Bringing the Mission to Communities Across America
About a year ago, I realized that the Napa Institute needed to do more to expand our evangelization beyond those who already knew us.
Too many people had heard of the Napa Institute but had never experienced one of our programs. Others had never heard of us at all. We measured only 20% new attendees in 2025 whereby it had been 35%. It became clear that we needed to take a more intentional approach to introducing the Institute to new communities.
So, in the fall of 2025, we began developing a series of Napa Institute “Come and See” events. The concept is simple: bring people together locally for Mass, fellowship, a presentation about the Napa Institute, and a beautiful dinner. More importantly, give people an opportunity to experience the spirit of Napa firsthand.
Since then, we have hosted or scheduled Come and See gatherings in communities including Notre Dame, Tampa, Naples, Indianapolis, Plymouth, Michigan, Philadelphia, Atlanta, St. Louis, Miami, Anchorage, Vancouver, Phoenix and Denver. For the Napa Institute Summer Conference 2026 our new attendees increased to 36% because of these engagements.
These gatherings have allowed us to meet hundreds of people—some already familiar with the Napa Institute and many encountering us for the first time. We have found new friends, future attendees, supporters, donors and, most importantly, people who share our desire to strengthen the Church and evangelize our culture.
Our most recent gathering took place in Denver on September 11, 2026, where Pete and Marilyn Coors graciously hosted us at their magnificent Legacy Orr Western Lounge at the Denver Stockyards. The Legacy is an extraordinary new facility, and Pete and Marilyn played an important role in bringing it to life. The setting itself helped us communicate the breadth and ambition of what the Napa Institute is trying to accomplish.
The evening began with Mass, followed by a tour of the facility, a reception featuring our Napa Institute hospitality and Trinitas wines, and dinner together. It was a wonderful evening of faith, friendship and fraternity.
That combination is really at the heart of what we do.
When the Napa Institute began, we envisioned it primarily as a summer conference in Napa Valley, California—a rather appealing place to be in the middle of the summer. But what began as an annual gathering has grown into a year-round apostolate.
Today, the Napa Institute is built around three pillars: liturgy, faith formation and fraternity. Our ecclesiastical advisor is Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City, and our leadership and board include Catholic leaders from business, education, entertainment, law, theology and the apostolate. The current board includes leaders such as Mike Warsaw of EWTN, David Henrie, Mary Hasson, Dr. Timothy Gray, Dr. Catherine Pakaluk, Dr. Vincent Phillip Munoz, Matt Bush and Dan Cellucci. (The Napa Institute)
We are grateful for the many members of the Napa Guild and our other benefactors who financially support the mission of the Institute throughout the year. Their generosity makes possible programs serving lay leaders as well as priests, bishops and religious.
Among those programs is our annual Scripture Conference featuring Dr. Scott Hahn at the Paséa Hotel & Spa in Huntington Beach, which draws approximately 210 priests each year. We also have programming engaging medical professionals and Christian leaders, salon dinners in New York City that bring Catholics of different perspectives together in an effort to reduce polarization, and our growing Faith and Business initiatives.
In New York, the Napa Institute’s Eucharistic Procession has become one of our signature public witnesses to the faith, followed the next day by our Faith and Business Conference. We also offer leadership programs, cultural events and experiences throughout the year.
And our reach continues to grow internationally. In 2026, we traveled to Alaska, Vancouver, Niagara Falls and other destinations. In 2027, our programs and experiences will take us to places including Rome, Venice, Verona, Milan in April and Japan and Korea in November.
The goal is not simply to increase attendance at Napa programs. It is to build a national and international network of Catholic leaders who know one another, encourage one another and are willing to stand together for Christ and His Church.
That is why these Come and See evenings matter so much.
They allow us to bring Napa to people rather than simply asking people to come to Napa.
The response has been enormously encouraging, and I believe this initiative can become an important part of the Institute’s future growth. We want to continue visiting communities, meeting people where they are, introducing them to the Napa family and inviting them to become part of this growing apostolate.
As our Lord said, “Come and see.”
That is precisely what we are inviting people to do.
Come and see what the Napa Institute is becoming—and, more importantly, come and see what God may be asking you to do for His Church.
For information about hosting a Napa Institute Come and See in your community, please contact Andrea Fedrigo andrea.fedrigo@napa-institute.org ; cell 312-776-8509 or Nicholas Bezzina Nicolas.Bezzina@napa-institute.org ; cell 714-235-0672 at the Napa Institute.
