CHARLOTTE — Every Catholic household in the Diocese of Charlotte is being asked to consider making a donation to the Seminarian Education second collection Nov. 7-8.
There is an increased need for funding as the number of men in formation for the priesthood in the diocese is rising. The number of seminarians has more than doubled in just a few years – from 16 seminarians to 41. There are 14 men in three major seminaries and 27 at St. Joseph College Seminary in Mount Holly.
The college seminarians moved into the permanent home for the seminary last summer, and for the first time in the seminary’s history, are now living all together under one roof as they discern a possible vocation to the priesthood.
This good news for future vocations is welcomed as the past 10 years have seen remarkable growth in the diocese.
A decade ago, there were 58,500 registered households. In 2019, that number was 68,000. By the year 2025 it is estimated that the number of registered households will climb to 86,800.
“Growth of this nature is paralleled by a need for priests to pastor this increasing number of Catholics,” Bishop Jugis said in an October letter to parishioners urging them to support the collection.
In the next decade, 27 priests are expected to reach retirement age. And as seven diocesan priests are actively serving although they are past the retirement age of 70, the need for more priests to serve the growing Catholic population in western North Carolina is great, he noted.
“We are both blessed and challenged. As you know, our challenge is to provide the funding needed to recruit, educate and form our future priests,” the bishop explained.
Besides praying for the seminarians by name, Bishop Jugis asks the faithful to consider making a gift to further support all diocesan seminarians.
— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter
Support Seminarian Education
To make a gift to support Seminarian Education, drop off or mail your contribution to your parish or make a secure gift online. If making an online gift, consult your parish’s website if they offer online giving or go online to charlottediocese.org/donate, then click on “Seminarian Education.”