FROM THE DESK OF DAN CELLUCCI
Dear Friends in Christ,
What a wild year it has been for both the Church and for us at Catholic Leadership Institute. Within weeks of launching our five-year strategic plan, the world mourned the loss of Pope Francis and, with both grief and hope, welcomed his successor, Pope Leo XIV. These historic moments remind me that the Church often finds herself at a crossroads, when moments of sorrow intertwine with moments of promise. I believe we are living in such a moment today.
In September, I had the extraordinary privilege of visiting with Pope Leo XIV (page 6). Standing in his presence, I was struck not only by his humility, but also by his unwavering devotion to the Church in the United States. He spoke with a father’s care and a shepherd’s ear, eager to receive me and each of you by extension. I left that encounter deeply humbled but also filled with hope. The Pope’s love for our Church here at home and his confidence in what God is unfolding reaffirmed my conviction that Catholic Leadership Institute is exactly where we are meant to be — walking step-by-step with the Church into the future God has prepared.
16 CLI Across North
17 From Our Founder
Photographers: Maegan Martin with Lux Lab Production House, The Diocese of Allentown, LuxLab Production House, The Diocese of Saginaw, Dan McCay, Nicole Jones.
On the Cover: A young altar server carries the processional cross to the Church for the start of Mass at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Doylestown, PA.
The “Embracing This Moment” phrase on the front cover of this issue is not simply a theme for this magazine. It is a call to action. It means forging the future with courage as bishops retire and new leaders rise. It means emboldening clergy in a new world of ministry. It means igniting parishes to become communities of missionary disciples with a beating heart for those inside and outside parish walls.
I am grateful to walk alongside you, our partners and friends, in this mission. Together — in lockstep with our Holy Father and with the Holy Spirit who never tires of renewing the Church — let us embrace this moment with humility, courage, and faith.
With gratitude and prayers,
Dan Cellucci, President & CEO
Cleanup on Aisle Mine by Dan Cellucci is a heartfelt collection of Dan Cellucci’s weekly reflections on faith, leadership, and life lessons — all wrapped up in one book. This book is a perfect daily companion with one reflection for each day of the year. Buy your copy or gift one to someone seeking inspiration and ways to encounter God in the small moments of life.
Remembering OUR DEAR SR. ELLEN
By Emily Scarola, Operations and Fulfillment Manager
SR. ELLEN DOYLE, OSU, was a lover of seasons, as evidenced in her book “Dear Uncle Stanley.” She loved the turning of life and delighted in the Divine Wisdom woven through it all. I was blessed to work alongside Sr. Ellen for nearly 15 years at Catholic Leadership Institute, and considered her a mentor, spiritual model, and cheerleader as I moved through my own seasons of work, faith, and family life. I am humbled to have witnessed the way she embraced life, thought deeply, lifted others up, and lived her faith so intentionally in every season she encountered.
Ellen celebrated the liturgical seasons by sending out traditional Advent calendars to family, friends, and our children each year. She loved Mondays and the possibility they held, she modeled how to honor the Sabbath each week, and she rejoiced in the extraordinariness of Ordinary Time. She was deeply rooted in a singular love for the Lord and in a faith more profound and trusting than any I’ve encountered.
“Someday (I don't know when) when my race is finished, I will wave the white flag of ultimate surrender, yielding this life to the next, trusting that I will join in the company of white-flag bearers who know that all is well, God is good, and there is reason to rejoice.”
– SR. ELLEN DOYLE
Ellen gave tirelessly in seasons of labor in her work with the Ursulines, the Diocese of Charlotte, Chatfield College, the National Association of Church Personnel Administrators and others.
At Catholic Leadership Institute, she was relentless about our Core Values and Critical Success Factors, asking keen questions to drive towards clarity, and championing excellence in me and our colleagues with the perfect balance of challenge, grace, and love.
When Ellen entered the winter of her life, she delighted in a new season of pouring into the next generation, calling herself “The CLI Grandmother” as she listened, mentored, and encouraged our team in a fresh way. Even after she stopped taking on new work, she loved being part of our small groups, leading and participating in our daily virtual prayer, and celebrating the smallest of our personal and professional joys.
In a world that fears or hides from suffering and death, it was an honor to witness and walk with Sr. Ellen in her final season as she navigated her cancer journey with courage, curiosity, and acceptance. She was a teacher to the end, showing us how to let go and how to continue giving and trusting and hoping because she believed so fully in the One who gives us hope. Her life and her faith continue to be an incredible gift to me and to our CLI family. ✝
Sr. Ellen and Emily Scarola on the occasion of Sr. Ellen’s 50th Anniversary in 2023.
