FOR TODAY FOR TOMORROW FOR ALL OF US

Transcription

1 FOR TODAY FOR TOMORROW FOR ALL OF US

2 Dear Friends, For today. For tomorrow. For all of us. This truly embodies the spirit of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary. Each day, the seminary works to create disciples who are vital to the future of our Church. Far beyond a building or institution, the seminary is a shared spiritual mission that impacts each of us. A mission that is rooted in deep tradition to form servant leaders who are called to serve all of God s people. From educating the hundreds of lay men and women who study here, to forming our future priests and deacons, the seminary s influence is far reaching. I hope you can take a few moments to read more about our students and alumni in the following pages. They re honored to share their journey at the seminary with you. These individuals will serve the Church and Her people with distinction in the years ahead, and build a community of faith that will act as your spiritual home. I ask that you please support this year s St. Charles Borromeo Seminary Appeal. Your gift does more than just support our seminarians, candidates for the Permanent Diaconate and lay church leaders in their formation today. Your gift provides for the future of our faith. Please support your seminary, as it is indeed For today. For tomorrow. For all of us. Know that your gift makes a profound impact on our faith and the future generations of the Church. May God bless you and those you love. FOUNDED IN 1832, ST. CHARLES BORROMEO SEMINARY IS THE OLDEST CATHOLIC INSTITUTION OF HIGHER LEARNING IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA. Sincerely yours in Christ, Most Reverend Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. Archbishop of Philadelphia

3 My time at the seminary has been very enriching. To be able to be around a bunch of other Catholic men, who are very strong in their faith and really want to see a transformation in this world, has been really inspiring for me. It has challenged me to also grow my own faith and to think about things differently. It s been really helpful to have mentors who are priests here to help us as soon as we need it. The seminary is vital because they are making sure that the people in the world who need God, which is everyone, has that access through a priest. When you support St. Charles, you are investing in the lives of the seminarians. A CALL TO SERVE PRIESTLY FORMATION I came to the seminary because I was seeking to serve. Being raised in a Catholic home, I found myself looking to serve the Lord. With the help of others around me, my family, my friends, priests, I found that God was calling me here to St. Charles. My younger brother was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia in 2016, and he s now happily serving in Philadelphia. And for me, it was inspiring to see him answer the call. I was very blessed because I got to see some of the sides of the life at the seminary through my brother s perspective. - Terrance Fulton, College II God is calling us in different ways. Before I entered the seminary, I was involved in many aspects of my home parish working with my Pastor. I was touched by how the Church does so many things for people in need, especially helping the poor and vulnerable. I feel privileged to study at St. Charles. This is a great environment for me to practice my faith and to discern, to become what God is calling me to be. - Francis Pham, College IV The seminary is truly a gift. It s a privilege for me to be here to study. Generosity to the seminary does help seminarians directly, but it s also helping the whole community of Philadelphia and beyond. - Kenneth Cavara, Theology II I think my favorite aspect of St. Charles Seminary is the fraternity that we have with all of the other seminarians. There are just a lot of young men who want to love and serve God. And I think it s essential to surround ourselves with people like that when we re trying to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. Here at St. Charles, we form men to be priests and deacons, to experience the love that Jesus has for them so they can go and bring that love to others. That s why it s essential that people support St. Charles Seminary. I hope to really provide a bridge for people to encounter God and to grow in their relationships with Him because that s what it s all about. - Chris Massaro, Pre-Theology II THERE ARE FOUR DIMENSIONS OF PRIESTLY FORMATION THAT GUIDE THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CANDIDATE TOWARD PRIESTHOOD: THE HUMAN, SPIRITUAL, INTELLECTUAL, AND PASTORAL DIMENSIONS.

4 FALLING IN LOVE WITH SCRIPTURE SCHOOL OF THEOLOGICAL STUDIES Years ago, I decided to pursue my Master s Degree in Theology because I wanted a deeper understanding of the Catholic faith. I considered an online program but really wanted that human contact of people to study with, and the ability to talk to my professors and really engage with them about the faith. That is what led me to St. Charles. I am so happy with all I learned there. When you get to know God and His plan and the teachings of the Church, it s like it turns you right side up. You see everything with a new perspective. I find that with the knowledge that I ve gotten through the Master s Program, I m more confident in my belief and sharing it with others, and I m better equipped to face challenges. SINCE ITS BEGINNING IN 1969, THE SCHOOL OF THEOLOGICAL STUDIES HAS AWARDED OVER 1,100 MASTER OF ARTS DEGREES IN THEOLOGY DEGREES TO LAY MEN AND WOMEN, PRIESTS, AND RELIGIOUS, AS WELL AS HUNDREDS OF UNDERGRADUATE CERTIFICATES. I ve also had the opportunity of teaching seminarians during their Spiritual Year. I teach a class on scripture and beyond just helping them to see the big picture of the biblical narrative, my goal is to help the young men get to know the Word within the words; from my standpoint, to help them really fall in love with God in scripture. I think it s wonderful that St. Charles is not only educating future priests, but they are also sharing their knowledge with people, like me, who want to pursue a higher degree in Theology. I would recommend that anybody who is interested in a Master s in Theology come to St. Charles Borromeo, and that all Catholics in the diocese support it as they can, at least in prayer and with more tangible help if possible. The seminary plays such an important role in forming strong priests, not only for our diocese, but also for other dioceses who don t have a program like this. Sarah Christmyer

