July 8-12, 2026

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Registration is open in the NRVC Online Store

Workshop description

This foundational workshop is essential for all newly appointed vocation directors and teams. Its goal is to provide participants with the foundational skills, context, theory, challenges, and practicalities of contemporary vocation ministry. Topics will include accompaniment with inquirers, assessment of discerners, application and admission processes, vocation promotion, canon law, boundaries, animating vowed membership, relevant resources, current research, and establishing resiliency and promoting self-care of the vocation director.

Arrival and departure days/times

Please note this five-day workshop begins on July 8 at 9:00 a.m. and ends on July 12 at 4:30 p.m. CST. Overnight accommodations are included, with arrivals after 3 pm on July 7 and departures before 9 am on July 13. If you are registered for the next workshop, you do not have to check out; your room and meals are provided between workshops.

Venue

This workshop will be the first workshop available at our annual Summer Institute at the Marillac Center in Leavenworth, KS. It is the home of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth. The nearest airport is Kansas City (MCI) and ground transportation is available through Lyft, Uber, and Super Shuttle. The airport is 16 miles from the retreat center.

Liturgy

Eucharistic Liturgy for workshop participants will be offered each day at 8:00 a.m. in the Chapel, which includes Sunday Mass. All participants are invited to be Liturgical leaders for Mass.

Presenters

Sister Deborah M. Borneman, SS.C.M. began working for the NRVC in 2011 and presently serves as the Director of Mission Integration. A Sister of Saints Cyril and Methodius, she previously served as vocation director for her community and on her congregational leadership team. Sr. Debbie has ministerial experience in pastoral care, youth ministry, college campus ministry, and immigration advocacy. She has presented on various topics in vocation ministry in Ireland and throughout the United States. Sr. Debbie holds a Master of Divinity degree and a Master of Arts Degree in Pastoral Studies (Loyola University, Chicago).

Friar Mario L. Serrano, OFM Conv., has experienced fraternity locally and globally. As a Franciscan friar, he was privileged to have mission experiences in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Kenya, Mexico, and Zambia. His ability to speak Spanish gave him the unique experience of gathering with friars from around the world in Assisi for the 2019 and 2025 General Chapter as an English-Spanish translator. Before becoming the Province Secretary and Vocation Director for the Franciscan Friars Conventual, Province of Our Lady of Consolation, Friar Mario engaged in university ministry for 12 years in three different settings: at a Catholic University, a University Parish, and a Diocesan University Student Center.

Workshop fees

Workshop fees include materials, speaker stipends, facility fees, all meals, and breaks. The workshop fee also includes overnight accommodations for 6 nights, arriving after 3:00 p.m. on July 7 (the afternoon before the workshop begins) and checking out by 9:00 a.m. on July 13 (the morning after the workshop ends). If you are registered for the next workshop, you do not have to check out, your room and meals are provided between workshops.

NRVC member: $1,670 Non-member: $2,145

Become an NRVC member here to save on workshop fees.

Registration is open in the NRVC Online store.

Late fees

All workshop registrations received after June 30 incur a $100 late fee.

Cancellations

Cancellations for workshops must be received in writing to dinasp@nrvc.net before June 30 to receive a full refund minus a $100 processing fee. After June 30, all fees are non-refundable.

Financial assistance available

The Misericordia Scholarship Fund is available to assist NRVC members with their professional development. Scholarship funds can be applied to NRVC workshops; however, they do not cover the cost of transportation, accommodations, meals, or personal expenses. If you need financial assistance to attend an NRVC workshop, please apply here.

Workshop terms and conditions

Please read our NRVC terms and conditions for all events and programs.

“The content and resources are very rich, informative, and applicable to the reality of life of vocation directors. Both Sr. Debbie and Fr. Mario are very excellent in presenting and elaborating their knowledge and experience in discussing and answering every question from all participants." --Fr. Sebastian Mulu, OSM

“I loved the case studies because I had a chance to think with other participants. Networking with other vocation directors was most helpful." --Sr. Nodelyn Abayan, SSS

"I really enjoyed being able to talk with other participants about the content to contextualize it to their circumstances and experiences." --Deacon Dan Haverty from the Diocese of Sacramento

“The content was excellent, with good overviews. The small group sessions/case studies, real-life examples, and sample documents were most helpful. After this workshop, I plan to go through our documents and procedures.” --Mrs. Jacqueline Rapp, representing the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth

Workshops are designed from the NRVC curriculum 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. NRVC recommends that vocation ministers participate in ongoing educational opportunities to attend to their own vocation, faith formation, and to further develop their professional competencies.