SEATTLE — The Seattle University School of Theology and Ministry has been awarded a $1.89 million grant from the Indianapolis-based Lilly Endowment Inc., as part of a national initiative called “Sustaining Pastoral Excellence.” The grant is the largest foundation grant Seattle University has received to support a single program.

The School of Theology and Ministry (STM) will use the grant to establish a Pastoral Leadership Program designed to help pastors, priests, and lay ecclesial ministers deepen their spirituality and enhance their leadership skills. The program will be offered to 24 Protestant and Catholic parish and congregational leaders annually.

“We are thrilled by the opportunity afforded us by the Lilly Endowment,” said Jesuit Father Pat Howell ., dean of STM. “What this mean is that each year 24 pastoral leaders will be profoundly enriched and strengthened, which will in turn raise the quality of ministry in Western Washington.”

The grant awarded STM is part of a larger commitment by the Lilly Endowment to support this country’s pastoral leaders who, according to surveys, often feel isolated and in need of their own spiritual renewal.