ICSST’s Preaching as Hospitality Grant Hits Its Two-Year Mark

Since receiving its $1.25 million grant from the Lilly Endowment in 2023, the Preaching as Hospitality Formation Program at Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology (ICSST) continues to blossom. The five-year grant will prepare seminarians, diaconal students and graduate students studying theology to become more compelling preachers. The program has hosted several events including "The Many Faces of Hospitality," Seton Hall University’s First Annual University Parish Mission and its video series resource, Wisdom Figures of Preaching. 

“Now more than ever, a climate of welcoming and inviting others into the Word of God is not only important, but necessary to help communicate to the faithful the love and mercy of Christ,” explains program director, Father Dominic Ciriaco, D.Min., “Preaching as Hospitality,” he adds, “equips seminarians, deacons and priests with the awareness and skills to be more conscientious in our preaching about welcoming the faithful into the Word of God, so that what we preach is sensed as more inviting, understanding and communicating the Gospel message of Jesus Christ.” 

The flagship lecture series, "The Many Faces of Hospitality," showcased the hospitable traits of religious figures across Church history, such as St. Paul and Dorothy Day and featured distinguished speakers from northern New Jersey and beyond. Important figures, such as Bishop Arthur J. Serratelli, S.T.D., S.S.L., D.D., Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Paterson, New Jersey, and Brother Mickey McGrath, OSFS, graciously visited ICSST to describe how hospitality takes many forms across the Church. The first half of the year anchored hospitality in the Gospels, particularly the Gospel of Luke. We also explored the role of the permanent diaconate in hospitable service. 

Each event also featured food and hospitality, with guests encouraged to join breakfast, dinner or light refreshments in the Seminary refectory. This setting promoted fellowship and meaningful discussions among attendees and speakers. 

"Wisdom Figures of Preaching," the program’s second core series, also gained traction. This interview series is a collection of recorded conversations with priests and deacons, ordained for over 30 years, who share their insights on hospitable preaching. The Preaching team sat down with priests from across northern New Jersey, including 104-year-old Monsignor James Turro, S.T.L., S.S.L., Ph.D. and the current and former Rector/Deans of the Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology. All interviews are available on the program’s video page. 

Preaching as Hospitality also hosted Seton Hall’s First Annual "University Parish Mission," which deepened people’s understanding of Christian hospitality. Seton Hall alumnus and international renowned speaker, Father Agustino Torres, CFR, was the three-night event’s inspiring keynote speaker. A 1999 graduate of Seton Hall, Father Torres is the co-founder of Corazón Puro, the Bronx-based ministry dedicated to faith formation in areas in need. He was joined by fellow Corazón Puro missionaries Holly Wright and Lissette Barretto, who served as featured speakers. Together, they discussed themes and experiences of gratitude and hospitality in Scripture and their daily lives. The program’s Second Annual University Parish Mission is scheduled for November 2026.  

As Preaching as Hospitality approaches its third year, "The Many Faces of Hospitality" will conclude and the Preaching team will launch "Pauline Preaching Clinics." This new series will be designed to train preachers to learn from and model St. Paul’s preaching style in their ministries and to share St. Paul’s evangelistic zeal in their communities. Participants will have opportunities to listen to guest speakers and develop their own homilies and presentations. The team plans to take these clinics on the road, hosting them in each of New Jersey’s five dioceses.

Categories: Faith and Service