North American Benedictine Vocation Formation ConferenceFall Report from the Core Team Chair
November 2023
Dear NABVFC Friends,
Greetings! Thank you to all who submitted membership forms and fees and to those communities who donated to the NABVFC Scholarship Fund. If you still need to complete your membership form, consider completing it as soon as possible and submit it to Sr. Maria Victoria Cutaia.
Please continue to contact members of the NABVFC Core Team (See "Core Team" on the website) when you have questions or wonder about dates. You are encouraged to check the NABVFC website (www.nabvfc.org) regularly for notices of new information. Upcoming events such as NADI, BSWR, and the biannual Symposium are provided on the website as dates are set and detailed information becomes available.
The Benedictine Sisters in St. Joseph, MN, hosted the NABVFC Core Team meeting on September 13-15, 2023. We want to inform you of the following matters.
Michael Marie Rottinghaus, Norfolk, NE, Jill Reuber,
Ferdinand, IN - Co-Chair, Karen Ann Lortscher, Cullman,
AL – Chair, Patricia Seipel, Atchison, KS – Website, Maria
Victoria Cutaia, Clyde, MO – Treasurer, Hélène Mercier,
St. Joseph, MN - Secretary
CBP Liaison
Sr. Marie Therese Summers
Benet Hill Monastery, Colorado Springs, CO
NADI
2023 NADI May 8-18
· 2023 NADI was held at Sacred Heart Monastery, Cullman, AL.
· Director: Sr. Karen Ann Lortscher, Cullman, AL.
· There was no Co-Director, but Sr. Jennifer Mechtilde Horner, Our Lady of Grace Monastery, Beech Grove, IN, traveled to Cullman to plan the event with Sr. Karen Ann.
· 5 women participated: 3 novices and 2 directors, representing 3 communities and 2 monastic congregations: St. Benedict and St. Scholastica.
· Fees: $1200 for the first person; $1000 for each additional person.
2024 NADI May 13 – 24
· 2024 NADI will be held at St. Placid Priory, Lacey, WA.
· Director: Sr. Laura Swan, Lacey, AL; Co-Director: Sr. Michael Marie Rottinghaus, Norfolk, NE.
· Results of a survey of potential attendees: Ferdinand, IN – 2 novices and 1 director; Bristow, VA – 1 novice and 1 director.
2025 NADI
· 2025 NADI will be held in May/June at Immaculata Monastery in Norfolk, NE.
· Director: Sr. Michael Marie Rottinghaus; Co-Director: TBA.
· Results of a survey of potential attendees: Clyde, MO – 1 novice and 1 director; Bristow, VA – possibly 1 novice and 1 director.
2026 NADI
· 2026 NADI will tentatively be held at St. Scholastica Monastery in Duluth, MN.
BSWR
2024 BSWR June 25 – July 13
· 2024 BSWR will be held in Atchison, KS.
· Director: Sr. Marcia Ziska, Atchison, KS; Co-Director: Sr. Kathleen Persson, Bristow, VA.
· Results of a survey of potential attendees: Fort Smith, AR – 1; Duluth, MN – possibly 1; Bismarck, ND – 1; Boerne, TX – 1.
· BSWR Guidelines say there must be a minimum of 6 participants to conduct the BSWR program; however, Sr. Marcia says she is willing to direct the program for a smaller number.
2025 BSWR
· 2025 BSWR will be held in Bristow, VA.
· Director: Sr. Kathleen Persson, Bristow, VA; Co-Director: TBD
NABVFC Financial Report
As of June 30, 2023, the financial report indicates a positive balance of $65,124.23.
NABVFC Website
The website is continually updated to provide timely, relevant information to all members. All the information can be accessed by the members except for the financial report and the membership directory. These will be e-mailed to each member monastery's Prioress and Contact Person.
Sister Patricia Seipel is the website coordinator.
Resources and Mentors
Please encourage your vocation and formation personnel to send digital copies of helpful resources to Sister Patricia Seipel at [email protected]. We welcome additions anytime. We also have numerous experienced directors who are willing to mentor those recently appointed to vocation or formation ministry. Contact Sr. Maria Victoria Cutaia, [email protected], for a list of mentors and mentor contact information.
