As part of the events planned for the Year of Consecrated Life, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops along with the men's and women's leadership conferences for religious have designated September 13, 2015 as a collaborative Day of Prayer with Religious. Events will include vespers, rosary or holy hours in convents, monasteries, religious houses and churches. NRVC encourages its membersto plan vocation events in their communities for for this day of collaborative prayer.

Prayers intentions, prayer cards, a video on consecrated life, and other resources are available at: http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/vocations/consecrated-life/year-of-consecrated-life/index.cfm.  

NRVC will be part of the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia September 22-25, which is expected to gather 10-15,000 Catholics from 150 countries.

NRVC will have an exhibit booth at the event to showcase the soon-to-be-released NRVC-CARA Study:  The Role of the Family in Nurturing Vocations to Religious Life and the Priesthood. NRVC Members from Region 3 will assist at the booth. 

Held every three years and sponsored by the Holy See’s Pontifical Council for the Family, the World Meeting of Families is the world’s largest Catholic gathering of families. Each World Meeting of Families has a theme meant to energize the event and add depth  to the church's understanding of families. “Love Is Our Mission: The Family Fully Alive,” is the theme for the Philadelphia meeting.

The pope's visit to Philadelphia for the event, on September 26 and 27, is expected to attract some 2 million pilgrims.

For more information about the World Meeting of Families, see worldmeeting2015.org. For details about NRVC's presence, contact Sister Deborah Borneman, SS.C.M. at debbiesscm@nrvc.net or (773) 363-5454.

Join us at one of four venues across the country to learn about the newest generation of Catholic sisters and why we need them now more than ever. Hear remarkable stories from these modern women who have answered the call and learn how they perceive their mission.

These unique gatherings, hosted by NRVC during the Year of Consecrated Life and made possible due to the generosity of the GHR Foundation, will include young sisters, along with the authors of New Generations of Catholic Sisters: The Challenge of Diversity.

A Q & A session and raffle will follow the main presentation. Refreshments will be served.

This is an excellent chance to generate support for Catholic sisters now and in the future. Please invite your family, friends, discerners, and  parishioners to attend as well!

Schedule

September 12, 2015, 9 a.m. - noon (Central time)
University of the Incarnate Word, Fine Arts Auditorium, San Antonio, TX

Click here for the live streamed videos. There are two videos titled "New Generations of Catholic Sisters."

September 20, 2015, 1-4 p.m (Central time). 
Dominican University, Lund Auditorium, River Forest, IL

Click here for the live streamed video.

October 10, 2015, 1-4 p.m (Eastern time). Mass to follow. 
Immaculata University, Alumnae Hall, Immaculata, PA 

January 23, 2016, 9 a.m. - noon (Pacific time).
Mount Saint Mary’s University, Doheny Campus, Rose Hills Auditorium, Los Angeles, CA

Please RSVP.

Featured speakers

New Generations of Catholic Sisters authors:
Sister Mary Johnson, S.N.D.deN.
Sister Patricia Wittberg, S.C. 
Dr. Mary Gautier

Questions? Call the NRVC offices at 773-363-5454 or email Julie Montague at jmontague@nrvc.net.

For more information on all 2015 workshops & programs, download brochure

Why come to Fall Institute?

There is a joyful spirit at NRVC that is palpable in its members. Dynamic vocation ministers ask the deeper question, “How can I fully engage in my NRVC membership?” The answer begins with networking with one another at region meetings and participating in NRVC workshops. Members who are fully engaged are motivated to keep updated in the trends, issues, best practices, and skills in vocation ministry. They are enthusiastic contributors to the field of vocation ministry as writers, presenters, videographers, and animators. Fully engaged members have the conviction that emerging adults are curious about religious life and desire vocation discernment. Come to learn new skills, to enhance your ministry, and to make lifelong education a priority. 

Our biennial Fall Institute will offer four workshops at the Marillac Center in Leavenworth, Kansas, October 13-25. Similar to the Summer Institute, it’s your choice as to how many workshops you want to attend. Marillac Center is a sponsored ministry of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth and is located on their Mother House grounds. It is accessible from the Kansas City Airport (MCI). Participants can use the Super Shuttle from the airport, or if you are driving, there is free parking available at the Marillac Center. For more information, visit their website at http://www.scls.org/Marillac-Center/Facilities-Services.aspx.

Overnight accommodations are also available at the Marillac Center. Enjoy the convenience of having spacious bedrooms with a private bath with shower. A complimentary breakfast and supper is offered for residents. Lunch is included for all workshop participants. Wireless internet access is available for all meeting rooms and guest rooms.

Limited rooms are available; make your overnight accommodations when you register for your workshop through nrvc.net. Please do not call the Marillac Center for reservations. Click here for Registration Reminders regarding commuter or resident status, late registration, or cancellation.

To register for workshops, click on the link provided on each workshop page. Our workshops offered this fall include:

• Behavioral Assessment 1, offered October 13-15, 2015.
• Ethical Issues in Vocation and Formation Ministry, offered October 16-17.
• Orientation Program for New Vocation Directors, offered October 18-22.
• In special commemoration of the Year of Consecrated Life: Trends, Issues, and Best Practices in Vocation Ministry in the 21st Century, offered October 23-25, 2015.

National Vocation Awareness Week (NVAW) is an annual week-long celebration of the Catholic Church in the United States dedicated to promote vocations to ordained ministry and consecrated life through prayer and education, and to renew our prayers and support for those who are considering one of these particular vocations. 

Observance of Vocation Awareness Week began in 1976 when the U.S. bishops designated the 28th Sunday of the year for the celebration. It was later moved to Feast of the Baptism of the Lord in January. Last year, after extensive consultation, the Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations moved the observance of National Vocation Awareness Week to November to engage Catholic schools and colleges more effectively in this effort. For more information about the news release, prayer cards, video clips, and other resources, click here. Send any plans, photos or news about your events celebrated during National Vocation Awareness Week to debbiesscm@nrvc.net.