Bishop’s Seminarian Fund Appeal

Bishop’s Seminarian Fund Appeal

20 Nov 2024 | Posted by: chadmin

November 2024

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

In the Diocese of Peoria, we are blessed with a healthy culture of vocations. This is evident as I travel throughout the diocese where I see pictures of young men and women who have embraced a sacred vocation proudly displayed on parish and school walls. I see posters of our seminarians and several religious communities conspicuously posted. I have also seen bulletins that celebrate newly married couples. In addition to all of that, I know many of our Catholic schools spiritually adopt seminarians and are teaching about sacred vocations. Many parishioners talk about their love of their pastors, and I am asked by many people about how our seminarians are doing. I have both seen and heard the desire of our diocese to generously support holy, healthy, and happy vocations; for that I am most grateful.

In a particularly vital way, this generous culture of vocations is evidenced by the continuous stream of young men entering seminary for our diocese, crediting the outpouring of formation and support they have received to our parishes, schools, and Newman Centers. This past May, we ordained four men to the priesthood, three to the transitional diaconate, and we accepted four new seminarians. Currently, we have eighteen seminarians and five more who are applying for next year. We have a good and growing need to support young men who are answering God’s call to serve our parishes as priests. One seminarian’s tuition, room and board, and formation costs during his philosophical and theological studies, will cost around $350,000 over the course of his seven years of formation.

On Sunday December 1st, the Sunday after Thanksgiving, I invite you to give thanks to God for these men and continue your support by giving generously to aid in providing for their education and formation. There will be a second collection at each Mass that weekend. Please make checks payable to the Catholic Diocese of Peoria Office of Priestly Vocations.

Thank you for your prayers and generosity, and please know of my prayers for you and your families.

Peace and Prayers,

+Most Reverend Louis Tylka, Bishop of Peoria