A Letter from Fr. Steffy: A Reflection on Stewardship, Hospitality, and Hope

By Fr. David Steffy, L.C.,

Chargé of the Holy See for the Pontifical Institute Notre Dame of Jerusalem Center

February 5th, 2026

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Dear Friends of the Notre Dame of Jerusalem Center,

As we begin this month of February, I hope you have started the New Year well and are staying strong in your resolutions. Over the years, I have tried to commit to resolutions that would help me to achieve a deeper union with the Lord, to be a better listener, to be more patient with my failings and those of others, to be a more faithful friend and a more compassionate servant leader, among others. This year, it came into my heart to grow as a faithful steward of God’s many gifts in offering Christ centered hospitality both on the personal and community level.

Serving in the Holy Land and helping to oversee the Notre Dame Center of Jerusalem has taught me much about stewardship and hospitality. The term stewardship insinuates being entrusted with something precious and transcendent. Hospitality characterizes a warm, welcoming that makes a person feel honored and accepted. In seeking to harmonize these two expressions of virtue while interacting with others, a communion is created that, at least for me, is at the heart of what it means to find happiness.

You could say, we all have been entrusted with the innate desire of helping people be happier. Reflecting on these concepts of stewardship, hospitality and happiness, I have recognized the beauty of working with others for a common goal and a shared responsibility of becoming happier. I do not want to go down the rabbit hole of possibilities, characterizations and theological implications of what it means to be happy. But helping others have a “happier” day hopefully will lead to a deeper longing for what truly brings contentment.

I often discuss with our employees and pilgrims that fact that to be able to show love, we need to feel love. In the case of Christians, when we truly experience that Jesus loves us unconditionally, we cannot stay in that space only but need to help others feel loved by Him through us. I could say that about stewardship and hospitality. The more we feel responsible to walk with others and offer them support, respect and encouragement, the more likely they will try to do the same.

These are lessons I have been growing in here at Notre Dame. Our employees, despite their challenging circumstances, are doing their best to do their jobs well and in that way, uplift the spirit of our guests. Many of you who have stayed here probably know a couple of employees names, because they have had that impact on you. That is something to be grateful for.

In this spirit, we recognize with gratitude the quiet and generous example of stewardship and hospitality offered by His Excellency Monsignor Adolfo Tito Yllana during his time of service as Apostolic Nuncio. As His Excellency’s ministry draws to a close, we give thanks for the witness he has offered to our community. We now warmly welcome Monsignor Giorgio Lingua, who assumes this responsibility, and assure him of our prayers and support as he begins his ministry among us. If you would like to learn more about our new Apostolic Nuncio, you may read this dedicated article.

January was a busy month here at the Center. We were able to welcome several large pilgrim groups from the United States and around the world. We believe this trend will continue and pray that a steady stream of pilgrims will visit the Holy Land. Pilgrims bring new life and joy and give us hope for a future of growth and cooperation.

Please count on my prayers.

With gratitude and every blessing,

Father David Steffy, L.C.