Looking with hope at the present moment of vocation ministry and into the future with 20/20 vision, the National Religious Vocation Conference (NRVC) held its biennial convocation Oct. 28-31, 2020. As is more usual these days, because of the pandemic, the convocation moved from its planned site in Spokane, Washington, to an entirely online platform. This did permit, however, a wider participation, even globally. Each NRVC member had the opportunity to invite a guest who was either a newer member or someone in congregational leadership. Hence, SSND had a representation of 18 sisters participating. From congregational leadership, Sisters Martina Radêz (general councilor), Charmaine Krohe, Deb Sciano, Anna Marie Reha, Celeste Reinhart, Maria Iannuccillo, Sharon Kanis, Helen Jane Jaeb, Christine Garcia and Lynne Schmidt were all in attendance. From newer entrants, Sisters Limétèze Pierre-Gilles, Maria Gomez, Gayle Patrice Graczyk attended. And of course the North American Vocation Team – Sisters Bridget Waldorf, Carol Jean Dust, Jill Laszewski, Nancy Gilchriest, and Stephanie Spandl – also attended the convocation.
Each day began and ended with prayer. The Opening Prayer called all to foster a welcoming environment, a caring soil for the “seeds” in it, i.e. preparing the soil in which the Holy Spirit will sow the seeds of religious vocations. Day 1 gave NRVC members the opportunity to participate in workshops pertaining to candidate issues. Days 2 and 3 brought forth keynote speakers, small group break-out sessions, shared conversations with Q & A, and newer entrant insights. Day 4 was the business meeting for members, with the recognition awards for individuals who have contributed in extraordinary ways to the growth of vocation ministry and support of NRVC.
The first keynote address was “Reconciliation, a Ministry of Hope” delivered by Fr. Dave Kelly, C.P.P.S. It focused on a new call he discerned in the early 2000’s looking at the needs of the world around him in a violent-ridden sector of Chicago, the reality of his Precious Blood congregation and its membership, and how to make possibility meet challenge. A new ministry was then birthed: Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation. Through storytelling of his own journey and now employing storytelling in the very fabric of this ministry, Fr. Kelly emphasized that violence is not a singular act as it causes fragmentation in our lives. The ministry of reconciliation creates safe spaces where pain and hurt can be healed through honest storytelling and relationship building can bring about reconciliation and new hope. “I found,” said Sister Carol Jean Dust, “that Fr. Kelly’s connection of this ministry to the Paschal Mystery, of how Jesus invited Thomas to probe his wounds allowing him to change his narrative to believing, is a clear path to walking with others today in this journey of reconciliation and peace-building.” Sister Martina also shared, “The topics were relevant to our current realities, especially Fr. Dave Kelly’s message of the religious being reconcilers and bringing hope into this world which gave me insights and tools that I can use in my leadership ministry. I appreciated very much the break-out groups, conversations with the speakers and the creative prayers.”
Sister Addie Lorraine Walker, SSND
Our own Sister Addie Lorraine Walker, with great energy, conviction and transparency, delivered the final keynote address, “Reason for Our Hope: A Testimony to Life, Death, and Resurrection.” According to Sister Nancy Gilchriest, “Sister Addie Lorraine’s keynote address was the last on the agenda for this Convocation, and it could not have been in a better place, a culmination of the theme: Focus on Hope,” she said. “For me, her words were relational and inspirational, inviting us all to the realization that recognizing Jesus will give us hope to see what really matters in life. When we get our lives back on track and truly know Jesus, we will be able to reimagine living community life, the vows, governance, mission and ministry for our times. For vocation ministers and all religious who believe in the future of religious life, Sister Addie Lorraine reminded us, ‘(our) hope is in Jesus.’ ”
“As each speaker shared their experience, what I found most moving is how essential deep listening and heartful storytelling were to their ministries,” reflected Sister Jill Laszewski. “Over and over we heard examples of how storytelling in a safe space that allowed for vulnerability, broke down divisions and promoted understanding in ways that led to transformation, healing and hope.”
One unique presentation came in the form of music and reflection, La Esperanza Nos Rodea. “I appreciated musician Jaime Cortez’ presentation because it was song, it was bilingual and it was enthusiastic,” said Sister Bridget Waldorf. “Jaime exuded hopefulness in his words and reminded us all that, ‘when you give a person the ability to gain hope, they have the strength to continue their journey. Hope is all around us…but you must pay attention.’ ”
Sister Celeste Reinhart, participating as a provincial council member from the Atlantic-Midwest province, commented, “One of the enriching takeaways that I received from the convocation were the conversations after each presentation in which leadership and vocation directors of congregations dialogued together and discovered emerging hints of the future of religious life. These conversations inspired me as a leader to foster opportunities for community conversations so that we can see signs of hope emerging out of ourselves. The conversations were so healthy and life-giving.”
From the beginning of the preparation of this convocation, the NRVC had determined that they wanted to include the voices of newer entrants, not only as guests for some moments as in the past, but as full participants in all the sessions as well as through personal videos prepared beforehand. Sisters Limeteze, Gayle Patrice and Maria represented SSND in this capacity as newer entrants. “One of my favorite parts of Convocation were the newer member videos interspersed between the workshops,” said Sister Stephanie Spandl. “Sharing their experiences of intercultural and intergenerational living of their congregation’s mission was beautiful. They embodied with heartfelt enthusiasm the closing message of each video, ‘I believe God is still calling women and men to holiness and I am filled with abundant hope!’ It was a message much needed these days and I, too, left Convocation renewed with abundant hope!”