Lilly Event an Incredible Experience and Success

Fr John and Ed Foley, Capuchin, Catholic Theological Union at Chicago

Last week CALLED Director Fr John Gribowich and Sunday to Sunday Productions Executive Director Dominic Ambrosio attended the Lilly Endowment Compelling Preaching Grant Annual Gathering in Indianapolis. The event brings together the over 140 Compelling Preaching grant recipients from across the country to celebrate progress, exchange wisdom and enjoy fellowship.

Here’s what Fr John had to say about the spiritual experience of being in attendance with such a variety of different faith programs,

“The Lilly Compelling Preaching Annual Gathering held in Indianapolis was nothing short of a “Pentecost event!”  There were so many people from so many different Christian faith traditions all gathered in one place with one goal: to listen to how the Spirit is moving beyond denominational divides.  It was a joy to reconnect with familiar faces and to meet new ones.  It was also exciting to discover how CALLED is both similar and complementary to the efforts that other grantees are launching.  I left convinced that our discernment with CALLED is of the Spirit and grateful that a foundation like Lilly facilitated this profound confirmation.”

Dominic was equally impressed and shared this about the event,

“The Lilly Compelling Preaching Annual Gathering was truly a joyful and memorable experience. We dedicated focused time to learning from one another and exchanging ideas on how to foster a community committed to advancing the art of preaching for both clergy and laity. The team at Lilly and the Calvin Institute did an exceptional job creating a safe, transparent, and welcoming environment where everyone felt heard and valued. I had the privilege of meeting incredible people who are leading impactful programs across the country. The gathering was non-stop, filled with moments of joy and inspiration. It was a profound blessing to feel the love of God reflected in the smiles, hugs, and eyes of everyone who attended.”

As always, we feel blessed that we have the privilege of working on CALLED as a much needed program that reaches the faithful where they are in their faith journey. The Lilly Endowment has no doubt made it possible for us to launch, and events like the one Dominic and John attended are essential to our program’s success. However, we will always need the support of you - the Sunday to Sunday Productions supporter to make sure we grow and sustain ambitious projects like CALLED and others into the future! Please consider a donation!