2018 NRVC Convocation

Convocation registration is now open!

REGISTER here for the 2018 convocation, Nov. 1-5, 2018 in Buffalo, NY

SCHEDULE 

CONVOCATION FLYER 

Sponsorship

NRVC is seeking $100,000 in Convocation sponsorships for our gatherings and youth-infused events at the Adams Mark Hotel and Canisius College. We invite you to match your mission with ours by considering sponsorship at a level most suitable for your organization.  Click here to learn more.  Or complete a Sponsorship Reservation Form today!

Pre-convocation workshops

• Finding your Digital Balance and Reducing Social Media Stress 
• Screening Yellow and Red Flags in Candidate Assessment
• Vocation Ministry and the Issues of Civil, Canon and Immigration Law
• Vocation ROI: Grace or Grim

Learn more here.  

Keynote presenters

Each presenter will speak from their professional, lived, and educational experiences focused on the convocation theme: "Walk with me: Encounter, Accompaniment and Invitation." 

 
Father Kevin M. DePrinzio, O.S.A., Ph.D. is an Augustinian friar of the Province of St. Thomas of Villanova. He holds a doctorate in spirituality from The Catholic University of America. His areas of interest include mysticism, spirituality, historical theology, the history of religious life, and the mendicant movement. His dissertation topic was "Teresa of Avila’s reading of Augustine’s Confessions." Since the fall of 2017, Father Kevin has been on the faculty of the Department of Theology and Religious Studies at Villanova University and is part of the vocation and initial formation teams of his province. He has previously served in campus ministry at Villa Nova, on the NRVC Board, and as Region 2 Coordinator (now Delaware Valley Member Area). He was featured in the NRVC video, Religious Life: Absolutely Millennial! Father Kevin will present on Friday on The Vocation Encounter: Ministry at the Beautiful Gate.

Father Thomas Gaunt, S.J. is the Executive Director of the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate. Prior to CARA, he served in Jesuit governance as the Socius/Executive Secretary of the Jesuit Conference for nine years and the Formation and Studies Director of the Maryland and New York Jesuits for seven years. After ordination, he spent ten years as a pastor and as Director of Planning in the Diocese of Charlotte. Father Gaunt is actively involved with the L'Arche Communities in Washington, DC. Father Tom will present on Saturdaymorning, Pathways to Religious Life.

Sister Xiomara Méndez Hernández, O.P. is an Adrian Dominican Sister, originally from the Dominican Republic. She ministers as a Hospital Chaplain at Loyola University Health System with special focus on cancer patients. Previously, she ministered at St. Rose Dominican Hospitals in Henderson and Las Vegas, Nevada. She has diverse ministerial experiences in the areas of preaching, catechesis, Spanish-English interpreter, liturgical dance, and a high fashion teacher. Sister Xiomara holds a Master’s degree in pastoral studies from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago and is a Board Certified Chaplain with the National Association of Catholic Chaplains (NACC). Before she became a religious sister, she was a fashion designer in her native country. She currently lives in Chicago. Sister Xiomara will present on Sunday morning: The Invitation: Mutual Encounter - Mutual Accompaniment.

Dr. Hosffman Ospino, Ph.D. is an associate professor of theology and religious education at Boston College, where he is also Director of Graduate Programs in Hispanic Ministry. He has written extensively on questions related to Hispanic ministry, Catholic education, evangelization, and catechesis. Dr. Ospino was the principal investigator for the National Study of Catholic Parishes with Hispanic Ministry and co-investigator for the National Survey of Catholic Schools Serving Hispanic Families. He is currently conducting a national study on Hispanic/Latino vocations. He is an officer of the Academy of Catholic Hispanic Theologians of the United States, serves on the Board of Directors of the National Catholic Educational Association, and is a consultant for the USCCB Ad Hoc Committee against Racism. Dr. Ospino will present on Saturday on Called to Accompanying God’s People in a Time of Paradigm Changes.

Sister Mary Pellegrino, C.S.J. is a Sister of St. Joseph of Baden, PA. In September 2018 she will complete 10 years of leadership ministry as her community’s Congregational Moderator. In addition, she will complete her term as past-president of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious in August 2018. Sister Mary holds an M.A. in Christian spirituality and a certificate in spiritual direction and retreat direction from Creighton University, an M.S. in religious education from Fordham University, and a B.A. in journalism from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Prior to ministry in elected leadership, she served in parish youth and young adult ministry, campus ministry, vocation, and formation ministry. In 2004 she was the recipient of NRVC’s National Outstanding Recognition Award. Sister Mary will present on Sunday afternoon on Living No Longer for Ourselves:  Communion as Vocation.

Cardinal Joseph William Tobin, C.Ss.R. is the sixth Archbishop of Newark and was named to the College of Cardinals in 2016 by Pope Francis. Within the Redemptorist Community, he has served as Provincial Consultor, General Consultor, and Superior General in Rome. Pope Benedict XVI named Cardinal Tobin to the Roman Curia, where he served until 2012 as Secretary of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life (CICLSAL) and titular Archbishop of Obba. He has been a member of the Canon Law Society since 1985. He serves as the Chairman on the USCCB Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life, and Vocations. Cardinal Tobin speaks English, Spanish, Italian, Frenchand Portuguese, and reads several other languages. He was a keynote presenter at the 2012 NRVC convocation. Cardinal Tobin will be the presider at our opening Mass on All Saints Day.

Nominations for awards

NRVC members and Member Areas may nominate NRVC members for outstanding recognition awards and the Mustard Seed Award. These awards are selected by the National Board at its August meeting from the nominations submitted. The awards are given at the convocation banquet. Nomination requirements and forms are available here for Outstanding Recognition and here for the Mustard Seed Award.

Convocation fees

NRVC member early registration rate: $595 includes lunch on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and Sunday dinner banquet

Non-member early registration rate: $892 includes lunch on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and Sunday dinner banquet

Pre-convocation workshop fees

NRVC member rate: $175 includes lunch on Thursday

Non-member rate: $265 includes lunch on Thursday

Commuter fee (only for those not staying at the hotel) $100

Rate after October 1: $100 more            

Cancellation fee: $100

Hotel Accommodations: $129 per night (without taxes).

There is no hotel shuttle, however the hotel is just 12 miles from the airport. Parking is $5 per night for hotel guests. Fitness Center and Internet in the bedrooms is complimentary.

Niagara Falls excursion

On Monday, November 5, 2018, you are invited to a bus trip to Niagara Falls on the Canadian side. To participate in this OPTIONAL excursion, you will need your passport with you. The bus departs at the hotel at 9:00 a.m. for arrival at the Falls at 10:00 a.m. You will have time to explore until 2:00 p.m. to meet the bus which will take you back to the hotel at 3:00 p.m. Feel free to eat lunch at your own expense at area restaurants.

Price includes: Round trip transportation services, services of a fully licensed driver, and all gratuities, tolls, and parking fees. $35.00 per person (no refunds for inclement weather or personal decision not to attend).