“…for God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26
Today, we celebrate the feast day of a saint to whom I pray so often – St. Katharine Drexel, Patron Saint of Philanthropy!
St. Katharine Drexel is the patron of philanthropy because she was blessed with great wealth, but she heard the Lord ask her to give it all away. She used her wealth to further education, to establish a religious congregation, to care for the poor, and in support of Native Americans and African Americans, earning her the patronage of racial justice.
Listening & Learning
As I reflected on her life and generosity, I was especially touched by the nature of her miracles: both are attributed to curing the deafness of children. Through our ministry right now, Catholic Leadership Institute is also called to listening and hearing.
- Priests Listen to New Feedback: through Called For More, priests are hearing feedback about their leadership from brother priests and parishioners. Dioceses are truly hearing about the special gifts their priests possess and want to utilize for God’s glory.
- Hearing from 347,875 Catholics: in our Disciple Maker Index survey, we hear directly from those in the pews about their beliefs, experiences of parish life, and spiritual journeys.
- Synod Inspires Speaking & Listening: as we accompany dioceses through their synodal work, we are facilitating and learning from diocesan-wide listening sessions. As listening sessions begin this month in most locations, we encourage you to attend your local gatherings! Let your voice be heard and engage to answer the questions Pope Francis asks us.
- Parishes Give Voice to Hopes: through Next Generation Parish, we listen to and learn about what parishes hope for and envision in their communities and in their own relationships with Jesus Christ.
“Is this possible?”
In many ways, St. Katharine Drexel feels so connected to Catholic Leadership Institute’s mission right now. In particular, the miracle of Bob Gutherman has resonated with me this week.
Told he would never hear again in his right ear, Bob’s family prayed zealously to Mother Katharine Drexel. Suddenly, one day, Bob could hear clearly. Absolutely astonished by the profoundness of this miracle, one of his doctors wrote in his patient’s chart:
“Is this possible?”
The answer was “yes.”
When we dream about our greatest hopes for Catholic Leadership Institute, for the Church, and for the next generation, you may ask the question:
“Is this possible?”
Because of you, the answer is “yes.” Your generosity makes this unwavering hope, these important dreams, and this critical ministry possible.
Today, I will pray for you in a special way to St. Katharine Drexel. I will also pray that she continues to fill the ears of our Church leaders, generous donors, and partner dioceses with love for our Lord, love for leadership, and love for our Church.
Listen… it is all possible.
𝒲𝒾𝓉𝒽 𝓂𝒶𝓃𝓎 𝒷𝓁ℯ𝓈𝓈𝒾𝓃ℊ𝓈,
𝒞𝒽𝒶𝒹
Our CEO Daniel Cellucci's weekly email, the DIAL: Discerning Insights About Leadership.
CLI serves Church leaders, helping them rediscover their potential and forming them to be more intentional with those they serve.
CLI helps empower and energize Catholic leaders by providing focus and courage to engage the culture with an apostolic mindset.
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