NRVC staff members continue to refine plans for the November 1-5 convocation in Buffalo, New York. In the latest news about this biennial event, which coincides with NRVC's 30th anniversary: 

• Free trip raffle for early registrations — Register now through August 29, and you will be eligible to win a free trip to Niagara Falls. On the 30th of May, June, July, and August, NRVC will draw one name from among those who are registered to win a trip.

• Mickey Needleman to be liturgist — The talented musician and liturgist Mickey Needleman will organize our uplifting liturgies. He was the liturgist at our last convocation.

• Snapshot of our scope — Figures from our last convocation hint at why our gatherings are outstanding experiences to learn, network, discuss, and pray. In 2016 we brought together 13 presenters, 289 participants, 30 states, the District of Columbia, and 15 countries!

Find a flyer with details or register immediately at nrvc.net.

A "must do" for newcomers to vocation ministry is to take the "Orientation Program for New Vocation Directors," which NRVC is offering July 10-14 in Chicago.

The course provides participants with the skills, context, theory, challenges, and practicalities of contemporary vocation ministry. Topics include the theology of call, candidate issues, discernment, assessment, the application process, the role of membership and religious leadership, advertising and education, ethics and boundaries, and self-care of the vocation director.

The program will be presented by Sister Deborah Borneman, SS.C.M.; Father Adam MacDonald, S.V.D.; and Brother Chris Patiño, F.S.C. It will take place at DePaul University in downtown Chicago. Find details and the registration at nrvc.net.

For 40 years, NRVC's VISION Vocation Guide has been the premier guidebook for those considering religious life. The print edition, out August 1, will do justice to this important year of the vocation-youth synod. NRVC urges you to:

Order copies. You may order print copies, as well as multilingual bookmarks and posters. Free materials; shipping and handling fees may  apply.

Publicize your events using the VISION online calendar. 

Enrollment in post-baccalaureate priestly formation totaled 3,369 in 2017-18, an 8 percent decrease over the prior year that researchers characterized as essentially "holding steady." 

The Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) at Georgetown University, which compiled the information, reported that the figure for seminarians "was just 36 seminarians down from last year’s theologate enrollment." The numbers are found in CARA's newly published Catholic Ministry Formation Enrollment: Statistical Overview for 2017-2018.

Of the post-baccalaureate level enrollment, 78 percent were candidates for dioceses, and 22 percent were from religious orders. These totals include pre-theology students who may have undergraduate degrees in another academic discipline but need additional work to qualify for theologate enrollment. 

The number of permanent deacons in the United States has grown steadily, increasing 2 percent per year over each of the last 10 years. 

CARA identified a total of 204 active lay ecclesial ministry formation programs in 2017-2018, enrolling 16,585 candidates, of which 12,226 are working toward a certificate in ministry and 4,359 are working toward a graduate degree in ministry. 

Hispanics/Latinos make up more than half (52 percent) of participants in lay ecclesial ministry formation programs. 

NRVC members can take two easy steps to ensure that they are receiving full benefits and discounts.

1) Make sure you have approved our privacy policy. NRVC sent an email on May 21 called "Please review the enclosed NRVC privacy policy and provide consent." NRVC's careful protection of member data has not changed. The European Union rules regarding "active approvals" from contacts have changed, which prompted NRVC to take this pro-active step. If you have not yet clicked your OK on our privacy policy, please find the May 21 email and do so.

2) When using our website, nrvc.net, please log in (in the upper right corner). Your login gives you access to the full site and ensures that you will receive all your member benefits and discounts.

Dear Member of NRVC,

Greetings from NRVC! As we wind down the spring quarter, we want to update you and your organization.

Summer Institute, convocation, 30^th anniversary

The board and staff are working hard to keep NRVC not just moving but moving forward. We are looking forward to our Summer Institute, where the demand for outstanding NRVC programming continues to be high, and plans for another dynamic convocation—which includes our 30^th anniversary celebration—are in their final stages. We hope you can join us for one or more of these tremendous opportunities for professional development, personal renewal, collaboration, and networking with some of the most positive men and women in the church today.

Strategic plan being finalized; goal is to announce it at convocation

The strategic planning process has also been advancing, with input from members, staff, member area coordinators, and significant stakeholders, including many of our strategic partners, notably Cardinal Joseph Tobin. The committee will meet in late July to assemble its final proposal before proposing the strategic plan to the entire board in August for its ratification. Our goal is to announce the new plan to the larger membership at Convocation 2018 in November.

