By Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News
Fourteen seminarians from Saskatchewan have each received $1,000 to support their studies thanks to a Sask. K of C Vocations Endowment initiated in 2018-19.
Diocese of Saskatoon seminarian Van Tam (Luke) Tran was one of those to receive support through the endowment. He will be entering his second year of seminary at Christ the King Seminary in Mission, BC this fall. He is currently living at St. Michael’s parish in Cudworth.
“The Sask K of C Vocation Endowment initiative has proven to be a rewarding and satisfying experience,” said Harvey Granatier in a letter sent to bishops, pastors and parishioners on behalf of the Vocation Endowment Steering Committee.
Sask K of C Vocation Endowment – UPDATE LETTER
“In our initial year, we exceeded our target by raising in excess of $300,000 in donations. Coupled with the commitment made by the Sask K of C Charitable Foundation to match the first $250,000, we now have approximately $550,000 in the Sask K of C Vocations Endowment Fund. We are extremely grateful for the leadership, support, and encouragement offered by all clergy, councils and parishioners throughout the province in making this success a reality,” said Granatier.
The Vocation Endowment was introduced as a three-year initiative, with preparations underway for a second year of fundraising, with a $250,000 target this year.
“The Sask K of C Vocation Endowment strategy was designed to pay an equal amount to each seminarian based on the earnings generated from the Fund each year,” Granatier explained. “This year we paid out $1,000 to each of the 14 seminarians associated with the dioceses and eparchy in Saskatchewan. It is important to note that the $14,000 paid out to the seminarians was from the earnings of the Vocation Endowment fund. We will not pay out any of the principal. Every dollar donated to the Sask K of C Vocations Endowment will continue to earn revenue in perpetuity for the training and development of priests.”
In addition, the Knights of Columbus Supreme Office offers a program to encourage Knights of Columbus Councils and members to support the training and development of clergy, which will provide a rebate of 20 per cent for each dollar paid out to seminarians. “When received, these RSVP rebate dollars will be deposited directly into the Vocation Endowment fund to further assist in future earnings,” said Granatier.
Upon receiving the update, Bishop Mark Hagemoen of the diocese of Saskatoon thanked the Knights of Columbus for their endowment initiative and for their support of seminarians and vocations. He also expressed appreciation to all those who have donated to the endowment.
Granatier also expressed his gratitude: “On behalf of the 10,000 Knights of Columbus members and 138 Knight of Columbus Councils within the province, we sincerely thank you for your ongoing generosity and support. We are optimistic and confident that together we can achieve our three-year target of $1 million as we build a sustainable fund for the training and development of the future leaders of our Church.”
-30-