GARRISON, N.Y.—The Archdiocese has received a $1 million grant from the Lilly Endowment Inc., to establish the Clergy Initiative. The Archdiocesan Center for Family Care will develop and implement the program to address the economic challenges facing our clergy families over a three-year grant-period.
The Clergy Initiative will establish educational programming throughout the Archdiocese for clergy and laity alike. It will also offer grants of up to $10,000 to clergy families who successfully participate in the education program called the Ministerial Excellence Fund. Grantees will participate in education programing including: financial planning with an advisor, financial coaching, regional presentations and more.
In January 2016, the Center for Family Care, under the guidance of Fr. Constantine L. Sitaras, was invited to apply for a planning grant in order to research and apply for the Lilly Endowment’s 2016 National Initiative to Address Economic Challenges Facing Pastoral Leaders. The Center successfully submitted a planning grant proposal for $50,000. The Center conducted a professionally managed survey and engaged various ministries throughout the Archdiocese in order to gather data on clergy finances both at home and at the parish level.
On Aug. 19, 2016, the Center submitted an Implementation Grant Proposal requesting full funding for the Clergy Initiative. The grant was received and awarded on Nov. 17, 2016.
This initiative is, in the words of Archbishop Demetrios, “a God–given opportunity.” He continued, “We have to take advantage of it in the best possible way in order to address the root causes of the financial stress of our clergy and clergy families. The opportunity is not simply about the grant funding, but rather the ability to create such a unique initiative. It comes at a time, contextually, of many momentous events in the life of the Church. We have to congratulate Fr. Costas Sitaras, regarding his work and oversight of this grant process, because of it, the Lord rewarded the Center with $1 million for the betterment of our clergy and clergy families.”
Clergy will be invited to submit grant requests for education and relief funding to the Center for Family Care as of March 1. Priests and presbyteres will be encouraged to participate together. All clergy, whether in financial need or not, will be invited and encouraged to participate in the educational programming. Questions on the Clergy Initiative should be directed to Fr. Sitaras at [email protected]. To learn more, visit www.goaclergycouple.org.
