“Whoever wishes to become great among you will be your servant” (Mark 10:43). Jesus Christ came not to be served but to serve. He established his Church with apostles whom he sent to serve all of God’s people. The theme for this year’s St. Charles Borromeo Seminary Appeal is “Forming Leaders Who Serve First.” Through your support of the Annual Seminary Appeal, you help prepare the next generation to follow Jesus example. Through spiritual, intellectual, human and pastoral formation, the seminary staff prepares priests, permanent deacons and lay leaders who will follow Christ’s example and give themselves faithfully in service to the People of God.
This year, there are 150 seminarians from 12 (arch)dioceses and six religious congregations; 66 of the seminarians are preparing to become priests in our archdiocese. Founded in 1832, our seminary has provided excellent priestly formation for our archdiocese and (arch)dioceses around the country. I am very proud of our seminary and grateful for the preparation it offered me to be your priest.
Additionally, the seminary prepares men through the School of Diaconal Formation to become permanent deacons. The men are provided extensive theological instruction and pastoral education as they prepare to serve in parishes throughout the archdiocese. There are currently 39 men enrolled in the School of Diaconal Formation. Additionally, men and women, religious and lay receive theological and spiritual formation in the seminary’s School of Theological Studies. Some 70 men and women are enrolled in the various programs offered in this division of our seminary.
As the seminary continues its mission at its new campus adjacent to Gwynedd Mercy University, an Endowment Fund has also been established to ensure the continued maintenance of the new seminary. But, funding for day-to-day operations depends heavily on the annual Seminary Appeal. Along with every other registered parishioner throughout the archdiocese, you should have already received a packet from St. Charles Borromeo Seminary as it begins its annual direct mail appeal. Support for our seminary is especially important today. As part of our annual Seminary Appeal, Mr. Derrek Sumner, who is studying at the seminary in preparation for priestly ordination, will speak at all the Masses this weekend to let you know about the seminary and ask for your continued support. Please be as generous as you can in supporting our seminary to ensure a continued bright future for this very important institution of our archdiocese.