The National Religious Vocation Conference (NRVC) reflects all forms of religious life and is committed to providing its membership with educational opportunities, resources, and other supportive services that strengthen and enhance spiritual, professional and personal growth. It is essential for professional vocation ministers to keep updated in the trends, issues, skills, and best practices in the field of vocation ministry. NRVC members make lifelong education a priority and the NRVC recommends that all vocation ministers participate in ongoing educational opportunities to further develop their professional skills and competencies. 

This year, NRVC is offering three workshops for professional development at its annual Summer Institute. Workshops are intended for vocation ministers, formation teams, seminary personnel, religious leadership and others entrusted with the assessment of discerners and candidates. Workshops are designed for those who wish to deepen their understanding of the complex theological, spiritual, psycho-sexual, ethical, and diversity issues often present in contemporary vocation ministry.

While the message from the risen Christ to “Come, follow me” has not changed in over two millennia, the methods used to promote vocations continue to evolve. Through our programs, NRVC strives to provide participants with the tools and information they need to minister effectively in this day and age.

Sister Deborah M. Borneman, SS.C.M.

Director of Member Relations and Services

 

2016 Workshop Schedule

• Orientation Program for New Vocation Directors  July 12-17, 2016
• Ethical Issues in Vocation Ministry and Formation Ministry  July 18-19, 2016
• Behavioral Assessment 1 July 21-23, 2016

NRVC Misericordia Scholarship Fund

In his announcement of the Holy Year of Mercy, Pope Francis said, “No one can be excluded from the mercy of God . . . the Church is the house that welcomes all and refuses no one.” Because we at NRVC believe in what do, we want to welcome all—and refuse no one—to our mission of promoting religious life for the next generation.

The Misericordia Scholarship Fund is available for NRVC members due to the generosity of donations made by NRVC members. Scholarship funds can be applied to NRVC workshops, however they do not cover the cost of transportation, accommodations, meals, or personal expenses. If you would like to attend an NRVC workshop and need financial assistance, please contact our Director of Member Relations and Services, Sr. Deborah Marie Borneman, SS.C.M. at debbiesscm@nrvc.net. 

Summer Institute offered July 12-23, 2016

Our annual Summer Institute will offer three workshops at the downtown campus of DePaul University, July 12-23, 2016. It's your choice as to how many workshops to participate in this summer. Located in the popular Chicago Loop at Jackson and State Streets, DePaul University is easily accessible from both Midway (MDW) and O'Hare (ORD) airports by shuttle, taxi, and CTA trains. The Loop Campus is located at 1 East Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL. For more information, visit their website at www.depaul.edu/about/campuses/Pages/loop.aspx 

Registration for workshops will begin at the beginning of February. NRVC workshops offered this summer include:

• Orientation Program for New Vocation Directors, offered July 12-17, 2016.
• Ethical Issues in Vocation and Formation Ministry, offered July 18-19, 2016.
• Behavioral Assessment 1, offered July 21-23, 2016.

Registration Reminders

Commuter

If you do not require overnight housing, please register as a commuter. 

Resident

Limited rooms for overnight accommodations are available in reserved blocks for NRVC Summer Institute participants at the University Center, which is just two blocks from DePaul University. Enjoy the convenience of having your workshop close to restaurants, shopping, museums and Lake Michigan. The University Center offers two-person suites, which include a private bedroom and a shared bathroom with another NRVC workshop participant. Your overnight accommodation includes a buffet breakfast on weekdays or a brunch on weekends.

Make your reservations for overnight accommodations when you register online for your workshop. Reservations for rooms are made in a block schedule for each workshop. You are responsible for the full payment of the room reservation, regardless of your arrival or departure times. Check-in is after 3:00 p.m. on the day before the workshop begins. Check out dates vary depending upon each workshop. Due to the contractual agreement with University Center, dates cannot be adjusted for early arrivals/late departures. If you are traveling from overseas, please call the NRVC office at 773-363-5454 for possible housing alternatives if you need additional nights of accommodations. Please do not call the University Center for reservations. 

Late registration

Registrations for workshops received after July 1 will incur a $100 fee per workshop.

Cancellations 

Cancellation of any summer workshop or room accommodations must be received in writing before June 15 to receive a refund less a $100 processing fee. After the deadline, all payments are non-refundable.

