Background:
Currently there is no permanent funding for the Quo Vadis Days Program for boys and Vocare Program for girls in the Catholic Diocese of Spokane. These programs introduce our young men and women to opportunities for them to consider vocations to the priesthood and/or religious life. Each year funding must be solicited and tuition must be charged to individuals attending these programs,
currently $75 per attendee. The support provided by the Catholic Diocese of Spokane to our seminarians attending Bishop White Seminary is limited. Cost of residency fees at Bishop White Seminary are rising each year. Currently that cost must be paid by the seminarian or his family. In addition, some young men may not consider a vocation to the Catholic priesthood given the costs of attending a four year university coupled with the cost of residency at Bishop White Seminary. Tuition and books for one year at Gonzaga University are nearly $38,000 and residency fees at Bishop White Seminary are $12,000. A priest’s initial salary is about $19,000. In order to meet the future need for priests in our diocese, we need to be able to encourage more young men to enter the seminary and provide scholarships to reduce their financial burden and promote academic excellence. Our Vision:
The Foundation will create a funding source to insure that young men and young women have the opportunity to discern their vocations to the priesthood or religious life through educational programs such as Quo Vadis Days and Vocare at no or little cost, and to relieve those program directors from the fundraising efforts so they can focus on the program content. The Foundation will create a funding source to insure young men who have discerned a vocation to the priesthood and wish to enroll in the diocesan seminary program have partial or full relief from the costs of residency at Bishop White Seminary. The Foundation will create a funding source to provide scholarships to young men accepted into the seminary program at Bishop White Seminary and attending a local college or university. Scholarships may be based on financial need, and / or academic achievement and may be fully or partially funded, and may be paid in advance or through reimbursement of costs. The Foundation hopes to break down financial barriers and promote vocations to the priesthood and religious life to insure the future of the Catholic priesthood in the Spokane Diocese.
