Campaign Goal: $12 million

The men who dedicate their lives to serving us need our support at all stages of their journey, from their seminary years through retirement. Energized and well-formed priests are crucial to the ministry and operations of all parishes and offices in our diocese. We must care for our clergy throughout their ministerial careers and during their senior years.

By supporting our clergy from seminary through retirement, we will encourage seminarians and priests to experience the fullness of their vocation, lifting them up as they help us consider and live out our own calling.

There are two priorities within the pillar of Supporting Our Clergy:

Seminarians | Retired Priests

Seminarians: $5 million

Currently, 33 seminarians are discerning their vocation while preparing to serve as priests for the Diocese of Austin. Seminarian education is built on three essential pillars: intellectual, spiritual and human formation. Our seminaries take great care in providing opportunities that focus on seminarians’ personal strengths so they become the best pastors possible.

The priesthood is essential to our Catholic faith, and additional vocations will be required in the coming years to meet the needs of our growing community. Encountering Christ will direct $5 million toward the seminary endowment to encourage vocations, especially among the Spanish-speaking population; to offset the cost of education and formation and reduce the financial impact on seminarians; and to provide additional support for the increasing number of men who enter the seminary with student loan debt. Supporting our seminarians across all pillars of their formation will allow them the opportunity to fully discern their call and explore their vocation.

Retired Priests: $7 million

The men who are ultimately ordained to the priesthood for our diocese give their lives in service to our community. They provide pastoral care and leadership in our parishes, schools, missions, hospitals and other ministries. Even when their years of active ministry end, they never retire from their vocation to the priesthood but continue to serve us through prayer.

The diocese currently has 38 retired priests, with another 40 within 10 years of retirement age. A pension plan and trust provides for their housing, health care and living expenses during retirement. However, this plan is currently underfunded for the number of priests who will access it in the future. Encountering Christ will add $5 million to the pension plan and trust to meet the anticipated shortfall.

Since most priests reside in the rectories of the parishes they shepherd, many lack housing once they retire from pastoral ministry. The St. John Paul II Residence for Priests is a comfortable home and close-knit community where retired priests can share Mass, meals and activities; access transportation to and from appointments; and receive care and support for medical needs. Residents benefit from the balance of independent living and fellowship.

In its present state, the residence will not have room for the number of priests who will retire in the coming years. The diocese will allocate $2 million from the campaign to construct additional duplexes to accommodate another eight to 12 priests.