Dear Brothers,
As Father Voss alluded to in his spring update on the house we have an amazing opportunity to support the men of the house both spiritually and financially.
Through prayer, perseverance, an understanding bank, and some generous alumni, the house made it through the pandemic financially solvent, although not by a large margin. Reflecting on this alumni (many thanks to the leadership of Father Voss), formed a house development committee with input from the current house members. Out of this committee arose the idea to center our house around the idea that we could really thrive as a scholarship house dedicated to serving the community. Hence the idea for the Kolbe Service Scholarship. The men of the house have been quite enthusiastic about this idea and it has been a huge boon for recruiting.
The Kolbe Scholarship funds $100 of each members’ monthly rent ($1200/year). In exchange, each member has agreed to perform 20 hours per semester of community service (e.g. with Chi Rho events, St. Isidore’s, or the greater Manhattan community). Each man applied for the scholarship and their application was reviewed and approved by the development committee.
This scholarship has helped reinvigorate the idea of community living and we are thrilled that we are blessed with 11 good and holy men who have applied and been accepted for the scholarship and will be living in-house this fall. This is pretty much the capacity of the house and is up from the 5 living there this last semester. The men come from a variety of backgrounds, and include both converts and cradle Catholics who have great records of community service, and we even have our first legacy member joining this fall!
Now it’s our turn. Over the next 9 days Fr. Voss, Quinton Bogner, Ben Kuestersteffen, or myself will be giving you a call and asking for you to prayerfully consider supporting this scholarship. (If you haven’t heard from one of us by July 4th we probably don’t have your correct number.)
We ask that you consider adopting a member ($100/month) or a partial member (e.g. $25 or $50 or other/month). After the fundraising drive we will let you know which member you have adopted, tell you a little bit more about them, and ask that you consider praying for that member as well. In turn, unless you elect to remain anonymous, we will let the member know who has adopted them so they can pray for you as well.
Our goal to fund this scholarship for all 11 members for this coming school year is to raise $13,200 for the academic year. Prior to this email and our official kick off, we already have 29% of this amount pledged!
If you want to get ahead of the game we have set up a pledge form where you can commit to the funding of this scholarship.
Once you’re ready to start your recurring payment, if using PayPal you can follow this link here. Check or donor advised funds are also options.
You can also find both these links and other updates on our newly redesigned (thanks Ben!) webpage https://chirhoalumni.com/.
We look forward to talking with you over the coming days, and just 2 more items for this lengthy email.
Save the Date September 17th (Tulane Game): Chi Rho 20 Year Reunion. Look for an email soon on details of this event, but plans currently include tailgating, 2pm football game, and dinner after.
Please feel free to join the development board in the praying of the Novena to the Sacred Heart copied at the end of this email, both for the men of the house and their success and the success of this fundraiser.No zoom meeting or anything, but if you’d like to pray this prayer daily from June 24th through July 2nd we’d love for as many alumni as possible to lift our prayers together.
In Christ,
Kevin Welch
Chi Rho Alumni Fundraising Chair
Novena to the Sacred Heart
I. O my Jesus, you have said: “Truly I say to you, ask and it will be given you, seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened to you.” Behold I knock, I seek and ask for the grace of [insert your intention.]
Our Father…Hail Mary…Glory be to the Father…Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.
II. O my Jesus, you have said: “Truly I say to you, if you ask any thing of the Father in my name, He will give it to you.” Behold, in your name, I ask the Father for the grace of [insert your intention.]
Our Father…Hail Mary…Glory be to the Father…Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.
III. O my Jesus, you have said: “Truly I say to you, heaven and earth will pass away but my words will not pass away.” Encouraged by your infallible words I now ask for the grace of [insert your intention.]
Our Father…Hail Mary…Glory be to the Father…Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, for whom it is impossible not to have compassion on the afflicted, have pity on us miserable sinners and grant us the grace which we ask of you, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, your tender mother and ours.
Say the Hail, Holy Queen and add: St. Joseph, foster father of Jesus, pray for us.