Mass 

Mass for workshop participants will be offered each day (except Sunday) at 8:00 AM in the Lewis Center building located within the DePaul University Building at Jackson and Wabash. If you need to attend liturgy at another time, St. Peter’s in the Loop located at  110 W Madison St, Chicago, IL 60602-4196 offers liturgy at the following times during the week: 6:15 AM, 7:15 AM, 8:15 AM, 11:40 AM, 12:15 PM, 1:15 PM, and 5:00 PM. 

I loved the accommodations: they were safe and close to DePaul University. The cafeteria at the University Center was also very good; I used it often for my breakfast. —Father Remo Zanatta C.R.S.

It was convenient to have breakfast right there at the University Center. I guess I'd have to say that the biggest plus for me with housing was that it was so close to where we met for the Institute. I liked being able to walk there and not have to worry about finding transportation. It was also close enough to the lake that we walked there a number of evenings.

—Sister Clarice Korger, O.S.B.

Click on the following link to register today
www.regonline.com/BAII_summer_2015

All participants must have attended Behavioral Assessment I before participating in this program. This workshop is a follow-up to Behavioral Assessment I and builds upon those skills. It is directed to those who have had experience in conducting assessment interviews. Workshop participants are invited to come prepared with topics, discussion questions or case studies to consider during the workshop. Behavioral Assessment I is a prerequisite for this workshop.

Schedule

This workshop begins at 9 a.m. on Friday, July 17 and ends at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 18.

Presenter

Workshop Fees 

Fees include lunch, materials, speaker and facility fee, but not parking, breakfast, or supper.

Commuter:    

   $ 300 – NRVC Member
        $ 450 – Non-NRVC Member

Resident:    

        $ 615 – NRVC Member
        $ 765 – Non-NRVC Member    

Room reservations are for 3 nights with a check-in after 3 p.m. on Thursday, July 16 and a check out by 10 a.m. on Sunday, July 19. The Center has a locked storage unit to hold luggage until you are ready to leave on the day of your departure.

My community said: “Anything you can get from a Ray Carey presentation is great!” They were right!  —Sister Mary Jo Stein, D.C.

Father Ray is a great presenter and he makes it great because he has so many stories to make it interesting. —Sister Barbara Smith, O.S.B.

Most of my community has been asking me if I have completed Ray Carey’s workshop yet. Now I know why! —Brother Joseph Quinlan, O.F.M. Cap.

Click on the following link to register today: www.regonline.com/BAII_summer_2015

Registration will open in early February. 

This workshop presents practical interviewing techniques housed in a theoretical framework of behavioral assessment. While the focus of the workshop is on initial assessment of candidates, the methodology easily applies to assessing candidates in other stages of formation as well. Workshop participants study sample case reports, and learn skills for interviewing as well as guidelines for organizing the information into useful reports. Interview topics include: family background, educational and occupational histories, psychosexual histories and intimacy skills, faith history, and other pertinent issues related to comprehensive vocational assessment.

Schedule

This daily workshop is from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with lunch offered from noon to 1:30 p.m. This workshop begins at 9 a.m. on Thursday,  July 21 and ends at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday,  July 23. 

Presenter

Workshop fees

Fees include lunch, materials, speaker and facility fee, but not parking, breakfast, or supper.

Commuter:

$ 450 – NRVC Member
$ 675 – Non-NRVC Member

Resident:   Please note that housing is nearly sold out, register today.

$ 870 – NRVC Member
$ 1095 – Non-NRVC Member    

Room reservations are for 4 nights with a check-in after 3 p.m. on Sunday, July 19 and a check out by 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 23. The Center has a locked storage unit to hold luggage until you are ready to leave on the day of your departure. If you are staying for the next workshop, you will not need to check out.

This workshop covered all it set out to do. The content was clear and relevant to my mission and ministry. What I found most helpful were the sample case studies and guidelines for organizing the data into useful reports. 

—Father Nam Vu, S.V.D.

The most helpful part of the conference was real answers to real needs. My sense is that finally I have something to apply to the issues I struggle with in assessing candidates.

—Sister Mary Ana Steele, O.S.F.

 

Click on the following link to register today: www.regonline.com/BAI_summer_2015

This workshop is intended for new and recently appointed vocation directors. Its goal is to provide participants with the skills, context, theory, challenges, and practicalities of contemporary vocation ministry. Topics include:  theology of call; candidate issues; discernment, assessment and the application process; the role of membership and religious leadership; advertising and education; ethics and boundaries; and self-care of the vocation director.