SR. ELLEN DOYLE, OSU 1949-2025
EMBRACING THIS MOMENT
By Molly Judd, Leadership Consultant
“So, no one knows who that person is on the cross or the people standing next to Him?” I asked in surprise.
“Well,” my Dutch friend replied, “they might know it’s a religious figure or a man named Jesus—but only in the way you know an old fairy tale.”
Mass at St. Mary Magdalene Parish in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
IHAD BEEN STRUCK BY THE STATUES, SHRINES, AND CRUCIFIXES SCATTERED ACROSS THE CITY.
The beauty of Holland is undeniable—whitewashed towns with tidy streets, tulips bursting in color, windmills slowly turning against the sky. Yet amid all this loveliness, one detail stood out more than the scenery itself: the silence of the churches.
Once the heartbeat of community life, grand monasteries, convents, and parish churches have been converted into apartments, shops, or cafés. Chapels where generations once stopped to pray are shuttered. Even the great cathedrals—built to echo with hymns—now stand mostly as national monuments, preserved for their history rather than their holiness. That reality—and the conversation with my friend—hit me. It clicked: what I was seeing there could happen anywhere.
Recently Pope Leo XIV spoke to a group of priests from across the world exhorting, “If this hope is not to remain a mere slogan, formation is essential. Indeed, it is necessary that the ‘house’ of our life and vocational journey, whether priestly or lay, be founded on “rock,” that is, on solid foundations with which to face the human and spiritual storms from which even the lives of Christians, priests and missionaries are not exempt. How can we build our house on rock?”1 Because the decline of faith is not isolated.
“MANY OF THE PROGRAMS THAT CATHOLIC LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE provides bishops... enlighten us about things we wouldn't ordinarily know about, or we may not be sensitive to, and they bring it to our attention in a very instructive, non-threatening, and non-judgmental way to help us become better priests and better bishops. The programs Catholic Leadership Institute provides are timely, they are informative, they are helpful, and they are solid.”
– MOST REV.
GREGORY JOHN HARTMEYER, OFM Conventual, Archbishop of Atlanta
We know that secularism has taken deep root, leaving millions disconnected from the life of the Church. Every day, we read headlines of suffering and confusion, reminding us how deeply the world still aches for the person of Jesus Christ. We find ourselves echoing Peter’s desperate words to Jesus: “To whom shall we go?" and how will we respond?
A Time for Action
Catholic Leadership Institute (CLI) believes this moment demands more than nostalgia or the same strategy. It demands hope in action—hope rooted in the Gospel’s enduring power and the call to be apostles. As Dan Cellucci shared recently with a group of close friends and supporters:
“The Church building, the sacred space, is not what makes a parish. The parish is the people – the community of faith. As the landscape changes, the sacred spaces of our hearts are what matters most. We are called to be like the original apostles – to be of one mind and one heart. It is the hearts of people we encounter one by one every day in our work, schools, parks, and doctors' offices that we are called to transform.”
In this spirit of hope, Catholic Leadership Institute’s new strategic plan seeks to touch thousands of souls through three deliberate priorities:
Ignite the Parish, Embolden the Clergy, Forge the Future
This mission is not optional. It is urgent. Renewal will not arrive overnight, nor will it come through a single program. It will take courage, creativity, and faith-filled leadership. It will take all of us—laity, priests, and bishops alike—saying “yes” to building a Church ready to flourish in this new apostolic age.
CLI is convinced that the renewal of the Church depends on strong leadership—leaders confident, equipped, and unafraid to guide others into the life of Christ. This is why CLI is investing so deeply in the formation of priests, bishops, and lay leaders as we launch our five-year strategic plan this year.
Forge the Future: CLI will equip 5060 bishops every year with leadership formation, transition support, and strategic consulting to guide dioceses with clarity and courage. Because pastoral leadership is first and foremost spiritual leadership, we want to ensure that those called to shepherd us are not left alone without support.
See page 7 for more.
Embolden the Clergy: One of its most exciting initiatives is Eius, CLI's new service designed to strengthen between 950-1,000 priests for the long and royal road of Jesus’ ministry. Unlike traditional formation models, Eius emphasizes fraternity, spiritual renewal, and practical support—meeting priests where they are and giving them the tools to live their vocation with joy and endurance.
