November 2025
Dear Friends,
Just weeks ago, the Conference welcomed members from 61 congregations and 13 partners-in-mission at the 2025 Congress. Among them were 55 first-time attendees, including participants who journeyed from as far as Ghana and Kenya—each answering the call to explore what it means to be vowed religious in this moment. We were pilgrims of hope and prophets of light!
Together, we responded to the invitation to ‘fan the flames of hope,’ engaging deeply with our roles as truth-tellers, hope-bearers, and justice-seekers in a world yearning for prophetic witness.
Congress fostered opportunities for connection and community, prayer and worship, learning and growth, and the sharing of best practices and resources. More than anything, the gathering celebrated that we are not alone on this journey, and that being together continues to bring out the best of who we are and consecrated life.
One way the Conference lives into this work is by creating spaces—both in-person and virtual—where women and men religious can gather, discern, and respond to the emerging future. Our hybrid approach allows for broader accessibility while preserving the depth of in-person formation. Programs like ForMission and Life Commitment continue to include residential components that are vital to the journey of religious life.
That’s why this year’s annual appeal focuses on growing the Mary Daniel Turner, SNDdeN, Scholarship Fund, ensuring that more religious can access the Conference’s transformative programs. Established in 2011, the fund supports members who need financial assistance to participate in RFC programming, with special attention to in-person offerings like ForMission and Life Commitment.
Rising costs for food, lodging, and travel make participation in these programs increasingly difficult for congregations with limited financial resources. It’s simply more challenging to economically host in-person programs.
- The next ForMission class begins in June at the Carmelite Spiritual Center in Darien, IL. Each weeklong session costs $4,013 per member participant.
- The next Life Commitment Program takes place in July at The Well in LaGrange, IL. The weeklong cost is $2,330 per member participant.
These costs can be out of reach for many congregations—your gift helps bridge that gap. A gift to this year’s appeal will ensure the resources to cultivate inclusive spaces that continue to ask courageous questions of consecrated life today. Donations will directly impact the communities and individuals awarded financial support in the next year.
Please respond today by clicking here to make a secure gift online.
Every contribution—no matter the amount—invests in the now and new of religious life!
RFC’s over 180 congregational members (61 represented at Congress!) reflect the richness of our shared past and the promise of our collective future. Your support helps us dream, discern, and decide that future—together.
Sincerely,
Ryan J. Hoffmann, D.Min.