Commonly Asked Questions About Seminarian Education Fund, Catholic Ministries Appeal

As I've been speaking with priests and parish leaders about the second collection for the Seminarian Education Fund (Sem Ed) this summer, I was asked to clarify exactly what Sem Ed is for. Because "I thought CMAs do that?" and "What about Bishops & Rector Dinner?" I've also heard concerns about the 2nd collection timing. Thank you for asking! Here are a few clarifications for everyone, including what resources we have available.

Do I have to do a second offering on June 22? No! We would love to have your support in doing a second offering for Seminarian Education Fund towards the end of June, but if that timing is not right for your parish, that's OK. Timing is 100% up to you. I know you may have other second collections or local happenings. Thanks for your patience & understanding with me - I'm learning as I go!

What's the difference between Seminarian Education & CMAs, Bishops & Rectors Dinner, etc.? 

• The Bishops and Rector Dinner funds operating costs for the Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary

• Yes, a portion of the CMAs do go towards funding priest education annually.

• The Seminarian Education Fund - that we're asking for help with - is an investment fund that covers tuition, room and board for all DOW-R seminarians through all of their 8 years of formation. 

  • Typically, this is promoted in the fall through a mailer sent directly to parishioners.

  • The reason we're asking for extra help is because the need continues to grow with more seminarians and increasing education costs. What DOW-R has set aside from the CMA's is not enough to cover the full costs so this fund helps makes up the difference.

What other resources do you have?

• Mass announcements, website & bulletins:

  • Sample words below

  • Links to donate: bit.ly/SemEd or https://catholicfsmn.org/seminarian-education-fund

• We'll have a video from Bishop Barron to share by next Friday, 6/20 (UPDATED - Facebook post now available here and video here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/101weeZpsAIo6JXmMEOXqNDOWn3PF2jcO/view?usp=drive_link - You may need to request access via a Gmail account)

• Your Parish toolkit (bulletin inserts & envelopes) should arrive by next week Weds 6/18 or Thurs 6/19. Please use when you see fit.

• Social media post example - words below and 2 Images are attached. (Please email ewilliams@catholicfsmn.org for access to these images if you missed them)

  • Did you know that Bishop Robert Barron set a bold goal to grow our number of seminarians from 20 to 40? In just three years, we’ve made incredible progress—we now have 25 seminarians continuing their formation this fall! But we still have a long way to go.

    The reality is this: while our 66 priests serve faithfully each day, retirements and transitions could soon leave us with just 44 priests for 90 parishes, schools, hospital chaplaincies, and diocesan leadership roles.

    💡 How can you help?
    It takes $40,075 per year to educate a seminarian, plus $13,175 for room and board. We strive to ease their financial burden so they can focus fully on their formation.

    Would you consider stewarding your resources to support seminarian education? Whether it’s:
    ✨ $50, $100, $1,000, or more
    📖 $250 to sponsor a textbook
    🏠 $1,463 for a month of room & board

    Every gift makes a difference! Let’s invest in the future of our Church and ensure that more hands are ready to do the Lord’s work.

    🙏 Join us in prayer and generosity. Donate today: bit.ly/SemEd

    #SeminarianEducationFund #Vocations #CatholicFoundationSMN #SupportOurPriests #FaithInAction

If you have any questions at all, know my team and I are here to help!