2017 Vocation Ambassadors Program, June 9-12, 2017

The Vocation Ambassador program begins with a four-day "Share the Sacred" workshop that provides participants with the skills to become vocation ambassadors.

The workshop

Fourteen select teams of vocation ministers, communicators, and single young adults (ages 20-30), will work together to develop a consistent message that vocations to religious life is a viable option in the Catholic Church. Teams bridge gaps of knowledge and experience to create a collaborative communications strategic plan for vocations that involves a minimum of 100 team hours beyond the Share the Sacred workshop. 

Venue and fees

The program will convene at Holy Cross College, June 9-12, 2017, starting at 5 p.m. on June 9 and ending at noon, June 12. The Program is free. Participants will only be responsible for travel and personal expenses. All program materials, accommodations, meals, and presenter fees will be underwritten through the generosity of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. 

Application process

Participants in the Vocation Ambassadors Program will be selected as a team. The application must be completed and submitted by an NRVC member (single or licensed). And the participating team must include a vocation minister who has previously attended the NRVC Orientation Program for Vocation Directors. The communicator and young adult do not have to be NRVC members.

Read more details about the program here.

What prior year participants have said about the program

Global Sisters Report on the 2016 Vocation Ambassadors Program.
 

Vocations ministry can be an isolated experience, and it's essential to be able to touch base with others who work in that area. I found working with the entire group was a wonderful experience. There is a real sense of enthusiasm around the ministry.

—Father Alan Neville, M.S.C. Vocations Ireland VAP team

It was great to listen to all the other congregations and learn from them. I want to work closely with our community's vocation director to ensure we are communicating correctly and branding ourselves in the best way possible.

—Ms. Yahaira Perez-Caraballo, Communicator

I have been inspired to speak up for Christ and for vocations to religious life in general when meeting all of the vocation directors at this event. The collaboration of activities was very helpful because people were not often alone representing their ideas.

—Jennifer Merola, young adult

The most helpful workshop was the one where the young adults were taught about religious life. I now feel much more confident in my ability to talk to people about religious life and vocations. In addition to the wonderful presentations and abundance of useful information that was shared, two things really made this program "over the top". The first was the communal prayers when a different team led each one. I truly enjoyed seeing others' ways of praying, especially some of those who shared their native languages. 

—Kelly Dahman, young adult