The Good Shepherd Collection is our opportunity to support vocations across the archdiocese. Together, we can help young people, from middle school through post-college, discern God’s call, and care for the retired priests who have faithfully served our communities through life’s most meaningful moments. Here are just a few of the ways your generosity supports vocations.
Seminarians
Investing in the formation of our seminarians is arguably one of the most essential long-term commitments that one can make for the archdiocese. Through this support, we help prepare our future priests who will one day — God-willing — serve our communities. We see this investment in action later this year when four seminarians will be ordained, three to the priesthood and one as a transitional deacon.
Not unlike someone who is working toward completing a doctorate-level degree, seminary formation takes anywhere from seven to nine years to complete, with an annual average cost of $50k per seminarian. These costs include:
• Tuition / room + board
• Summer pastoral assignments and specialized formation opportunities (i.e., Spanish language immersion, etc.)
• Insurance coverage + cost of living
• Summer pilgrimage costs
This summer, the archdiocese will also begin using a new seminary, the Pontifical College Josephinum, in Columbus, Ohio, and will begin sending college seminarians again to Conception Seminary College, in Conception, Missouri. The archdiocese has a strong connection to the Pontifical College Josephinum as Father Steven Beseau, of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, currently serves as rector and Archbishop McKnight currently serves as chair of the board of trustees.
Priests and retired priests
Priests are the heart of parish life, guiding our faith communities. Your support of the Good Shepherd Collection sustains their priesthood by providing both physical and spiritual health and wellness including ongoing formation, continued education, and the annual archdiocesan priest’s retreat.
New this year is an ongoing formation program for newly ordained priests, new pastors, and international priests with the goal to equip them with practical, pastoral, and administrative tools necessary to lead effectively. In partnership with Benedictine College, this program serves to integrate servant leadership, business acumen, and health and well-being into the lives of these priests. Over a two-year period, priests will build confidence and competence in administrative and leadership roles while also learning practical skills in finance, HR, risk management, communications, and operations management. Your gifts make this possible.
Our retired priests have walked with us through life’s many moments, and because of your generosity, they are able to thrive in this well-deserved retirement. Your gifts provide funding for the Priest Pension Plan, which is key to providing income security and supplemental health care coverage in the retirement years.
Permanent diaconate
The Office of the Permanent Diaconate invites, forms, and supports deacons who are called to serve the Church in Northeast Kansas through the ministry of the Word, the ministry of the altar and, above all, the ministry of charity. Across the archdiocese, deacons serve:
• In your parish
• In prison ministry
• In homebound ministry
• In hospital & hospice ministry
Vocations office
The Office of Vocations’ primary mission is fostering an openness to the vocations of priesthood and consecrated religious life. Building a culture of vocations includes events and accompaniment of all ages of discerners. Here are just a few of the ways your gifts help build a culture of vocations:
• Accompaniment of young men from middle school through post-college
• High school through post-college seminary visit opportunities
• One-week Vocation Formation Program in theology classes at area Catholic high schools
• Ongoing Discernment Groups for high school and college-age men
• 3-day Quo Vadis retreat
• 2-day Love’s Reply retreat for women ages 16 to 29 (more than 50 young women and seven religious orders were in attendance each of the past two years)
• Vocations team, staff support and resources for men and women discerners at all stages
If you are ready to make a gift, you can do so online at: www.archkck.org/gsc. You can also make a gift at your parish during the Good Shepherd Collection on April 23 and 24.
