Partner with us to train your next priest

AS A LITTLE girl growing up in my large church in Dallas, I had such fond memories of the clergy to whom I looked up as leaders in our parish. I remember my sixth-grade confirmation class like it was yesterday. I remember when I was in the eighth grade, and my grandmother and my aunt passed away on the same day, and the only person who could make sense of it all was Fr. Philputt. He graciously came to our house on a Saturday afternoon and, in the peaceful way only he could do, he helped my brothers and me understand death and process our emotions.

Last month, I had the privilege of watching our 19 graduates receive degrees at St. John’s Northwestern. I cannot wait to hear about their journeys a year from now as they embark in new parishes across the United States. It’s people like them that are coming to your community, your parish, to lead and spread the good news of the Gospel, to visit your loved ones in the hospital, and to help raise your children in the Lord at Vacation Bible School.

When I think about who I now want in front of my six-year-olds, Jack and Lucy, next week at VBS, it is priests like Fr. Philputt, whom I trust to instill the lessons of Jesus Christ and to hopefully shepherd them through those tough high school years in youth group.

You may have other memories that resonate with you in your home parish, but what draws me back to our common thread is how we form priests at Nashotah.

If you’ve read anything about seminaries over the past year, you know that many are closing their residential programs in favor of offering online options for those who are called to the priesthood. We are doing quite the opposite; we are doubling down on our unique residential formation as we aggressively fundraise and intentionally visit parishes across the U.S. to connect with aspiring ordinands.

When you visit our campus, you’ll see that we start and finish the day with prayer five days a week. This spiritual discipline isn’t easy, but it is a key part of our formation that equips students to be as prepared as possible when they leave us and join your local church. When you think about your parish priest, I hope you also think about us. I hope you will pray for us, think of students who might like to visit us, and prayerfully consider how you can help us financially. A gift to Nashotah House directly supports the formation of future priests and helps us reach our goal of having students graduate with minimal debt.

You’ll see in this chart that we have made great strides over the past year in our fundraising efforts, all thanks be to God. But we still have a gap to close to achieve our goals. Enclosed in this issue is an envelope to mail in a check. You can also give online at nashotah.edu/ donate, and we also accept donations via Venmo (@Nashotah_House). Please know that every gift amount helps us achieve our goal of forming more ministers for the gospel of Jesus Christ. Please keep us in your prayers as we continue this vital mission, and may God bless you and your family this summer!

Founders’ Day Giving Challenge triples its impact

NASHOTAH HOUSE RAISED nearly $115,000 through the 2023 Founders’ Day Giving Challenge, thanks to the generosity of over 160 alumni and friends.

This year’s challenge brought in nearly three times the amount of last year’s giving challenge total.

For 18 hours and 42 minutes on April 3, 2023, we asked our supporters to give generously to help us raise up the next generation of priests and lay leaders. All funds given to the challenge support the Jackson Kemper Fund, which sustains Nashotah House’s unique model of theological education and formation.

Having set a goal of $60,000 this year, we exceeded our target by 92%. We received four catalyzing matching gifts from members of our Board of Corporation, including a $20,000 gift from Drew Bradford.

“I offer a matching gift for the future of the House because I know firsthand that, through the House, Jesus changes lives, the Body of Christ is nourished, and God is glorified,” said Bradford. Other matching gifts included:

» The Rev. Burke Whitman: $10,000

» Karen Moore: $5,000

» Walter Virden: $5,000

Additionally, 34 donors gave to the mission of Nashotah House for the first time in response to the giving challenge, and 36 re-activated their giving.