Sister Jean Rhoads, D.C.

Sister Jean Rhoads, D.C.


What sorts of vocation ministry roles have you played?

I have been vocation director for my community, Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul since 2017. I am on the NRVC Finance Advisory Committee, and I serve with Sister Kathleen Persson, O.S.B. as co-coordinator for the Mid-Atlantic Member Area. From 2004 to 2011 I was on my community’s provincial council, which oversaw vocation ministry.

 

How does your community share responsibility for vocation ministry?

We have a vocation team of two vocation directors (Sister Regina Hlavac, D.C., based in San Antonio, and me in Philadelphia). Five other sisters volunteer time to serve on our vocation team. Their main roles are to help identify vocation opportunities in various geographic areas and to participate in vocation efforts as their responsibilities in other ministries allow.  

 

Has being a member of NRVC been helpful?

NRVC has been invaluable because of the great people who are part of this organization who provide a solid source of expertise, education, and networking. Vocation ministry has so many facets such as companioning individuals in their discernment, giving small and large group presentations, serving on vocation panels, participating in conferences (e.g., NCYC, FOCUS, etc.), overseeing and posting to social media, and being active in local and state vocation committees. 

NRVC offers ready access to people who have served in this role for years and can share wisdom and insights. It also offers courses and webinars to enhance the skill set of each vocation minister. Thank you, NRVC!

 

What  program, idea, or approach have you been pleased with lately?

The most meaningful approach I’ve taken this year is to make personal connections to campus ministers in order to be invited to an activity that is already occurring at their colleges or universities. The lives of college students are so busy that the response and participation of potential discerners is much higher when the event is right there and on the regular schedule of the Newman Center or Catholic campus ministry.

 

Could you share a fun fact about yourself? 

I love to bake (it’s relaxing and lessens stress ), and I make awesome homemade sticky buns, cinnamon rolls, chocolate cake, and various cookies.

 

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? 

I thought I wanted to be a high school math teacher, be married, and have lots of children. It seems the Lord had other plans!



Published on: 2023-02-28


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

Talk it up Tuesdays ...
These 60-minute Zoom gatherings are designed for NRVC members to learn ...  More
World Day of Prayer for ...
Known as “Good Shepherd Sunday” the Church is invited to publicly ...  More
Religious Brothers Day ...
Join us in promoting the vocation of Brothers and in gratitude ...  More
Summer Institute ...
Our annual Summer Institute will offer four workshops in Leavenworth, KS. ...  More
Call beyond borders ...
Read the words of our outstanding keynote presenters from our recent ...  More
Profession Class Report Published ...
Its findings demonstrate consistency in the responses from the 2020 NRVC/CARA ...  More

NRVC Member Areas


Click here to locate members of the NRVC in your member area.

CONNECT WITH NRVC

Member Area Gathering - Southwest

March 28,

via Zoom

National Board Meeting

April 21-25,

Chicago, IL

Member Area Gathering - Pacific Northwest

April 22,

Marylhurst, OR

Member Area Gathering - Hudson Valley

April 25,

via Zoom

World Day of Prayer for Vocations

April 30,

Read more...

Religious Brothers Day

May 1,

Read more...

Member Area Gathering - New England

May 2,

Worcester, MA

Member Area Gathering - International

May 5,

via Zoom

Member Area Gathering - Lake Erie/Ohio River

May 8,

via Zoom

Member Area Gathering - Midwest

May 11,

via Zoom

Iamnrvc
Renew your NRVC membership