PIVM Hosts First Pre-58th WDPV Conference: "Dreams, Perspectives, Frontiers"

"Technology has now moved from being simply a 'tool' to being a 'context.'"

Inspired by the theme of the 58th World Day of Prayer for Vocations, "St. Joseph: The Dream of Vocation," the Pastoral Institute for Vocation Ministry (PIVM) hosted the first of its two-part conference yesterday, April 17, 2021, delivered by Fr. John Francis Aberion, RCJ, entitled, "The Frontiers of Promoting a Culture of Vocations: A Priest's Perspective on the Technological Revolution."

In that talk, Fr. Francis made a survey of the rapid development of technologies in the 21st century, and especially considering the impact of COVID-19 in the acceleration of the technological progress. The second part of the conference was about how technology today has become a "context", more than just being a "tool", and its implication in the shaping of the society. Putting together these reflection, he provided some proposals that may help in the promotion of the culture of vocations, that is, a culture that allows people to recognize that they are loved by God and called by God to love. This is more fundamental and much relevant in our time, than simply letting vocation ministry offices become recruiting agencies.

The open forum, after the talk, provided an opportunity for the participants to raise questions and clarifications on the talk. After the talk, Fr. Francis thanked the participants, and likewise, invited them to the 2nd part of the conference series, which will be on April 24, 2021.

To conclude the program, he gave his final blessing to the participants.

A replay of the whole conference can be watched here: https://fb.watch/4XpoUmQUP5/