Feast of Saint Junípero Serra
July 1, 2021
Dear Collaborators,
I hope that this message finds you in a season of renewal and refreshment following a school year unlike any other. Personally, I am drafting this note while on a men’s retreat with a group of longtime Notre Dame friends who gathered from across the country to reflect on our role as fathers and husbands—and as Catholic school leaders, teachers, and advisors.
We have been blessed to have two priest-friends accompany us on this retreat and to be sacramentally present over the past few days. What a gift these days have been–particularly after a challenging year professionally.
When the DIA Summit was created seven years ago, we wanted it to have a retreat-feel. Some, in fact, have described it as an active spiritual retreat. We take this as a compliment as we model much of its rhythm after the Napa Institute, of which we are privileged to partner in providing informative and inspiring Catholic educational programming. I look forward to seeing some of you in Napa next month.
In the meantime, we have spent the past several months honing and refining our annual Summit to be held in October. There is no doubt this one in Nashville will be our best ever! From the beautiful campus of St. Cecilia of the Nashville Dominicans, to an amazing line-up of speakers and clergy–including Bishop Thomas Daly, to the music-loving backdrop of the host-city, we are all in for an amazing few days in late October.
I thank you for your continued interest and support of DIA. We are encouraged by the growing interest in the work we are doing in the vineyard of Catholic education. May God continue to bless and renew you this summer!
St. John Paul the Great, Patron Saint of DIA, pray for us!
Duc In Altum!
Kyle M. Pietrantonio