NEWS
You are invited to a "Synodal Consultation" Zoom event
All vocation and formation ministers are invited to a “Synodal Consultation for Formators and Vocation Directors” Zoom event sponsored by the NRVC and the Religious Formation Conference on March 20, 6:30-8 p.m. Central Daylight Time.
The General Secretariat of the Synod is encouraging further consultation ahead of October’s Second Session of the Synodal Assembly in Rome. This consultation will be focused on the question: How can we be a synodal church in mission? Sister Tere Maya, C.C.V.I. will begin the Zoom gathering by sharing her insights about the synodal process of listening to one another. More than 200 people are already registered for this event. Further details and a registration link are here.
Catholic Sisters Week March 8-14
Once again, the church will celebrate Catholic Sisters March 8-14. The NRVC encourages members and friends to use the opportunity of this special week to call attention to the spirituality, ministry, and communal lives of women religious. For celebration ideas and resources, visit: nrvc.net and catholicsistersweek.org.
Resource of the month: "Hearing God's Call" booklet
This 63-page booklet, "Hearing God's Call: 30 Days of Vocation Discernment," serves as an ideal high school or college graduation gift. It also is an affordable resource to share with people in discernment. It is written as a 30-day retreat using Scripture, reflection, activities, and questions to help with discernment. The author is a former NRVC member, Father Tat Hoang, C.S.s.R. $4 for members; $6 non-members. Order yours today.
Celebrate Religious Brothers Day—May 1 Zoom event
Mark your calendars for a virtual celebration of Religious Brothers Day on May 1, 1 pm AND 7 pm Central Daylight Time, hosted by the Brothers Think Tank. The Brothers Think Tank is composed of the NRVC, Religious Brothers Conference, Conference of Major Superiors of Men, and Religious Formation Conference. A registration link will be coming soon.
All are urged to shine a spotlight on the community, lifestyle, and good works of brothers on May 1—through social media, events, prayer services, and more. Learn more about Religious Brothers Day and how to celebrate it here.
Apply for education grants through April 12
The National Fund for Catholic Religious Vocations (NFCRV) is now accepting applications for grants to pay education debt of candidates to religious life. The applications must be submitted online by April 12, and only members of the National Religious Vocation Conference may apply.
Since it was founded in 2014, the NFCRV has assisted 51 candidates to religious institutes. Details and application forms are at vocationfund.org. Please direct questions to executive director Phil Loftus at ploftus@nfcrv.org or 312-318-0180.
"Talk it Up Tuesdays" underway for NRVC members
NRVC members are invited to take part in one or more "Talk it Up Tuesdays," a free, seven-part online series of short presentations followed by small and large-group discussion. Sessions begin at 1 p.m. Central Time and last one hour. Topics range from "Integrating Your Story in Vocation Ministry" (March 5) to "Widening our Vocation Ministry Communication Circles" (March 26). Details and registration are at nrvc.net.
Summer Institute this July includes Orientation Program
Orientation Program for New Vocation Directors will be one of five workshops offered at NRVC's Summer Institute, which will take place at the Marillac Center in Leavenworth, Kansas, July 9-30. The Orientation Program is July 10-14, and will be presented by Sister Deborah Borneman, SS.C.M., and Father Adam MacDonald, S.V.D. This workshop is a foundational preparation for new vocation directors and teams. Its goal is to educate participants on the skills, context, theory, challenges, and practicalities of contemporary vocation ministry. Topics will include accompaniment of inquirers, assessment of discerners, application and admission processes, vocation promotion, canon law, boundaries, animation of community membership, relevant resources, current research, and self-care for the vocation director.
Details and registration are online for this workshop and four others:
Ethical Issues in Vocation and Formation Ministry
Behavioral Assessment 1
Health and Wellness Issues in Candidate Assessment
Being Human and Sexual: An Evolving Understanding
Member area meetings
A major perk of membership in the National Religious Vocation Conference is the ability to network with and learn from other vocation ministers. Any member can attend any member area meeting. For details, contact your member area coordinator.
Hudson Valley — March 7, via Zoom
International — April 9, via Zoom
Mid-Atlantic — April 30, Washington DC, In-person and Zoom
Pacific Northwest— April 30 to May 2, In-person and Zoom
Heartland — April 30 to May 2, Atchison, KS
Hudson Valley — May 5-7, Albany, NY
News and events of our collaborators
Check out news about our collaborators: resources, classes, retreats, and gatherings.