About

The National Office for Vocation is an Office of the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales. Our mission is to:

  • Build a culture of vocation in the Church in England and Wales
  • Promote the calls to specific vocations, including priesthood, the diaconate, marriage, the religious life and all other forms of consecrated life.

The inspiration for the creation of the Office came from the Church document of 1997 entitled ‘New Vocations for a New Europe, (In Verbo Tuo.)’ This offers a vision of the Church as a community of the called whose task is to call others.

Chairman: Rt. Rev. Terence Drainey – Bishop of Middlesbrough

Staff

DIRECTOR
FR. DARREN CARDEN

Fr. Darren joined the office in June 2018. As director, Fr. Darren is responsible for the overall strategy of the office, its interface with vocations directors and its public relations. During his priestly ministry, he has had a strong commitment to the work of vocation promotion and discernment, especially through his role as the president of the Conference of Diocesan Directors of Vocations.

 

Sr ElaineRELIGIOUS LIFE PROMOTER
SR. ELAINE PENRICE

Sr. Elaine joined the office in June 2016. She supports the vocations personnel of religious congregations, particularly those setting up discernment groups (e.g. Samuel and Compass). She also responds to enquiries from those making initial steps to discern religious life, and assist in promoting a balanced representation of consecrated life on social media. 

 

VOCATIONS ADMINISTRATOR
JULIET CHIOSSO

Juliet joined the office in 2011. She is responsible for producing the office’s newsletters, keeping the website up-to-date, maintaining the applicants for priesthood database and helps create video materials.

 

UK Vocation