NCDVD: In Service to the Church

The National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Directors In Service to the Church

History and Organization
NCDVD was established in 1962 to promote vocations to the diocesan priesthood.
It is an independent, 501(c)(3) professional membership organization open to all Catholic Dioceses and Eparchies in the United States.
Currently 90% (163) of dioceses and major eparchies are members.
Affiliate membership is open non-US dioceses and other religious organizations.

The National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Directors is closely linked with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
NCDVD works in a consultative capacity with the Bishops’ Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations (CCLV) to promote and support the work of vocations.
Bishop Michael Burbidge (Raleigh) serves as the CCLV liaison to NCDVD and is also a member of the NCDVD Advisory Board.

The NCDVD Executive Board is composed of elected officers (President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and two At-Large members); and an Executive Director who is employed as the executive officer of the Conference.
Elected officers are elected to three-year terms and receive no compensation.
In addition to the Executive Director, the NCDVD staff includes an Executive Assistant and an Events Coordinator.

Up until the mid 1990’s, the NCDVD national office was located in Chicago.
It was then moved to South Carolina and subsequently to Wisconsin as it followed the domicile of the Executive Director.
In 2007, it was moved to Baltimore to the grounds of St. Mary’s Seminary.

Mission Statement
The National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Directors promotes diocesan priesthood, providing resources for the formation, support and advocacy of diocesan vocation directors as they work within the Catholic Church to foster a culture of vocations and to raise-up new priests for the Body of Christ.

Goals
Our unique responsibility from participating bishops is to provide vocation directors with the expertise they can get nowhere else. The services that NCDVD provides to its members are guided by three foundational goals.

Goals
Goal # 1: Formation
To provide resources and programs that will assist members in becoming competent and effective in the promotion of vocations, assessment of candidates and formation of seminarians.

Goals
Goal # 2: Support
To connect individual members to the collective knowledge, experience and wisdom of the Conference.
To help members find joy and spiritual fulfillment in their ministry.

Goals
Goal # 3: Advocacy
To represent the interests of diocesan vocation ministry and to promote these interests with appropriate constituencies.
To encourage seminaries to better prepare future priests for the responsibility of vocation ministry

Programs and Activities
We staff our programs with presenters who are experienced, have shown a consistent level of competence in their ministries, and who reflect the traditions and teachings of the Church with regards to the ordained priesthood.

Programs and Activities: Events
An annual fall convention which focuses on education, formation and personal support.
A biennial, week-long training institute for new vocation personnel. Nearly 25% of the vocation offices in the country receive new directors each year. Thus, there is an ongoing need to orient and train those who are to their work.
A biennial, week-long retreat for priests which fulfills the canonical requirements for priest’s retreats.
Annual regional gatherings of diocesan vocation personnel that provide valuable networking and ideas.

NCDVD Conventions Future and Recent
2010 Milwaukee
2009 Newark
2008 Denver
2007 Baltimore
2006 Minneapolis
2005 Tampa
2004 Anchorage
2003 Biloxi
2002 Boston
2001 San Antonio
2000 Las Vegas
1999 St. Louis
1998 Cincinnati
1997 Syracuse

Programs and Activities: Resources
A bi-monthly online newsletter.
A discernment guide for use with college men and upper class high school students.
Resource and information exchange through our website.
Regional and national support systems specifically for vocation personnel.
Advocacy for diocesan vocation directors with the USCCB and vocations related organizations such as:
- National Catholic Education Association Seminary Division
- Serra International/USA/Canada
- The Knights of Columbus
- National Coalition for Church Vocations

A Ministry to the Whole Church
NCDVD not only has a positive impact on the ministry of diocesan vocation directors but it brings something valuable to the entire Church.
When vocation personnel return to parish work they have a heightened interest in promoting vocations in the parish and diocese.
NCDVD plays a major part of the selection of suitable candidates for the priesthood today. Experts indicate that inadequate screening and formation was a major cause of the clergy sexual abuse crisis. The training and support we give to vocation directors for the selection of priestly candidates are not offered anywhere else in the Church in the United States.
NCDVD has been instrumental in promoting the Fishers of Men program and consulting on the 5th Edition of the Program for Priestly Formation.
An Advisory Board to NCDVD consisting of Bishops and laity from across the United States allows for input and reflection on the goals and activities of NCDVD and provides an opportunity for substantive discussions on the state of diocesan priestly vocations.

NCDVD not only has a positive impact on the ministry of diocesan vocation directors but it brings something valuable to the entire Church.
When vocation personnel return to parish work they have a heightened interest in promoting vocations in the parish and diocese.
NCDVD plays a major part in the selection of suitable candidates for the priesthood today. Experts indicate that inadequate screening and formation was a major cause of the clergy sexual abuse crisis. The training and support we give to vocation directors (which they in turn use in the selection of priestly candidates) are not offered anywhere else in the Church in the United States.

NCDVD has been instrumental in promoting the Fishers of Men program throughout the country.
NCDVD was actively involved in the 5th Edition of the Program for Priestly Formation and its implementation.
An Advisory Board to NCDVD consisting of Bishops and laity from across the United States allows for input and reflection on the goals and activities of NCDVD and provides an opportunity for substantive discussions on the state and future of diocesan priestly vocations.

Why do we need NCDVD?
The Complexity of vocation work today
Serious responsibility placed upon Vocation Directors
The high percentage of Vocation Directors that are either part time or with multiple responsibilities
The real need to nurture vocation directors personally in their work and spiritually in their vocations
Vocation work is a very specialized ministry which seminary formation has yet to address
The change in culture that impacts vocations today

NCDVD is…
Invaluable to the Church.
Helping to turn the tide of Vocations.
Made up of excellent priests and others who love the Church.
An organization that has grown and is well timed to help face today’s challenges.

St. John Vianney
Patron of the National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Directors
Adopted unanimously by membership in 2006

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NCDVD: In Service to the Church

by ncdvd on Feb 17, 2009

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NCDVD: In Service to the Church — Presentation Transcript