About Napa Institute
The Napa Institute is a Catholic nonprofit organization founded in 2011 by businessman Timothy R. Busch to equip Catholic leaders to defend and advance the Catholic faith in an increasingly secular society it calls 'the Next America.' Rooted in the three pillars of liturgy, formation, and community, the Institute convenes cardinals, archbishops, priests, religious, and lay apostolate leaders at conferences and events from Napa Valley to New York City to Rome. Its flagship gathering, the annual Summer Conference in Napa Valley, draws more than 700 participants from across the United States and around the world. The Institute also hosts the West Coast Priest Conference, the Faith & Business Conference, the Principled Entrepreneurship Conference, a Eucharistic Procession in Manhattan, and pilgrimages worldwide.
Mission
To equip participants to defend and advance their Catholic faith in 'the Next America' — today's emerging secular society — and to form Catholic leaders who bring the light of Christ into every sphere of culture through liturgy, formation, and community.
- Founded
- 2011
- Founder
- Timothy R. Busch (with Father Robert J. Spitzer, S.J., as co-founder)
- Leader
- Mark Rohlena, President (effective January 1, 2025). Timothy R. Busch serves as Co-Founder & Chairman of the Board; Father Robert J. Spitzer, S.J., as Co-Founder & Vice Chairman; and Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City as Ecclesiastical Advisor.
- Reach
- Attracts over 700 participants to its annual Summer Conference from 'every corner of the country and around the world.' Operates with offices in Irvine, California, and Washington, D.C., and runs events in Napa Valley, New York City, Rome, and elsewhere.
- Serves
- Catholic lay leaders, priests, bishops, women religious, and heads of lay apostolates and ministries seeking intellectual formation, fellowship, and renewal in the Catholic intellectual and liturgical tradition.
About the Napa Institute
The Napa Institute gathers Catholic leaders to deepen their formation and renew their commitment to the Church's mission. Through fellowship, intellectual engagement, and the life of the Church, the Institute seeks to equip believers to bring the light of Christ into every sphere of culture. The organization sees Catholics in every profession as invited to bring initiative, creativity, and zeal to the work of evangelization — what it calls building up the Church and sharing the Good News as part of the New Evangelization.
The Three Pillars: Liturgy, Formation, Community
Every Napa Institute program is organized around three guiding pillars. Liturgy places the Eucharist at the heart of conferences, with opportunities for adoration, benediction, and reflection throughout each event. Formation equips lay apostolates with both what the Church teaches and how to defend why she teaches it. Community fosters genuine friendship by balancing worship, relaxation, and formation — including film screenings, symposiums, theater, and concerts — rooted in Catholic culture.
- Liturgy — Mass, adoration, benediction, and confession as central to every event
- Formation — intellectual formation in Catholic teaching and its defense
- Community — friendships formed through worship, fellowship, and Catholic culture
History & Founding Story
Catholic businessman Timothy R. Busch founded the Napa Institute after reading Archbishop Charles Chaput's First Things essay 'Catholics and the Next America.' Chaput, who became the Institute's early ecclesiastical adviser, also coined its tagline 'Equipping Catholics in the Next America.' Mark Brumley, president of Ignatius Press, helped bring the first conference to Napa. Busch began writing and creating the conference in August 2010 and the Institute held its inaugural annual conference July 28–31, 2011, at the Meritage Resort and Spa in Napa Valley, drawing approximately 250 attendees.
- Founded in 2011 by Timothy R. Busch
- Inspired by Archbishop Charles Chaput's essay 'Catholics and the Next America'
- First conference held July 28–31, 2011, at the Meritage Resort and Spa in Napa
- Initial attendance: approximately 250 participants
Leadership
The Napa Institute is led by a president, board of directors, ecclesiastical advisory board, and administrative team. Co-founder Timothy R. Busch serves as Chairman of the Board. Father Robert J. Spitzer, S.J., a co-founder, transitioned from titular President to Vice Chairman in late 2024. Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City serves as Ecclesiastical Advisor.
- Mark Rohlena — President (effective January 1, 2025)
- Timothy R. Busch — Co-Founder & Chairman of the Board
- Father Robert J. Spitzer, S.J. — Co-Founder & Vice Chairman
- Archbishop Paul S. Coakley — Ecclesiastical Advisor, Archbishop of Oklahoma City
- Napa Institute Board of Directors
- Administrative Team (Director of Mission Advancement, Events Manager, Registrar, etc.)
