Sister Cathy Bertrand, S.S.N.D.

Sister Cathy Bertrand, S.S.N.D.

I am NRVC


You were the NRVC excutive director for 10 years (1992-2002). What are you doing now as a lifetime member of NRVC?

Presently I am a full-time facilitator and consultant working with religious congregations of women and men, as well as with dioceses and the Leadership Conference of Women Religious.  

How do you currently live out your commitment to vocations?

As a woman religious who is committed to this way of life, and working with those who are as well, how can I not be attuned to supporting ongoing efforts in looking to the future–especially regarding potential new members? 

Though the sands of this ministry have shifted and changed greatly over the years, I continue to believe that religious life is a viable and valuable option in our church and world. As I work with many congregations, vocations is an area of great impact on the viability of a community.

What have you found most rewarding about vocation ministry?

Connections and relationships! First of all the potential candidates themselves, though challenging at times, are for the most part inspiring, and often I find myself in awe when people share their experience of God and their profound desire to serve God’s people. It is a serious responsibility and also a great privilege to be in relationship with those who are discerning this way of life and to support those who are supporting their exploration.

A close second to this would be the opportunities for collaboration that were part of the ongoing experience in my time with NRVC–the National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Directors (NCDVD), the leadership conferences of women and men, the bishops' conference, the Religious Formation Conference, National Coalition for Church Vocations (now closed), Serra International, J.S. Paluch, international vocation conferences, and the list could go on and on. I know that presently NRVC is adding to this list.

Finally this ministry truly challenged me to attend to what was going on within me in my response to God and God’s people. I often quote what I once read in a constitution of a men’s community: “May we never speak least about what matters most.” I cannot speak from a place of integrity if I am not engaged in an ongoing effort to integrate that which matters most.



Leave a comment

This article has no comments or are under review. Be the first to leave a comment.
Please Log-in to comment this article

HORIZON turns 50! ...
As it begins its 50th year, HORIZON provides articles by speakers ...  More
Talk it up Tuesdays! ...
These 60-minute Zoom gatherings are designed for members to learn together, ...  More
We're hiring! ...
The NRVC is searching for a dynamic, highly motivated, tech-savvy ministry ...  More
Profession Class Report ...
There are 91 women and 103 men professed perpetual vows in ...  More
Bold and Faithful Storymap ...
The Bold and Faithful Storymap is designed to help connect discerners ...  More
Get involved in your Member ...
NRVC Member Areas are created to come together to share best ...  More

NRVC Member Areas


Click here to locate the Member Area Coordinators in your Member Area. 

CONNECT WITH NRVC

Talk it Up Tuesdays

1-2 pm CT,

Mark your calendars...

Catholic Sisters Week

March 8-14, 2025,

Ideas to celebrate...

National Board Meeting

April 9-13, 2025,

Mesilla Park, NM

Delaware Valley Member Area Gathering

April 15, 2025,

via Zoom

Pacific Northwest Member Area Gathering

April 23-24, 2025,

 Beaverton, OR

Heartland Member Area Gathering

April 28-30, 2025,

St. Louis, MO

Religious Brothers Day

May 1, 2025,

Resources to celebrate...

World Day of Prayer for Vocations

May 11, 2025,

Plan now....

Summer Institute Workshops

July 8-21, 2025,

Plan ahead...

National Vocation Awareness Week

November 2-8, 2025,

Read more...

Iamnrvc
Renew your NRVC membership