Mrs. Nancy Costello

How long have you been involved in vocation ministry?

I have been involved in vocation ministry with the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Cabrini) since 2009. I am currently the co-coordinator of NRVC Region 3-Pennsylvania with Sister Amelia Breton, S.B.S.

How is your vocation ministry organized?

I'm the communications and website director as well as the coordinator for the Vocation Promotion Team. I collaborate with our MSC vocation director in responding to inquiries from VISION and other sources. I work with a province team comprised of Missionary Sisters and lay collaborators to develop and coordinate our vocation outreach. 

My specific role is to develop the agenda, schedule, and chair meetings of our vocations team. In between meetings, I am responsible for ongoing communication with the Vocation Promotion Team and for publishing vocation materials/news stories on our website and in our weekly electronic newsletter.

Has being a member of NRVC been helpful to you?

NRVC has been a tremendous resource for me in my dual capacity of vocation coordinator and director of communications for the Missionary Sisters. The updates we receive from NRCV are topical, practical, and educational. The publications, website, and news bulletins enable me to keep our vocation team up to date, connected to one another, and to other religious communities. NRVC provides us with the big picture on vocation; it is a valued and trusted source of knowledge and information.

What vocation project or projects have been most rewarding or fruitful for you?

This spring, for the Year of Consecrated Life, eight communities of women religious in Region 3 sponsored a communal day of service titled “Serving with the Sisters.” Volunteer teams of sisters, college students, and laity served at a variety of sites in the Kensington area of Philadelphia, painting, gardening, cleaning up, etc. The camaraderie of the day was faith in action!

What do you enjoy most in vocation ministry?

What I enjoy most is the hopeful, upbeat spirit of all the religious congregations with whom I journey. These are truly good, faith-filled women and men. As a laywoman working in vocation ministry, my life has been enriched by their lives in Christ. Everyone is genuinely supportive of one another as together we seek to walk with those who are discerning God’s call in their lives.  

Contact Nancy at ncostello@cabrini.edu.