The Manresa Project has been invited to re-apply for the $0.5 million grant that funds the program, according to its director.

Manresa's current grant from Lilly Endowment Incorporated, a private foundation, expires in December 2007, said Susan Mountin, director of the Manresa Project.

Last week, Mountin received a letter from Lilly Endowment that offered to match any funds Manresa can raise up to $500,000. The new grant would be valid for three years, Mountin said.

According to its Web site, www.lillyendowment.org, the Lilly Endowment "exists to support the causes of religion, education and community development."

Mountin said the Manresa Project is based on Ignatian spirituality and focuses on vocation and service. The purpose of Manresa is to encourage students to participate in vocational discernment and realize their life's potential.

"Manresa wants to raise up leaders who bring their faith and values into their work," Mountin said. "People need us and so we need to create moral and ethical leaders."

Marquette is one of 88 faith-based universities that has received a grant from Lilly Endowment, Mountin said.

Manresa has started looking at other grants to help with fundraising for the Lilly grant, Mountin said. Manresa will look to alumni as well as local businesses for donations. There also will be student fundraisers, the specifics of which are not yet determined.

Manresa must submit its plan for reapplication to the Lilly Foundation by June, Mountin said.

Current funding from the Lilly Endowment allows Manresa to sponsor a number of programs at Marquette, including the first-year reading program, Mountin said, which assigns a book for incoming freshmen to read and then discuss during orientation week.

Another Manresa program is Destination Dinners, where alumni speak about their own vocational journeys.

A portion of Manresa is dedicated to students who are considering a religious vocation in church ministry. Students who are thinking about religious life in any faith have an opportunity to intern in church ministry through the Manresa scholarship and internship programs, Mountin said.

Melanie Benesh, a senior in the College of Arts & Sciences, was chosen as a Manresa scholar for the 2004-05 school year. Benesh said Manresa has allowed her to explore her passion for social justice. The ministry she works in fits with her goal to do political and international work after graduation.

"I work with people seeking political asylum through Catholic Charities," Benesh said. "It has been a really, really moving experience."

Eric Fredell also was chosen to be a Manresa scholar. He said he has had the opportunity for reflection through his ministry work in the Lutheran church.

"I felt (the Manresa Project) would be a good experience to take a year to step back and reflect on my life and what I'm called to be," said Fredell, a senior in the College of Arts & Sciences.

Mountin said Manresa will be conducting an online survey for junior and senior students this week to gather feedback on the Manresa Project. She also said there will be an opportunity for juniors and seniors to participate in focus groups about vocation discernment in February and March.

This article appeared in The Marquette Tribune on Jan. 18 2005.