The Alphonsian Foundation

The Alphonsian Foundation was established to provide support for the Alphonsian Academy of Moral Theology through fund-raising activities and by publication and distribution of information concerning the Academy.

Our Mission...

The Alphonsian Foundation is a ministry that endeavors to support the Alphonsian Academy of Moral Theology. In this way, the Foundation seeks to further the study and research of key contemporary moral issues and to make the results of this research available to scholars from around the world, especially through the Academy’s post-graduate educational programs. The Foundation strives to influence the moral fabric of society by helping educate future scholars, professors and pastoral ministers who will influence countless thousands of the world’s citizens - "To Teach the Teachers".

Become a member...

. . . of the Alphonsian Academy’s "extended" family...

Saint Alphonsus Liguori dedicated his life to bringing God’s Good News to the poor and most abandoned. You can become a part of the mission of Saint Alphonsus with your monetary gifts and special financial planning. When you support the Alphonsian Academy, you are taking part in the vitalization of Saint Alphonsus Liguori’s dream to "teach the teachers".

We Need You...

Without your help we will be unable to respond to these urgent needs:

Professors Resource Fund...

Among the most important requirements for any professor in a major institute of learning are staying current in their field of study and sharing the fruits of his or her research.

These requirements entail having the latest books, articles and journals in their field as well as the opportunity to participate in conferences and seminars where the opportunity to network with other top scholars leads to a more profound scholarship experience which is then shared with their students.

We need Your Help in meeting the costs of this ‘continuing professional education’.

Donations in any amount may be made to the St. Alphonsus Resource Fund. Gifts made to this fund help defray the costs of current needs.

We also have available Funds or Burses which can be completed in the amounts of either $10,000 or $5,000 U.S. A donor wishing to endow one of these funds commits him or herself to complete the fund at the chosen level ($5,000 or $10,000). The funds may be endowed with a one-time gift or through periodic donations. These Burses may be named as Memorial Funds according to the donor’s wishes.

The income from the capital in these funds will be used solely for the ‘continuing professional development of the Professors’.

Professorships...

One of the most important facets of an institute of higher learning is the ability to invite noted scholars and professors to teach at the institute. These visiting professors bring with them a wealth and breadth of knowledge and experience that is essential in education of tomorrow’s Moral Theologians.

The Alphonsian Academy is committed to the highest standards of education and seeks your help in making these experts available to our students.

The cost for a visiting professor for one semester at the Academy is $6,500 U.S. We ask your help in defraying these costs.

Donations can be made in any amount to assist us in meeting the costs of this vital need.

Or, a continuing Invited Professorship can be funded with a Memorial Gift in the amount of $75,000 U.S. This will help ensure the highest level of education for our students and indeed, be a loving gift in the service of The Church.

Publication of Doctoral Theses...

Doctoral Dissertations reflect the highest level of current scholarly research being done by our students. At the Academy, this research is highly specialized and is focused completely on Moral Theology. Profound contemporary moral questions are treated in these cutting edge studies.

Doctoral dissertations are published and distributed to leading centers of education and libraries. This sharing of research is extremely important, especially to theological resource centers in disadvantaged areas of the world which otherwise could not afford such publications.

Publication costs are normally borne by the student him or herself. However, the publication of Outstanding and Meritorious dissertations are often by the institute in order to reward the student for excellence in scholarship and insure the widest distribution possible of the fruits of their labor.

Due to funding limitations, the Academy has been unable to sponsor such publications. As such, some of the leading research in Moral Theology is not being made available to the degree that it merits. This is a serious loss for our Church.

The cost to publish 375 copies of one dissertation is approximately $3,500

A Memorial Gift in the amount of $50,000, will insure the yearly publication of one Doctoral Dissertation. These yearly publications will become a collection in which the benefactor’s Memorial Intention will be recognized and acknowledged.

The funding of such a collection will be a continuing gift to the mission of the Church and to the study of the profound moral questions of our day a time.

Restoration and Indexing of Latin Books...

The Library of the Alphonsian Academy possesses a treasure of 10,454 old and rare Latin volumes. This is one of the few existing collections of ancient books mainly on Moral Theology. Unfortunately, the collection is virtually non-accessible because it is not catalogued. Adding to our dilemma is the fact that approximately 42 volumes are in desperate need of re-binding.

