September marked the beginning of a new chapter for vocation ministry as the District of Eastern North America (DENA) and Christian Brothers of the Midwest (Midwest) District began their collaboration through a combined Office of Vocation Ministry team.
The collaboration brings together Brothers Paul Avvento, FSC, Edward Shields, FSC, and Thomas Casey, FSC, from DENA with Brothers Larry Schatz, FSC, and Matthew Kotek, FSC, from the Midwest District.
The new structure follows ongoing conversations about regional collaboration and how best to support the vitality of the Lasallian mission. Throughout its first month, the team promoted opportunities for discernment, accompanied young adults and participated in vocation and religious life initiatives across the United States and beyond.
Vocation Day Begins a New Year
September marked the launch of another year of Vocation Day across Lasallian ministries.
Observed on the 25th of each month, Vocation Day provides students with regular opportunities to reflect on God’s call in their lives and consider how they are invited to use their gifts in service to others. Inspired by the Culture of Vocations (Circular 475), the initiative offers monthly discernment experiences focused on themes such as vocation, discernment and God’s call. It also introduces young people to different ways of living out their vocation, including the Lay Lasallian and Christian Brother vocations.
For September, students were invited to explore the meaning of vocation and reflect on their gifts and the place of God in their lives. They also created personal timelines identifying significant moments that have shaped who they are and considered how God may have been present in those experiences. Small-group conversations provided an opportunity to share their stories and reflect on what vocation means to them.
Building Brotherhood Among College Students
The Bold Brotherhood began the academic year by welcoming three new members, Manhattan University juniors Brandan Lawrence and Aneudy Castro and sophomore Joshua Nesterchuck. Both are members of the Knights of Columbus Council at Manhattan.
The Bold Brotherhood brings together college-age young men seeking to strengthen their faith through prayer, fraternity and conversations about faith and the spiritual life. Lawrence and Castro were also featured in the September Novena for Vocations, inviting members of the Lasallian community to remember them in prayer.
On September 29, college-age young men joined members of the Office of Vocation Ministry for the first virtual Bold Brotherhood gathering of the academic year. The conversation focused on accountability and peer pressure and how relationships and outside influences can affect the ways young men practice their faith and seek to live lives of virtue.
Following prayer and introductions, participants gathered in small groups before returning for a conversation with the full group. They shared experiences of friendships, college life and the challenges and opportunities they encounter in trying to live their faith.
Several participants reflected on the importance of surrounding themselves with people who encourage them to grow. One student shared how finding friends who attend church together has helped him become more consistent in practicing his faith. Others discussed friendships and everyday encounters that have opened opportunities for conversations about faith.
The gathering emphasized the Bold Brotherhood as a community where young men can develop relationships with peers navigating similar experiences and support one another in living their faith
The evening concluded with “Brotherhood in Action,” a reflection on recognizing opportunities to put faith into practice through service, faith and love for others.
Connecting with the Wider Church
Members of the Office of Vocation Ministry also spent September participating in gatherings focused on religious life, vocation ministry and young adult formation.
Brother Larry traveled to Rome, where he served on the support staff of the 2026 Plenary Assembly.
Brother Matthew supported the Young Religious Leaders program organized by the Conference of Major Superiors of Men in Baltimore before traveling to Tijuana to facilitate the RELAL Young Brothers Gathering.
In Chicago, Brother Edward, who serves on the Board of the National Religious Vocation Conference (NRVC), participated in a gathering of the organization.
Meanwhile, Brother Paul traveled to Huntington, New York, for the annual gathering of the National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Directors (NCDVD), where more than 20 members of various religious orders were present. Brother Paul was the only Brother in attendance.
The gathering featured keynote presentations, breakout sessions and opportunities to share successful practices in vocation ministry, along with prayer and retreat experiences. Brother Paul was also invited to serve as lector during one of the Eucharistic liturgies.
Several priests attending the gathering identified themselves as graduates of Lasallian schools. Connections developed through NCDVD have also helped provide opportunities for the vocation team to engage with university students and young adult groups.
Through these gatherings, members of the Office of Vocation Ministry continued building relationships while bringing an awareness of the Lasallian charism into wider conversations about vocation and religious life.
Engaging Young Adults at Hillsdale College
As September entered its final week, Brother Paul partnered with Sara Freund, a recruiter for the Seton Teaching Fellows, to host the weekly “Convivium” at the Catholic Center at Hillsdale College in Michigan.
Together, they spoke with students about the importance of Catholic education and the ways young men and women may be called to participate in its mission.
The visit also gave Brother Paul an opportunity to reconnect with students who met the Brothers during their visit to Hillsdale last year and to engage with students considering teaching after graduation.
The gathering provided another opportunity to invite young adults to reflect on their gifts, their faith and the different ways they may be called to serve.
Continuing the Work of Vocation Ministry
From Vocation Day and the Bold Brotherhood to college outreach and participation in national and international gatherings, September provided the newly formed Office of Vocation Ministry team with opportunities to promote a culture of vocation, build relationships and accompany young people in their faith and discernment.
Follow the Office of Vocation Ministry on Instagram at @discerningbro and visit brothersvocations.org to learn more about vocation ministry, resources and opportunities for discernment.
