National vocation and
formation conference:
Letting their lives speak
March 2010: An upcoming Catholic vocation and formation conference in Toronto promises to be a time of renewal and affirmation. Close to 200 religious and lay participants from across Canada and the United States will gather from March 14-17 to explore the theme, "Let Your Life Speak...Vocation Alive."
"We think there's an emphasis that needs to be placed on how to look at our own lives as exciting and energetic and worth inviting other people to participate in. If our own vocation is alive and active and we value it, then our life speaks for itself," says Sister Maureen Baldwin, executive director of the National Association of Vocation and Formation Directors (NAVFD) which is holding the conference.
Sr. Baldwin, a member of the Congregation of Notre Dame of Montreal, explains that the concept of vocation doesn't just apply to religious and priests. It also includes those called to live as married or single persons.
"We welcome the NAVFD conference to the Archdiocese of Toronto, bringing so many talented and creative Catholic leaders together to share ideas and explore the challenges of their work," says His Grace, Thomas Collins, Archbishop of Toronto. "Through their actions and teachings, these vocation and formation directors inspire us to listen attentively to the Lord's call and encourage us to act with passion as we follow our personal vocation paths."
The NAVFD conference will feature workshops addressing such topics as Millennials and Spirituality: Where are They? and Women in Vocation Ministry Today. The keynote speaker will be author and lecturer Father Ron Rolheiser, whose weekly column is carried by more than 60 newspapers worldwide. Fr. Rolheiser is a member of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate and president of the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, Texas.
"Fr. Ron speaks to today's generation," Sr. Baldwin says. "He has a very good message to bring about how to face the challenges and joys of being Catholic in today's society."
The NAVFD conference has received sponsorship from the Sisters of St. Joseph, the Toronto archdiocese, the Toronto Area Vocation Directors Association (TAVDA), many religious congregations throughout the Ontario region and the Serra Foundation of Canada. The Serrans are part of an international body of laypeople which works towards promoting and supporting vocations within the Catholic church.