Director of National Vocation Promotion

Robert R. Ballecer, S.J.
Director of National Vocation Promotion

The Jesuit Conference of the United States has appointed Fr. Robert Ballecer, S.J. to the newly created position of Director of National Vocation Promotion for the Society of Jesus. Fr. Ballecer, a member of the California Province of the Society of Jesus, will join the Conference in Washington, D.C. in August.

“With his extensive background in web-based technologies, Robert will bring a unique skill set to the Society’s vocational efforts, one that is required, and expected, by today’s tech-savvy young people,” said Fr. Thomas Smolich, S.J., president of the Jesuit Conference. “This is an important step in our work in the ‘vineyard of the Lord’ as we use these new technologies to help young men discern their calling to a religious life.”

Ballecer’s responsibilities will include working with the ten U.S. Jesuit Provinces to implement the recommendations of “Weaving a New Net”, the document prepared by the Task Force on Vocations and approved by the Jesuit Conference Board last May. He will work to expand the Society’s presence on the Internet and will coordinate and share best practices among the Province’s vocation promoters.

“I am honored to be considered for this appointment and excited to bring my background in Information Technology and social networking to the efforts of finding innovative ways of attracting candidates who are called by the Spirit to join us,” said Ballecer. “Throughout its history, the Society of Jesus has used the medium of the era to spread the Gospels and the work of the Society. I look forward to helping the Society use the Internet to reach a new generation of those contemplating a vocation in the Society.”

Ballecer entered the Society of Jesus in 1994 and was ordained in 2007. His assignments have included Loyola High School in Los Angeles, Homeboyz Interactive in Milwaukee, Most Holy Trinity Parish in San Jose and he is currently serving as Campus Minister at the Newman Center in Honolulu. He was the producer of the original California Province website and is the Director of The Center for Apostolic Technology, an apostolate of the California Province which creates Internet content. The Center’s current IPTV offerings have more than 19 million views over the past two years.

A native of Hayward, Calif., Ballecer studied Computer Engineering at Santa Clara University, completing a degree in Philosophy at Loyola University of Chicago. He holds a Master of Divinity from the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley.