The Mexican American Catholic College (MACC) is partnering with Loyola University Chicago and leading Catholic institutions nationwide through the new CENTERS initiative, a collaboration supported by a $10 million Lilly Endowment grant. This multi‑institution effort strengthens synodal leadership, active listening, and pastoral formation across the Church. Through CENTERS, MACC will help advance ministerial training, regional formation programs, and innovative approaches to synodality that support a more participatory Catholic community.
SAN ANTONIO – The Mexican American Catholic College (MACC) is proud to announce its participation in a major national collaboration strengthening leadership and synodality in the Catholic Church. Loyola University Chicago, in partnership with 15 Catholic colleges and universities—including MACC—has launched the Catholic Education Network to Enact and Resource Synodality (CENTERS).
Supported by a $10 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc., CENTERS will advance Pope Francis’ call for a more listening, participatory, and discerning Church. Through this multi-year initiative, MACC and partner institutions will help prepare pastoral leaders equipped for an evolving Church.
“This effort will not only continue to make synodality a way of life for the Church but will also help institutions deepen the work of synodality,” said Bishop Michael Boulette, Chairman of MACC’s Board. “I am glad MACC will support our region to further synodality.”
The CENTERS initiative will:
- Fund capacity-building projects at each participating institution
- Support regional retreats, training sessions, symposia, and peer learning
- Convene national assemblies
- Launch the Adsumus Fellowship, a new national ministry leadership formation program
“Over the last four years, Catholic colleges and universities have been discerning together how to renew the Church through listening, dialogue, and shared discernment,” said Peter Jones, interim dean of Loyola’s Institute of Pastoral Studies. “This grant enables CENTERS to deepen and expand that work.”
MACC looks forward to contributing to this national effort to strengthen pastoral formation and promote a mission-driven, collaborative Church.
More information about participation and future opportunities will be shared later this year.
Read the full press release HERE.
