What Counts at the Collegeville Institute A Letter from Kathleen A. CahalanDecember 13, 2017 By Kathleen A. Cahalan Leave a Comment Dear friend of the Collegeville Institute, This is my first appeal letter. If it doesn’t appeal to you, I hope you won’t count that against the Collegeville Institute. Because, so many things do count at the Collegeville Institute, now more than ever. For me, the Collegeville Institute is a rare place of the spirit—a place set apart where I’m surrounded each day by natural beauty and by smart people—theologians and scholars of religion, journalists, chaplains, philosophers, artists, musicians, church pastors, writers—all working intently on questions that matter. They work with quiet determination, and with heartening measures of hope. Make a Donation That Counts And I’m blessed to be able to work with a committed and talented staff, who understand that hospitality not only means abundant food, good coffee, and clear directions on how to get around campus—but functioning appliances, a shoveled walk (it snowed last night), and a helping hand when a computer won’t link to the wi-fi. The Collegeville Institute brings together remarkable creativity, meaningful questions, illuminating insight, and ordinary day-to-day life—meals prepared, a walk through the woods, laundry pulled from the drier and folded, often while chatting with a neighbor. And then the bells ring. Sometimes resident scholars, workshop and seminar participants, or staff stop what they’re doing and head over to prayer with the monks of Saint John’s Abbey. Others may pause, lift their heads, and nod in thanks that today others are carrying on an ancient Benedictine practice. For the past 50 years the Collegeville Institute has been a singular place of prayer and learning, conversation and conviviality. Is that appealing? I hope so. Please make a gift to help maintain the Collegeville Institute in its 51st year, and beyond. And there’s no such thing as a donation that’s too large, or too small. Support Our Work Wishing you the blessings of the season, Kathleen A. Cahalan Project Director, Collegeville Institute Seminars Here are some of the projects that your donation will support: Upgrading the Apartments Our 50-year-old buildings need to be more energy efficient. Apartment furnaces and air conditioners will be replaced and walls and ceilings will be insulated, which should reduce energy consumption by 20 percent. Investing in Rural Pastors Clergy who serve rural areas are often underserved by leadership development opportunities, which is why we recently launched the Rural Minnesota Fellows Program. Equipping Multi-Religious Leaders In Fall 2017, the Collegeville Institute launched the Multi-Religious Fellows program. We believe that neighborhoods can benefit from the engagement of multiple religious communities, especially when their leaders are equipped to work together. Donate Online Today Like this post? Subscribe to have new posts sent to you by email the same day they are posted.
