The Life Commitment International Online Cohort is designed for women and men religious preparing for perpetual/final vows who are unable to participate in the residential program due to international travel limitations. Registration/application deadline: August 1. Learn more: bit.ly/49pqAME

Pope Leo focuses on "three pillars" - Responsibility, Cooperation, and Education - that must be practically applied to ensure technology remains an instrument of human domain rather than of human subservience.

Orientation to Formation: A foundation for formation! This annual, virtual program, facilitated by Sister Mary Pat Garvin, RSM, PhD and Father Paul Michalenko, ST, PhD, provides a range of resources for formation ministers and elected leaders. Learn more/register: relforcon.org/OTF

#ResourceSpotlight: Nine presentations from the March 2025 virtual symposium, "Reviving the Crushed Spirit: Trauma-Aware Ministry," are available on-demand for a reduced price. This series was a collaboration between RFC and SLIConnect/Saint Luke Institute. bit.ly/4wy3Svu

#FlashbackFriday: Meet Sister Mary Daniel Turner, SNDdeN, a longtime member and supporter of RFC and one of the creators of the ForMission program. The scholarship fund established in her name provides assistance with the cost of programs for RFC members. relforcon.org/scholarship-...

Session 3 of the spring series of Ongoing Formation Circles with Sister Chioma Ahanihu, SLW

This summer, we invite you to slow down, reflect, and enter a story that speaks to the heart of vocation, healing, and hope. Join us for a two-part Summer Read Webinar, "From Brokenness to Song: Story, Healing, and the Journey of Faith." Free! Learn more/register: relforcon.org/summer-read-...

Excited for the session on "Vocational Identity" with Sister Chioma tomorrow! Join us as wrap-up the spring series of Ongoing Formation Circles: relforcon.org/circles

Registration for the fall Orientation to Formation program is now open. This annual, virtual program is designed as a starting point—a guided introduction into the ministry of formation in religious life. Participants will meet on Tuesdays in September and October. Learn more: relforcon.org/OTF

Not familiar with the 𝙈𝒂𝙧𝒊𝙩𝒊𝙢𝒆 𝑪𝙤𝒏𝙛𝒆𝙧𝒆𝙣𝒄𝙚 𝘾𝒆𝙣𝒕𝙚𝒓 (MCC)? Take a PEEK at where the 2027 Congress will take place November 4-6: mccbwi.com

🦀 Today we were thrilled to announce the site & dates for the 2027 Congress! November 4-6, 2027 | Maritime Conference Center near #Baltimore Click to learn more!

If you know what this is, then you'll know where we're headed for Congress 2027! Learn more: bit.ly/4deWCw2

Yesterday the Conference and the Wheaton Franciscans hosted "Risking Resurrection: Joy of Being Human" with Dr. Kevin McClone, MDiv, PsyD. An inspiring and invigorating way to welcome May! Thank you to all those who joined us for this regional event.

On #ReligiousBrothers Day, we spotlight Brother Steve Fogt, CFA. Brother Steve began serving on the RFC Board of Directors in January 2025.

On #ReligiousBrothers Day, we spotlight Brother Jack Henn, GHM. Brother Jack serves as treasurer of the RFC Board of Directors. bit.ly/4eTG3b6

Blessings and gratitude for all vowed religious brothers today! #ReligiousBrothersDay "The heart of the identity of the Religious Brother, namely fraternity, is a gift that is received (mystery), a gift that is shared (communion), and a gift that is given away (mission)."

Our friends at the Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC) have developed a NEW toolkit to support immigrants in this challenging time. Get it here: bit.ly/CLINICParish...

Life Commitment 2026: Sister Sara's session reflects on celibacy as a lifelong vocation to love that unfolds throughout life. Attention is given to friendship, intimacy, loneliness, grief, and joy, and the importance of relational maturity and emotional honesty. Learn more/apply: relforcon.org/LCP

Life Commitment 2026: Sister Mumbi's session explores evangelical poverty as a lifelong practice of freedom rather than a fixed ideal. Participants reflect on how their relationship to simplicity, responsibility, security, and stewardship has evolved. Learn more/apply now: relforcon.org/LCP

The spring edition of InFormation, RFC's member bulletin, includes a reflection from Sister Maribah Ishaq, SL, on her experiences in the InterCongregational Collaborative Novitiate and Together, as well as an article about Sister Mary Daniel Turner, SNDdeN, a "wisdom figure" for RFC. bit.ly/4tErOvD

Life Commitment July 7-14, 2026: Community life is explored as a living reality marked by diversity, transition, conflict, and grace. This session invites reflection on belonging amid generational, cultural, and structural change. Learn more/apply: relforcon.org/LCP

"Our Lady Who Brings Down Walls" is an iconic painting by British iconographer Ian Knowles (2010), located on the Israeli separation wall in Bethlehem. It portrays a pregnant Mary, inspired by Revelation 12, offering refuge, hope, and prayer for peace amid conflict.

