Catholic Diocese of Spokane, Washington

From the

Official News Magazine of the Diocese of Spokane

(From the Sept. 29, 2005 edition of the Inland Register)

This artist’s conception gives several views of the new proposed facility for Bishop White Seminary.

The “Hear I am, Lord, Send Me” Campaign for the Education of Seminarians is at the half-way point of the redemption phase of the campaign. To date, just under $5 million has been paid on pledges totaling over $10 million. With two years remaining on pledge payments, the campaign is on track to meet the collection goal.

The Campaign for the Education of Seminarians is an effort to fund four important areas of diocesan life: the 2004 Annual Catholic Appeal, operating expenses of the seminary program for 2004 and 2005, a $4.5 million dollar endowment for seminary formation, and $3 million to construct a new Bishop White Seminary.

Said Father Darrin Connall, Director of Seminarians, “I have been truly humbled and gratified by the commitment of our Catholic people to the future of priestly formation in Eastern Washington. I know that all our seminarians join me in thanking those who made a gift to this campaign.”

Since the Diocese of Spokane filed for Chapter 11 Reorganization last December, some people have wondered about the legal impact on their pledge payments to the seminary campaign. The simple answer is that there is no negative impact at all. All of the payments made on pledges go directly to the Catholic Foundation and are placed into special campaign endowment accounts.

The Catholic Foundation is a nonprofit corporation, incorporated under the laws of the State of Washington, separate and distinct from the Diocese of Spokane. Because of the manner in which funds were raised for the campaign, the payments made on pledges cannot be used in any way to pay legal fees or claims against the diocese. The money is safe and will be used solely for its intended purpose.

Future editions of the Inland Register will contain additional campaign updates, including a timeline for construction of the new seminary. In the meantime, additional questions about the Campaign for the Education of Seminarians can be directed to the Foundation Office at 509-358-4280, or by calling Father Connall: 509-326-3255.