World Day of Prayer for Vocations is an ideal time to reach out to parishes—a great place to find active Catholics.  Photo by Victor Aleman, courtesy of Los Angeles Archdiocese.

World Day of Prayer for Vocations will be celebrated Sunday, April 17. Many parishes and religious institutes commemorate this day with prayer for vocations and vocation promotion events.

Considering that most who enter religious life were active in their parishes before joining, this is a key time to promote religious life where Catholics gather: in their parishes. (Seventy-three percent of those professing final vows participated in one or more parish activities and 88 percent served in one or more parish ministries, according to the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate, 2015.)

Consider asking parishes for opportunities to speak, pray, provide bulletin inserts, prayer cards, and conversation before and after Masses, in religious education programs, at RCIA, and in confirmation classes on or near this day.

Click here for the papal message for 2016 World Day of Prayer for Vocations.

Click here for resources offered by the USCCB.

Click here for resources offered by SERRA USA.

Dates for 2017 and 2018 World Day of Prayer for Vocations:

• May 7, 2017
• April 22, 2018

Don't miss the chance to be present to VISION'S 150,000 readers and 360,000 website visitors.  Click here to become a sponsor today. Or call 800-942-2811.

Please be sure to accept the invitation to be part of NRVC's 2017 VISION Vocation Guide and VocationNetwork.org.

Key benefits of VISION sponsorship:

• 360,000+ website visitors able to view your online listing, web ad, and posted events.

• 150,000+ readers viewing your display ad.

• 20,000+ discerners engaged in our networks, which include posts featuring your community.

• 5,000+ discerners participating in Vocation Match, in which your community will be featured.

• Promotion of your community in particular and Catholic religious vocations in general through our extensive vocation network that includes parish outreach, advertising, conference attendance, strategic collaborations, and effective online engagement.

Additional benefits for NRVC members:

• An icon indicating that you are an NRVC member, which will help your listing stand out and rise to the top in online Vocation Match results and Community Searches.

• A $200 credit for new VISION sponsors and current sponsors who upgrade their print or online presence.

Click here or call 800-942-2811 for more information.

Consider nominating a fellow NRVC member for the Outstanding Recognition Award by April 22. Likewise, consider nominating an individual or organization for the NRVC Mustard Seed Award by the same date.

At the biennial convocation NRVC traditionally presents awards for outstanding service in vocation ministry. The slate of names and organizations for two of these awards comes from the NRVC membership.

The Mustard Seed Award is intended to honor an individual or group that has made a significant impact on vocation ministry through a small, local initiative that has grown to include other individuals, groups, and organizations.

Such local efforts help encourage a vocation culture and raise the awareness of the faithful about their shared baptismal call to holiness. This individual or group does not have to be a member of NRVC nor does the project need to include a vocation director.

The Outstanding Recognition Award is given to draw attention to an NRVC member who has contributed in a significant way to vocation ministry.

For more information about both types of awards, click here.

Members of Region 4 have fun with an image of Pope Francis during their meeting in early March. Region 4 meets next on May 3-4 in Mariottsville, Maryland.

NRVC members are welcome to attend the many professional development opportunities offered by our 14 regions. All region minutes and meeting dates are available in the Members Only section of the website. Following are April 2016 regional meetings whose agendas were available for newsletter publication.

Find regional contacts and see what is happening in all the regions here.

REGION 1

April 30, 2016 

Immaculate Conception Spiritual Renewal Center, Putman, Connecticut

Mary Jo Place, presenter

"The Demystification of Digital Media: Exploring the Role of Social Media in Vocation Ministry." 

REGION 7

April 19

Frankfurt, Illinois

Sister Amy Hereford, C.S.J., J.D., J.C.D., presenter

"Legal and Financial Screening of Candidates for Religious Life."

REGION 9 

April 25-27

Dubuque, Iowa

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

"Vocation Ministry in the 21st Century: What we see depends on what we look for!" Click here for the flier about this event.

To better meet the needs of our members, NRVC is asking any member who did NOT apply for the Vocation Ambassadors Program to click here for a fast, easy online survey about your decision-making.

By filling this out, you will help NRVC to better tailor future program applications, publicity, etc. 

Communities selected to take part in Vocation Ambassadors

Thirty-eight applications were filed, and the selection committee for  Vocation Ambassadors selected 14, based on the communities' staffing and ability to carry out 100 hours of time commitment. They are:

Adorers of the Blood of Christ

Brothers of the Christian Schools

Congregation of the Brothers of St. Francis Xavier

Dominican Sisters of Springfield

Dominican Sisters of Peace

Dominican Sisters of San Rafael

Missionaries of the Sacred Heart

Order of the Most Holy Trinity and of the Captives

Sisters of St. Benedict of Ferdinand, Indiana

Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Society of the Sacred Heart

Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities

Sisters of St. Joseph of Brentwood

Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word

NRVC and VISION Vocation Network invite NRVC members to join them at World Youth Day (WYD) in Krakow, Poland, July 25-31, 2016.

Similar to World Youth Days in Madrid and Rio de Janeiro, NRVC and VISION Vocation Network will sponsor a vocation space at the English Language Pavilion. Spearheaded by the Knights of Columbus, NRVC joins Canadian Salt + Light TV and Family Rosary as one of the four major partners of this key WYD venue.

As an NRVC member, you and members of your congregation will be given at no cost priority access to participate in the Vocation Center in the English Language Pavilion. This center, which will be hosted by NRVC and VISION Vocation Match, will be in response to Pope Francis’ call to create a “culture of encounter” within the church.

Our goal is to provide a relaxed and comfortable space for individual pilgrims or groups “to encounter” in a more personal, informal way a vibrant presence of women and men religious. The unique space we have planned will provide you with many opportunities to speak with pilgrims about their faith, hopes, dreams, and vocations—be it to marriage, religious life, or priesthood.

