The NRVC survey about membership in consecrated life in the United States has entered a new phase. Friends and members of NRVC are encouraged to do their part. If you know people who have entered religious life from 2003 onward, please encourage them to fill out the survey mailed recently by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA). 

Through this survey, NRVC is gathering new information about trends and changes in religious life.

Superiors of religious institutes received surveys in January 2019, but it is not too late for them to still return their forms. The greater the participation by ALL communities, the more accurate our data will be.

Communities that have NOT experienced new membership are encouraged to fill out the survey, too. Their experiences matter, and NRVC values their input. For more information, call 773-363-5454.

Religious Brothers Day—May 1

Consider giving a brother you know a shout-out on social media or a personal "thank you" in honor of Religious Brother's Day, May 1. This is a day the church sets aside to commemorate those who are brothers, lift up the vocation, and thank those who serve. 

World Day of Prayer for Vocations—May 12

On May 12, the global church commemorates World Day of Prayer for Vocations, a time to reflect on the universal call to holiness and pray for Christians to be aware of and faithful to their callings. 

The National Religious Vocation Conference has produced an infographic with essential demographic facts about religious life. This new, downloadable resource is ideal for talks, community reflection, and interaction with members of the media or the public who want to know more about men and women religious.

NRVC's VISION Vocation Guide won an award in April from the Associated Church Press, an interfaith organization representing church-affiliated media outlets.

The award recognized the VISION 2019 article, "Divine design: The holiness of place."  Thank you to the many religious communities who submitted material and congratulations to the VISION writers and editors!

In HORIZON news, the latest edition is now in the mail but can be read immediately online or downloaded to your device. 

Mark your calendars for an NRVC-co-sponsored webinar on Wednesday, June 26 on "Gospel Values and Essential Conversations: Confronting Abuses of Power in Religious Life."

Co-sponsored with Religious Formation Conference and the Conference of Major Superiors of Men, it will be presented by Father John M. Tourangeau, O. Praem., Ph.D. More information and registration will be made available in the mid-month update. 

NRVC is offering five different workshops July 9-24 in Chicago to prepare vocation ministers and to provide ongoing professional development. The workshops will take place on the campus of Catholic Theological Union, near the offices of the NRVC.

Click here to register for Summer Institute   

Orientation Program for New Vocation Directors,  July 9-13

Ethical Issues for Vocation and Formation Directors, July 15-16

Behavioral Assessment 1,  July 18-20

Due Diligence in Vocation Ministry,  July 18-20 (for those with four or more years of experience.)

Communication Skills to Promote Vocations,  July 22-24

The church continues to discuss and publish material relevant to the 2018 synod on youth, faith, and vocation discernment. Some recent updates:

NRVC's Sister Deborah Borneman, SS.C.M. will be part of a June 18, 1 p.m. webinar on the synod titled "And Their Eyes Were Opened: Vocational Discernment." Additionally, NRVC has several documents at nrvc.net (including the pope's exhortation, "Christus Vivit," and a summary of it).  

2018synod.va has all the official documents related to the synod.

The U.S. bishops conference has a series of webinars, as well as a collection of articles and materials related to the synod. 

The National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry is collaborating with others to produce a webinar series on the synod and its multiple themes.

Upcoming member area meetings include the following. Find details here.

Delaware Valley
May 1

Lake Erie/Ohio River
May 6-8
Sylvania, OH

Mid-Atlantic
May 15-16
Marriottsville, MD

New England
May 4
Worcester, MA
Presentation: Everyone's called, making the culture of vocation real

Pacific Northwest
May 10-11
Bellevue, WA

Upper Midwest
June 16-18
St. Paul, MN

This 99-page, easy-to-read book, Your One Wild and Precious Life: Thoughts on Vocation, by Father Mark David Janus, C.S.P. (Paulist 2018) is perfect for inquirers, board members, high school and college graduates, confirmation candidates, etc. Its 34 chapters examine calling and vocations to religious life, ordained life, marriage and single life. $15 non-members; 10 members. Order here.

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 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. 

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: applications available for summer and fall 

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.

RFC offers conference 

The Religious Formation Conference is gathering October 24-27 for its biennial congress in Louisville, KY: "Being Signs of Courageous Hope." Learn more at relforcon.org.