.D. will present "Mindfulness: A Window into the Sacredness of the Present Moment."

Hesburgh Sabbatical Program

Looking for rest or renewal in a supportive, inquiring, and faith-based environment? The Hesburgh Sabbatical Program at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago is accepting applications for the spring 2017 sabbatical experience, which runs January 30 - May 12, 2017.

What roles do you play in vocation ministry?

I'm the vocation director for my community, the Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose. In addition I'm one of the coordinators for the West Coast member area.

How long have you been involved in vocation ministry?

After I made my perpetual profession in August 2015 I became the vocation director. Before that I was on our vocation team for two years, mainly helping at discernment weekends and making flyers for events.

What do you enjoy most about this ministry?

I greatly enjoy accompanying young women on their sacred journey to deepen their sense of self and find out how they are called. I am always amazed at the work of the Holy Spirit leading the process. It is a privilege to be part of their journey.

Has being a member of NRVC been helpful?

Yes, I met some wonderful vocation directors when I took summer classes in 2014. I am still in touch with many of them. In fact a small group of us created a Peer Supervision Group, and we have been meeting for almost two years. Being a member helps me to be updated in this ministry and keeps me active. I like belonging to a professional organization where I can get the support I need.

What have been some of your best vocation efforts?

One thing going well for me is meeting online (on Zoom) with groups of discerners once a month. I also meet with them individually, but the Zoom meetings let them share their stories with fellow discerners and compare notes. It provides additional support for those who may feel they are making this journey alone. Meeting online is convenient as it fits most people’s schedules, and we do not need to travel.

In terms of internal vocation efforts, many sisters in my community are curious about how I spend my days. To help them be part of the ministry, I send them a monthly e-newsletter. Last March Sister Deborah Borneman, SS.C.M. did an in-service for my community about contemporary vocation ministry. I also visit our local houses to talk about how best to support discerners and promote vocations. One sister commented that it is “empowering” to be included in the ministry!

Contact Sister Mary at mary@msjdominicans.org.