CONVOCATION 2012    - Vocation Ministers as Ambassadors for Christ:
                                      A Reconciling Presence

November 1 - 5, 2012
Marriott Hotel at Legacy Towne Center
Plano, TX

Using St. Paul's image from II Corinthians, this convocation will reinforce the truth that vocation ministers serve not only as ambassadors for their religious institutes, but for the Church and for all of religious life. Vocation directors in a unique way become "bridge builders" with the Church, their religious institute, and their new members and strive to bring about unity, understanding, and reconciliation amongst all concerned parties so that religious life may move into the future with vibrant faith and hope.

We invite vocation ministers, religious leadership, formation directors, communication directors, and all those who share responsibility and concern for future membership in religious life to attend this convocation. Through the input of our keynote speakers, diverse workshops, theological reflection, and celebrations of Mass and common prayer, we will be inspired to be Ambassadors for Christ: A Reconciling Presence to a new generation of women and men religious.

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS:

Archbishop Joseph William Tobin, CSsR is the current secretary of the Vatican’s Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life since his appointment by Pope Benedict XVI on August 2, 2010. Prior to this appointment, he was elected General Consultor of the Redemptorist Fathers in 1991 and on September 9, 1997 was elected Superior General, a position he held for two consecutive terms. That same year he became Vice-President of the Union of Superiors General. He was also member of the Council for Relations between the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life and the International Union of Superiors General from 2001 to 2009. He speaks English, Spanish, French, Italian and Portuguese.

Sister Kathryn J. Hermes, FSP has an M.T.S. from Weston Jesuit Center for Theological Studies and an advanced certificate in Scripture. The study of spirituality has been a life-long pursuit for this Daughter of St. Paul. She is the author of Surviving Depression—A Catholic Approach (now in ten languages), Making Peace with Yourself—15 Steps for Spiritual Healing, Beginning Contemplative Prayer, St. Joseph—Help for Life's Emergencies, Holding on to Hope (Fall 2010 release), among others. She currently directs the Acquisitions Office for Pauline Book and Media Centers and Digital Publishing for the publishing house of the Daughters of St. Paul. She is a spiritual director, offers presentations on spirituality and depression, and leads retreats.

Registration fees:

$530.00 - Professional member
$560.00 - Associate member
$585.00 - Partners and others
$  35.00 - Commuter fee (not per day, for facility use)

Marriott Hotel at Legacy Towne Center
7121 Bishop Road
Plano, TX 75024
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/dalpt-dallas-plano-marriott-at-legacy-town-center/

Room Rates:
$109 single/double


PRE-CONVOCATION WORKSHOPS

November 1, 2012 (9:00 AM - 4:30 PM)

Recognizing Subtle Signs and Symptoms of Personality Disorder
This interactive workshop focuses on the understanding of various personality traits and disorders and how they may impact the interview and screening process of potential candidates for religious life. It will benefit formation and vocation ministers as well as those in supportive leadership roles. Through case studies and small and large group discussion we will explore human developmental stages to understand the onset of personality traits that could subsequently lead to personality disorders. Very often these maladaptive behaviors are missed or perceived as “eccentricities”. Therefore, it is important for new membership ministers to be aware of signs and symptoms of the various personality disorders and to learn inquiry techniques and appropriate interventions to screen for potential religious candidates. Participants are encouraged to bring examples and questions from their ministry.

Presenters:
Dr. Adeline Boye, PSy.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in neuropsychology. She is an Associate Professor of psychology at Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont, CA and has been teaching in their graduate program for the past six years. Her courses include: Neurophysiology and Pharmacology, Adult and Child Assessment, Psychopathology, Principles of Marriage and Family Therapy, and Cross Cultural Issues. Adeline currently works with refugees from around the world, providing culturally sensitive psychological care including supportive psychotherapy and neuropsychological evaluations. Most recently, she has become interested in religious life in relation to vocation ministry and has been educating vocation ministers in the northern region of CA in the areas of initial screening of candidates and psychological disorders. Adeline is an associate member of the West/Midwest community of the Sisters of Mercy.