Vision Ad
The ad designed in 2022 for Vision 2023 was also used for Vision 2024. Sister Jill Reuber will develop a new ad for Vision 2024 with the help of Ferdinand’s marketing director.
NABVFC Symposium
NABVFC Symposium April 15-19, 2024
The 2024 Symposium will be held at St. Benedict Center, Schuyler, NE. The symposium theme will be “Hope for the Future: Trusting God in Uncertain Times.” The speakers will be Sr. Lynn Marie McKenzie, OSB, Cullman, AL, Sr. Rosann Ocken, OSB, Norfolk, NE; and Mr. Allen Howie, Ferdinand, In. A schedule and presenter background information will be available on www.nabvfc.org in January 2024.
2023 Wisdom Connections (numbers as of September 14, 2023)
In 2023, Wisdom Connections had 51-member communities (41 women and 10 men) from 6 countries with a total of 2,045 community members. There were 36 communities with members in initial formation, for a total of 172. The number of communities participating in Relationship groups was 13 participants. With 393 videos in the video library and 349 videos in the Oblate video library, member communities are encouraged to review the list for initial and ongoing formation and Oblate use.
As of September 1, 2023, the bank balance was $37,822. Income from membership fees was $24,356. Donations for the scholarship fund were $1,275. Expenses were $23,446.97 yearly, including the director’s salary of $20,250 and other technology expenses. There was a gain of $909.03. The scholarship fund had a balance of $5,775. Three scholarships were granted for a total of $1,050. AIM sponsored membership for 11 non-USA communities for a total of $5,500.
The Relationship Committee continues to organize groups for both initial formation members and formators. The Content Committee works to provide new videos for the library and requests that presentations be taped for possible use. A consent form needs to be signed by the presenter and, along with personal information, sent to S. Michelle.
The Oblate video library can be used by community members for presentations to Oblates. These presenters have given permission for Oblate use.
Other
Should you have suggestions or questions, please contact me or one of the other members of the Core Team. Our contact information is included under “Core Team” on the NABVFC website.
Again, thank you for your support and participation in the NABVFC.
Sr. Karen Ann Lortscher, OSB
NABVFC Core Team Chair
[email protected]
256-615-6071 office
205-919-0637 cell
November 2023
Dear NABVFC Friends,
Greetings! Thank you to all who submitted membership forms and fees and to those communities who donated to the NABVFC Scholarship Fund. If you still need to complete your membership form, consider completing it as soon as possible and submit it to Sr. Maria Victoria Cutaia.
Please continue to contact members of the NABVFC Core Team (See "Core Team" on the website) when you have questions or wonder about dates. You are encouraged to check the NABVFC website (www.nabvfc.org) regularly for notices of new information. Upcoming events such as NADI, BSWR, and the biannual Symposium are provided on the website as dates are set and detailed information becomes available.
The Benedictine Sisters in St. Joseph, MN, hosted the NABVFC Core Team meeting on September 13-15, 2023. We want to inform you of the following matters.
Michael Marie Rottinghaus, Norfolk, NE, Jill Reuber,
Ferdinand, IN - Co-Chair, Karen Ann Lortscher, Cullman,
AL – Chair, Patricia Seipel, Atchison, KS – Website, Maria
Victoria Cutaia, Clyde, MO – Treasurer, Hélène Mercier,
St. Joseph, MN - Secretary
CBP Liaison
Sr. Marie Therese Summers
Benet Hill Monastery, Colorado Springs, CO
NADI
2023 NADI May 8-18
· 2023 NADI was held at Sacred Heart Monastery, Cullman, AL.
· Director: Sr. Karen Ann Lortscher, Cullman, AL.
· There was no Co-Director, but Sr. Jennifer Mechtilde Horner, Our Lady of Grace Monastery, Beech Grove, IN, traveled to Cullman to plan the event with Sr. Karen Ann.
· 5 women participated: 3 novices and 2 directors, representing 3 communities and 2 monastic congregations: St. Benedict and St. Scholastica.
· Fees: $1200 for the first person; $1000 for each additional person.
2024 NADI May 13 – 24
· 2024 NADI will be held at St. Placid Priory, Lacey, WA.
· Director: Sr. Laura Swan, Lacey, AL; Co-Director: Sr. Michael Marie Rottinghaus, Norfolk, NE.
