The National Catholic Youth Conference November 18 – 20, 2021 Indianapolis, Indiana

Voices of Our World

Vocation Director Fr. Rodrigo Ulla (center) with two friends

From November 17 to the 20th, the Vocations Team led by Mr. Greg Darr and Fr. Rodrigo Ulloa traveled to Indianapolis to attend the 2021 National Catholic Youth Conference most known as NCYC. We had a booth representing Maryknoll with multiple brochures describing our charisms. The main attraction was a map oriented to the South which sparked lots of attention upon seeing it from a far.  Many students were puzzled as to why did we hang a map upside down. It was not upside down but simply oriented to the South and such position helped us explain that Jesus invites us to see the world differently. We go to mission to serve God’s people and when we return we see the world and its people with eyes of mercy and compassion. From years past, our Maryknoll world mission map has challenged students giving them just 60 seconds to match 6 countries to their proper location on the map. The winner of each challenge receives a mission cross as well as our mission passport and a copy of the map so that they can review it at home. We conducted this game for the entire conference and were able to attract multiple students from different dioceses of the United States. To plant the mission seed, we successfully handed countless copies of our long/short term mission exposure trip brochures and prayer cards, to name a few.

 

Vocation Minister Mr. Greg Darr with map game participants

 

Fall 2026

With our Fall 2026 newsletter, we welcome Brother Joe Bruener, M.M., as our new Director of Vocation Ministries. Br. Joe introduces himself and looks forward to accompanying those discerning God’s call as prospective missionary brothers and priests. As Br. Joe remarks, “I admire your courage to respond to God’s call in the face of an American culture which is trying to negate your call and even your love of Christ and your desire to offer yourselves up to Him in a formal and sacred way. I’m praying for you and hoping that Maryknoll is your forever home!”

In this issue, we also feature photos taken by one of our Maryknoll discerners, Huy Nguyễn, during a recent pilgrimage trip in which he honors those martyred in Vietnam during the 18th and 19th centuries. And, we highlight Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen whose beatification on September 24th, 2026, in St. Louis, Missouri, celebrates an extraordinary 20th century U.S. Church leader, media personality, and champion of mission.

ABOUT MARYKNOLL

We are a Catholic Society of priests and brothers based in the United States. We are dedicated to missionary work in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the United States. Additionally, we animate Catholics in the United States to follow their own baptismal call to share God’s compassion and love with the poor, the sick, and all those in need.

OUR GENERAL COUNCIL

L-R Tom O'Brien, Ray Finch, Joe Everson, Russ Feldmeier

(Fr. Lance P. Nadeau, Fr. James M. Lynch, Fr. Timothy O. Kilkelly, Fr. Juan Montes Zúñiga)

The Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers is overseen by our General Council, led by Superior General Rev. Lance P. Nadeau, M.M.

OUR FOUNDERS

L-R Tom O'Brien, Ray Finch, Joe Everson, Russ Feldmeier

(Our Co-Founders Father Price and Father Walsh)

PLACES WE SERVE

EVANGELIZATION, PARISHES, AND PROJECTS

USA

STORIES OF MISSION

(Africa) Education and Formation of African Clergy

The Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers Africa Region will provide tuition assistance to African clergy, male and female religious at institutes of higher education or specialized training. Read More

Stories of Our Global Mission

The calling of a lifetime

The life of a Maryknoll missioner is challenging, fulfilling, and deeply rewarding. Follow your baptismal call to mission by sharing God’s compassion with the poor, the sick, and people most in need.