See page 9 for more.
Ignite the Parish: At the parish level, CLI continues to expand its Next Generation Parish initiative. This two-year journey helps each parish identify its unique gifts and gaps, using data and discernment to chart a path toward full flourishing. CLI believes that parish by parish, community by community, the Church will be renewed—not through broad strokes, but through deep, local transformation. At the end of these next five years, CLI will have reached 225-250 parish communities.
See page 12 for more.
A Call to Hope
We have been graced with a renewed conviction: we cannot take this moment lightly. The Church in America is not immune to the decline of faith around us. But neither are we without hope.
The work of CLI reminds us that the Holy Spirit is still moving, still raising up leaders, still calling the faithful to boldness. Renewal is possible. But it requires us to embrace this moment with open eyes and open hearts. We are called not just to preserve beautiful churches, but to fill them. To ensure that when future generations walk through their doors, they don’t just see the past—they encounter Christ alive and present. The question is not whether the Church will survive.
The question is: will we embrace this moment with courage and faith, so that the Church may not only endure, but thrive? ✝
WALK WITH US IN THIS 4-MINUTE VIDEO
How will “This Moment” at Catholic Leadership Institute shape the future of our Church, building on the “house of rock” that Pope Leo XIV refers to in his exhortation to strengthen leaders in the Church? Scan QR code to watch our Embracing This Moment video.
Bishop Robert Gruss greets Massgoers at a Rural Life Mass in the Diocese of Saginaw.
YOUR HOLINESS
By Dan Cellucci, President & CEO
“He [The Lord] calls us to abandon ourselves without hesitation to the adventure that he offers us, with the intelligence and strength that comes from his Spirit, that we can receive to the extent that we empty ourselves of the things and ideas to which we are attached, in order to listen to his word.”
- Pope Leo XIV
Idistinctly remember sitting in a Catholic Leadership Institute strategic planning meeting as a summer intern more than 20 years ago. We were dreaming big and asking ourselves how we could have the greatest impact on the Catholic Church. At the time, someone floated the obvious — but outlandish — notion that, to have “real impact” in the Church, one would of course start with the Pope. When dreams eventually turned to reality, we decided to begin by providing support to our priests and the rest is history.
This summer, when I received word that I would have the honor of attending a private audience with our new Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, on an upcoming trip to Rome, I shared the news with very few people, believing that it probably wouldn’t happen. I also began preparing. Scratch that, I began obsessing. How long would I have? What would I say? What did I need to accomplish? I played through scenario after scenario during many sleepless nights. As the date approached, I confided in one mentor that I still wasn’t sure what I needed to say to meet such a momentous occasion. The response? “Dan, maybe it’s not what you need to say to His Holiness but what you need to hear for the sake of YOUR holiness.”
As I left my private audience with Pope Leo XIV and walked through the ancient halls of the Apostolic Palace, still trying to digest what
JOURNEY WITH US
This story was originally published as a Discerning Insights About Leadership reflection in September. Dan shares a “DIAL” post each week by email. Scan the QR code to subscribe.
I had just experienced, I couldn’t help but think about how often I want to tell the Church what I believe She needs to hear, forgetting that there’s a lot the Church wants to tell me — a lot I need to hear. Whether from my pastor or bishop, my fellow parishioners and yes, from the Supreme Pontiff, am I willing to listen to the Church as She seeks to guide me in my life? When I seek to improve the Church, do I believe it begins by working to improve myself? How much do I embrace my own conversion before trying to make converts to my perspective or preferences?
Sitting across the table from the Successor to Peter and sharing with him about Catholic Leadership Institute will forever be a highlight of my life. His intentionality and kindness gave me great excitement for the next chapter of our Church. Let’s pray that our holiness always exceeds our expectations of His Holiness as together we “abandon ourselves without hesitation to the adventure that the Lord offers us.”
Ad multos annos!
Pope Leo XIV granted an audience to Dan Cellucci on September 8, 2025.
SHEPHERDING WITH CLARITY: A BISHOP’S FIRST YEAR WITH CLI
By Brendan Menuey, Leadership Consultant
When a new bishop assumes leadership of a diocese, the learning curve can be steep.
While seminary formation prepares a man for priesthood and parish leadership, the episcopal role demands immediate, wide-ranging engagement. “We were trained to be priests (and even pastors) for years in seminary formation,” reflects Bishop Mark Beckman of Knoxville, “but in the role of bishop we almost literally hit the ground running.”
