Dear friends,
From all of us at Mundelein Seminary, I want to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving! As we continue to celebrate the seminary’s centennial year, I find our community to be bolstered by a renewed sense of hope, joy and gratitude.
Looking back on our history, we are inspired by Cardinal George Mundelein’s foresight in constructing our beautiful campus and the generous donors who helped to make it a reality. We are gratified to be continuing his vision of providing exemplary formation to prepare priests to serve in dioceses across America.
Looking to the present, Mundelein Seminary’s reach has expanded beyond our founder’s vision, as alumni priests are serving God’s people around the world in myriad ways: many as pastors reaching out to marginalized communities in local parishes, and some even guiding the wider Church as bishops.
Mundelein Seminary’s alumni priests are building holy bridges to Christ–and your support helps to make that happen.
As we look to the future, the mission of the seminary is perhaps more important than it has ever been in the last century. At a time when many are doubting their faith and leaving the Church, we need holy priests to pastorally shine the light of Christ into the dark corners of our society and to bring the healing truth of God’s love into our hearts.
We are forming priests to meet the challenges of a changing culture, and I am so grateful to all those who sustain our mission. I am especially grateful to those of you who have already contributed to our Blessings Begin Here initiative and are bringing us closer to our $50,000 matching grant goal. I know the Lord is inspiring people to generosity, and I am humbled that our supporters recognize the importance of forming priests for the future of the Church, even in a year when finances are tight for so many.
As we enter into the anticipation of the Advent season, it is my prayer that as you recall the many blessings in your life, you might be led to a greater spirit of gratitude, hope and joy. May we become a beacon of Christ’s love to our families, friends and communities.
May God bless you,
Father John Kartje
Rector/President, USML/Mundelein Seminary