Mark Rohlena Named President
Effective January 1, 2025, Mark Rohlena became the Napa Institute's second president, succeeding Father Robert J. Spitzer, S.J. A Christendom College alumnus (Class of 2000), Rohlena had served as the Institute's executive director since the start of 2024 and previously spent more than five years as Executive Vice President of Christendom College. Under his executive directorship the Institute raised its summer conference, expanded the New York City Faith & Business conference, grew the Eucharistic Procession in Manhattan, opened a new D.C. office, and launched Napa Nights for young professionals.
Events & Conferences
The Napa Institute hosts a year-round calendar of conferences, pilgrimages, and events from Napa Valley to Rome. Its flagship gathering is the annual Summer Conference, which has reached its 16th year and brings together more than 700 participants. Other signature events include the West Coast Priest Conference co-hosted with the St. Paul Center, the Faith & Business Conference in New York City, the Principled Entrepreneurship Conference, the Manhattan Eucharistic Procession, and international pilgrimages.
- 16th Annual Summer Conference (Napa Valley)
- West Coast Priest Conference (co-hosted with the St. Paul Center)
- 2026 Faith & Business Conference
- 2026 Principled Entrepreneurship Conference
- Eucharistic Procession in Manhattan
- Pilgrimages to Rome, Italy, and other destinations
Annual Summer Conference
Each summer the Napa Institute convenes some of the world's most prominent Catholic and Christian thinkers in the Napa Valley for several days of formation, liturgy, and fellowship. More than 700 participants gather from across the United States and around the world. The conference offers multiple daily Masses, opportunities for adoration and benediction, and informal networking with prelates and speakers.
- Over 700 participants annually
- Multiple daily Masses, adoration, and benediction
- Thought-provoking Q&A continuing throughout social time
For Priests & Bishops (Shepherd's Circle & Clergy Formation)
The Napa Institute invests in priests and bishops through discounted registration and formation tailored to their vocation. Inspired by St. John Paul II's call in Pastores Dabo Vobis, the Shepherd's Circle exists to help priests grow in holiness and effectiveness. Priests and religious typically receive 50% off registration and bishops are invited to attend at no cost.
- 50% off registration for priests and religious
- Complimentary attendance for bishops
- West Coast Priest Conference each January, co-hosted with the St. Paul Center
- Shepherd's Circle supporting priestly fraternity and pastoral renewal
Faith & Business / Principled Entrepreneurship
The Napa Institute explores the integration of Catholic faith with business and entrepreneurial life. Its Faith & Business Conference in New York City and the Principled Entrepreneurship Conference equip lay Catholic leaders to bring Gospel values into the marketplace, addressing questions of vocation, ethics, and stewardship in commercial life.
- Faith & Business Conference (NYC)
- Principled Entrepreneurship Conference
- Catholic leadership in the marketplace
Catholics in Culture: Important Topics
The Napa Institute synthesizes the critical topics facing Catholics in the contemporary public square into accessible language for sharing the faith. Coverage areas include the pro-life movement and protection of human life, challenges facing the Church, Sacred Scripture, faith and science, and democratic capitalism.
- Pro-Life Movement / Protection of Human Life
- Challenges Facing the Church
- Sacred Scripture
- Faith & Science
- Democratic Capitalism
- Faith & Public Life
Napa Nights for Young Professionals
Under Mark Rohlena's tenure the Institute launched Napa Nights — social and formation gatherings for young professionals — in Washington, D.C., and New York City. These evenings are designed to build friendships among emerging Catholic leaders in business, government, and culture.
- Napa Nights in Washington, D.C.
- Napa Nights in New York City
Washington, D.C. Expansion
In 2024 the Napa Institute announced the opening of a Washington, D.C., office, complementing its Irvine, California headquarters. The expansion supports the Institute's growing policy and public-square work and provides a base for clergy and young-professional outreach on the East Coast.
Contact & Getting Involved
Those interested in attending an event, sponsoring a conference, or supporting the Institute's mission can reach out via the contact form on napa-institute.org, email [email protected], or call 855-740-NAPA (6272). Sponsorship inquiries are handled by the Mission Advancement team. The mailing address is 2532 Dupont Dr #1524, Irvine, CA 92612.
- Mailing address: 2532 Dupont Dr #1524, Irvine, CA 92612
- Phone: 855-740-NAPA (6272)
- Email: [email protected]
- Sponsorship: contact the Mission Advancement team