It is estimated that this project will cost approximately $50,000 to complete.

Donations and Pledges are accepted in any amount to help begin this urgently needed project.

World-Wide-Web Discussion Forum . . .

"The Institute of Christian Contemplation in Action: Spirituality and Morality in the Redemptorist Tradition"...Through the creation of this Web Discussion Forum, we are able to encourage people all over the world to rediscover Christian fellowship, meditation, and morality, and put them to use in their daily lives.

The project will be undertaken in three phases. 1) Creation and organization of a two-hour Internet open discussion; 2) development and ongoing expansion of a specialized resource materials library; and 3) publication of an on-line newsletter based upon the research carried out in the discussion forum.

Costs involved range from purchase of computers and telephone connections to the remodeling of a room to house the Resource Center. Total support needed for Phase One is $20,000, and approximately $6,500 for Phases Two and Three.

Library renovation and shelving...

This project involves 1) preparation of the existing library area to accommodate a greater number of books and resource materials by more effective use of the existing space, and 2) purchase and installation of additional shelving. Cost is estimated at $20,000.

There are many ways...

TO SUPPORT the Alphonsian Academy. Much of the support we receive from our alumni and friends is through cash donations - the most common tax-deductible gift.

Your gift can be in the form of:

an unrestricted donation, or

a gift designated for a specific purpose, or

a Memorial Gift in honor of a loved one, either living or deceased.

Gifts in memory or honor of a family member or special friend...A gift to the Alphonsian Academy in memory or honor of a friend or family member, either living or deceased, helps to support our ongoing mission to teach the teachers and at the same time honors your loved ones in a very special way.

Memorial gifts and Living Memorial gifts may be in any amount, for a specific project or fund, or as a general donation. For Living Memorials, a letter of acknowledgment is sent to the honored individual.

Other ways...

. . . . in which a gift can be made to the Academy, offering tax benefits and/or income for the life of the benefactor...

Gifts to the Endowment Fund...A perpetual gift to the Alphonsian Academy is placed in a managed fund which ensures a maximum return on this investment. A portion of the interest would be used to help fund the needs of the Academy for future growth and continued success. The remainder of the interest is reinvested for fund growth. The donor may specify how their gift is to be used.

Bequests...A bequest may be made by naming the Alphonsian Academy of Moral Theology in your will.

Charitable Remainder Trust...A benefactor transfers assets to a trustee. The trustee then provides a trust income that is paid to the donor. Upon the benefactor’s death, the principal of the trust reverts back to the Academy. There are tax advantages to this type of giving program.

Gift of Life Insurance...You may purchase a new insurance policy or change an existing policy and name the Alphonsian Academy as owner and beneficiary. You would then be able to receive a charitable tax deduction on all premium payments.

Appreciated Property... Securities and Real Estate...Instead of making a cash gift, consider giving the Academy property that has appreciated in value. When you sell appreciated stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or real estate, you generate a capital gains tax which is currently taxed at ordinary income tax rates. There is a dual advantage in giving appreciated property. You avoid this tax all together, and you obtain a deduction for the full fair market appreciated value of the property.

The Alumni Giving Program...

. . . . is a special fund-raising drive among the alumni in support of their school. We are still trying to locate some alumni, so if you can provide any information about someone who has attended the Alphonsian Academy, please contact us at:

Alphonsian Foundation Office
One Liguori Drive
Liguori, Missouri 63057
USA

Tel: 636-464-2500 - Fax: 636-464-8449

To support the Academy, please make your check payable to "The Alphonsian Foundation" and send it to the

Alphonsian Foundation Office
One Liguori Drive
Liguori, Missouri 63057
USA

The Alphonsian Academy needs your help to continue its mission of "Teaching the Teachers". For more information on how you can help, please contact:

Father John C. Vargas, C.Ss.R.
Executive Director of Public Relations and Development
Via Merulana, 31
I-00185 Rome
ITALY
Phone: 39-06-49490-696
Fax: 39-06-49490-697

Mrs. Joyce Pyle
Fund Raising Coordinator
One Liguori Drive
Liguori, Missouri 63057
U.S.A.
Phone: 636-223-1455
Fax : 636-223-1394

NOTE: Since tax laws vary from country to country, please consult your attorney or tax advisor.