ARCHDIOCESE OF LOS ANGELES RECEIVES LILLY ENDOWMENT INC. FUNDING
October 12, 2023  |  By:   |  Press Releases  |  

–Dedicated $1.25 million to Support the Ongoing Preaching Initiative–

 

The Archdiocese of Los Angeles has received a dedicated grant of $1,250,000 from Lilly Endowment Inc. to help establish an “Ongoing Preaching Initiative” to provide formation in preaching principally for deacons and priests.

 

The program is being funded through Lilly Endowment’s Compelling Preaching Initiative that aims to foster and support preaching that inspires, encourages, and guides people to come to know and love God and to live out their Christian faith more fully. 

 

The Ongoing Preaching Initiative will expand the Archdiocese’s programs of formation over the five-year grant period, cultivating practices among aspiring and active preachers (deacons, priests, and lay people) to help them proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to various audiences in more engaging and effective ways. The expansion will include workshops, resources, and support from mentors throughout the five pastoral regions of the Archdiocese: Santa Barbara, San Pedro, San Fernando, San Gabriel, and Our Lady of the Angels. The program will help to advance the Church’s evangelizing mission through better preaching of the word of God.

 

“We are very enthusiastic about this partnership with the Lilly Endowment because the people of God desire to hear preaching in the power of the Holy Spirit that puts them in contact with Jesus,” Fr. Parker Sandoval, Vice Chancellor and Senior Director of Ministerial Services for the Archdiocese, stated in response to the news about the award. “We pray this initiative will help deacons and priests preach the Gospel in ways that transform hearts and minds.”

 

The Archdiocese is one of 81 organizations receiving grants through this competitive round of the Compelling Preaching Initiative. Reflecting the diversity of Christianity in the United States, the organizations are affiliated with mainline Protestant, evangelical, Catholic, Orthodox, Anabaptist, and Pentecostal faith communities. Many organizations are rooted in the Black Church and Hispanic and Asian American Christian traditions.

 

“Throughout history, preachers often have needed to adapt their preaching practices to engage new generations of hearers more effectively,” said Christopher L. Coble, Lilly Endowment’s vice president for religion. “We are pleased that the organizations receiving grants in this initiative will help pastors and others in ministry engage in the kinds of preaching needed today to ensure that the gospel message is heard and accessible for all audiences.”

 

Lilly Endowment launched the Compelling Preaching Initiative in 2022 because of its interest in supporting projects that help to nurture the religious lives of individuals and families and foster the growth and vitality of Christian congregations in the United States. 

 

About Lilly Endowment Inc.

Lilly Endowment Inc. is a private foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly Sr. and his sons Eli and J.K. Jr. through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. While those gifts remain the financial bedrock of the Endowment, it is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff, and location. In keeping with the founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education, and religion. Lilly maintains a special commitment to its hometown, Indianapolis, and its home state, Indiana. A principal aim of the Endowment’s religion grantmaking is to deepen and enrich the lives of Christians in the United States, primarily by seeking out and supporting efforts that enhance the vitality of congregations and strengthen the pastoral and lay leadership of Christian communities. The Endowment also seeks to improve public understanding of diverse religious traditions by supporting fair and accurate portrayals of religion’s role in the United States and across the globe.

 

About the Archdiocese of Los Angeles
The Archdiocese of Los Angeles is the largest Catholic Archdiocese in the United States with approximately five million Catholics, 288 parishes and 256 schools, serving the three counties of Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara. For the latest news, events and to subscribe for media alerts visit media.la-archdiocese.org. Follow us on social media using @LACatholics on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

 

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