Have you thought God might be calling you to serve the Church as a deacon? Would you like to know more about the process involved in becoming a permanent deacon?
The Diocese of Charlotte’s Office of the Permanent Diaconate continuously collects names of men who are inquiring into the diaconate.
If you are interested in finding out more, call Deacon Scott D. Gilfillan at 828-327-7441 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
The diocese starts a new formation class every four years. Before being selected for diaconate formation, a man has to complete the two-year Lay Ministry program offered by the diocese.
Details and more information can be found at www.charlottediocese.org/permanent-diaconate,
Our seminarians’ education is possible thanks to the generosity of parishioners who give to the annual Diocesan Support Appeal, through a Seminarian Education second collection in November and a Seminarian Education second collection on Easter Sunday, distributions from seminarian endowments in the diocesan foundation, and those who contribute gifts to the Seminarian Education Campaign.
Twenty-two endowments in the Foundation of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte totaling $5.2 million are designated for seminarian education:
- The Msgr. Thomas Burke Seminarian Endowment Fund
- Beatrice A. Chase Fund
- The Conklin Endowment Fund
- The A. Loraine Cox and C. Richard Cox Seminarians Education Endowment Fund
- Doris & Walter Dietrich Endowment Fund
- The Mr. A Steven and Dr. Donna S. Ellington Endowment Fund (benefitting St. Joseph College seminarians)
- The Fabrey Endowment Fund
- FFHL - Seminarian
- Dick Kelly Fund
- Seminarian Michael G. Kitson Memorial Endowment Fund
- The Lee Endowment Fund
- William Rabil and Rosalie Fund
- The Reverend Timothy S. Reid Endowment Fund
- Eugene & Carmen Rossitch Seminarian Fund
- The Matthew Scheible Endowment Fund
- Dr. Marvin L. Schrum and Paula B. Schrum Education Endowment Fund
- The Seminarians Education Endowment Fund
- The Abdou J. and Edna S. Showfety Seminarian Endowment Fund
- Stephen D. Showfety Endowment Fund
- The St. Lawrence Council (#1695) RSVP Endowment Fund
- St. Lucien Seminarian Scholarship Fund
- The Valentine Family Seminarian Education Endowment Fund
For information about making a gift to support seminarian education, contact Jim Kelley, director of development, at 704-370-3301 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Each September, people have the opportunity to celebrate the faithful service of our retired diocesan priests, as well as show gratitude to the priests currently serving in the diocese, by contributing to the Priests’ Retirement and Benefits second collection.
This year each parish is assessed 2.5 percent of its annual offertory collection to raise the funds needed to support priests’ retirement and benefits. The second collection helps the parishes pay this assessment. Three endowments in the Foundation of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte are also designated for priests’ retirement.
For information on establishing endowments for seminarian education or priests’ retirement, contact Kelley at 704-370-3301 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
— Catholic News Herald