The entire United States Provincial Council and Oblates from Assumption Province in Canada took part in the 13^th Vocational Conference at Ferdinand, Indiana, in the U.S., April 4-9, 2006.
 

The conference, organized by the Benedictine Sisters of Ferdinand, had as its theme, “Awakening: A Rebirth of Enthusiasm in Vocations.” Its purpose was to help religious communities strengthen and revitalize their vocation program and their efforts to gain new members. Representatives from 28 religious communities who live and work in 9 countries and 20 states came to hear practical ideas and a message of hope for religious life in the future.

The Benedictine Sisters have been organizing this conference for 13 years in order to share their experiences and successes in vocation ministry. Their own community has experienced plentiful vocations for many years. There are currently 195 religious Sisters at the convent. Since the foundation of the convent in 1867, over 1,000 women have desired to live according to the rule of St. Benedict.

During the six-day conference, the Sisters spoke not only about the spiritual life but pointed to a contemporary model of the Church community which must be united in a common prayer life, while making wise use of modern technology and professionalism in seeking new members.

Some of the conference topics were the following:

* Were Our Hearts Not Burning?
* Why Not Be Turned Into Fire?
* Advancing the Mission Together
* Telling the Story! Communications
* Nurturing and Relating in Vocation Ministry!
* Translating the Dream into Your Reality!

(From www.omiworld.org)