Sister Cindy Kaye, RSM has served as vocation minister for the Sisters of Mercy for seven years. She has written articles for Horizon Magazine in the areas of Supervision for Vocation Ministers and Administering the Behavioral Assessment. She has developed discernment models for those inquiring into religious life as well as a twenty-category behavioral assessment for pre-candidates. Sister Cindy is a second year doctoral student at the Wright Institute of Psychology, in Berkeley, California. Her special interests include Adult Assessment and Psychoanalytic Theory. Her dissertation will examine the use of the behavioral assessment as part of a three-fold process for application to religious life.

The Vocation Director's Marketing Toolbox
In today’s rapidly changing world, there are more ways than ever before to reach people. From direct mail to e-mail to social media to the web and advertising, the options are endless and growing by leaps and bounds every day. Although social media will be emphasized in this workshop, it is not the “be all, end all” tool. It is one of many communication tools in today’s toolbox—a toolbox that is overflowing with possibilities! Find out which tools are right for your congregation and how you can partner with your communications personnel so that you can successfully use each one to communicate your congregation’s mission and message.

Presenter:
Kim Cavallero
Kim Cavallero has more than 10 years of experience in the field of marketing communications. As Director of Communications for the Society of the Holy Child Jesus – American Province, Kim has built a diversified communications program that includes print, media, online, and social media strategies. Since launching the congregation’s social media program in 2009, Kim has increased YouTube video views by 79%, Twitter followers by 76%, Facebook fans by 45%, and blog views by 29%. Kim has given presentations on social media to Region 3 of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, the J.S. Paluch Annual Vocation Awareness Seminar, and the National Communicators Network for Women Religious. Kim holds both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in communications, and she chaired the Board of Directors for the National Communicators Network for Women Religious from 2009-2011.

Vocation Ministry and the Issues of Civil, Canon, and Immigration Law
This workshop will treat those aspects of law as they pertain to vocation ministry from the corresponding areas of civil, canon and immigration law. Some areas to be covered will include: assessment policies and record keeping; internal vs. external forum in candidate assessment; policies and practices regarding a candidate’s financial assets; salary and tax issues during the formation period; special issues regarding older, widowed and divorced candidates; readmission and community transfers; clarification of key immigration terms; documentation and tracking immigration status; working and discerning with foreign-born candidates; legal responsibilities of the religious institute and the candidate.

Presenters:
Father Daniel J. Ward, OSB is the Executive Director of The Resource Center for Religious Institutes (RCRI) in Silver Spring, MD. He is an author, legal consultant and lecturer. In the past Fr. Dan has served as prior in the Bahamas, administrator at St. Gregory Abbey in Oklahoma and professor of canon and civil law at St. John’s University, Collegeville, MN. Fr. Dan is a graduate of St. John’s University, Catholic University of America, and the University of Iowa. He is a Benedictine monk of St. John’s Abbey, Collegeville, Minnesota.

Ms. Anne Marie Gibbons is the Director of the Center for Religious Immigration and Protection of the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC). She joined CLINIC in 1998 and has been with the Religious Immigration Section since 2000, where she represents Catholic dioceses and religious communities bringing foreign born priests, brothers, sisters, novices, seminarians, and religious workers into the United States to work for the Church. A member of the District of Columbia Bar, Ms. Gibbons has practiced immigration law since 1989. Before joining CLINIC, she was in private practice, and coordinated the American Bar Association project in South Texas to provide pro bono representation to indigent and detained asylum seekers.

Pre-Convocation Workshops fees (includes supplies, breaks and lunch)

$140.00 Professional Member
$150.00 Associate Member
$160.00 Partner and Others

Registration for Convocation 2012 will be available in the near future!

