Our Mission
The National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Directors promotes diocesan priesthood, providing resources for the formation, support, and advocacy of diocesan vocation directors as they work within the Catholic Church to foster a culture of vocations, raising up new priests for the Body of Christ.
History and Organization
NCDVD is an independent, 501(c)(3) professional membership organization begun in 1962 and open to all Catholic Dioceses and Eparchies in the United States. Currently nearly 90% (163) of dioceses and major eparchies are members. 
The National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Directors is closely linked with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and works in a consultative capacity with the Bishops’ Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations to promote and support the work of vocations. The bishop appointed by the CCLV as liaison to NCDVD is a member of the NCDVD Advisory Board.
The Executive Board of the Conference is composed of elected officers (President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and two At-Large members); and an Executive Director who is employed as the executive officer of the Conference. Elected officers are elected to three-year terms and receive no compensation.
An Advisory Board to NCDVD consisting of bishops and laity from across the United States allows for input and reflection on the goals and activities of NCDVD and provides an opportunity for substantive discussions on the state of diocesan priestly vocations.
Goals
Our unique responsibility from participating bishops is to provide vocation directors with the expertise they can get nowhere else. The services that NCDVD provides to its members are guided by three foundational goals.
- Formation
- We provide resources and programs that will assist members in becoming competent and effective in the promotion of vocations, assessment of candidates and formation of seminarians.
- The training and support we give in the selection and screening of priestly candidates are not offered anywhere else in the Church in the United States.
- Support
- We connect individual members to the collective knowledge, experience and wisdom of the Conference.
- We help members find joy and spiritual fulfillment in their ministry.
- Advocacy
- We represent the interests of diocesan vocation ministry and promote these interests with appropriate constituencies.
- NCDVD has been instrumental in promoting the Fishers of Men program and consulting on the 5th Edition of the Program for Priestly Formation.
Programs and Resources
We staff our programs with presenters who are experienced, have shown a consistent level of competence in their ministries and who reflect the traditions and teachings of the Church with regards to the ordained priesthood.
A Ministry to the Whole Church
NCDVD not only has a positive impact of on the ministry of diocesan vocation directors but it brings something valuable to the entire Church.
- When vocation personnel return to parish work they have a heightened interest in promoting vocations in the parish and diocese.
- NCDVD is a major part of the solution to the problem of sexual abuse. The training and support we give in the selection and screening of priestly candidates are not offered anywhere else in the Church in the United States.
- NCDVD has been instrumental in promoting the Fishers of Men program and consulting on the 5th Edition of the Program for Priestly Formation.
- An Advisory Board to NCDVD consisting of Bishops and laity from across the United States allows for input and reflection on the goals and activities of NCDVD and provides an opportunity for substantive discussions on the state of diocesan priestly vocations.
Our Executive Board
-
Rev. Leonard Plazewski
President
-
Rev. Msgr. Robert Panke
Vice President
-
Rev. Andrew Garner
Secretary
-
Rev. Larry D'Anjou
Treasurer
-
Rev. Jim Crisman
Member-At-Large
-
Rev. Thomas Richter
Member-At-Large
Our Advisory Board
Most Reverend Timothy M. Dolan
Archbishop of New York
Most Reverend Edwin F. O’Brien
Archbishop of Baltimore
-
Most Reverend Allen H Vigneron
Archbishop of Detroit
Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge
Bishop of Raleigh, member of the Secretariat for Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations and liaison to NCDVD
Most Reverend Robert J. Carlson
Archbishop of St. Louis
Most Reverend Jose H. Gomez
Archbishop-Designate for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles
Mr. Tim Drake
Senior Writer for National Catholic Register, Faith and Family Magazine
Ms. Dolores Orzel
Creative Director, National Vocations Awareness Division, J.S. Paluch Company
Mr. Edward Verbeke
Executive Director, Serra International USA Council
Our Staff
Mrs. Rosemary C. Sullivan
Executive Director
Angela Lenahan
Executive Assistant