26 July 2026

 

Dear Benefactors, Advocates of Orthodoxy in Catholic Higher Education and First-Time Viewers of our Website,

 

Thank you for dropping in during this Month of the Precious Blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!  Blood that was shed for us all and the blood that inspired the shedding of the blood of the Martyrs!  It is the same blood that motivates us at the foundation to continue with the work of opening the doors of the Great Vocations College of St. Athanasius, sometimes seemingly against all odds.  It is the same blood that motivates me to bring this update to you in an effort to decrease those odds by inspiring you to be generous in your continued support or, by convincing you first-time viewers to reach deep into your financial reserves and support us with a generous donation, gift or grant!  Please visit our Finances page and then, let me begin...

 

From generation to successive generation, the need is always present to preserve and pass along what is essential in first defining our purpose in life and, subsequently, laboring to materially provide for our needs while complying to that purpose.  Those livelihoods can be defined by understanding the nature that we possess by the act of our creation.  Scripture tells us that, "...by the sweat of our brow, we eat our bread".  Because of the fall of our first parents, Adam and Eve, we are no longer able to leisurely sustain ourselves by the provender of a ready-made garden.  We have ever since been held responsible in providing for ourselves and one another, and in learning what is essential for sustaining the health of our created nature while maintaining the pathway of our salvation.  From that learning process has emerged what we call the Great Vocations.  They are described as such because they are derived from and subjugated to our created nature and, by that definition, are directly assigned to us by God.  They are truly Catholic and, as such, are universally given to be readily understood. 

 

In this once-given life it is imperative that we come to know of and not to lose sight of our purpose.  Every generation is susceptible to losing that compass which points to a purpose, resulting in a listless and aimless wondering of what we are to do in this time that we are given, and it often seems that our particular age is rife with the symptoms.  It contributes to the morass that is first felt by every generation that confronts the emergence of adulthood, unprepared to venture ahead with altruistic conviction.  The College of St. Athanasius is a "college-in-waiting".  It has been carefully prepared and provided with a compass that defines a purpose and provides for a livelihood that both pleases our Creator God and allows us to serve one another.  If you find yourself agreeing with our assessment and may know firsthand of which I speak, then please consider joining us in our quest to make it become a reality.  To understand our nature is to know our purpose; to know our purpose is to know thyself, know thy God, choose thy path.  Please take time to explore our website and then, please give generously!!  Your support is critical to our success!

 

With Heartfelt Gratitude,

Timothy H. Bratt - Board of Directors President