Diocese of Covington - Stewardship, Missions and DPAA at 402 East 21st Street - PO Box 15550, Covington, KY 41015-0550 US - Seminary Education 2009

 My dear Friends in Christ:

 

I pray that this letter finds you well, steadfast and confident in the faith that is ours! The magnificent beauty and wonder of our faith is grounded in the very life of our Lord Jesus and built upon the foundation of his Twelve Apostles, each of whom left everything behind when the Lord called out to them, “Follow me.” (Mark 1:17) These simple men courageously responded to the Lord’s call and entered into an unknown yet amazing journey of faith which continues before us today. Although His voice can be difficult to hear amidst all the noise of the modern world, we, His children, are still able to attune our hearts and minds to His voice and follow Him. 

 

Here in the Diocese of Covington we are blessed to have sixteen men who have heard the call of the Lord, “Follow me.”  They, like the first disciples, are giving themselves completely and unreservedly to the command of Christ by striving to become one of His priests. These men are responding to that vocation which God, in His Church, has called them. With them, we, the faithful of the diocese, journey on the extraordinary adventure of grace and faith.

 

On June 19^th of this year, our Holy Father Pope Benedict initiated a Year for Priests. During this year it is the Holy Father’s hope that priests recommit themselves to the service of the Gospel and that through their example so too will all the faithful. What a magnificent time for us as individuals, parishes and as a diocese to engage in the mission of the Church through the promotion and support of priestly vocations. I thank all of you who for so many years have been so faithful in praying for our priests and seminarians, and for an increase in priestly vocations. I am especially grateful to those of you who have in any way financially supported the education and formation of our seminarians. 

 

Recently you received a brochure, a prayer card and a donation envelope in the mail. It is my hope that you will use all three in support of our seminarians, who are of course the future priests of our diocese. I ask that you unfold the brochure and post it in your home as a reminder to pray for our priests and seminarians. I ask, too, that you pray the beautiful prayer to our Blessed Mother – The Memorare – daily for them. And finally that you use the envelope to financially support the Seminarian Education Fund. I realize that what I am asking may be difficult. However, it is a tremendous gesture that will long be remembered. I am confident that the One who began the good work in you will bring it to fulfillment. (cf. Phil 1:6).

Yours devotedly in the Lord,

Most Reverend Roger J. Foys, D.D.
Bishop of Covington