Ignite! Capital Campaign supports seminarians

December 19, 2024

by Jennifer Willems, Contributing Writer

At the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis, Matthew Johll was reminded of why he was studying to be a priest for the Diocese of Des Moines.

“The Holy Mass is the source and summit of our faith,” he said. As a seminarian, he looks forward to celebrating that sacrament and making Jesus in the Eucharist available to people.

“The whole purpose of priesthood is to be at the service of the people of God,” Johll explained.

He is grateful for the support those people have already shown to him and his brother seminarians through the Ignite! Capital Campaign. Eleven percent of the three-year campaign, which raised $37 million, was earmarked for Seminarian Support. Those funds will augment the Diocesan Seminarian Fund.

“Training seminarians has to be one of our top priorities,” said Father Ross Parker, diocesan director of Vocations.

Johll began his study of theology this fall at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Yonkers, NY. Also helping the diocesan seminarians to “configure themselves to Christ for the sake of his church” are St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota, and the Pontifical North American College in Rome.

There are seven men at this stage of their formation. The Diocese pays for their room and board, as well as their books, and provides a monthly stipend so they can devote themselves entirely to their studies.

Additionally, four men from southwest Iowa are studying philosophy at St. Pius X Seminary, located at Loras College in Dubuque. Father Parker said the Diocese gives them a grant to help with their education.

Looking to the Future

Campaign funds will allow the Diocese of Des Moines to support as many as 20 or 25 seminarians. That will be helpful, since Father Parker is seeing more interest from young men who are looking to 2025.

“That’s going to be really nice to have those funds,” he said. “That will give us a buffer when our numbers increase, which I think they will.”

“People are so generous to vocations,” said Cathy Jordan, coordinator of Vocations. “I’m always humbled by how much people are willing to give and to support our seminarians.”

So is Johll. “I’m very grateful for all the funding that the Diocese has and the generosity of the people,” he said. “And, to know there are a lot of people praying for me and for my brother seminarians is very powerful.”