ST. FRANCIS RETREAT CENTER AWARDED A $1,399.96.00 LILLEY FOUNDATION GRANT FOR SUSTAINING PASTORAL EXCELLENCE

 CONGRATULATIONS to the St. Francis Retreat Center on the awarding of a $1,399,996.00 Lilly Foundation grant entitled Sustaining Pastoral Excellence. As Director of the Retreat Center, Fr. Larry Delaney will oversee the Program.  He will be assisted by two contracted individuals, and in addition there will be an advisory board approved by the Bishop.    

  Sustaining Pastoral Excellence will foster the well-being of the ecumenical pastoral ministers in south central Michigan by offering opportunities for human, intellectual, pastoral and spiritual growth and development.  It will accomplish this through five program components.

1.  Creation of a Regional Pastoral Resource Center

2.  Offering a variety of retreats, conferences and workshops

3.  Offering the opportunity to participate in facilitated and non-facilitated peer groups

4.  Offering opportunities for consultation, spiritual direction or private counseling withProgram or Retreat Center staff, as well as other professional care givers.

5.  Offering scholarships to the local Internship in Spiritual Direction.

  The Pastoral Resource Center (library) will be a permanent addition to the Retreat Center, and a wonderful gift to the ecumenical communities as well as the Diocese of Lansing.  With these funds we will be supporting ministers who are serving in the vineyard of the Lord.  While the funds of the grant will be limited to the programs listed above, we will still be able to touch the lives of many, as we make available new resources and continue to develop the growth and support of all ministers  as we minister to the ministers.