No Cash, No Collar

Priest shortage. GREAT PHOTO AVAILABLE FOR STORY. PLEASE CONTACT TO RECEIVE ELECTRONICALLY. Caption: Seminarian Carson Bush asks what his priestly duties will be like during class at Mundelein Seminary, north of Chicago. (photo: James Bowey)

CHICAGO - When it comes to the priest shortage, the public may not have the full picture. Money problems are plaguing more than just Wall Street.

"I gave up everything to go to Holy Apostles Seminary," said John Froyd of the Diocese of Lubbock. "In fact, I went deep into debt just to get through the first year. I had to borrow money -- and then I realized that I couldnt borrow any more for the second year."

Light is being shed over a surprising problem. Many men still struggle to stay in the seminary -- and who do not become ordained -- due to a lack of funding. Soulful students may find themselves at peace with the curriculum but unable to meet the approximate $15,000 each year for a seminary education.
                           
"We sit here with hundreds of requests for help from men who desperately want to become priests," said Dick Ritter, Vice President of Catholic Extension, the organization that supports Catholic missionary work in America. "The calling still exists, the interest is there. Americans might be shocked at the number of potential priests who redirect their path due to a lack of money for school."

Ritter received a letter from Wilmar Zabala of the Diocese of Yakima, WA, with a seminarian education plea. A native of the Philippines, Zabala came to the United States in his late teens. "His family was so poor that they had difficulty getting food at times," said Ritter. "His parents moved to the United States for a better life. Wilmar and his siblings stayed in the Philippines with their grandparents, and it was 12 years before their family was together again."

"I see God allowing me to suffer early in life so that I may be aware of and responsive to the sufferings of others," said Zabala, who is hoping to be on the receiving end of Catholic Extension funds this spring.

And without the priest ---- who baptizes, marries, celebrates Mass, or listens to the confession of a Catholic?

"I knew if I couldnt find help, my lifelong dream of becoming a priest would be lost, and I thank God for Catholic Extension," said John Froyd.

If you are interested in helping to assist a seminarian, please contact JoAnn Marciszewski at-1-888-473-2484. For more information about Catholic Extension, visit www.catholic-extension.org on the worldwide web.