The Campaign for the Seminaries of the Archdiocese of Denver!

A New Harvest Campaign will support endowment and capital program initiatives that will provide the best possible formation of priests through human, spiritual, intellectual, pastoral, and missionary development. The Campaign offers you an opportunity to help both seminaries attain their goal for this and later generations.

The Seminaries and The Catholic Foundation enjoy a long-standing and successful relationship. Over the years, donors to The Catholic Foundation have established permanent endowment funds dedicated to the ongoing operations of the Seminaries totaling approximately $20-million. Since 1998 the Foundation has made grants of $11.46M to the Seminaries from these permanent endowments and other funds of the Foundation supporting their capital and operational needs. The Catholic Foundation is proud to establish A New Harvest Funds benefiting the Seminaries.  Expertise. The Catholic Foundation is an experienced philanthropic professional organization. The Catholic Foundation has been providing customized donor solutions and endowment management services in the northern Colorado Catholic community since 1998. Both donors and beneficiaries benefit from the Foundation's knowledge and experience. Working with The Catholic Foundation allows the Seminaries to dedicate themselves exclusively to forming young men now and into the future. (See "Ways to Donate.")

The sources of financing of the seminary are primarily from current endowments of approximately $20-million, tuition from non-archdiocesan seminarians, an annual archdiocesan-wide in-parish appeal, and support directly from various archdiocesan sources.  Gifts and grants are also received on an unsolicited annual basis from estates and individual supporters.

Yes, the Seminaries run an annual appeal campaign during November of each calendar year.  This appeal takes place through visits made by our seminarians to each area parish.  These gifts help fund the ongoing operating costs of the Seminaries.  In 2006 the annual appeal raised approximately $600,000.  While these funds are very helpful to our Seminaries, they are not adequate to meet our annual budget nor provide for future growth.  Because we depend on the annual appeal gifts, we ask each donor to continue their faithful support of the annual appeal in addition to making a special gift for the purposes of the campaign.

Applicants undergo a comprehensive admissions process which includes a formal written application, psychological testing and evaluation, written recommendation of their diocesan vocations director and bishop and a series of interviews with seminary formation staff including the rector.  Each applicant’s formal academic record is also reviewed and weighed to determine the potential for appropriate academic performance.  This process can take as long as a year depending upon the individual applicant.

The first year experience, called the Spirituality Year, is a non-academic year spent in prayer and discernment.  During this year, the seminarian is immersed in studying and reflecting on the Bible, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, particular Church fathers, particular saints like Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross.  The seminarian also hears from a number of lecturers regarding the teaching of the Church.

This really depends on the educational background of each individual seminarian. But as a general rule, a seminarian will spend an average of seven years in formation before being ordained.  This time is comprised of a Spirituality Year (a year of discernment), two years of Philosophy and four years of Theology.  A seminarian’s last year of Theology is also generally his transitional year as a deacon.

The majority of our seminarians for both seminaries live on the grounds of the seminary in dormitory space provided for that purpose.  At the same time, seminarians of St. John Vianney will also spend time living in housing that has been established on the grounds of three Denver parishes where they may begin to experience the rhythms of parish life and direct interaction with the faithful they may one day serve.

There is no relationship between the Catholic seminaries of the Archdiocese of Denver and the Denver Seminary.  The Denver Seminary, located in southern Arapahoe County, is a non-denomination Protestant Seminary.

Seminarians from outside the Archdiocese of Denver pay annual tuition, room and board.  The current rate for a year of study is $20,300.

All seminarians studying for the Archdiocese of Denver will be assigned to parishes in the archdiocese upon ordination.  However, since the men of Redemptoris Mater are also being formed as missionary priests, they may be sent to other areas of the United States or other countries where a need exists.  The Archbishop has sole authority for determining whether a seminarian upon ordination will be sent to an area outside the Archdiocese.

Yes, we would be happy to arrange a personal tour.  We welcome you to tour the facilities, meet our rectors and faculty members, and join our seminarians for mass and lunch.  Please contact the Development Director to arrange your visit.

The Seminaries of the Archdiocese of Denver are not unlike most higher education institutions across the country in that our tuition and fees do not cover the full cost of educating our men.  We depend on private gifts and endowment income to ensure a top-notch education for our priests in training.  A New Harvest is an opportunity for the Seminaries to partner with the faithful of the Archdiocese of Denver in advancing the future of the priesthood locally, nationally and globally.  The campaign will raise funds for some capital needs but the largest portion will build an endowment for our Seminaries.  These endowment funds are necessary to help us meet the ongoing and future financial needs of the seminaries and provide for continued growth of the priesthood.

Yes, your gift may be paid over multiple years (typically three to five years).  Please contact our Development Director to discuss your desires regarding pledge period and payment timing.

Although we’d prefer that your gift be unrestricted, the Seminaries can work with The Catholic Foundation to prepare a proposal or gift agreement to suit your interests or you may state the purpose in a letter or transmittal accompanying your gift or pledge form.  However, to facilitate effective gift administration and to ensure that your contribution is used as you intend, you should discuss it with our Development Director before putting any restriction(s) in writing.  The campaign consists of two primary components—capital and endowment.  Gifts designed for capital use will help with the construction and renovation of buildings on campus.  Endowment gifts will benefit the Seminaries forever.  The endowment gift stays permanently invested while an annual distribution or grant from its income is made to support the Seminary or a specific purpose at the Seminary as designated by the donor (e.g. a Scholarship, Professorship, or Chair).

Yes, to the extent allowable under IRS regulations.  We suggest contacting your tax advisor or accountant regarding your personal charitable giving and tax benefit circumstances.  The Catholic Foundation, our receiving agency, is classified as a 501 (c)(3) tax exempt organization.

Yes, you can make a gift through your estate.  Its campaign valuation will be based on an equation that takes into account the type of gift, your age, and a number of other factors.  For a complete explanation of gift methods and options, please review the “Ways to Give” brochure for the campaign.  If you have already named the Seminary or Seminaries in your will it is important to document your bequest by contacting our Development Director.  This ensures that we understand the impact you want your gift to have.  Not only does it provide assurance that your gift is administered as you intended, but it allows the Seminaries to plan for the future.  Donor information can be kept confidential if you desire.

You will receive an acknowledgement letter that thanks you for your contribution and may be used for your tax records. Campaign contributions may also be recognized in various publications and electronic communications such as the Campaign Newsletter, the Denver Catholic Register, and our website.  Capital projects may include plaques honoring individuals who contribute above a certain amount to the campaign.  Opportunities to name a specific space, program, scholarship, professorship, or chair at the Seminaries are available at certain gift levels.  Donors may also remain anonymous if they desire.