To meet that challenge, Bishop Beckman engaged the Episcopal Transition Service offered by Catholic Leadership Institute (CLI). This service provides a structured process of listening, assessment, and pastoral planning to help bishops understand their diocese’s strengths, opportunities, and needs from the start.
Bishop Beckman’s first direct encounter with CLI came through the CLI annual bishops’ workshop. “The experience was one of the best formational experiences I have received in years,” he says. “It provided a natural opportunity to network with other bishops in a smaller setting over a more relaxed period of time.”
CLI’s support went far beyond a single event. The Bishop's assigned CLI mentor became “a great sounding board and a wealth of experience from other dioceses” as he discerned how best to lead the Diocese of Knoxville.
In addition, results from the Disciple Maker Index survey, the Priest Leadership Inventory, and a study of diocesan offices produced a rich set of data from parishioners and the presbyterate. “The use of the Disciple Maker Index across the diocese, the survey of our priests, and the study of our curial offices have created a wealth of knowledge about the diocese that are helping us to plan for the future,” Bishop Beckman notes.
These insights are now guiding the development of a diocesan strategic plan, ensuring that it is rooted in real feedback from priests, deacons, laity, and diocesan staff. The process has also built trust, strengthened relationships, and given every voice a place in shaping the future.
Bishop Beckman is clear in his recommendation: “I am truly impressed with the experience, dedication, competence and care of all those who work with CLI and would warmly recommend the Episcopal Transition Service to any new bishop.”
In any bishop’s first year of episcopal ministry, CLI’s Episcopal Transition Service is a companion in leadership, equipping the bishop to shepherd with clarity, confidence, and a deep connection to the people he serves. ✝
ALUMNI UPDATE
EPISCOPAL ONGOING FORMATION & SUPPORT SESSION
Archbishop Robert Zinkula attended his first Episcopal Ongoing Formation Support session earlier this year and experienced firsthand why brother bishops make it a point to attend annually. While he’s been a bishop for over two decades, Archbishop Zinkula acknowledges that his role as bishop requires continued formation and growth, and that it has a lasting impact on his diocese: “If I’m going to make a big deal about ongoing formation for priests, what am I doing for me as a bishop?” Scan the QR code to watch a video of Archbishop Zinkula sharing his experience.
BISHOP RALPH O’DONNELL
Itiswithgreatjoythatwecongratulation BishopO’Donnellonhisinstallationasthe5th bishopoftheDioceseofJeffersonCity,MO!
On October 28, 2025, Fr. Ralph O’Donnell was ordained a bishop of the Catholic Church and installed to lead the Diocese of Jefferson City, Missouri. A 2021 alumnus of Good Leaders, Good Shepherds in the Archdiocese of Omaha, Bishop O’Donnell has long supported and attended ongoing formation as a leader. Now, he assumes an episcopal leadership role where he governs an expansive diocesan territory in addition to the state’s capitol. Please join us in praying for Bishop O’Donnell as he shepherds his new flock.
OVER 12% of bishops in the USA are alumni of CLI priest ongoing formation offerings.
Bishop Michael Saporito, Auxiliary Bishop of Newark, prays with brother bishops at the 2025 Episcopal Ongoing Formation Support Session.
THE PRIEST IS HIS: BUILDING AN ONGOING FORMATION EXPERIENCE FOR PRIESTS
By Jenn Fiduccia, Senior Director of Consultant Formation & Service Strategy
Nearly twenty years ago, when Catholic Leadership Institute (CLI) launched Good Leaders, Good Shepherds (GLGS), we dreamed of equipping pastors with the skills to shepherd well while carrying the immense responsibilities of parish leadership. More than 3,000 priests have been formed through GLGS, and its impact remains profound. Unlike the era in which many priests were ordained, faith can no longer be assumed, and the culture around us often stands indifferent or even opposed to the Church.
It is the current reality of priestly ministry that gave birth to Eius. Rooted in our history and propelled by our bold five-year strategic vision, Eius is CLI’s ongoing formation for priests to meet their needs today. It is our most ambitious undertaking yet, designed to reach 50–55 priest cohorts across five unique learning tracks, impacting 950-1,000 priests over the next five years.
Its name, Eius, is Latin for “His” and recalls the ordination rite when a priest offers himself completely to God and the Church. Eius seeks to help priests renew that offering, equipping them with self-assurance, helping them gain clarity, and developing fraternity for the challenges of today’s priesthood so that they may energetically answer their special call with confidence and zeal.