5 A COMMUNITY OF FAITH SCHOOL OF DIACONAL FORMATION The Diaconate Program at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary has given me new confidence to share my faith and to really bring Jesus to whoever I meet. You re in this program together with the same group of guys, and the wives study with us as well. You form an incredible bond. We attend various retreats, weekend workshops, where we share stories; we laugh together and cry together when things aren t going well. It s really made me stronger in my faith. Christ wants us to be in this together a community. To see other people who share the same beliefs as I do gives me strength. We will all be sent out to evangelize, to bring people back to the faith or to help strengthen their faith. So that s what we re preparing for at St. Charles. The journey where we re sent out just as Jesus sent out the first disciples, to spread the Word of God. I think it s vital that the Diaconate Program students are well-formed and well-educated in faith. There was no question in my mind that my husband, Hank, was a perfect candidate for the Diaconate Program. I know him so well, and his decision to be part of this program was no surprise to me. It was just a path that I saw him going down. As Hank has gone through this program, I ve watched him grow not only in his knowledge, but grow in his love for God even more. And I didn t think he could have more of a love for Jesus Christ. He surprises me because he keeps growing and reaching for more. And I also see this amazing confidence that he has in this journey. Not a shadow of a doubt that this is where he needs to be. Barrie Fila PERMANENT DEACONS PERFORM A VITAL MINISTRY IN PARISHES, SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS, PRISONS, AND MANY OTHER AREAS OF SERVICE TO THE REGION. Hank Fila

6 A PATH TOWARD SPIRITUAL GROWTH NEWLY ORDAINED PRIEST My first year of the priesthood was an amazing time filled with many blessings and graces from God. It was so incredible to be with the people of God who I have been formed to serve. When I arrived at the parish, it was an opportunity to really learn how to apply those concepts that I was taught in the seminary and to try to put them into action. I am most grateful to the seminary for preparing me to anticipate the needs of the people. I think that there can definitely be a nervousness that one experiences when entering into a new assignment, especially a first assignment. But I was confident that I had the tools that I needed. THIS YEAR, 12 PARTNER DIOCESES FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD AND 6 RELIGIOUS CONGREGATIONS ENTRUST THEIR MEN TO SAINT CHARLES BORROMEO SEMINARY FOR PREPARATION FOR THE PRIESTHOOD. When you arrive at a parish as a new priest, all that the people see is a finished product, which is kind of far from the reality of things. We are continuously striving to be the priests that we are called to be, but behind the scenes are so many years of preparation and formation (eight years in my case), to come to this moment. Without St. Charles, I wouldn t be able to serve the people as I do now. It s really something that I m so grateful for and something upon which I often look back as I continue to grow in my identity as a priest. The generosity of the people of Philadelphia and of the people beyond Philadelphia is so crucial to the success of our mission at St. Charles Seminary. And without the prayerful and financial generosity of the people of God, St. Charles could not continue in her mission of forming great men to become priests to serve the Church here in Philadelphia and beyond. Father Matt Brody, Parochial Vicar, Saints Peter and Paul Parish

7 Dear Friends in Christ, As the first Catholic institution of higher learning established in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia 186 years ago, The Philadelphia Seminary of Saint Charles Borromeo tells a beautiful story. Our history is a vibrant narrative in which a journey of formation is proposed and undertaken to foster the gift of the priestly vocation in our midst inspired by the call of Jesus Christ. What started with five students has transformed into more than 150 men in formation for the Priesthood, approximately 60 men preparing for the Permanent Diaconate, and many students enrolled in graduate programs of religious studies. Though much has changed since the seminary s beginning at Bishop Kenrick s home in Center City, the mission remains the same: to form servant leaders after the Heart of Christ, and to prepare missionary disciples of the new evangelization. We are so grateful to you for your participation in this story. Your generosity allows us to build on already strong programs, serving the contemporary needs of our seminarians and students in all dimensions: human, intellectual, pastoral and spiritual. Our seminarians and students are on a path that will prepare them to faithfully serve you and our Church. As we continue exploring the many benefits of the seminary s affiliation with a local Catholic university, Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary remains committed to the central purpose of guarding and fostering vocations to the priesthood and to pastoral service in the Church. Since 1832, the faithful s support of Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary has been remarkable. Through the Seminary Appeal, your gifts provide the resources necessary to build upon our outstanding formation programs and our undergraduate and theological education and your generosity is an inspiration to our seminarians and students. Their journey at the seminary today helps nourish our hope in the future of our Church. With your generosity, I am confident that this will be an even more dynamic and faith-filled chapter than ever. It is only through your kindness that we truly exemplify a seminary for today, for tomorrow, for all of us. I remain deeply humbled and eternally grateful for your support. Please know that the community of Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary remembers you and those you love in our daily prayers, and we ask that you remember us in yours. Sincerely in Christ, THE ORIGINAL HOME OF THE SEMINARY WAS LOCATED INSIDE BISHOP KENRICK S HOME IN CENTER CITY. BISHOP KENRICK FOUNDED THE SEMINARY IN THE EARLY NINETEENTH CENTURY. Most Reverend Timothy C. Senior Rector

