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You are here: Home / About Us / Giving / The Kilian McDonnell Legacy Circle

The Kilian McDonnell Legacy Circle

Photos courtesy of Saint John’s Abbey and University archive.

“I often tell guests that Kilian’s career is the embodiment of the Collegeville Institute in one black-habited frame: ecumenist, theologian, and poet,” said Don Ottenhoff in his farewell report to the Board of Directors in May 2021. On September 16, 2021, Father Kilian McDonnell, OSB, who founded the Collegeville Institute 54 years ago, celebrated 100 years on this earth – a century spent in dialogue and the pursuit of truth.

In honor of Kilian McDonnell’s 100th birthday, the Collegeville Institute established The Kilian McDonnell Legacy Circle, which recognizes benefactors who have thoughtfully and generously included gifts to the Collegeville Institute in their estate plans.

Members of The Kilian McDonnell Legacy Circle provide meaningful future support to the Collegeville Institute and inspire others to make a difference. Members are publicly recognized (with permission) for their philanthropic investment and join a permanent honor roll of generous donors. By making a planned gift through their estate, members leave a permanent legacy for future programming that reflects their deepest values.

Many individuals can find creative and wise options that meet financial goals and maximize the impact of a planned gift to the Collegeville Institute when working with an investment advisor. Leaving a future gift by naming the Collegeville Institute with a bequest in your will, IRA beneficiary designation, donor advised fund, charitable gift annuity, or life insurance policy often requires simple documentation.

Members of The Kilian McDonnell Legacy Circle

Dorothy Bass & Mark Schwehn
Katherine Christensen
+James & +Elaine Halls
+Ruth Hanold
+Daniel Little
+Joyce McFarland
+Hella Mears (Hueg)
Barbara Melosh & Gary Kulik

+Elizabeth Musser
+Larry O’Shaunessy
Greg J & Ellen J. Pelletier
+Father J. Timothy Power
+James & +Ruth Shannon
Gary Reierson
+Carol McGee Stiles & +Cliff Stiles
+Rosemary Uland
Fritz West

+indicates deceased 

Are you interested in joining The Kilian McDonnell Legacy Circle?
Contact Pat Flicker, Business Manager & Director of Annual Fund, directly by email at pflickers001@collegevilleinstitute.org
or by phone at 320-760-9767.

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Latest News

Collegeville Institute receives $3.88 million Lilly Endowment grant to fund four years of the Ecclesial Literature Project: Words for the Church and the World.

October 28, 2025

The beloved founder of the Collegeville Institute, Fr. Kilian McDonnell, OSB, passed away September 8, 2025

September 10, 2025

Beloved Fr. Michael passed away July 15, 2025

July 17, 2025

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