Bishop's Audio of the Script. Click to Play

July 16, 2008

Dear Fathers and Parish Directors:

Thank you for your support of our third annual Seminarian Collection: Hope for the Future! Last year, through your support and the generosity of thousands of parishioners, we raised over $412,000 for the education and formation of our seminarians. Thank you!

I wish to call your attention to a few things that might be helpful for this year's collection.

Every parish is requested to take the collection any weekend between August 9 - 31.

The purpose of the collection is to offset some of the cost of the tuition, room and board, insurance, and other expenses. We anticipate costs to be about $520,000 this year, roughly averaging $35,000 per student in philosophy (or pre-theology) and theology. Monies from Sacred Heart Seminary fund are being depleted over the years, resulting in the need for this collection.

Have parishioners make checks payable to your parish, as you do other second collections. Send one check from the parish to the Diocese using the Catholic Foundation remittance form. Please indicate that it is for the "Seminarian Collection."

For gifts of $100 or more, please send the Catholic Foundation those (empty) collection envelopes or a list indicating the donor's name, address and amount of the gift. This is important so that we may thank the donors. An envelope is included for that purpose.

The following materials are included in this mailing:

• Bulletin Announcements and tips for parish secretaries and bookkeepers
• Fact Sheet regarding the collection
• Two Hope for the Future Posters (If you need additional posters, please contact me.)
• Envelope for the return of envelopes (not money) of donations of $100 or more
• Audio tape and script for you to use during mass on the day the collection is being taken.

You will receive envelopes directly from Heyrman Printing, in the quantity you previously requested.

Thank you again for your support of vocations, and in particular, your support of this collection. Please let me know if I can be of further assistance.

Gratefully,

Fr. Tom Long
Vocation Director
1-877-500-3580, ext. 8293 or 920-272-8293
vocations@gbdioc.org

How to Make a Gift

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