8 EVERY THURSDAY, SEMINARIANS MINISTER TO THE COMMUNITY BY SERVING PEOPLE IN NEED IN PARISHES, NURSING HOMES, PRISONS, ETC. THIS ALLOWS EACH SEMINARIAN TO UNDERSTAND THE WAYS IN WHICH THEIR GROWTH IS CONNECTED TO SERVICE WHILE CONTINUING ON THEIR PATH OF DISCERNMENT TO A PRIESTLY VOCATION. TUITION, ROOM AND BOARD FOR A SEMINARIAN WORKING TOWARDS HIS B.A. IN PHILOSOPHY IS $34,975 PER YEAR; AND TUITION, ROOM AND BOARD FOR A SEMINARIAN WORKING TOWARDS HIS MASTER OF DIVINITY AND MASTER OF ARTS DEGREES IS $37,040 PER YEAR.

9 SEMINARY ACCREDITATIONS St. Charles Borromeo Seminary is accredited by: The Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools in the US and Canada Middle States Commission on Higher Education CURRENTLY, THERE ARE OVER 60 MEN IN FORMATION FOR THE PERMANENT DIACONATE AND ABOUT 300 ORDAINED PERMANENT DEACONS IN SERVICE TO THE ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA. PARTNER DIOCESES AND RELIGIOUS CONGREGATIONS DIOCESE OF ALLENTOWN, PA DIOCESE OF ARLINGTON, VA ARCHDIOCESE OF COLOMBO, SRI LANKA DIOCESE OF COLUMBUS, OH DIOCESE OF DA NANG (VIETNAM) DIOCESE OF GREENSBURG, PA DIOCESE OF HARRISBURG, PA ARCHDIOCESE OF HARTFORD, CT DIOCESE OF LINCOLN, NE DIOCESE OF MYMENSINGH, BANGLADESH DIOCESE OF RALEIGH, NC DIOCESE OF TRENTON, NJ THE PERSONAL ORDINARIATE OF THE CHAIR OF ST. PETER OBLATES OF ST. JOSEPH, HOLY SPOUSES PROVINCE CONGREGATION OF THE MISSION, THE VINCENTIANS ORDER OF CANONS REGULAR OF PRÉMONTRÉ, THE NORBERTINES DAYLESFORD ABBEY SOCIETY OF THE CATHOLIC APOSTOLATE, THE PALLOTTINES SODALITIUM CHRISTIANAE VITAE

10 WAYS TO GIVE FOR TODAY. FOR TOMORROW. FOR ALL OF US. All gifts to the Annual Seminary Appeal are tax deductible. Consult with your tax advisor on the tax treatment of all gifts, as they may vary from individual to individual. PLEDGE GIFT If possible, please include your first month s payment when you mail your pledge card. You will then receive a monthly statement. ONE-TIME GIFT Checks should be made payable to St. Charles Borromeo Seminary Appeal. CREDIT CARD GIFTS You can use MasterCard, Visa, Discover and American Express cards to make an Appeal gift. A credit card gift can be made by mail with your pledge card or online, and can be paid in installments. MATCHING GIFTS Would you like to double your gift? Many companies match St. Charles Borromeo Seminary Appeal gifts. Please contact The Catholic Foundation of Greater Philadelphia at to receive more information. ELECTRONIC FUND TRANSFER (EFT) EFT payments can be arranged through your bank. You will need to include routing number and account name and number for crediting. TRIBUTE GIFTS A tribute gift to St. Charles Borromeo Seminary allows you to further your loved one s legacy for years to come. If you would like more information on having family and friends make donations to honor your loved one s legacy, please contact The Catholic Foundation of Greater Philadelphia at PLANNED GIFTS A planned gift to St. Charles Borromeo Seminary ensures a lasting legacy. These gifts include bequests, trusts, and retirement or life insurance assets. We hope you will consider a legacy gift to benefit all those who have answered the call to serve. To name St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in your will or trust, please use the following bequest language: I, [name], of [city, state, ZIP], give, devise and bequeath to St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, 100 East Wynnewood Road, Wynnewood, PA TAX ID [written amount, percentage of estate, or description of property] for its general charitable purposes. For more information, please visit our website at or call Sarah O. Hanley, Executive Director, The Catholic Foundation of Greater Philadelphia, at: STCHARLESSEMINARYAPPEAL.ORG GIFTS OF SECURITIES A gift of appreciated securities is one way to make a significant contribution at a reduced cost to you. Federal tax laws allow a charitable deduction for the full market value of securities on the date of your gift.

11 FOR TODAY. FOR TOMORROW FOR ALL OF US SAINT CHARLES BORROMEO SEMINARY CL# 5315 P.O. Box Philadelphia, PA