Pentecost Collection
Pentecost Collection for Seminarian Education, assists formation costs
FORT WAYNE — The Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend continues to be blessed with an increase in the number of seminarians studying for the priesthood.
At present, there are 26 seminarians, and Deacons Jacob Meyer and Ben Muhlenkamp will be ordained as priests May 26. The ordination of the two seminarians is a special blessing for the diocese and a result of the generosity of its people.
Msgr. Bernard Galic, vocations director for the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, said, “This is an exciting time for the Church because interest in the priesthood is on the rise. It looks as though we could have as many as 30 seminarians for the upcoming fall semester, since we have 22 returning seminarians and eight applicants. This is a great blessing for our diocese.”
The increase of seminarians brings financial challenges as well. Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades refers to this as a “happy problem.” To address this “happy problem” last year Bishop Rhoades instituted an annual collection on the solemnity of Pentecost. The Pentecost Collection for the Education of Seminarians is a special, annual second collection held each year on the weekend of the solemnity of Pentecost.
Harry Verhiley, secretary of stewardship and development, said, “The results of last year’s Pentecost Collection were incredible. Our diocese collected $250,000 in support of our seminarians. This was the largest annual second collection in the history of our diocese. We understand the importance of this effort, because we understand the importance of having good priests.”
Bishop Rhoades, in his letter to the faithful, said, “The increase in seminarians has added a significant increase in expense to our diocesan budget, therefore, last year we instituted the annual Pentecost Collection for Seminarian Education. Your generosity was amazing! We raised $250,000, which was a big help paying our expenses which totaled $870,000. The Annual Bishop’s Appeal was also a major help.”
“I ask you again this year to be generous in the Pentecost Collection to help fund our seminarians’ education,” Bishop Rhoades added. “Please ask the Holy Spirit to guide you as you discern your sacrificial gift for this important need.”
“The Holy Spirit is truly ‘the soul of the Church,’” Bishop Rhoades said in his letter, “and the source of all dynamism in the Church. As we celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles in Jerusalem on Pentecost Sunday, let us pray that the Holy Spirit will bless the Church in our diocese with His manifold gifts and continue to inspire in the hearts of our youth an openness to God’s call. In faith, may we all put our lives under the active power of the Holy Spirit!”
Verhiley said, “We should pray for our seminarians, and support their priestly vocation by offering financial assistance to this important effort. Our generosity will come back to us in the form of pastoral, sacramental and spiritual service, because investment in our seminarians is an investment in the life of our parishes and the life of the Church.”
Your prayers for our seminarians and financial assistance to this fund will come back to you and your neighbors, one hundred-fold in the form of pastoral, sacramental and spiritual service that will lead to spiritual growth in holiness throughout our diocese.
On the Solemnity of Pentecost please help us fund the education of our seminarians.
Meet the Seminarians for the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend
Letter from Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades
To make an online donation click here.
For Parish use:
