In the Gospel According to Matthew (14:13-21), as Jesus fed five thousand people with only five loaves of bread and two fish, he illustrated how God's love can multiply the effects of our generosity. At Sacred Heart, we witness such generosity firsthand. Over the years, countless benefactors have invested their Godgiven resources—their energy, prayers and money—in this common mission to which God has called us.

 

The chart illustrates the generosity that currently funds the seminary (27% from our benefactors; 30% from an archdiocesan subsidy/Catholic Services Appeal (CSA); 33% from tuition, room and board; 3% from an archdiocesan endowment distribution; and 7% from investment earnings/ other (based on fiscal year ending June 30, 2006).

 

These funds help to keep the doors open and "the heart pumping" at Sacred Heart. The following is an abridged list of the seminary's expenditures:

Recently, Sacred Heart has benefited from an additional source of funding, the Fishermen's Fund, which supports seminarians and lay students through scholarship grants. The mission of the Fishermen's Fund states, "Sacred Heart Major Seminary's Fishermen's Fund, established and supported by the laity, exists to ensure that no vocation to the Roman Catholic priesthood, diaconate or lay ministry is hindered due to financial need."

 

And so, we express our gratitude to the Archdiocese of Detroit and all who support the Catholic Services Appeal, to our students and to our entire family of benefactors. Thank you for helping us to build the Kingdom of God, for being part of our vision and our mission—to train priests, deacons and lay ministers.

 

As we move forward together in this common mission, let us remember the words of the Apostle Paul as declared in the Second Letter to the Corinthians: "You will be enriched in every way for your generosity."