Workshops 2012 - Summer Institute

July 16-18, 2012

BEHAVIORAL ASSESSMENT I
This workshop presents practical interviewing techniques housed in a theoretical framework of behavioral assessment. While the focus of the workshop is on initial assessment of candidates, the methodology easily applies to assessing candidates in other stages of formation as well. Workshop participants study sample case reports, and learn skills for interviewing as well as guidelines for organizing the information into useful reports. Interview topics include: family background, educational and occupational histories, psychosexual histories and intimacy skills, faith history, and other pertinent issues related to comprehensive vocational assessment.

This workshop is designed for vocation and formation ministers, seminary personnel, admissions team members and congregational leaders.

PRESENTER:
Reverend Raymond P. Carey, Ph.D. is a priest of the Archdiocese of Portland, OR. He has taught at both the secondary and university levels, and presently teaches at Mount Angel Seminary Graduate School of Theology in Saint Benedict, Oregon. Father Carey holds a doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Ottawa, Canada. He has presented workshops in North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. He is a past recipient of the NRVC Harvest Award for his work in service of vocation ministry.

This workshop begins at 9:00 AM on Monday and ends at 4:30 PM on Wednesday.

DePaul Center
1 East Jackson Boulevard
Chicago, Illinois 60604-2287

Workshop Fees: (includes lunch, materials, and facility fee)

$385.00 – NRVC Professional Member
$400.00 – NRVC Associate Member
$425.00 – Non-NRVC Member

Click on the following link to register: http://www.regonline.com/Register/Checkin.aspx?EventID=1058022

Registration fees do not include housing, parking, breakfast, or supper.

Room Rates:
$103 per night

University Center
Conference Chicago
525 South State Street
Chicago, IL 60605
www.universitycenter.com

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July 19-20, 2012

ETHICAL ISSUES IN VOCATION AND FORMATION MINISTRY
This workshop will explore ethical principles governing confidentiality, agency and obligations related to positions of trust. The workshop will also address issues related to dissemination of information, the timeliness of admissions or dismissal decisions, and other issues related to ethical rights of candidates as well as ethical rights of those in positions of authority.

This workshop is intended for vocation and formation directors, seminary personnel and religious leadership.

PRESENTER:
Reverend Raymond P. Carey, Ph.D.

This workshop begins at 9:00 AM on Thursday and ends at noon on Friday.

DePaul Center
1 East Jackson Boulevard
Chicago, Illinois 60604-2287

Workshop Fees: (includes lunch, materials, and facility fee)

$210.00 – NRVC Professional Member
$225.00 – NRVC Associate Member
$245.00 – Non-NRVC Member

Click on the following link to register: http://www.regonline.com/Register/Checkin.aspx?EventID=1051051

Registration fees do not include housing, parking, breakfast, or supper.

Room Rates:
$103 per night

University Center
Conference Chicago
525 South State Street
Chicago, IL 60605
www.universitycenter.com

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July 23-27, 2012

ORIENTATION PROGRAM FOR NEW VOCATION DIRECTORS
This workshop is intended for new and recently appointed vocation directors. Its goal is to provide participants with the skills, context, theory, challenges and practicalities of contemporary vocation ministry. Topics will include: theology of call; candidate issues; discernment, assessment and the application process; the role of membership and religious leadership; advertising and education; ethics and boundaries; and self-care of the vocation director.

PRESENTERS:
Brother Paul Bednarczyk, CSC, NRVC Executive Director is a member of the Congregation of Holy Cross, and has been the Executive Director of the National Religious Vocation Conference since 2002. Prior to this ministry, Brother Paul served as teacher, administrator and campus minister in Holy Cross schools in Maryland and Rome, Italy. He was vocation director and member of the provincial council for the Eastern Province of Brothers for nine years. He has written several articles for Review for Religious, Vision, and Horizon and has given workshops in North America, Australia and Europe. Brother Paul has a M.A. Degree in Religion and Religious Education with a concentration in spirituality from Fordham University.

Sister Deborah M. Borneman, SS.C.M., NRVC Associate Director is a member of the Sisters of Saints Cyril and Methodius and began her position at NRVC in August, 2011. Prior to this ministry, Sister Debbie served 10 years as vocation director for her congregation. She has also ministered as coordinator for vocation awareness programs for the Diocese of Harrisburg and as a certified Catholic campus minister at Bloomsburg University of PA. Other previous ministry experiences include: youth ministry, religious education, and parish pastoral care. Sister Debbie has a M.A. Degree in Pastoral Studies from Loyola University of Chicago.

