​Assumption Seminary Associates provide support to those studying for priesthood

Assumption Seminary Associates provide support to those studying for priesthood

Assumption Seminary Associates recently supplied welcome bags with toiletries, school supplies, snacks, stamps and gift cards for 60 seminarians.

Associates who delivered the packages on September 7 were Laura Berrera, Helen Flowers, and Helen Villarreal. Others who assisted with the donations include Geri McCormack-Trevino, Gilbert Trevino and Pat O’Rourke.

An upcoming project for the group will be a Christmas giving tree. Trees will be placed at several parishes and gift cards and monetary donations that are made will be distributed to seminarians after their Fall break and before they leave for the Christmas holidays.

The organization, which currently has about 50 members, is open to individuals from all parishes, and more information can be found by e-mailing [email protected].

The Associates began more than 40 years ago when a group of women met monthly to pray for those men that were entering Assumption Seminary. The founders of the group had a personal calling — as it was their own sons that were the seminarians. They knew that the power of prayer would help protect those that are searching for a closer relationship to God. So together, they prayed, shared meals and built a community to support the seminarians.

The journey into priesthood is not an easy one — the curriculum is vast in theology, Scripture, liturgy and humanities. Plus, the emotional toll of their discernment may cast doubt, fear and uncertainty tends to weigh heavily on these men. The constant bombardment is a true test of the vocation, and with the Assumption Seminary Associates ministry, they provide encouragement, love and prayer.

About six years ago, the group began to see an intense need to be the home away from home to the seminarians. This reshaped the organization to expand services to the vocation, by providing spiritual support, financial support and encouragement through care packs and basic household supply needs to the seminarians. Through this, the organizations has become more active in fundraising, attracting volunteers, and engaging with the seminarian community.