March 2017 newsletter
March 2017 newsletter
Religious communities are encouraged to apply for the grant-funded Vocation Ambassadors Program to take place June 9-12 at Holy Cross.
The deadline to apply for the program is March 25.
Learn all the details of this well-regarded program here.
I have been inspired to speak up for Christ and for vocations to religious life in general when meeting all of the vocation directors at this event. The collaboration of activities was very helpful because people were not often alone representing their ideas.
—Jennifer Merola, young adult participant in 2016 Vocation Ambassadors
NRVC member communities that wish to apply for help with paying the cost of student loans for new members must apply by midnight, March 13.
Learn more about how the National Fund for Catholic Religious Vocations can help at nfcrv.org.
VISION collects and publishes reader statistics about precisely who is using its resources. As you prepare your ad for the next edition of VISION, we have details to help guide you.
63 percent under age 30;
66 percent college degree or college coursework;
65 percent have considered religious life for one or more years;
They're interested in all forms of religious life;
And they come from diverse working backgrounds: business, education, nonprofits, healthcare, and ministry.
Learn more about VISION readers and continue a conversation with them through your presence in NRVC's 2018 edition of VISION Vocation Guide.
Don't miss out on being part of the next edition of this comprehensive and effective vocation promotion resource. For further information about advertising online, in print, and in ways available to every budget, find information here or contact Patrice Tuohy today at 800-942-2811 or pjtuohy@truequestweb.com.
Don't forget to ask about additional VISION benefits for NRVC members!
Upcoming member area meetings include the following. For full information about the member areas, including meeting minutes, click here.
Mid-Atlantic — March 6
Delaware Valley — April 25
Presenter: Brother Sean Sammon, F.M.S. and Sister Deborah Borneman, SS.C.M.
Rediscovering Fire, Religious Vocations: Why be hopeful? How do we energize our communities?
Registration
Heartland — April 3-5
Presenter: Sister Maribeth Wentzlaff, O.S.B.
Effective Collaboration between Vocation and Campus Ministers
Information
Hudson Valley — March 27
Presenter: Sister Charlene Diorka, S.S.J.
Spirits on Fire: Re-Igniting the Passion for Vocation Ministry
Registration
Lake Erie/Ohio River — April 27-29
Presenter: Mary Lynn Delfino and A Nun's Life Ministry
Demystifying Social Media Networking and Engaging it for Vocation Ministry
Information Registration Social media handout Social media directions
Midwest — April 24-26
Presenter: Father Chris Gibson, C.P.
The Culture of Encounter
West Coast —March 6, 2017
10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles
In preparation for Catholic Sisters Week (March 8-14), NRVC will be part of a kickoff at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago on March 7.
NRVC is collaborating with several organizations to present a "Publicity Blitz and Glitz" in honor of Catholic sisters. The organizations involved in the event are Giving Voice, Religious Formation Conference, Communicators for Women Religious, and the Center for the Study of Consecrated Life.
With a grant from National Catholic Sisters Week, the collaborators will pray in thanksgiving for Catholic sisters and will provide posters for participants and polo shirt prizes for some.
Almost 200 people will attend the Brothers Symposium March 25 at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana.
NRVC is among the co-sponsors of this event, which will focus on furthering the unique vocation of the religious brother. One of NRVC's own members, Brother John Mark Falkenhain, O.S.B., is the keynote speaker.
A full schedule, registration information, and more are online.
This July 17-20, Sister Lynn Levo, C.S.J. will present the workshop "Understanding, Assessing, and Fostering Psycho-sexual Integration" in Chicago.
The workshop will be part of NRVC's Summer Institute series and will cover issues of concern to vocation directors who work with those considering a lifelong vow of chastity.
Vocation ministers need an understanding of psychological well-being and psycho-sexual development to adequately assess candidates. In this workshop Levo will explore well-being, an integrated understanding of sexuality, the centrality of relationships and intimacy, the necessity of personal boundaries, the impact of one’s past, and the impact of social media on personal development. Summer Institute information, details of this workshop, and registration for it are at nrvc.net.
Those taking part in campus Busy Person's Retreats can use this colorful booklet with 17 themes. Each theme has scripture selections and reflection questions that can be used throughout the retreat.
What makes this resource ideal is that these booklets can be used annually due to the bountiful selection of themes, which include: All About Mary; Balancing Sports & Fitness with Faith and Studies; Caring for God's Creation; Christian Leadership on Campus; Eradicating Global Poverty; Following the Voice of the Spirit; Growing through Failure; Inviting God into Decision Making; Praying in Times of Stress; Praying with Music; Promoting Global Peacemaking; Relationships; Time Management; Transitions; Seeking Solitude; Vocation Discernment; and Women in Scripture.
Purchase one per student: $1 each for members. $1.50 each for non-members.
