The NRVC has produced a vibrant new 16-page booklet to help religious communities better understand and engage with African America Catholics. Learn more about this culture and the best ways to encourage and sustain vocations to religious life. The colorful printed booklet may be ordered for only $5 each for members ($8 nonmembers). Bulk orders at a reduced rate are also available by contacting nrvc@nrvc.net. Members also have the option to download the book in the Member Toolbox. The full title is "Transforming Religious Communities to be Antiracist and Culturally Inviting: Welcoming the Cultural Abundance of African American and Black Catholics."

Both individuals and organizations are invited to become sponsors of the NRVC convocation, to take place October 31 - November 4 in Minneapolis. The NRVC is grateful to the many people and groups who are already supporting this important gathering of vocation ministers. Learn about sponsorship levels, including in-kind contributions, by contacting Phil Loftus, development director, at 312-318-0180 or ploftus@nrvc.net.

Convocation registration is now open. Pre-convocation workshop registration is available, as well registration for the post-convocation pilgrimage "Sacred Sites, Sacred Stories. Visit our online store to make your selections, register, and make payments. 

Behavioral Assessment 1 is among five workshops to be presented as part of the NRVC Summer Institute taking place this July at the Marillac Center in Leavenworth, Kansas. Behavioral Assessment 1 will be presented July 16-17 by Father Raymond P. Carey, Ph.D.  

This workshop will cover practical interviewing techniques in a theoretical framework of behavioral assessment. Interview topics include family background, educational and occupational histories, psychosexual histories and intimacy skills, faith history, Catholic practices, and other pertinent issues related to comprehensive vocation assessment. 

Details and registration are online for all our Summer Institute workshops:

Orientation Program for New Vocation Directors     
Ethical Issues in Vocation and Formation Ministry     
Behavioral Assessment 1
Health and Wellness Issues in Candidate Assessment
Being Human and Sexual: An Evolving Understanding

Sister Kathleen Branham, O.S.F. will be the next director of database administration for the National Religious Vocation Conference beginning May 13. The current director, Marge Argyelan, will be retiring in August to onboard Sister Kathleen and integrate NRVC's new database.

Sister Kathleen joins the NRVC leadership team as an active NRVC member with varied ministerial experiences, including service as an NRVC Member Area Coordinator for the Midwest since 2020. 

Thank you Marge, for your outstanding leadership in database and web services. Your kindness and expertise have benefitted all of our members. Welcome, Sister Kathleen.

The new study, "The Class of 2024: Survey of Ordinands to the Priesthood" provides an in-depth look at the men in religious institutes and dioceses  recently or about to be ordained. The survey was commissioned by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and was produced by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate. Among other things, the report provides details on the approximately 66 religious-institute men to be ordained in 2024. Data about religious institute ordinands is presented alongside information about diocesan ordinands. See the report here.

Are you aware that, like most professions, the practice of vocation ministry has a code of ethics? The NRVC code of ethics has been carefully developed by ministers and ethicists to maintain the highest possible standards of ethical ministry. By reading and following the code, the NRVC intends to protect vulnerable adults and minors (those considering a church vocation), to minister free of bias, and to ensure that ministers and religious communities themselves can flourish in an atmosphere that maintains proper boundaries and good conduct. Even if you have already taken ethics workshops, we encourage you to download and read the code and adhere to it.

Whether your community events are virtual or in-person, spread your net widely by posting them on the VISION Vocation Guide free event calendar. Prayer services, retreats, learning or service opportunities, and more are welcome to be listed. Events need not be specifically related to vocations. The main criteria is that an event be sponsored by a religious community. 

A major perk of membership in the National Religious Vocation Conference is the ability to network with and learn from other vocation ministers. Any member can attend any Member Area gathering. For details, contact your member area coordinator. 

West Coast — June 18, via Zoom
Delaware Valley — June 22, Huntington Valley, PA
Southwest — September 17, via Zoom

Check out news about our collaborators: resources, classes, retreats, and gatherings.