· Results of a survey of potential attendees: Ferdinand, IN – 2 novices and 1 director; Bristow, VA – 1 novice and 1 director.
2025 NADI
· 2025 NADI will be held in May/June at Immaculata Monastery in Norfolk, NE.
· Director: Sr. Michael Marie Rottinghaus; Co-Director: TBA.
· Results of a survey of potential attendees: Clyde, MO – 1 novice and 1 director; Bristow, VA – possibly 1 novice and 1 director.
2026 NADI
· 2026 NADI will tentatively be held at St. Scholastica Monastery in Duluth, MN.
BSWR
2024 BSWR June 25 – July 13
· 2024 BSWR will be held in Atchison, KS.
· Director: Sr. Marcia Ziska, Atchison, KS; Co-Director: Sr. Kathleen Persson, Bristow, VA.
· Results of a survey of potential attendees: Fort Smith, AR – 1; Duluth, MN – possibly 1; Bismarck, ND – 1; Boerne, TX – 1.
· BSWR Guidelines say there must be a minimum of 6 participants to conduct the BSWR program; however, Sr. Marcia says she is willing to direct the program for a smaller number.
2025 BSWR
· 2025 BSWR will be held in Bristow, VA.
· Director: Sr. Kathleen Persson, Bristow, VA; Co-Director: TBD
NABVFC Financial Report
As of June 30, 2023, the financial report indicates a positive balance of $65,124.23.
- The NABVFC membership fees for 2023-2024 will remain at $250/year.
NABVFC Website
The website is continually updated to provide timely, relevant information to all members. All the information can be accessed by the members except for the financial report and the membership directory. These will be e-mailed to each member monastery's Prioress and Contact Person.
Sister Patricia Seipel is the website coordinator.
Resources and Mentors
Please encourage your vocation and formation personnel to send digital copies of helpful resources to Sister Patricia Seipel at [email protected]. We welcome additions anytime. We also have numerous experienced directors who are willing to mentor those recently appointed to vocation or formation ministry. Contact Sr. Maria Victoria Cutaia, [email protected], for a list of mentors and mentor contact information.
Vision Ad
The ad designed in 2022 for Vision 2023 was also used for Vision 2024. Sister Jill Reuber will develop a new ad for Vision 2024 with the help of Ferdinand’s marketing director.
NABVFC Symposium
NABVFC Symposium April 15-19, 2024
The 2024 Symposium will be held at St. Benedict Center, Schuyler, NE. The symposium theme will be “Hope for the Future: Trusting God in Uncertain Times.” The speakers will be Sr. Lynn Marie McKenzie, OSB, Cullman, AL, Sr. Rosann Ocken, OSB, Norfolk, NE; and Mr. Allen Howie, Ferdinand, In. A schedule and presenter background information will be available on www.nabvfc.org in January 2024.
2023 Wisdom Connections (numbers as of September 14, 2023)
In 2023, Wisdom Connections had 51-member communities (41 women and 10 men) from 6 countries with a total of 2,045 community members. There were 36 communities with members in initial formation, for a total of 172. The number of communities participating in Relationship groups was 13 participants. With 393 videos in the video library and 349 videos in the Oblate video library, member communities are encouraged to review the list for initial and ongoing formation and Oblate use.
As of September 1, 2023, the bank balance was $37,822. Income from membership fees was $24,356. Donations for the scholarship fund were $1,275. Expenses were $23,446.97 yearly, including the director’s salary of $20,250 and other technology expenses. There was a gain of $909.03. The scholarship fund had a balance of $5,775. Three scholarships were granted for a total of $1,050. AIM sponsored membership for 11 non-USA communities for a total of $5,500.
The Relationship Committee continues to organize groups for both initial formation members and formators. The Content Committee works to provide new videos for the library and requests that presentations be taped for possible use. A consent form needs to be signed by the presenter and, along with personal information, sent to S. Michelle.
The Oblate video library can be used by community members for presentations to Oblates. These presenters have given permission for Oblate use.
Other
Should you have suggestions or questions, please contact me or one of the other members of the Core Team. Our contact information is included under “Core Team” on the NABVFC website.
Again, thank you for your support and participation in the NABVFC.
Sr. Karen Ann Lortscher, OSB
NABVFC Core Team Chair
[email protected]
256-615-6071 office
205-919-0637 cell