The effort to build Eius has been extraordinary and, thanks to a generous donor, we were able to move swiftly from vision to reality. In less than six months, CLI assembled a team of theologians, leadership experts, learning design specialists, and parish practitioners to shape the curriculum. Priests themselves provided essential input, ensuring that every element speaks directly to lived pastoral realities.
We developed a new, robust learning management system, crafted in-person retreat-like sessions, and trained our team of facilitators so that they are ready to welcome the first cohort of priests to Eius this fall.
Creating Eius meant building far more than a training program. What has emerged is a movement of accompaniment.
Eius is ready to see priests hold time for both discipleship and leadership, growing in their priestly identity and gaining practical skills to lead parishes with confidence.
Eius is, in every sense, a lifeline for priests navigating a rapidly shifting culture and a Church facing both great trials and great hope.
Developing Eius is only the beginning. Our deepest desire is that priests who participate will rediscover the joy of their vocation, strengthened by the tools, wisdom, and brotherhood they need to thrive. In turn, their people and our parishes will be renewed by pastors emboldened to lead as missionary disciples.
Eius is for them, and ultimately for Him. May it sustain the shepherds who, in every season, sustain us! ✝
Our team gathered in St. Louis for an Eius training session where all workflows came together and everyone was oriented to the service. From left to right: Kelli Seiwert, Engagement Coordinator, Patrick White, Senior Mission Catalyst, and Kurt Zampier, Project Manager.
CURIOUS ABOUT EIUS?
Scan the QR code to learn more.
Eius is Latin for “His” and connects to the Ordination Rite when the priest offers himself completely to God and the Church. The priest is God’s – His.
THE STEWARDSHIP
of Time
By Fr. Ross Kelsch
In several of Catholic Leadership Institute's core services, leaders in the Church learn to establish mission, purpose, values, and goals. At one recent priest ongoing formation session, Fr. Ross Kelsch, pastor of St. Thomas Parish in the Diocese of Covington, shared with his brother priests the value of a Mission Statement based on his experience.
This is his reflection.
The reality is that no parish can do everything, and certainly no priest can do everything. The needs of the world are vast, the opportunities to serve are endless, and the gifts of the Spirit are varied. If we try to take on everything, we risk spreading ourselves too thin and losing our sense of direction. A Mission Statement acknowledges this truth. It challenges us to be deliberate, to recognize that every “yes” we give to something will necessarily mean a “no” to something else. It keeps us honest about what is truly most important for us to pursue.
Think of a Mission Statement like a budget. We usually think of budgets in terms of money, but time is just as valuable and more limited.
Every one of us has only a certain amount of “time” in our life’s bank account, and every commitment we make is like writing a check.
If we keep writing checks without paying attention to what’s in the account, we end up overdrawn— tired, stressed, and unable to keep up. The same is true for the parish. Our “budget of time” is limited. Staff, volunteers, and parishioners all have only so much to give. A Mission Statement provides us with a kind of “time budget,” ensuring that what we spend our limited resources on truly reflects the priorities of Jesus. ✝
Scan the QR code to read Fr. Kelsch’s complete article about the importance of Mission Statements to priests and parishes.
"COME AND SEE" A NEW CHAPTER OF DISCERNMENT IN ATLANTA
By Allan Caballero, Mission Catalyst
Many parishes in the United States are navigating the demands of a complex and rapidly changing pastoral landscape, and the nearly 100 parishes in the Archdiocese of Atlanta are no exception. Over the years, this region has welcomed thousands of new residents, presenting Church leaders with both significant opportunities and pressing challenges. In early 2024, Archbishop Gregory J. Hartmayer, OFM Conv., set forth a vision for the local Church that included Catholic Leadership Institute’s accompaniment to pastors and parish communities to discern a way forward, deepen discipleship, share leadership responsibilities, and foster missionary impulse inside and outside the parish walls. Today, that vision is becoming a reality.
To bring this vision to life, the Archdiocese of Atlanta has begun to embrace Next Generation Parish (NGP), a two-year initiative designed to equip pastors, parish staff, and parishioners with the tools they need to strengthen parish vitality and missionary discipleship.
The first step was the Disciple Maker Index (DMI), conducted in the spring of 2024, which provided a clear snapshot of the strengths and challenges across the archdiocese.
