About the Institute
The Institute for Christian Spirituality was created by Immaculate
Conception Seminary School of Theology to provide a premier center where
those already in ministry, or those considering a vocation to ministry
may obtain a solid foundation in their faith, learn effective skills in
pastoral ministry and leadership, and be given tools for discernment and
spiritual growth—all in an atmosphere of collaboration and camaraderie.
The Institute’s mission is grounded in 2 Timothy1:6: “I remind you to
stir into flame the gift of God within you…” The passage eloquently
speaks to those in Church ministry, reminding them of their own
God-given talents and their responsibility to help others recognize
hidden gifts, discern tools needed to ignite sparks that never caught
fire, and re-ignite embers that have burned out, but can be stirred into
an even greater flame.
Monsignor Robert F. Coleman, '74, J.C.D., rector and dean,
communicated the enthusiasm of the Seminary community: "Immaculate
Conception Seminary School of Theology is so blessed to have been
awarded $2 million by the Lilly Endowment Inc. for the Making
Connections Initiative. This is tremendous opportunity for the School of
Theology to create new offerings which will expand the various degree
and certificate programs already in place. The Institute for Christian
Spirituality, the centerpiece of the grant proposal, will give the
faculty exciting new challenges in research and teaching, and will reach
out to many more people, to allow them to experience the best offerings
in spiritual and pastoral theology. The leadership of the new
co-directors, Dr. Dianne Traflet and Father Joseph Chapel, both
associate deans at ICSST, and so many others who will work with them,
will guarantee the success of this exciting new venture."