Front row: Brothers Jerry Vincent, Joseph Mahon, James Dries, George Van Grieken
Middle row: Brother Rich Buccina, Heather Ruple, Brother Robert Schieler,
Brother Tim Coldwell
Back row: Brothers Stephen Markham, James Joost, Len Rhoades, Dennis Lee
The Regional Vocation Formation Committee (RVFC) held its biannual meeting at the Cenacle Retreat House in Metairie, LA, April 16-19.
Meeting highlights included end of year reports by the Districts, and discussions on vocation promotion efforts. Districts shared their work to interest young men in becoming Brothers, including promotion activities like attending conferences and college fairs, visiting high schools, and targeting college students and alumni. Members also discussed vocation promotion and resource materials, along with vocation retreats and accompaniment efforts. The committee also gave updates on initial and continuing formation experiences, and talked about upcoming plans and ideas.
Reports were also presented on postulancy, the upcoming Called to Be Brothers assembly, and feedback on the drafts of the postulancy and novitiate handbooks. Members also provided feedback to the Rule Revision Commission on the formation chapter to the penultimate draft of the Rule revision. In light of Bro. George Van Grieken’s appointment to the position of president at Saint Joseph’s Institution in Singapore, committee members will share the responsibilities of the Regional Director for Vocation Ministry until the position is filled.
This meeting was hosted by the New Orleans-Santa Fe District. The next RVFC meeting will take place in November 2012 in Plano, TX.