Nearly 27,000 parishioners participated in the survey, offering a look at the realities of parish life in Atlanta and hearing the voice of the people. The message could not be clearer: the Church in Atlanta is growing, and parish leaders are eager to be equipped and supported in their sacred work.
In response, Catholic Leadership Institute, together with Archbishop Hartmayer, invited parishes to a series of Come and See Sessions. Over the course of four gatherings, more than 200 parish leaders — including pastors, parish staff, and key volunteers from 32 parishes — took part. These sessions served not only as days of renewal and prayer, but also as opportunities for leaders to learn more about the NGP framework, ask questions, and begin discerning next steps. Many participants described the experience as both informative and spiritually energizing, offering them a chance to reconnect with their mission while gaining clarity about how NGP could support their parish.
This opportunity is only possible thanks to the generosity of our generous donors who are funding Next Generation Parish in the Archdiocese of Atlanta. Their investment ensures that every parish that wishes to participate can do so without financial barriers, allowing pastors and parishioners to focus wholeheartedly on renewal.
As these parishes continue discernment, the Archdiocese of Atlanta stands at the threshold of something extraordinary: a grassroots movement of renewal that has the potential to transform parish life for generations to come. ✝
Tricia Cellucci, Leadership Consultant, presents at a Come and See in the Archdiocese of Atlanta.
“MY CUP OVERFLOWS”
NEW BOARD CHAIR LEADS WITH GRATITUDE
By Becky Reilley, Associate Vice President, Mission Advancement
Catholic Leadership Institute (CLI) is honored to announce that our longtime supporter, board member, and visionary philanthropist, Drew Peloubet, assumed the role of Chair of the Board of Directors. This appointment comes at a pivotal time as CLI embarks on a bold new five-year strategic plan to serve the Church in deeper and more expansive ways.
Drew and his wife, Susan, have been generous champions of CLI since 2020, investing their time, talent, and treasure in service to the mission. Their commitment – both personal and philanthropic – has had an extraordinary impact, catalyzing our ministry in dioceses across the United States and internationally. Their transformational giving and servant leadership have been rooted in a deep faith and a shared desire to be instruments of God’s work.
Drew joined the Board of Directors in 2021 and became a trusted voice of clarity, creativity, and conviction. His passion for equipping leaders in the Church is unwavering, and his vision continues to shape CLI’s efforts to support priests, parishes, and dioceses through leadership formation, planning, and strategic guidance.
After a successful career, Drew retired from business leadership to devote more time to philanthropy, faith, and service.
One of the most compelling examples of his leadership is the partnership he helped forge between CLI and the Diocese of Hinche in Haiti. What began as a faithful friendship with Bishop Désinord Jean has evolved into a powerful example of what strategic vision, compassion, and partnership can accomplish for the Church. Through Drew’s advocacy and support, the diocese received strategic planning services from CLI that are now bearing fruit in sustainable projects and renewed hope for the local Church, even in these difficult times for Haiti.
Drew’s life is guided by scripture, particularly Psalm 23: “My cup overflows.” He and Susan view their abundant blessings as gifts to be shared with others, and their hope is that their witness encourages others to answer the call to serve the Church with generosity and courage. Inspired by Mary, they have witnessed the blessings that flow from a “yes.”
As CLI looks ahead to the future, Drew’s leadership as Board Chair will be instrumental in guiding the implementation of our five-year plan, expanding our reach, and ensuring that Church leaders around the world receive the support they need to shepherd with joy, skill, and confidence.
We are deeply grateful for Drew’s “Yes” and for the faithfilled leadership he brings to this role. Please join us in prayerful support and celebration as he steps into this vital position. ✝
“I AM MOST EXCITED ABOUT CATHOLIC LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE’S bold vision because it comes at such a pivotal moment for the Church. With new bishops and pastors leading in this energized era under Pope Leo XIV, CLI’s trusted support is essential. By forging the future in collaboration with bishops, emboldening clergy, and igniting parishes, CLI is uniquely built for this apostolic time — if not us, who? If not now, when?”
– DREW PELOUBET, BOARD CHAIR
Drew and Susan Peloubet with their family.
WILL YOU SUPPORT
Priests today face a complex world of ministry. That’s why Catholic Leadership Institute created Eius — a transformative 9-month experience that renews a priest’s sense of mission, strengthens his leadership, and deepens his brotherhood with fellow priests (see page 9). Through in-person learning, virtual discussions, one-on-one coaching, and self-paced formation, priests gain the skills and confidence to shepherd God’s people more effectively.
