Seminarian Fund seeks extra support
GREENVILLE — Last year, 20 local individuals pursuing religious vocations in the Catholic Church received $1,000 scholarships in support of their studies. Recipients included 17 men studying for the priesthood and three women studying to be religious sisters. Awards were provided by the North Deaneries Seminarian Fund of the Darke County Foundation and given to individuals from the Sidney and St. Marys deaneries of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.
The number of recipients has grown since the fund started in 2013, when 12 local seminarians each received $500.
The founders of the fund, Melvin and Mary Ann Stucke of Versailles, encourage the community to contribute to this fund that provides annual support for local men and women discerning a call to the religious life. The Stuckes will match any gift up to $300. One hundred percent of donations go directly to the scholarship awards.
Last year’s recipients made these remarks:
• “It truly means a lot to my brother seminarians and me to have the support of so many individuals
back home. It gives me great encouragement to see the support and faith you all have for the mission of the Catholic Church.”
• “Your support of seminarians and vocations is a testament of your hope for the Church.”
• “I was shocked as I opened my scholarship. I am in awe at how much God has blessed me by the people in the area I was raised in.”
• “These donations make a big impact on me. Without this financial support, it would be difficult for me to meet some of my basic expenses while in seminary. This support also allows me to live and work at parishes and communities that normally could not afford to support another person living at a parish. I am able to reach people who would not normally have assistance from a seminarian.”
• “Deciding to enter the seminary was not the easiest decision, but as I continue on this walk, there have been so many pleasant surprises.”
Melvin emphasized that most seminarians incur tuition and living expenses aside from any financial assistance provided by the archdiocese or religious order. Undergraduate students in college seminaries receive limited assistance from the archdiocese.
“We invite the community to join us in this effort to reinforce men and women in their religious studies,” said Melvin. “We feel that through the encouragement and prayer of so many supporters, the number of Catholic priests and religious will continue to increase.”
Donors may make a tax-deductible donation to the fund by writing a check to the Darke County Foundation (memo: Seminarian Fund). Mail to: Darke County Foundation, P.O. Box 438, Greenville, OH 45331. For more information, contact Melvin Stucke at 937- 423-5991.