America magazine published a short commentary by Archbishop Mark Coleridge of Brisbane, Australia on February 6. He encouraged church ministers to use social media because it is a normal means of communication (and thereby evangelization). He also stressed that social media should be used wisely. His tips:
♦ Be optimistic (but not Pollyanna-ish)
♦ Use humor because it attracts people to your gospel messages and because humor helps people retain your messages. Do it by "turning an ironic eye on the world in a way that is typical of the Bible. Real humor is the servant of real hope," wrote Coleridge.
♦ Do not engage in ideological warfare. It undermines positivity. Judicious silence can be golden.
Coleridge notes that Pope Francis has used social media well because he is a "pastor and missionary attuned to the very personal encounters that social media can make possible. Pope Francis is showing something of what it means to put new wine in new wineskins."
The Religious Formation Conference will sponsor "Crossing the Border from Individual to One: Skills for Communal Discernment," on March 18 in San Antonio, Texas. Learn more at relforcon.org.
LCWR is taking orders for its 2017 book, The Intimate Nearness of God: A Reflective Journal Exploring Contemplation and Transformation. This collection of reflections is written by 30 LCWR members about how they are reclaiming and deepening the contemplative dimensions of their lives and how this focus is leading them to an even fuller embodiment of love. Artwork by Catholic sisters, as well as questions and suggestions for deepening the reader's own prayer, accompany the reflections.
Each book is $6 plus shipping and handling. Discounted prices are available for orders larger than 10. Orders must be placed online by March 10. LCWR will print only the amount of copies that are pre-ordered. Proceeds will help defray the cost of LCWR resources and programs.
On March 2-4 in Chicago the Catholic Volunteer Network will host a workshop on how to start a volunteer program. Called "Three-day Formation Workshop," learn more at catholicvolunteernetwork.org.
A national Brothers Symposium will be held at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana on March 25. The program will be based on the Vatican document "Identity and Mission of the Religious Brother in the Church," with Brother John Mark Falkenhain, O.S.B. serving as keynote speaker. The event is sponsored by the Conference of Major Superiors of Men, the National Religious Vocation Conference, the Religious Brothers Conference, the Religious Formation Conference, and the University of Notre Dame. Further information is available here.
The Center for the Study of Consecrated Life will sponsor a conference on religious life priesthood April 6-7 at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. Three keynoters will speak: Archbishop Joseph Tobin, C.S.S.R.; Edward Hahnenberg, Ph.D.; and Father Robin Ryan, C.P. For more information, see ctuconsecratedlife.org.
March 8-14 |
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March 25 |
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May 1 |
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May 7 |
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June 9-12 |
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July 10-25 |
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October 11-21 |
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NRVC at National Catholic Youth Conference |
November 16-18 |
2018 NRVC Convocation (Buffalo, NY) |
November 1-5, 2018 |
I'm co-director of vocations for the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Philadelphia, and I'm co-coordinator of Delaware Valley member area.
As soon as I entered the congregation I became involved in vocation ministry because I shared my vocation story and the joy of religious life with students in schools, friends, parishioners, and those I encountered along the way. Vocation ministry just became full-time when I became a co-director two years ago.
My best moments as a vocation director come when students, young adults, or discerners begin to recognize, claim, and live their call wherever that takes them. Seeing them blossom and seeing my own self-growth are gifts in this sacred journey of discovering God’s and our own deepest desires.
At times vocation ministry can both bless and overwhelm since so much of what we do cannot be shared with others, is unique to each person we encounter, and doesn’t always have a visible tangible “fruitfulness.” Participation in NRVC workshops and the conferences provides me with the training and education that helps me feel a little more competent in approaching this mystery of vocation discernment.
When we meet as a Delaware Valley member area, I am inspired by the openness of my companions and their willingness to share their joys and frustrations while we continue to work together on collaborative events and enjoy each other. Additionally, it is reassuring to know that Sister Debbie Borneman and the NRVC staff are only an email away when I have a question or problem that needs additional insight and advice.
Michelle Lesher, S.S.J. and I are meeting with regional groups of 10-15 congregational members to begin a dialogue about two critical issues raised in the NRVC booklet, "Vocation Culture: Reflection to Action." Those issues are establishing boundaries and clear identities as women religious and encouraging all members to be inviters. (Editor's note: Members can download this discussion booklet for free, or anyone purchase a printed copy in the store at nrvc.net.)
In our gatherings we reflect on our own call, the charism, and whether God and the world still need our witness. We talk together about the importance of being more intentional in sharing our life, opening our spaces and lives so others may become more familiar with us. We also explore what may keep us from inviting new members and how to invite in a respectful and encouraging manner. Being in such a significant conversation with our sisters has been energizing for us all!
Another exciting venture is the collaboration of all the vocation directors from our U.S. and Canada federation. We are meeting to unite our vocation ministry by working toward common messages and a common website, being one presence at major conferences, organizing some collaborative programs, sharing resources, and striving toward a unified formation process. This is energizing because becoming one is at the heart of our charism and is being made visible by our collaboration.
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