Hope for the Future: Help Them Today

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

God has once again blessed us with a beautiful summer. I pray your summer has been filled with the grace of Christ, peaceful recreation, and good health. It is my hope that you have had a chance to reflect upon the pastoral letter that was released on Pentecost Sunday 2011. "Called to be Holy, Fully Engaged, Fully Alive" represents countless hours of prayerful conversations that were held during our diocesan visioning process. One of the highest priorities that emerged was the need to continue to foster vocations of all kinds.

In only a matter of weeks, the 2012 school year will begin. At this time, the Diocese of Green Bay will send 27 seminarians away for priestly formation. As we create and maintain a prayerful culture of vocation, I ask that you keep priestly vocations on the top of your list of intentions. This past June, two men were ordained for our Diocese. These two priests, Fr. Ryan Krueger and Fr. William Van Dynhoven, are a great gift to our Diocese and graciously responded to the voice of Jesus in a profound way. Thank you again for your part in their vocation and education.

As the number of seminarians continues to increase, so does our need to support them. Please consider making a generous gift this year. Your gift makes such a difference and is used to fund the educational needs of our seminarians. This year, we expect these costs to exceed $800,000. To support these fine men, each parish will be inviting people to give to the Seminarian Collection during August. To make a gift now, download and submit a pledge card, or visit the Catholic Foundation Online.

Thank you for being a real support to our seminarians. As more priests are ordained, we will truly embrace what it means to be "Called to be Holy, Fully Engaged, Fully Alive."

Sincerely yours in Christ,

The Most Reverend David L. Ricken, DD, JCL

Bishop of Green Bay

Give Now to the Collection Online with the Catholic Foundation

Audio: Bishop David Ricken discusses the importance of this year's Seminarian Collection, Hope for the Future: Help Them Today.  CLICK HERE to listen

Video #1: Father Luke Ferris, who was ordained in June 2011, reflects on how he was blessed with people's support throughout his seminary studies. CLICK HERE to watch

Video #2: Father José Castañeda, who was ordained in June 2010, reflects on how he was blessed with people's support throughout his seminary studies as he left Gautemala to serve in this country and our Dicoese. CLICK HERE to watch

Meet Our Seminarians: CLICK HERE

Learn more about how the Seminarian Collection
helps men from our Diocese become priests:

• Listen as Bishop Ricken introduces one of our newly ordained priests, Fr. Luke Ferris. Our new priests and seminarians are part of the great hope that we all share. Fr. Luke wishes to thank those that supported his journey, and ask you to keep including the seminarians in your faith-giving.
• Read about Edward Looney, one of our seminarians, as he shares his calling to the priesthood and his summer ministry at the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help™.
• Check out our background information, which includes a brief history of the Seminarian Collection, how the funds are used, a list of current seminarians, and more.
• Complete pledge form and return it to your parish or to the Catholic Foundation for the Diocese of Green Bay.
• We also provided parishes with a poster, suggested bulletin announcements, and a transcript of the audio message.
  
  

More Information

For more information or if you need more materials, please contact Fr. Schuster at 920-272-8293 or 1-877-500-3580, ext. 8293 (from 920 and 715 area codes), or e-mail.