Stewardship that Supports Vocations
As Catholics, we understand that every gift we receive is meant to serve God’s greater purpose in the Church. It is in this spirit that we are pleased to introduce the National Fund for Catholic Religious Vocations (NFCRV) to the ICSC community.
Founded over a decade ago, the Vocation Fund exists for a singular and urgent mission: to remove educational debt as a barrier to religious vocations. Many women and men who feel called to religious life today enter discernment carrying significant student loan burdens. Too often, this financial weight can hinder their freedom to discern God’s will with clarity and peace.
The Vocation Fund does not “recruit” vocations — rather, it accompanies them. Through grants made to religious communities, the NFCRV supports candidates who are prayerfully discerning their calling. This process of discernment is sacred: it involves deep prayer, spiritual direction, self-reflection, and trust in the Holy Spirit. Some will ultimately enter religious life; others will discern a different path — marriage or dedicated single life — and that, too, is faithfulness to God’s call.
For many grantees, this accompaniment has been transformative. As Father Greg Dunn, O.P. shared:
“I was able to make payments on my student loans during my novitiate, which allowed me the freedom to discern. I just feel this immense sense of gratitude. This is what I am called to do. You are enabling people like me with a college education and a variety of experiences to discern religious life.”
Religious communities also feel the impact of this support. Sister Maria Dela Paz, O.S.F. expressed:
“I am so grateful that finances didn’t hold me back from joining religious life. You have lifted a burden off of my community’s and my shoulders.”
What makes the NFCRV unique is its commitment to freedom in discernment. Approximately 37% of the grantees eventually discern away from religious life. The NFCRV celebrates this outcome, because these individuals were able to seek God’s will without the distortion of financial pressure. Your generosity makes that possible.
As Sister Mary Rose Suresca, F.M.A. beautifully reminds us:
“My heart is filled with great humility and gratitude for your financial sacrifice… My vocation to the religious life isn’t mine alone, but, in fact, belongs to the Church and all of you.”
Through baptism, we are all called to a vocation. The Vocation Fund simply ensures that those who may be called to consecrated life are not prevented from answering “yes” because of debt. In doing so, the NFCRV strengthens religious communities, enriches parish life, and invests in the future of the Church.
Invitation to Assist:
If your parish, school, religious community, or diocese would like to learn more about the National Fund for Catholic Religious Vocations — or explore practical ways to activate support for the Vocation Fund at a parish or diocesan level — please reach out directly to Phil Loftus, Executive Director. Phil is eager to speak with pastors, stewardship leaders, development teams, and diocesan staff about how the NFCRV can partner with you to nurture vocations, strengthen religious life, and deepen a culture of discernment in your local Church.
Contact Phil at ploftus@nfcrv.org to begin the conversation.
Supporting vocations is an investment in the future of the Church.
Phil Loftus
Executive Director
National Fund for Catholic Religious Vocations
