Brother Christopher Cheney, O.C.S.O.

How long have you been involved in vocation ministry?

Since 2013 I've been involved in vocations for my community, Our Lady of New Clairvaux Abbey in Vina, California. 

Are you part of a vocation team? 

Teamwork is essential to our vocation ministry. In addition to our Formation Committee, which has oversight of the vocation office, I also take part in a vocation promotion team with Brother Guerric Llanes, our director of social media, and with a lay friend of the monastery who has experience in communications and marketing.

Has being a member of NRVC been helpful to you? If so, please tell how.

Being a member of NRVC has been an invaluable help! First of all attending the new vocation director workshop provided an excellent foundation; I would highly recommend it to anyone beginning vocation ministry. I continue to use the NRVC office as a resource, both for current vocations data and for questions that come up, such as student debt relief. 

What have you tried lately that you're excited about?

As a cloistered contemplative community we need help in getting our invitation out to potential candidates. We have formed an Abbey Vocation Volunteer Network (AVVN) of volunteer supporters to promote us in their local parish or other setting.

Do you have any words of wisdom to those who are new to this ministry?

Be patient and pray always in readiness to surrender to God’s will. Expect miracles.