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Friends of Serra:

The National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Directors

by Dorothy T. Foss, NCDVD Executive Director

‘You have not chosen me, I have chosen you. Go and bear fruit that will last.’ --John 15:16
What a wonderful message to hear: “I have chosen you.” God has created and chosen us for a particular purpose. We believe that God calls each person into life and gives each of us meaning and purpose. Through our baptism, we are called into a life of holiness – a call to seek the face of God – and to serve others by continuing the mission of Jesus. Ultimately we are chosen and called to a life of commitment either as a single, married, ordained or consecrated person. How we discern God’s will for our lives is where the work of vocation ministry personnel plays a vital role for an individual, particularly when it comes to discovering a call to the priesthood or religious life.

The National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Directors (NCDVD) was formed in 1962 to assist diocesan vocation ministers in nurturing and fostering the necessary skills that would help others become aware and discern this “life of being chosen.” The organization started as a gathering place for diocesan vocation directors of a few regions to meet and share ideas and form some kind of community.

The conference’s mission has evolved into a professional non-profit organization on a larger scale that supports, educates and provides resources for diocesan vocation personnel as they promote all church vocations, but particularly diocesan priesthood. The membership of the organization is made up of: diocesan vocation personnel throughout the United States (98% of dioceses); “associate members” from some dioceses in Canada, England, Ireland, Scotland and Australia; “affiliate members” of religious orders who are responsible for priestly vocations; and “friend members” who desire to pray for vocations as well as offer financial support.

This last membership is where a number of Serrans have become part of the family of NCDVD. Their continued financial support, coupled with other Catholic membership-driven organizations, has enabled NCDVD to expand its services to better meet the growing demands of diocesan vocation ministry. We welcome many more Serrans to consider joining us.

How is NCDVD organized?

The conference is structured to complement the 14 regions of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Each region has a coordinator who convenes regular meetings within the region for ongoing member support, education and planning mutual projects. These regional coordinators meet twice a year with the Executive Board

NCDVD is organized nationally through an Executive Board (elected for a two- year term) and an Executive Director, who is the Conference’s executive officer and represents it and the membership to appropriate groups.

What is the unique work of the diocesan vocation office?

According to the “Guidelines for Diocesan Vocation Offices” (issued by the Bishops’ Committee on Vocations), the task of a diocesan vocation office is as follows:

be responsible for vocation awareness and education;

help identify or refer candidates for diocesan priesthood, religious life or other ministries;

discern, evaluate and assess candidates for diocesan priesthood;

assist in the formation of candidates for diocesan priesthood.

The selection of candidates for diocesan priesthood is a primary concern of diocesan vocation offices.

How does NCDVD serve the needs of diocesan vocation offices?

NCDVD serves its members directly by providing:

quarterly newsletter that provides its members with important updates, exchanges of information, and resources pertinent to vocation ministers

an annual convention that offers theological, spiritual and practical education based on a particular theme,

along with opportunities for networking and exchange of resources.

Presentations from the yearly convention may be reviewed through our proceedings or audio-video materials

an annual Vocation Journal centered on a particular topic (discernment, vocation awareness and recruitment, mentoring and the most recent covering a theology of diocesan priesthood)

a website with a particular section for members that offers: membership directory, guidelines for assessing candidates for diocesan priesthood, sample vocation awareness brochures, intercessory prayers for weekly liturgies, and 100 proven parish vocation committee projects
an in-depth,

week-long Institute for Diocesan Vocation Personnel to train new or recently named vocation directors
a one-day workshop for all new diocesan vocation directors prior to every convention

one- or two-day vocation workshops for diocesan priest convocations/study days

discernment resource journals for priestly candidates and young adults

The conference serves its members indirectly by representing their concerns to various national offices and groups related to vocation ministry. These groups include: the Bishops’ Committee on Vocations (BCV), National Catholic Education Association-Seminary Department (NCEA), Bishops’ Committee on Priestly Formation (BCPF), National Religious Vocation Conference (NRVC), National Coalition for Church Vocations (NCCV) [this partnership includes NCDVD, NRVC, J.S. Paluch, Co., National Vocation Awareness Division, Rogationists, Priests of the Sacred Heart, and Serra International’s USA Council].

How can NCDVD and Serra work collaboratively?

First and foremost, on behalf of our NCDVD membership, I would like to express our sincere gratitude for all Serrans who believe in the importance of vocation ministry and who willingly promote vocations to priesthood and religious life. You have taken seriously the message of Pope John Paul II in Pastores Dabo Vobis that “vocations are everybody’s business.” You have given of your time, talent and treasure; and we are most grateful for this continued selfless support. May the Lord continue to bless each of you.

Secondly, in a recent survey of diocesan vocation directors, we have learned that only 25% are full-time directors with the remaining 75% ministering in one or two other full time or part time positions. Given this reality, it would behoove all concerned with vocations to work more collaboratively in this very important and privileged ministry.

So how can NCDVD assist Serra?

As the organization that trains diocesan vocation directors, NCDVD can incorporate in its training sessions how to utilize the talents of Serrans in their dioceses. Serrans already are working diligently in vocation promotion in many dioceses; however, it is important to capitalize on these successes by sharing and duplicating them throughout the United States. The advertising of the Serran Handbook for Parish Vocation Committees and the Parish Vocation Resource Manual at our convention is another way NCDVD can aid Serra and ultimately aid the diocesan vocation director in the work of vocation awareness and promotion.

And how might Serra assist NCDVD?

I believe that the Handbook for Parish Vocations Committees is an excellent place to focus Serran’s assistance to vocation offices. Many of the programs that Serra has sponsored are already incorporated in this handbook, along with other diocesan program suggestions. With some direction from the vocation office (and some training from NCDVD), this would be an excellent way to assist vocation offices in creating a culture of vocations.

As Bishop of Tucson, Ariz., Gerald F. Kicanas said to our Institute participants for the last three years, “pray and pray some more.” Prayer is the most important element to the faithfulness of the vocation ministry process. So we would ask for Serrans to pray for the work of NCDVD and for vocation offices in raising vocation awareness and promotion, discerning, assessing and evaluating candidates, and finally, to pray during the formation process.

Of a more temporal need, financial support from Serrans, as well as from members of other committed Catholic organizations is imperative. If we desire quality candidates, then those charged with vocation ministry must be trained and trained well. Training costs money, but can a more worthy cause be found than that of supporting those who are entrusted with the assessment of candidates for priesthood and religious life?

As the delegates at the Third Continental Congress on Vocations learned in April 2002 in Montreal, our young adults desire to learn more about vocations to priesthood and religious life. They desire to see witnesses who are authentic and joy-filled, and they desire to be educated about their faith. Let us not forget that many of these young adults in our parishes are potential candidates or parents of potential candidates.

Together let us keep at the task of building a culture of vocations that will “bear fruit that will last.”

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