It is estimated that approximately 45,000 pilgrims will be coming to Krakow from the United States, and we anticipate that many more pilgrims from other English-speaking countries will come through our doors as well.

For a document with details about joining this event, please click here.

The NRVC staff is hard at work arranging for another outstanding convocation, to take place October 27-31, 2016 in Overland Park, Kansas (near Kansas City). This national gathering, which also attracts many vocation representatives from outside U.S. borders, will feature excellent opportunities for learning, personal growth, networking, and professional development. It will include:

• Workshops by renowned speakers (see a sneak peek of workshop presenters here).
• Cutting-edge ideas for fruitful vocation ministry
• Beautiful, well-planned prayer and liturgies
• Social time with professional peers

Keynoters are:

• Ms. Sherry Weddell, co-founder of the Catherine of Siena Institute, which encourages lay leadership and evangelization.
• Father Kevin O'Brien, S.J., vice president for mission and ministry at Georgetown University.

Learn more about the forthcoming convocation at nrvc.net.

Ethics presenter Father Raymond P. Carey, Ph.D.

"Ethical Issues in Vocation Ministry" workshop will be part of NRVC's Summer Institute and will take place in downtown Chicago July 18-19.

The workshop will be led by Father Raymond P. Carey, Ph.D. It will explore ethical principles governing confidentiality and agency. It will examine 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 the rights of candidates as well as those in positions of authority.

"Excellent. Real. Pastoral. Does not shy away from tough issues."
—Sister Susan Francois, C.S.J.P., New Jersey

"Father 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

Do you know what your goals are in using Facebook?  Is Facebook helping you invite and connect with prospective members?

If you want to better understand the capabilities of this media and improve your use of it, check out the tips for best practices written by the experts at Facebook. This easy, free guide can help "non-techie" users of Facebook to be more strategic and purposeful in the way they use their sites.

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This colorful, tri-fold brochure is an ideal resource to send to ministry sites, parishes, and membership for all vocation promotion events. The brochure is a companion to the "Ten Questions Parents Ask" brochure, and it contains 10 timeless, relevant questions.

Available in bulk orders only, in packs of 25 brochures. Available in English. Members: $10 per 25; non-members: $15 per 25. Click here to order.

Canadian vocation organization holding conference

All persons who are passionate about creating a vocation culture in Canada are invited to attend the conference of the National Association of Vocation/Formation Directors April 25-28 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The theme will be "Live the Word Courageously: New Voices in Vocation Culture." The keynote speakers will be Sister Amy Hereford, C.S.J. and Father Scott Lewis, S.J.

To register, visit vocations.ca. Sponsored by the National Association of Vocation/Formation Directors (NAVFD). Contact navfdco@gmail.com for further information.

CMSWR course for Spanish-speaking sisters; leadership forum for young women

The Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious (CMSWR) will offer the summer course "Spouses of Christ, Daughters of the Church” (Esposas de Cristo, Hijas de la Iglesia) June 27-July 8 at the Pax Christi Retreat Center in Corpus Christi, Texas. Enrollment is open to any Spanish-speaking women religious serving in the United States.

For more information, see www.cmswr.org or e-mail EsposasdeCristo@cmswr.org.

In addition, CMSWR is sponsoring "GIVEN: the Catholic Young Women's Leadership Forum," June 7-12 at Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

This event will bring together 300 rising leaders, selected by application, with religious and lay leaders for a full-scholarship, week-long immersion in faith formation, leadership skills training, and networking. Speakers will include: law professor Helen Alvaré, Catholic Relief Services President Dr. Carolyn Woo, and singer songwriter Audrey Assad.

Applications for a full scholarship are at www.givenforum.org. This event is supported by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation.

RFC staff opening, offering "ForMission" in June

With its move to Chicago in June, the Religious Formation Conference is seeking a new program director, responsible for designing and implementing all major programs. Learn more here.

Applications are being accepted by the Religious Vocation Conference for "ForMission," a two-year formation program for formators. The program consists of four week-long intensive sessions at various locations throughout the U.S. The first session of the class of 2018 will be June 8-16 at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. For more information, click here. Call the RFC national office for an application packet: 202-827-4562.

Religious Brothers Conference to hold assembly

The Religious Brothers Conference will hold its 45th annual assembly July 23-26 at the Siena Center in Racine, Wisconsin. Brothers from all communities are welcome to attend. The theme will be "The Brother in the Year of Mercy," and the keynote speakers will be Sister Barbara Reid, O.P. and Brother Steve Bevans, S.V.D., both of whom are on the faculty of Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. For more information, see todaysbrother.com.

St. Luke's Institute offers course

Father David Songy, O.F.M. Cap., S.T.D., Psy.D., president of Saint Luke Institute, will present a continuing education workshop, “Ethical Implications of Psychological Treatment and Evaluation of Catholic Clients,” for psychologists, therapists, and vocation and formation directors. The workshop will be offered online April 13. Participants receive three hours of continuing-education credits. Find details at sli.org or contact Beth Davis, director of education, at sliconnect@sli.org or 502-632-2471.

Catholics on Call hosts summer, fall events

The Catholics on Call Young Adult Conference will take place August 3-6 at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. Learn more about this event aimed at young adults considering a church vocation here.

The Partner Conference for Catholics on Call will take place September 15-16 and is open to religious institutes that are partners to the program. Learn about partnership and the September event here.

Holy Land Retreat, Biblical Studies Program at CTU

Catholic Theological Union in Chicago is sponsoring a Holy Land Retreat in May and a Biblical Studies Program in August and October. Learn more at ctu.edu. Click on "Programs & Centers," then "Biblical Study/Travel."