"Formation has given me a deep understanding of our Passionist charism. I feel passionate about the training and formation of laity because it ensures a strong future for our shared mission."
~Bernadette Beach, executive director,
St. Paul of the Cross Retreat and Conference Center.
Campaign Priorities
In response to the 2006 evaluaton of Holy Cross Province needs, a feasibility study was undertaken to assess the Province’s readiness to initiate a fundraising campaign. In a report to the Provincial and Provincial Council, the study revealed that a significant majority of participants urged the Province to move forward and indicated their personal financial support. The study further confirmed the participants’ support for the two top priorities previously identified by the Province:
Phase I: The comprehensive care for senior Passionists
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Providing sufficient health support allows senior Passionists to continue to engage in ministry to the extent they are able, be it preaching, chaplaincies, spiritual direction, or prayer.
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For the 25 Passionists age 75 or older, 18 still live and minister in local communities throughout the Province and six live at Sacred Heart Monastery where they receive additional health care support.
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Campaign funds will help with living expenses and increasing health care needs as Passionists advance in age.
Phase II: Formation and training of the next generation of vowed and lay Passionist leaders
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In today’s Church, Passionists live the mission of proclaiming God’s love alongside lay women and men committed to Passionist ministry and who seek, or need, to expand their training.
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Campaign funds will support ongoing formation in Passionist life and ministry for those exploring the Passionist Community and those wanting to collaborate in Passionist ministries.
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Utilizing the Passionist partnership with Catholic Theological Union (CTU) in Chicago, for example, and other religious institutions, this Campaign will be an investment in new life by helping to fund educational scholarships and formation opportunities.
The love that compels the Passionists to live lives of service is the same love that compels us to support the priorities of this Campaign so that we may ensure the present and future vitality of the Passionists.