ALREADY, PRIESTS FROM MORE THAN 20 DIOCESES ARE KNOCKING AT OUR DOOR, hungry for leadership training, fraternity, and renewed purpose. Our priests need your support! Eius is funded by generous donors like yourself who strengthen priests, transform parishes, and renew the Church. Will you stand with our shepherds today?
A COUNCIL THAT LOOKS LIKE THE CHURCH
YOUNG CATHOLICS LEAD IN THE DIOCESE OF PITTSBURGH
AS BISHOP DAVID ZUBIK NEARED THE END OF HIS TIME AS BISHOP OF PITTSBURGH, HE WANTED TO ENSURE THE NEXT GENERATION HAD A SEAT AT THE TABLE. “I felt a deep responsibility to ensure that the Diocesan Pastoral Council would continue to reflect the heart and voice of our Church,” he said. “That meant renewing the entire council membership and specifically inviting younger members—faithful, thoughtful Catholics— who are already stepping up in their parishes and communities.”
The Diocesan Pastoral Council advises the bishop through prayerful discernment of the Church’s pastoral needs. For Bishop Zubik, the council “must reflect the lived experience of our people—especially our young people, who are not just the future of the Church, but its present.”
Listening to the Next Generation
When Chancellor Anna Torrance stepped into her role two years ago, she began shaping this vision into reality. In the past, recruitment efforts drew the same demographic— parishioners over 50, often already active in the parish. To widen the scope, the diocese created an open application process that emphasized diversity of culture, gender, age, and geography.
The result was a council that looks and feels like the Church Herself — generationally diverse and united in mission.
With about twenty members evenly split between older and younger Catholics, the council includes clergy, religious, and lay leaders discerning together how God is calling the diocese forward.
When Young People Show Up
“I have been deeply moved to see young Catholics discern their place in the Diocesan Pastoral Council and give confident, humble guidance to me as the bishop,” Bishop Zubik said. “They lift us up as a diocese and bring new life and perspectives to our group in a way that stretches our perspectives and hearts.”
That energy has sparked a ripple effect. Younger members have hosted focus groups, created surveys, and reached peers in their 20s and 30s—including those who’ve stepped away from parish life.
When Bishop Zubik passed leadership to Bishop Mark Eckman, he knew the work would continue. “He knows them,” Bishop Zubik said, “and I am confident he will lead them as a true shepherd guides his sheep.”
Pittsburgh’s Diocesan Pastoral Council is more than a model for governance—it’s a reflection of what happens when the Church listens to her young people and they respond with courage, creativity, and love for Christ’s mission. It is, in Bishop Zubik’s words, “not only encouraging, but also essential.” ✝
CLI ACROSS NORTH AMERICA CURRENT ENGAGEMENTS
WHO WE SERVE
Archdioceses
Dioceses
The following is an excerpt from a letter written by Bishop Bonnar to Catholic Leadership Institute.
A WORD FROM BISHOP DAVID BONNAR
The first thing I want to do is thank you for your service and attention to our diocese. I appreciate all that you and your staff are doing to enable us to be more intentional about missionary discipleship. I am particularly grateful that you were able to extend the experience to include deacons and diocesan pastoral associates. It is important that we not contribute to a clerical culture or leave our lay colleagues behind.
The priests and deacons are starting to respond to the invitation for coaching. I have really tried to impress upon them the value of this opportunity. Thank you once again. And thanks for the work that is being done in our parishes as part of Next Generation Parish.
You have a great program and strategy, however, the best thing you have are dedicated people who love the Church.
Bishop David Bonnar, Bishop of Youngstown
Bishop James Ruggieri Diocese of Portland
Bishop Désinord Jean Diocese of Hinche Haiti
Bishop Mark Beckman Diocese of Knoxville
Bishop James Tamayo Diocese of Laredo
Auxiliary Bishop Timothy Freyer Diocese of Orange
OUR FOUNDER
WHEN GOD GIVES US MOMENTS, FROM
WE’VE GOT TO FOLLOW THEM
MORE THAN 30 YEARS AGO, I asked a simple but urgent question at a leadership retreat: “Who offers leadership support for our Church leaders?” When no one could answer, I knew God was calling me. That call became Catholic Leadership Institute.
Today, I find myself asking different questions: “What does God have planned for this moment in our Church? For Catholic Leadership Institute? For me?”
