“Bishop Rhoades saw the need for long-term support for our seminarian’s education,” said Aaron Kennerk, Business Manager at the Catholic Community Foundation of Northeast Indiana (CCFNEI). This insight ignited the start of the Blessed John Paul II Fund for Seminarian Education endowment.
Now known as the St. John Paul II Fund for Seminarian Education, this special endowment managed by CCFNEI is currently at more than $1.2 million. The initial donated amount of money was never spent or disbursed but invested in a socially responsible way allowing a non-profit organization like the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend to receive a percentage of the funds through a disbursement. That money is used for expenses surrounding the education of a seminarian.
An endowment is an opportunity for donors to come together and put a sum of money into an account that is invested and continues to grow each year. This fund guarantees income every year for the planning of the seminarian education budgets.
“We want to grow that fund to take some of that burden from the diocese,” said Lynda Houk, Director of Community Outreach for CCFNEI. This will free up funds within the diocesan budget to use towards other programming and outreach efforts. “We are very blessed with how many seminarians we have. They are the cornerstone of our faith and our Church. With our Catholic faith, we are always going to need priests and this fund will last forever and have an impact forever.”
The endowment benefits the diocese and also has a big impact on the seminarians who are the recipients.
“It’s so important that they can freely discern their call to be a priest without the burden of finances,” said Kennerk. Without the burden of financial obligations for education, seminarians can focus all their time and energy on discernment, prayer, and preparation for religious life. “It’s truly the work of God working through us to serve the Church.”
The CCFNEI has several ways people can share a gift to this special endowment. Visit ccfnei.org and use the donation page to find the St. John Paul II fund to make a one-time online donation or you can set up regularly occurring gifts to the fund.
Giving stock, noting the fund as a beneficiary through IRA, 401K, or other retirement plans, leaving life insurance, or other estate planning options are also available. Donors are encouraged to contact the organization at 260-399-1436 to schedule an appointment to discuss options.
Lastly, anyone wishing to mail in a gift can send a check made out to CCFNEI noting the funds are for the St. John Paul II Fund for Seminarian Education to CCFNEI, 9025 Coldwater Rd, Suite 300, Fort Wayne, Indiana, 46825.
-Today’s Catholic May 25, 2023
Now known as the St. John Paul II Fund for Seminarian Education, this special endowment managed by CCFNEI is currently at more than $1.2 million. The initial donated amount of money was never spent or disbursed but invested in a socially responsible way allowing a non-profit organization like the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend to receive a percentage of the funds through a disbursement. That money is used for expenses surrounding the education of a seminarian.
An endowment is an opportunity for donors to come together and put a sum of money into an account that is invested and continues to grow each year. This fund guarantees income every year for the planning of the seminarian education budgets.
“We want to grow that fund to take some of that burden from the diocese,” said Lynda Houk, Director of Community Outreach for CCFNEI. This will free up funds within the diocesan budget to use towards other programming and outreach efforts. “We are very blessed with how many seminarians we have. They are the cornerstone of our faith and our Church. With our Catholic faith, we are always going to need priests and this fund will last forever and have an impact forever.”
The endowment benefits the diocese and also has a big impact on the seminarians who are the recipients.
“It’s so important that they can freely discern their call to be a priest without the burden of finances,” said Kennerk. Without the burden of financial obligations for education, seminarians can focus all their time and energy on discernment, prayer, and preparation for religious life. “It’s truly the work of God working through us to serve the Church.”
The CCFNEI has several ways people can share a gift to this special endowment. Visit ccfnei.org and use the donation page to find the St. John Paul II fund to make a one-time online donation or you can set up regularly occurring gifts to the fund.
Giving stock, noting the fund as a beneficiary through IRA, 401K, or other retirement plans, leaving life insurance, or other estate planning options are also available. Donors are encouraged to contact the organization at 260-399-1436 to schedule an appointment to discuss options.
Lastly, anyone wishing to mail in a gift can send a check made out to CCFNEI noting the funds are for the St. John Paul II Fund for Seminarian Education to CCFNEI, 9025 Coldwater Rd, Suite 300, Fort Wayne, Indiana, 46825.
-Today’s Catholic May 25, 2023