Schedule

This workshop begins at 9 a.m. on Friday, July 24 and ends at noon on Tuesday, July 28. Some of the printed material is now available in Spanish. Please indicate when you register if you would prefer an English or Spanish binder.

Presenters

Program fees

Fees include lunch, materials, speaker and facility fee, but not parking, breakfast, or supper.

Commuter:    

$ 630 – NRVC Member
 $ 945 – Non-NRVC Member
 

Resident:    Please note that housing is nearly sold out for this workshop

$1155 – NRVC Member     
$1470 – Non-NRVC Member  

Room reservations are for 5 nights with a check-in after 3 p.m. on Thursday, July 23 and a check out by 9 a.m. on Tuesday, July 28. If you are staying for the next workshop, you will not need to check out. 

I really appreciated all of the featured resources, both in print and in electronic media. Everything was very practical. 

—Brother John Eustice, C.S.V.

Brother Paul and Sister Debbie work very well together. Their delivery, as well as their knowledge of content was helpful for receiving and processing information. I feel their ongoing support will be a benefit as well. Their life experience examples were truly helpful. The sense of support from NRVC and the networking with other vocation ministers was extremely helpful. I like that there’s ongoing educational programs through NRVC.

—Sister Kelley Rush, S.N.D.
 

Click the following link to register today: www.regonline.com/op_summer_2015

Click on the following link to register today: www.regonline.com/assess_fam_origin_issues_summer_2015

Family of origin issues often present many land mines for vocation and formation personnel. All too often these issues end up sabotaging the individual and the community’s health and well-being if left unaddressed. One of the principal objectives of this workshop will be to help vocation ministers formulate specific and more appropriate questions, which when answered, may inhibit or exclude candidacy. The format will be within an adult learning methodology.  It will attempt to be highly interactive with ample time for individual and group processing, discussion of specific cases and utilizing the very latest in research and theory on this topic.

Schedule

This workshop begins at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, July 29 and ends at noon on Friday, July 31.

Presenter

Workshop fees:

Fees include lunch, materials, speaker and facility fee, but not parking, breakfast, or supper.

Commuter:    

$ 375 – NRVC Member
$ 563 – Non-NRVC Member

Resident:    Please note that housing is nearly sold out for this workshop

$ 690 – NRVC Member
$ 878 – Non-NRVC Member            

Room reservations are for 3 nights with a check-in after 3 p.m. on Tuesday, July 28 and a check out by 9 a.m. on Friday, July 31. The Center has a locked storage unit to hold luggage until you are ready to leave on the day of your departure.  If you are staying for the next workshop, you will not need to check out.

The schedule was respectful of the varied needs of participants. I liked starting with Mass and the longer lunch break. Chicago is a beautiful setting. The group size was good, with a mix of women and men from diverse communities.

—Brother John Scherer, O.F.M. Cap.

The networking and storytelling with other vocation ministers was most helpful. This is a safe space to ask questions.

—Sister Teresita Richards, S.N.D.

Click on the following link to register today: www.regonline.com/assess_fam_origin_issues_summer_2015

This year, NRVC partnered with Catholic Extension to assist 62 Spanish speaking Sisters from Latin America in becoming relevant, proficient, and credible pastoral ministers who are also confident vocation promoters.  Planned as a one day workshop, Vocaciones sin Fronteras en un Mundo Cambiante/Vocations without Borders in a Changing World, was held June 2, 2015, at the Sacred Heart Retreat House in Alhambra, CA. This event included presentations, small-group activities, and time for participants to network with one another. This workshop addressed the Clarity and Appreciation of Culture; Theology of Call, the Role and Responsibilities of Vocation Promoters; and Building a Culture of Vocations. 

Participants in this new workshop expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to learn about the culture of vocations in the United States and to network with one another by sharing ideas for future vocation promotion programs.

Sister Deborah M. Borneman, SS.C.M., NRVC director of member relations and services, along with Ms. Erika Cedrone, Catholic Extension, Director of Mission, coordinated this  project. Ms. Rosa Maria Gouveia served as translator for the workshop. Members of the design team included: Sisters Raquel Ortez, S.S.N.D.; Mary Jane Gawlik, C.S.S.F.; Elsa Garcia, C.D.P.; Teresa Gomez, H.H.S.S.; Elyse Ramirez, O.P.; and Ms. Ana Bojorquez.

Presenters for this workshop are NRVC members, Sisters Elsa Garcia, CDP, and Raquel Ortez, SSND.

