Peter and Merel Mullin: Sowing the Seeds of Faith

Peter and Merle Mullin certainly don't let grass grow under their feet, unless of course it's grass to feed the free-range black pigs on their farm in Umbria, Italy. Firm believers in trying new things, seeing new places, and moving bravely into the future, the Mullins generously lend their support and vision to the Institute for Advanced Catholic Studies. Peter, who serves as an Institute board member, described his initial surprise upon learning that USC would be home to a Catholic institute. "I was intrigued and a bit incredulous to hear they were starting an institute at USC rather than at a Catholic university in the area, but then I saw that it was because of Steve Sample's attitude and openness. I applaud USC and President Sample for embracing it." He was even more impressed by the courage of Father Heft. "I admire Jim's entrepreneurial streak – migrating from a position as chancellor of a university to a new state, a new field, a new venue, with no financial support to speak of – it's pretty gutsy."

Peter has some experience of his own forging surprising paths. One of six children in an Irish-Catholic family, Peter attended Catholic grammar and high schools in South Pasadena and Alhambra where he received a fair amount of pressure to join the clergy from the priests and nuns who were his teachers. "We were a typical Catholic family. Someone had to go to into the ministry. Throughout high school I was told I should use my leadership abilities in the priesthood and that I shouldn't turn down a vocation – a gift from God – so lightly." He described his relief when his brother Pat announced he felt called to the priesthood. "I was so relieved, I told him I would support him and his work in any way I could for the rest of our lives." His brother now runs the Vincentian retreat house in Montecito, CA, and Peter has kept his promise, providing business advice and support when he can. Father Pat Mullin, for his part, has been a spiritual resource that his brother holds dear in his own personal spiritual journey. Asked if he feels he found his true vocation in his work as a lay person, Peter said, "There are lots of routes to the same end, and I picked the one that was right for me, the right path."

Throughout his lifetime, Peter has used his leadership skills and business acumen in service to many non-profit, corporate, and religious organizations. He was instrumental in raising funds for construction of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Angeles in downtown Los Angeles, and chaired the committee responsible for raising $100 million for Catholic education for underserved children in the Los Angeles community. From art to education – locally and internationally—Mullin's substantial involvement keeps him busy. Asked why the Institute's work in particular drew his attention, he discussed the importance of the Institute to the future of the Catholic Church. "The Institute is doing a good thing by embracing other religions and looking for common threads that will become bridges to dialogue and understanding. We must respect the differences among faiths." Mullin recently made a $1.5 million commitment to the Institute – an extraordinary lead gift that will establish the Merle and Peter Mullin Endowed Fellowship for the new Generations in Dialogue Program.

Generations in Dialogue provides new scholars, from a variety of fields, access to two years of wisdom and guidance from a senior Catholic scholar whose research interests overlap with their own. Devoted to exploring the challenges of connecting scholarship and faith, this innovative Institute program has limitless potential to further Catholic intellectual tradition. "I am a great believer in the impact of having a mentor. I realize in retrospect that I've had two or three mentors, and I see how crucial it was for me. Having brilliant scholars willing to mentor young scholars is great for their development. If you drop a few seeds of wisdom here and there, a few will take and grow!"

When it comes to growing things, Peter's wife Merle can relate, Peter and Merle refer to themselves as "urban farmers." When they are not at their homes in Los Angeles or Scotland, they enjoy running their Italian farm that produces its own honey, wine, olive oil, and specialty meats from their rare breed of pigs. A firm believer in the phrase "the truth is your friend," Merle has been lending her leadership talents to raising more than livestock, however, also serving on a number of foundations' and organizations' boards. Though not Catholic herself, Merle has become a strong supporter of the Institute's mission. "We need more Father Hefts in the world because he speaks to life in the world now, not as it used to be or how it should be. Being relevant means needing to be flexible. Life has changed dramatically in the past 20 years, so we must change too. Father Heft understands that you can have deep spirituality within different religions, and is reaching out. There is so much potential for reaching people."

Both of the Mullins are excited by the opportunity the upcoming Vatican conference has to reach people throughout the world. They hope to attend the conference in October, organized by the Institute and held at the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, to hear scholars examine globalization, the market, and social justice as these themes relate to economic life in the United States. "It's a huge vote of confidence that the Vatican has reached out to the Institute for this conference," Peter said.

When asked what led to his own financial vote of confidence in the work of the Institute, Peter shared his belief in the relevance of the Institute's goals and understanding that his support is needed now more than ever. "Jim made a huge leap of faith in coming out to California and USC. Steve Sample made a huge leap of faith as well. Supporting this work requires us to make a leap of faith too. We, as laymen, need to bet on Jim's vision and the relevance of this effort. Instead of saying, 'I'll support you when you prove X,' we are called to say 'I'll support you in the belief you'll find X,' but it's not guaranteed. It's spiritual venture capital. But you have to go after it, and that's what the Institute is doing."