Dear Friends,
There are so many things I would like to say, and only a novel could reflect the love I
have for you. However, I need to keep this letter brief. I’m writing to tell you of my tentative
departure for seminary, the future of the Ames Romero House mission, and my hope for our
mission members (you!).
Well before the Ames Romero House mission began in 2020, I felt God steadily calling
me to a celibate vocation as a priest or brother. I desired that vocation to accompany my work at the Romero House, and I was sure I’d never be a diocesan priest. However, over the past four years, God has shaped my heart further in my vocation: I feel God calls me to enter seminary for our local Archdiocese. Though I have yet to be accepted into seminary, it is important to share with the Romero House community where my intention lies. The tentative plan is for me to enter the minor seminary at Loras College in Dubuque this coming January. This path means that I could no longer serve as the director of the mission at the Ames Romero House.
This change is a bittersweet transition. Our mission has brought a profound sense of joy and fulfillment in my life. What God has done here in Ames through you is beyond my wildest imagination of the Kingdom of God on Earth. Stepping into this mission each and every day is an unveiling of heaven for me. When I step back, I see a flourishing community that draws more and more people into it each day. I am going to miss the House, our guests, and this community.
However, God calls us to detach from even the good things in life, to be free for his grace to pour out through us. This, too, brings me profound joy. When I think of the future, I hold only excitement. Because I see fruit all around me, I am certain that God desires this Ames Romero House mission. Fruits like our 9 RCIA candidates, nearly 40 people served daily, an additional house for daytime hospitality, a house full of Catholic Workers, and dozens of volunteers who in different ways sustain this mission give me that confidence. So long as God keeps desiring it and using you in this mission, I trust it will be sustained, regardless of my role.
Part of the effort to sustain this mission starts now. In the fall, the Ames Romero House
will be hiring its first Executive Director. As the board and I assess our mission's demand for
resources, we prioritize sustainability of this good thing that God has entrusted to us. With
prayer and careful discernment, we feel the creation of this role will best allow us to continue a mission for the poor and marginalized of our community.
The formal search for applicants will begin in the coming weeks and will be announced
and posted throughout the community and beyond. Having this position filled in the fall will
allow me adequate time to train, pray with, and do outreach alongside this person before
January. Following my likely departure, I will remain on the board to ensure a smooth
transition. You will likely still see me around some weekends, in fact it may be hard to fully get rid of me.
I ask that you please pray for us and the person God will soon be welcoming into this
work. Pray, too, for us to receive financial resources necessary to hire an executive director. We feel this person should receive fair and competitive compensation, enough so that supporting a family is possible. Full-time, the position will present many challenging demands as it cares for a growing, prosperous mission. I invite you to prayerfully consider a monthly donation to the Ames Romero House to help support the establishment of this position. Many of our resources currently are aimed at preparing our new Orange House for hospitality in the fall, but we need your help specifically to support that person who will soon step into my role.
We welcome any feedback you might provide on the growth of our organization. So much has happened in just four years. Stepping back and talking about what direction we are going matters, and I especially value the perspective of our supporters and community members. If you would like to share feedback or questions, please do reach out to me at my phone or email listed below. I look forward to our conversations!
With all of my love, THANK YOU for who you are, for saying YES continually to this
mission, and for loving and supporting me through these last four years. I go forward into
seminary sharpened by you, and I am so thankful for you. You are in my prayers and forever
part of my heart, Romero House family. Go and set the world on Fire!
Sincerely,
Matt Mitchell
515-822-2252 (Cell)
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