Christmas collection helps with seminary operating costs

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The glow of candles and the chants of the seminary choir added to the richness of the Advent novena held last year at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary.

It's not easy to feed and house a few strapping young men. How about 113?

That's the enrollment at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary, the archdiocesan seminary that has prepared men for the priesthood for more than 100 years. Just as the seminary gives to the people of the archdiocese, so the ordinary Catholics in the pew can give back through the annual Christmas collection, a longstanding archdiocesan tradition that provides significant help meeting ongoing expenses all year long.

Those expenses include everything from staff salaries and educational materials to such mundane bills as utility costs. This year the seminary is in a transition stage, as the entire educational and residential program has been transferred to temporary facilities in Richmond Heights and Clayton while the Shrewsbury campus is undergoing construction and renovation financed through the successful Faith for the Future campaign. But the ongoing bills and living expenses must still be paid.

Envelopes for the Christmas collections are included in most parish envelope sets, and donations can also be sent directly to the seminary.

"We rely on the offerings of the faithful of the Archdiocese of St. Louis to support our ongoing operations, especially through the Christmas collection," Jesuit Father John Horn, Kenrick-Glennon president-rector, wrote in a recent letter to priests asking for support.

Father Horn called on Catholics to look to St. Joseph, head of the Holy Family and guardian of the Redeemer, for inspiration "to grow in love for the Lord."

Archbishop Robert J. Carlson, a strong supporter of the seminary, has written, "I invite you to pray for our seminarians and to support them in any way possible."

The seminary has a stable enrollment, following years of dramatic increases, said Father Horn. Last year seminary enrollment was at a 20-year high. "We are rejoicing at the quality of the men" at Kenrick-Glennon, he added.

Of the 113 men in the seminary, 93 are in Kenrick School of Theology, and 27 of those men are studying to be priests for the St. Louis Archdiocese. There are 20 men in Cardinal Glennon College, including 12 preparing to serve in the St. Louis Archdiocese.

Kenrick-Glennon Seminary integrates what it calls the "four pillars" of seminary formation -- human, spiritual, ilntelllectual and pastoral. Many seminarians serve in parishes, assisting the pastor, serving at the parish school and in other ways. Kenrick-Glennon policy for some time has been that parish experience is a valuable preparation for future priests. Seminary administrators, faculty and staff also work with or serve in parishes and other archdiocesan agencies and programs, in addition to their seminary work.

Catholics are invited to remember the seminary at the Christmas Mass by donating through their envelopes. In addition, interested individuals can become members of the Kenrick-Glennon Society by donating a gift of $100 or more.

SEMINARY COLLECTION

WHAT: The annual collection for Kenrick-Glennon Seminary at Christmas Masses

HOW: Special envelope in mailing or envelope packet

WHY: A longtime archdiocesan tradition, this collection gives individual Catholics the opportunity to help the seminary pay for ongoing expenses all year long

BY MAIL: Make check out to "Kenrick-Glennon Seminary" and mail to Kenrick-Glennon Seminary, Archdiocese of St. Louis, 5200 Glennon Drive, St. Louis, MO 63119-4330

ONLINE: Donate securely online at kenrick.edu

FOR INFORMATION: Contact Kate Guyol at (314) 792-7435 or guyol@kenrick.edu