The NRVC joins the worldwide chorus of welcome for Pope Leo XIV, with a special note of pride that on top of being an Augustinian from Chicago, he also once served as a vocation director. In 1987, he defended his doctoral thesis and served as vocation director and missions director of the Augustinian Province of Mother of Good Counsel in Olympia Fields, Illinois. The following year he joined an Augustinian mission in Peru, serving in that country for many years.

Unite your ministry with the worldwide Jubilee and its theme “Pilgrims of Hope” by using our Jubilee Prayer for Vocations handout. This could be used as a ready-to-go prayer service, with a call to prayer, reflection, intercessions, and a litany for vocations. This colorful, one-page handout comes in packs of 50: $37 for non-members, $25 for members.

We also have two-inch or three-inch Jubilee stickers, perfect for giveaways at events. They come in packs of 100, with the two-inch stickers at $30 for non-members and $20 for members. Three-inch stickers are $37 for non-members and $25 for members.

The NRVC extends a warm welcome to Jesús Leyva, who recently joined the leadership team as director of communications. He has begun working with the NRVC, overlapping with the final months of Carol Schuck Scheiber, who is retiring on July 31 as publications editor.  Jesús holds an M.F.A. in creative writing and has done editing, writing, and communications work for Global Sisters Report, Dolores Mission Church and School in Los Angeles, and a variety of other organizations. As a former discerner with a Franciscan community, he understands and values vocation ministry. 

At its April meeting, the NRVC board elected new board leaders and four new members. Friar Mario Serrano, O.F.M.Conv. is now board chair, and the two vice-chairs are Sister Eileen McCann, C.S.J. and Brother John Skrodinsky, S.T. The four new members, who will begin their terms in September, are:

• Sister Jill Marie Reuber, O.S.B.
• Sister Donna Del Santo, S.S.J,
• Sister Carolyn Martin, lsp
• Sister Corrina Thomas, F.S.P.A.

The NRVC thanks them for their willingness to serve and bids a fond farewell to outgoing board member Mr. Len Uhal, who will complete seven years of service at the September board meeting. 

Sharpen your communication skills at the workshop "2025 Vocation Promotion for Today’s Discerners," to be held July 19 and 20 in Leavenworth, Kansas. Three vocation ministers with communications expertise will lead this hands-on exploration of strategic planning for communications, social media development, creation of messages for young adults, selection of communication outlets, and more. Register now to receive an early-bird discount. 

In honor of the Jubilee year, the NRVC board voted during its April meeting to maintain current dues levels in 2026. Single  membership  for 2026 will remain at $880, and license  membership  for up to five  members  will continue to cost $1,485. Members will receive renewal notices later in 2025.

Since the arrival of the revised Roman Missal, Third Edition, the International Commission on English in the Liturgy has gradually issued new English translations, and it recently completed the Order of Religious Profession. Those responsible for your religious institute’s rites of profession may wish to review the texts currently used. The new text is being published exclusively by Midwest Theological Forum.  Additional details about ordering and using this new translation are available to NRVC members in the Catalyst.

The Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate recently released its 2025 report on ordinations in the United States.  Twenty percent of the men who were ordained came from 36 different religious orders. The average age when ordinands first considered priesthood was 16. Three out of four had been altar servers. Most (89 percent) had been encouraged by someone to consider the priesthood, most frequently by a parish priest, friend, or parishioner. Find  the NRVC's extensive collection of vocation related studies and reports here.

“I’m an off-the-charts extrovert,” says Mrs. Teri Iverson, vocation ministry coordinator for the Sisters of the Precious Blood in Dayton, Ohio. “I love building relationships and connecting with people in person at conferences and events.” She comes to vocation ministry after three decades in youth ministry. Read more...