This is our moment as a Church, a time of renewal and possibility. We see an invigorated new generation of young Catholics eager to lead with faith and purpose. Our new Holy Father is ready for bold evangelization. The hunger for spiritual leadership, authentic witness, and meaningful community is growing. For the first time in decades, more Americans are joining the Catholic Church than leaving it.* The Holy Spirit is moving, and we must move with Him.
As we launch our new five-year vision, Catholic Leadership Institute is also presented with a new moment that calls us to be bold, faithful, and deeply present to the needs of our Church.
*The Catholic Herald, August 18, 2025
The challenges are many, but so are the opportunities. I am convinced more than ever that Catholic Leadership Institute's mission is not just relevant, but essential.
This is also a very personal moment for me. Earlier this year, I lost my beloved wife, Terese. For decades, she stood by my side, praying, encouraging, and reminding me to follow where God led, even when the path was unclear. She often said, “God called Tim. He’s got to follow.” Her faith and love gave me the courage to say “yes” to all the Catholic Leadership Institute moments.
As we enter this next chapter, I carry Terese’s words in my heart. With your support, Catholic Leadership Institute will continue to walk with Church leaders, equipping them to lead with courage, humility, and joy.
Thank you for believing in Catholic Leadership Institute's mission and in the Church we love.
We won’t miss this moment.
With great gratitude,
Tim Flanagan, Co-Founder
LEADERSHIP
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Co-Founder:
Timothy C. Flanagan
Chair: Drew Peloubet
President & CEO:
Daniel J. Cellucci
Board of Directors:
Richard T. Clark
John Corcoran
James D. Delaney
Edward J. Fitzgerald
Pam Giganti-Bunge
Kathryn Martinez
Lori M. Mirek
William S. Orosz
Martha E. Ortiz
Drew Peloubet
Tim Ristoff
Joseph L. Rose, Jr.
Arnold C. Schneider, III
Randall J. Snapp
Douglas P. Stephen
Andrew A. Talley
Michael A. Vlasic
EPISCOPAL ADVISORY BOARD
Episcopal Moderator:
Most Rev. Robert D. Gruss, Bishop of Saginaw
Episcopal Advisory Board:
His Eminence Seán P. Cardinal O’Malley, O.F.M. Cap., Archbishop Emeritus of Boston
Most Rev. Timothy E. Freyer, Auxiliary Bishop of Orange
Most Rev. José H. Gómez, Archbishop of Los Angeles
Most Rev. Ronald Hicks, Bishop of Joliet
Most Rev. Donald J. Hying, Bishop of Madison
Most Rev. Mark O’Connell, J.C.D., Bishop-Designate of Albany
Most Rev. Gregory L. Parkes, Bishop of St. Petersburg
Most Rev. Nelson J. Pérez, Archbishop of Philadelphia
Congratulations, Tim Flanagan!
On October 17th, Tim Flanagan received the 2025 St. Vincent de Paul Award at St. Vincent de Paul Seminary in recognition for his tremendous leadership and faithful service to the Church.
Tim received the award on behalf of the Catholic Leadership Institute team, stating: "You each bring something unique to this mission that makes it effective, exceptional, and empowering for our Church leaders. I cannot wait to see what the future holds."
Most Rev. Kevin C. Rhoades, Bishop of Fort Wayne-South Bend
Most Rev. Alfred A. Schlert, Bishop of Allentown
Most Rev. David L. Toups, Bishop of Beaumont
Most Rev. John Nhàn Trần, Auxiliary Bishop of Atlanta
Most Rev. Joseph J. Tyson, Bishop of Yakima
Most Rev. Thomas G. Wenski, Archbishop of Miami
Most Rev. David A. Zubik, Bishop Emeritus of Pittsburgh
Several friends and board members were
for
present
Tim Flanagan's reception of the 2025 St. Vincent de Paul Award on October 17, 2025.
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PRAYER FOR LEADERS
Dear Lord, we pray that you will create among us Catholic leaders; individuals made in your image who will apply your teachings in their lives and positively impact our families, our workplaces, our communities, and our Church. Help us to inspire those with whom we come in contact to share their God-given talents, to do your will and to find a place in your kingdom where their deepest joys and the world’s deepest hungers meet and cry for their special qualities and abilities. Make us leaders, Lord, leaders with strength and courage to follow you. Leaders who make your love visible to the world in all of our words and actions. Amen.