Vocations update, April 2025
On March 12, the members of the Precious Blood Vocation and Formation Conference (PBVFC) met for their semiannual Zoom meeting. This group consists of the directors of vocation and formation ministry within the Precious Blood family in the United States. Our purpose is to further collaboration in formation between the men and women congregations dedicated to the Precious Blood of Jesus. Our candidates not only grow in their appreciation of our various congregations, but more importantly, develop relationships of support within the journey
of formation.
One of the projects that is supported by the PBVFC is an annual candidate gathering in February. This year, the C.PP.S. U.S. Province sent two candidates, Newton Lih and Fr. Patrick Gonyeau, and the Dayton C.PP.S. sent Sr. Mikyoung Hwang. There are other candidates in formation from the C.PP.S. and ASC Sisters in temporary vows, but their ministry schedule kept them from participating.
The presenter for the gathering was Fr. Joe Nassal, who presented several sessions on Precious Blood spirituality, highlighting such themes as re-engaging the wonder, radical hospitality, and Blood of Christ — the path of compassion. Along with the talks, there was time for rest, friendship, spiritual discussions, fun, and personal reflection.
The vocation team of the U.S. Province is moving forward with a pilot program to equip the Precious Blood family with the awareness and tools necessary to grow vocations within the province. With the support of the provincial and provincial council, we have chosen two pilot parishes in Whiting, Indiana, and Glandorf, Ohio, to offer the first workshops. Our goal is to create a culture of discernment within our parish ministries, which awakens a desire to listen for God’s call and to respond in faith to God’s call as a people steeped in the Precious Blood of Jesus.
Another track in our pilot program is to offer similar workshops for our C.PP.S. priests, brothers, and Companions. Our pilot program for this group will be online, using Zoom to connect us. Realizing the members and Companions have a rich foundation in Precious Blood spirituality, we will offer tools for helping others to listen and discern God’s call in an environment of hospitality, inviting others to consider joining us in our mission. Both workshop tracks will take place starting in May.
Please hold in your prayers Stephen and Timothy, two men who are in the application process with our province. Both desire to join our formation community in Chicago later this summer to become future Missionaries of the Precious Blood.