Life Commitment is designed for vowed women and men religious preparing for final profession, a threshold into deeper responsibility, freedom, and fidelity. Apply by May 1 for the summer 2026 session July 7-14 at The Well in LaGrange, Illinois. Learn more: relforcon.org/LCP

There is still time to register for ForMission! Learn more/apply: relforcon.org/formission

What will be our answer? #EarthDay2026

Excited to join the Midwest Augustinians for this Mass of Thanksgiving marking the first anniversary of his election. If you're in the Chicago area, consider joining us!

Life Commitment 2026: Fidelity, Freedom, and the Long Journey. RFC's Life Commitment program is designed for religious women and men preparing for final profession who have already lived vowed life for many years and are discerning a lifelong commitment. Learn more: relforcon.org/LCP

#FlashbackFriday: Summer 2009 Life Commitment program participants. Apply now for the summer 2026 session of Life Commitment! Learn more: relforcon.org/LCP

Every voice is valued, and everyone belongs.

"The world is being ravaged by a handful of tyrants, yet it is being held together by a multitude of supportive brothers and sisters." -Pope Leo XIV www.reuters.com/world/europe...

Joy. Play. Optimism. Laughter. Music. Art.

Formation ministry is sacred — and emotionally demanding. The spring gathering of the Formator Peer Lab addressed "Sustaining the Formator: Burnout, Boundaries, and Renewal." The virtual program is free and is offered three times a year. Learn more: relforcon.org/formator-pee...

Resurrection is not simply a theological idea—it is a lived process of becoming more fully human and more deeply free. Discover how growth, healing, and deeper self-knowledge open us to authentic joy. Open to religious, associates, collaborators, and lay formators. Learn more: bit.ly/41yvWkf

The ForMission application deadline has been extended to April 24! Now is the time to join the new cohort -- your ForMission community is waiting! Partial scholarship funds are available for RFC members. Learn more/apply: relforcon.org/formission

War divides; hope unites.

The first Formator Peer Lab is on Wednesday. Accompany others in initial or ongoing formation? Join us! More: relforcon.org/formator-peer-lab

There is still time to register for ForMission, a two-year holistic formation program for those entrusted with forming others. Partial scholarships are available for RFC congregational members. Learn more: relforcon.org/formission

#FlashbackFriday: Orientation to Formation 2012 at Holy Trinity Spiritual Center in Baltimore, Maryland.

What divine possibility is budding up in your life this Easter?

What divine possibility is budding up in your life this Easter?

The Conference and the Wheaton Franciscans are excited to offer a one-day in-person workshop for religious, associates, collaborators, and lay formators in the Midwest this spring. Learn more/register: relforcon.org/risk-resurre...

Ongoing Formation Circles: Sister Chioma Ahanihu, SLW, led a discussion on mental health. Participants reflected on the intersection of faith and emotional well-being in religious life.

Reflecting on ForMission: Sisters of St. Joseph of Toronto Nida Fe Chavez and Divinia Pedro share their experience in the summer 2025 ForMission residential session. relforcon.org/news/reflect...

Formation ministry is sacred — and emotionally demanding. The Formator Peer Lab offers a structured, confidential space for real conversation about the interior and institutional weight of formation work. Learn more: relforcon.org/formator-pee...

In first Easter message, Pope implores us to choose peace. "On this day of celebration, let us abandon every desire for conflict, domination and power, and implore the Lord to grant his peace to a world ravaged by wars," Pope Leo said.

Thanks to the Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation for this beautiful Holy Saturday resource on grief and loss. What can this "in-between space" teach us?

The Life Commitment program supports religious women and men in preparing for final vows—honestly, thoughtfully, with hope (and joy!) for the journey ahead. Learn more: relforcon.org/LCP Video: 2024 Life Commitment participants #FlashbackFriday

ForMission June 2026: Sister Pat Bergen's presentation on spirituality will address interior freedom as the foundation of formation; spirituality, affective maturity, and vocational integrity; and prayer and self-awareness in accompaniment. Learn more/register: relforcon.org/formission

The Conference and the Wheaton Franciscans are excited to offer a one-day in-person workshop for religious, associates, collaborators, and lay formators in the Midwest this spring. Learn more/register: relforcon.org/risk-resurre...

ForMission June 2026: Fr. Robin Ryan's presentation on Ecclesiology will address Church teaching on communion and ecclesial discernment; authority, conscience, and belonging in a fractured Church; and forming formators who can accompany others toward missionary communion. Learn more: bit.ly/4b439Zk