Executive director search moving forward; suggestions and nominations welcome

The board has been searching for a new executive director, surfacing names and quietly making contacts before going public with a search. We will have a conference call in mid-June to set a more definite calendar for nominations and interviews. However, we welcome, at any time, the nominations of sisters, brothers, and priests you feel have the qualities and gifts to assume this most vital role in our organization and in our church. Feel free to mail or email your suggestions or self-nominations to the national office at nrvc@nrvc.net. We’ll send out more specific details as the board reaches consensus in the early summer.

We invite your prayers for and active involvement in our search and for the ministry of NRVC. May the Spirit guide us in selecting a new executive director and as we continue to share the good news of religious life with the world.

In His Heart,

Ronnie Hingle, S.C., for the NRVC National Board

NRVC extends this reminder to members who have had staff changes: We want to make sure you get your summer issue of HORIZON, which mails July 31. Please let us know of any changes to your vocation ministry team and to your NRVC memberships. We ask that you call Marge Argyelan at 773-595-4034 to update your information if you've had changes.

The NRVC is one of 85 organizations, including a handful of religious orders, that are collaborating on an initiative to create a more unified and energized approach to Catholic youth ministry. The initiative is called the National Dialogue.

It is in the second of a three-phase series of conversations with church leaders, youth and young adults, and church officials. The goals of these conversations
are:

• unity within youth and young adult ministries,

• engagement with and opportunity to listen to young people, and

• mobilization of the faithful to build up ministry with and for youth and
young adults and implementation of the Fifth National Encuentro and the synod on young people, the faith, and vocational discernment.

This is a national collaborative effort among:

• United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB),

• National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry,

• USCCB National Advisory Team on Young Adult Ministry,

• National Catholic Network de Pastoral Juvenil Hispana (LaRED), and

• Catholic Campus Ministry Association.

This 63-page booklet is an affordable resource for seekers and inquirers who want to pray about their vocation. It is written as a 30-day retreat, using scripture, reflection, activities, and questions to aid discernment. This is an ideal resource for discerners who want to use the summer months to slow down and focus on their calling. It is written by Father Tat Hoang, C.S.s.R., a former NRVC member who currently ministers in Mexico. $4 for members; $6 for non-members. Order it today.

Catholics on Call welcomes discerners to July program

Consider referring discerners ages 18-35 to the Catholics on Call Summer Conference to take place July 25-28 in Chicago. Participants will have the opportunity to connect and pray with other like-minded young people, hear nationally known speakers, discuss how to listen to God’s call, and learn skills for discerning all types of vocations. 

Register or learn more at catholicsoncall.org/apply or call 773-371-5432.

CMSM inviting men vocation directors to July assembly

The Conference of Major Superiors of Men is inviting male vocation directors to its National Assembly in St. Louis, July 31-August 3. The theme is "Youth and Religious Leaders Together: Discerning in Missionary Discipleship" in anticipation of the October 2018 synod on "Young People, the Faith, and Vocational Discernment." There is a special rate for vocation directors of $465 per person by June 15 ($515 after June 15). Information and registration may be found here.

RFC "Together" program starts in the fall

The "Together" program, a collaborative for theological education, formation, and community, continues to invite applications for the inaugural cohort commencing this fall. The program is cosponsored by Catholic Theological Union and the Religious Formation Conference,

For more information and registration materials, visit together-formation.com.
Direct questions to contact@together-formation.com or 773-675-8362.

Communicators for Women Religious conference October 2-5

Communicators for Women Religious will hold its 24th annual conference in Fort Worth, Texas October 2-5. The theme is "FORTify your mission: The path WORTH taking." The conference will take place at the Sheraton Fort Worth Downtown. For more information, visit c4wr.org.

LCWR publishes book on lessons of doctrinal inquiry

The Leadership Conference of Women Religious has published a new book: However Long the Night: Making Meaning in a Time of Crisis, edited by Sister Annmarie Sanders, I.H.M. Its 184 pages chronicle what the organization learned as it went through the 2009-2015 doctrinal investigation by the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Catholic sisters who were leaders of LCWR during those years share what helped them navigate the period in ways that might be useful for others attempting to work through conflict. 
 

What is your role in vocation ministry?

I am the vocation director for the United States Province of the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

How long have you been involved in vocation ministry?

This is my first year serving as vocation director.

Has it made a difference in your life to belong to NRVC?

NRVC has been helpful in providing resources, training, and support. It is an uplifting group that collaborates for the needs of the church. I love being a part of it!

What wisdom have you gathered so far about being involved in vocations work?

Be patient, learn from others, depend on the Holy Spirit's guidance, and BE NOT AFRAID!

What have you found most challenging and most rewarding?

The most challenging is to be totally detached and patient. The most rewarding is journeying with young people who are so inspiring and open to God's will.

Reach Sister Angela at agertsema@ascjus.org.