Presenters Sister Elsa Garcia, C.D.P and Sister Raquel Ortez, S.S.N.D.

Sr. Elsa E. Garcia, C.D.P. (left) is currently serving as Pastoral Associate, Social Ministries Coordinator, in Midland, TX. She is an NRVC member and has served on its national board, leadership team, and as the board chair. Sister Elsa also served as vocation director for 14 years for her community, the Congregation of Divine Providence.  She earned a Masters Degree in Social Work from Our Lady of the Lake University and is a licensed Social Worker (LCSW) with experience in psychiatric, hospice, foster care, HIV counseling and direct services. She brings this wealth of experience along with a special interest in promoting Hispanic vocations.

Sr. Raquel Ortez, SSND, has wide experience working with people from many cultures and backgrounds.  She is an NRVC member and has been serving in vocation ministry for 3 years as a vocation team member.  Her prior ministries include 15 years in formal education in Honduras, Social Work-Case management in Catholic Charities for 8 years, and Pastoral ministry in the Diocese of St. Louis for 6 years.  Sister Raquel is a native of Honduras, has multicultural experience in ministering in Honduras, Brazil, Guatemala, and USA.  She earned a Masters in Social Work from Saint Louis University.

Summer Days of Service

Year of Consecrated Life Event

As part of the Year of Consecrated Life, women and men religious are providing collaborative service immersion programs around the country. 

As a way of promoting the mission and increasing the visibility of religious communities, the U.S. bishops are encouraging religious orders to sponsor service projects this summer. As a result many communities are sponsoring opportunities for service, ranging from soup kitchen assistance to house building.

An example of a collaborative project is a Habitat for Humanity house construction project that 26 religious orders in the Louisville, Kentucky region are supporting. Throughout the summer of 2015 young people and other interested adults are working side by side with sisters, brothers, and priests to construct a Habitat for Humanity home for a mother and her eight children. The project is called “Wake up the World” and was begun by religious communities in honor of the Year of Consecrated Life. Click here for further details.

Register today by clicking here.

This workshop will explore ethical principles governing confidentiality, agency and obligations related to positions of trust. The workshop will also address issues related to dissemination of information, the timeliness of admissions or dismissal decisions, and other issues related to ethical rights of candidates as well as ethical rights of those in positions of authority.

Schedule

Monday,  July 18 and Tuesday,  July 19

9:00 a.m. to 4:30 pm.

Overnight room reservations are for 3 nights with a check-in after 3 p.m. on Sunday, July 17 and a check out by 9 a.m. on Wednesday, July 20. If you are staying for the next workshop, you will not need to check out.

Workshop fees 

Workshop fees include materials, speaker, and facility fees. The fee does not include meals or parking. 

Commuter:    
$ 300 – NRVC Member
$ 450 – Non-NRVC Member

Resident:    Your fees as a resident include all meals at this workshop.
$ 630 – NRVC Member
$ 780 – Non-NRVC Member            

Financial Assistance Available

In his announcement of the Holy Year of Mercy, Pope Francis said, “No one can be excluded from the mercy of God . . . the Church is the house that welcomes all and refuses no one.” Because we at NRVC believe in what do, we want to welcome all—and refuse no one—to our mission of promoting religious life for the next generation. 

The Misericordia Scholarship Fund is available for NRVC members due to the generosity of donations made by NRVC members. Scholarship funds can be applied to NRVC workshops, however they do not cover the cost of transportation, accommodations, meals, or personal expenses. If you would like to attend an NRVC workshop and need financial assistance, please contact our Director of Member Relations and Services, Sr. Deborah Marie Borneman, SS.C.M. at debbiesscm@nrvc.net. 

Excellent. Real. Pastoral. Does not shy away from tough issues.

—Sister Susan Francois, C.S.J.P., New Jersey

Rev. Carey is a professional and his examples are tremendously helpful. His stories 'click' and I found the concept of fiduciary trust to be informative and most helpful.

-Father Leandro Fossa, C.S., California 

I found the new understanding of the responsibility of the ‘agent’ and ‘agency’ most helpful. I left  encouraged that I will be able to undertake this new ministry as the agent of my religious community. I am prepared and ready to begin.

—Sister Angela Mathlin, S.S.M., Wisconsin

The stress on clarity of agency was very enlightening and the material on the 'right and need to know'. This workshop gave me a full picture of ethical issues that I had not previously contemplated.

-Father Matthew Allman, C.S.s.R., New York