For more information on Vocational Discernment in the Diocese of the Rio Grande please contact Mary Jewell in the Bishop's Office at (505-881-0636) or mjewell@dioceserg.org
New Year's Vocations Retreat 2023 Dates TBD
New Year’s Vocations Retreat (late January/early February) Each annual diocesan discernment cycle culminates in a New Year’s Vocations Retreat, which marks a turning point in our annual diocesan discernment cycle. It marks the culmination and celebration of the spiritual growth and discernment that has taken place up to that point. And it is the doorway through which participants pass as they embark on a path of ongoing formation for the ministries to which God is calling them. The Vocations Retreat also serves as an opportunity for members of the COMB (The Commission on the Ministry of the Baptized) and the Standing Committee to become better acquainted with the unique vocational journey of each participant, in order to more adequately support the development of each participant’s vocation as it continues to unfold, and to advise the Bishop regarding the preparedness and ongoing formation needs of participants, especially (but not only) those called to ordained ministries.
Application for Vocations Retreat (November/December) Deadline for submitting application materials for the New Year's Vocation Retreat is December 1st.
Everyone who has been active in this year's Diocesan Discernment Group (and/or who has received a direct invitation from the Bishop to apply) is encouraged to apply to participate in our New Year's Vocation Retreat. Each of the 5 elements of your application will be submitted via a google form. When it comes to preparing the lengthier written responses (Your Spiritual Autobiography and Summary of Discernment), we suggest that you begin by writing, editing, and saving your responses using a word processing program, then "cut and paste" your answers into the google form when you are ready to submit them. Your written responses should be thorough, but concise.
If you have been active in an intentional process of vocational discernment during this past year (as part of a DRG Discernment Group and/or under the guidance of your parish priest and a local discernment team), you are invited contact Mary Jewell by November 15th to schedule a meeting with Bishop Hunn.
If you are considering participation in this year's Vocations Retreat (required for all those discerning a call to Holy Orders), all application materials (including clergy and community representative letters) should be submitted using the forms below by December 1st.
Your complete application will include the following 5 elements:
All applicants for the DRG Vocations retreat are required to submit a letter from their parish priest or other clergy representative of the faith community (parish, mission, campus ministry, chaplaincy) with which the applicant is actively involved.
Local Congregation/Community Representative Letter
All applicants for the DRG Vocations retreat are required to submit a letter from a "Community Representative"--an active member of the faith community (parish, mission, campus ministry, chaplaincy) or other ministry context in which the applicant is actively involved. The "Community Representative" should be someone who is familiar with the applicant's ongoing vocational journey as well as their present ministry. The Community Representative might be the Sr. Warden or another lay leader of the applicant's parish, a member or chairperson of the applicant's local discernment team (if applicable), or a colleague, supervisor, or participant in the applicant's faith community, workplace, or other relevant ministry context.
Your Spiritual autobiography should be a thorough but concise summary of your present response to the following three questions, as they pertain to your life of faith, ministry, and vocation:
Your Summary of Discernment should be a thorough but concise summary of your discernment and development in each of five areas (all of which we explored in our Diocesan Discernment Groups.) The 3 questions you used in framing your Spiritual Autobiography (Where have you been? Where are you know? Where do you sense God calling you next?) might be helpful in framing your Summary of Discernment, as well. Describe the role of each of the five following areas in your process of vocational discernment:
Role of Community (faith community, mentors, clergy, family, friends, colleagues)
Role of Prayer, Spiritual Practice, and Spiritual Direction
Role of Learning (reading, study, coursework, workshops, apprenticeship, etc.)
Role of Leadership & Participation in Ministry (including both Action & Reflection)
COMB Liason Assignments Following the New Year's Vocations Retreat, each participant will be assigned a liaison from the Commission on Ministry and a small cohort group to meet with on a quarterly basis for updates and conversation regarding the continued unfolding of their vocational journeys.
Invitations to Apply for Postulancy Those participants who are pursuing a call to ordained ministry and have been invited by the Bishop to apply for Postulancy will be instructed to begin the formal Application for Postulancy to the Diaconate or Application for Postulancy to the Priesthood at this time.