This workshop begins at 9:00 AM on Monday and ends at noon on Friday.

DePaul Center
1 East Jackson Boulevard
Chicago, Illinois 60604-2287

Workshop Fees: (includes, lunch, materials, and facility fee)

$540.00 – NRVC Professional Member
$555.00 – NRVC Associate Member
$575.00 – Non-NRVC Member

Click on the following link to register http://www.regonline.com/Register/Checkin.aspx?EventID=1051052

Registration fees do not include housing, parking, breakfast, or supper.

Room Rates:
$103 per night

University Center
Conference Chicago
525 South State Street
Chicago, IL 60605
www.universitycenter.com

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July 30 - August 1, 2012

COMMUNICATION SKILLS FOR VOCATION MINISTERS: ORAL, WRITTEN, AND DIGITAL
You know what you want to say. Now comes the real challenge: how to say it.

It’s no easy task to find the right words or the best tone to deliver clear, concise, compelling messages to promote religious life to varied audiences. Whether communicating in a classroom, at a retreat, or online, this workshop will help vocation directors to refine their style of communicating and to implement new ideas as the advancement of technology continues to change the way we communicate. Special attention will be given to the ethics of communicating with minors and young adults in a digital environment. This workshop is intended for all vocation ministers.

PRESENTERS:
Ms. Lisa Ripson began her career in broadcast television for WANE-TV News in 1993 in Fort Wayne, Indiana. For more than a decade she has worked with some of the most recognized names in local and network news developing stories on a daily basis appealing to a diverse consumer audience. Ms. Ripson is an Emmy award winning television producer spending much of her career at WMAQ-TV NBC 5 in Chicago. 
In 2006, she exchanged her media credentials for a career in public relations. Since then, she has been providing clients with strategic counsel and media training that has prepared clients for both local and national interviews. Ripson continues to produce videos for her clients, including former Alderman Gene Schulter, The World’s Largest Block Party, the Village of La Grange and St. Matthias Church. In 2008 Ripson produced a half hour documentary for Animal Planet.

Jessica Schmidt is Counsel for the Archdiocese of Chicago. She joined the Office of Legal Services in February 2008. As a Staff Attorney, she supported the Office's various practice areas, including real estate and immigration. Since becoming Counsel in 2010, Jessica has overseen intellectual property and electronic communication issues, negotiated and reviewed technology contracts, and worked to develop litigation support processes. Jessica earned her B.A. in Economics and International Studies from Northwestern University in 2004, and her J.D. and M.B.A. from Loyola University Chicago in 2007. Jessica was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2007. Her practice areas include corporate compliance, business and information services, and intellectual property.

Father Vince Wirtner III, CPPS, received his Master of Divinity degree in 2010 from the Catholic Theological Union and was ordained in June 2010. He presently serves as vocation director for the Cincinnati Province of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood. In addition to being a clinical nurse, he has twenty-five years of youth ministry experience, three of which were as high school campus minister. Today, Father Vince's love for exploring new and fresh opportunities for ministry and his expertise in communication will help us to explore the many and vast ways social media may enhance vocation ministry.

This workshop begins at 9:00 AM on Monday and ends at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday.

DePaul Center
1 East Jackson Boulevard
Chicago, Illinois 60604-2287

Workshop Fees: (includes lunch, materials, and facility fee)

$385.00 – NRVC Professional Member
$400.00 – NRVC Associate Member
$425.00 – Non-NRVC Member

Click on the following link to register: http://www.regonline.com/Register/Checkin.aspx?EventID=1051053

Registration fees do not include housing, parking, breakfast, or supper.

Room Rates:
$103 per night

University Center
Conference Chicago
525 South State Street
Chicago, IL 60605
www.universitycenter.com

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