The St. Joseph Education Society in the Diocese of Sioux City was established to support the education of clergy – both priests and deacons – before and after ordination.
Father Mark Stoll, executive director of the of the society, said a collection is scheduled to be taken at weekend Masses in parishes of the diocese on Nov. 2-3 with proceeds to go to the St. Joseph Education Fund.
“We want our priests and deacons to be well educated and well informed of current issues, matters and changes in the church,” he said, noting they will bring in speakers to educate them on various topics as part of continuing education.
Father Michael Cronin, pastor of Denison St. Rose of Lima Parish who is director of clergy continuing education, pointed out that formation supported by SJES can take many forms.
“Ongoing workshops called Clergy Days (for priests and deacons) allow us to consider specific topics and contemporary issues,” he said. “Priests also utilize funding from St. Joseph Education to receive specialized training in fields of study such as language, liturgical art and architecture, canon law and spiritual direction.”
Diocesan priests recently attended a three-day convocation in Sioux Falls that was mainly funded through the SJES.
“The convocation focused on the ars celebrandi of the priest, meaning the art of how priests celebrate the sacred liturgies,” said Father Cronin. “We had presentations on how the priest can best utilize tools and resources to reveal and proclaim the action of Jesus Christ in the sacred liturgy.”
Given there is a lot of diversity in the priesthood, the director of clergy continuing education acknowledged each priest has different strengths and talents as well as weaknesses and challenges.
“Similarly, the training a priest received can vary depending on which seminary he attended and when he was there,” he said. “Continuing education empowers priests to continue their ministry and serve the evolving needs of the church. Continuing education is an act of faith, because ongoing conversion necessitates growth and change.”
Father Stoll echoed the importance of continued formation for priests and the diversity of training opportunities offered, adding that the quarterly Clergy Days have covered various current topics ranging from grief as part of the pastoral planning process to gender identity.
Besides the continuing education for clergy, a portion of these funds help support diocesan seminarians as well as men in formation for the permanent diaconate.
One man in formation for the permanent diaconate shared his thoughts on the formation process thus far. Kevin Holzman of St. Mary Parish in Alton, a deacon candidate, is in his fourth year of the five-year formation process.
Kevin Holzman, a deacon candidate from Alton, was one of four men to recently participate in the rite of lector.
He explained when he first felt called by God to the diaconate, he was uncertain what the formation process and diaconate ministry entailed.
“As the number of priests decline, deacons are taking on even more duties,” said Holzman, who is aware that fellow parishioners often ask questions of the deacons so they need to be well informed. “A lot of parishioners can approach deacons easier than priests. They might be hesitant to ask a priest, but with a deacon most have been in their parish all their life.”
With that in mind, the deacon candidate said that is why extensive formation is so important – they need to know answers.
While the annual collection for the St. Joseph Education Fund will soon be held in diocesan parishes, Father Stoll mentioned that like any fund within the diocese gifts may be made anytime.
According to the Office of Stewardship and Development, there are several ways to contribute to the fund:
Mail to: St. Joseph Education Fund, PO Box 3379, Sioux City, IA 51102
Grain, stock, charitable gift annuity (CGA), qualified charitable distribution (QCD) from an IRA or through a donor-advised fund (DAF)
Remember the St. Joseph Education Fund in an estate plan
Father Cronin expressed gratitude for diocesan parishioners who have supported the St. Joseph Education Society.
“Through this society, I have been able to receive ongoing training in both the Spanish language and church management, both of which have helped me tremendously as the pastor of St. Rose of Lima in Denison,” he added.
As Holzman continues his formation for the permanent diaconate, he noted that men in formation for this ministry contribute many hours of their time for training as well as their own money for such things as books and supplies for classes and vestments.
Through this fund, the diocese pays for their formation classes and it is much appreciated. “We are doing this to hopefully serve in our parishes,” said the deacon candidate. “I would hate to see money ever be a deterrent for someone not to accept the call.”
For those unable to make a monetary donation, Holzman noted prayers are always needed and appreciated. With the formation being such a lengthy process, he acknowledged that many have questioned whether or not they should give up, but the prayers and support of parishioners have seen them through.
This annual collection is the primary source of revenue for the fund to balance what is taken out each year for the variety of clergy educational needs.
Father Stoll said he is very grateful for those who have given to the St. Joseph Education Fund in the past be it small or large donations.
“They have been very important to us to keep our priests and deacons abreast of current issues and help them be better ministers,” said the executive director. “I would encourage everyone to give at least a little bit to continue to form our priests and deacons.”