October 27, 2017
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
One of my greatest privileges as a bishop is ordaining men to the priesthood and sending them out to do God’s work in the parishes of Central Illinois. We continue to draw men of great quality and zeal to the seminary. When these men enter, they have at least six years of discernment and formation for the priesthood, and these are crucial years. Because of the generosity of God’s people, we have been able to pay for all of the costs of pre-theology and major seminary. But as the cost of education overall rises, so too does the price of seminary formation. So I would like to ask each one of you to prayerfully consider contributing to our Seminarian Endowment Fund in order to pay for the costs of seminarian education well into the future.
The Seminarian Endowment Fund pays for the tuition, room and board for theologians — those seminarians who have already graduated college (either a university or a college seminary). It also covers the salaries, office costs and marketing expenses that help keep our seminarian program afloat.
On Sunday November 26th, the Sunday after Thanksgiving, I invite you to give thanks for those who are giving their lives to the Church. 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. You will be cooperating in one of the most essential works of a diocese: ensuring the quality education of future priests for years to come.
Thank you for your generosity, and please know of my prayers.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Daniel R. Jenky, C.S.C.
BISHOP OF PEORIA