When Father Ted Hesburgh founded the Institute
for Church Life (ICL) 30 years ago, he did so with one goal
in mind: to systematically deploy the resources of the University
in service to the Church. He imagined the ICL as a vehicle
for linking the functions and people of Notre Dame to churchgoers
and church leaders: from the parishioner who longs for a
better homily, to the DRE who yearns for better catechesis,
to the parish priest who needs training for lay leaders,
to the bishop who seeks to re-energize his pastoral leadership.
The Satellite Theological Education Program
(STEP) is one of the more recent ICL programs that aim to
bring the resources of Notre Dame to the Church. Student
and diocesan fees cover only 20% of STEP’s operating
budget. Most of STEP’s funding comes from the generosity
of donors who believe in what we are doing and want to contribute
to the positive impact STEP is having on the Church. If
you wish to contribute to this effort, please click the
link below. The link will take you to Notre Dame’s
Development web site and provide a method for giving online.
In the comments section, please be sure to identify your gift
as a gift to the STEP program, and designate the gift as for the Catholic mission of Notre Dame.
Thank you for your generosity,
Thomas Cummings
Director of STEP
