St. Joseph Education 
society supports formation for clergy

By RENEE WEBB
Content and Design Coordinator

Having effectively trained priests, deacons and seminarians is important to the life of the church and ministry to the Catholic faithful.

The St. Joseph Education Society (SJES) in the Diocese of Sioux City was established to help in that effort by supporting the education and formation of clergy – both priests and deacons – before and after ordination.

Catholics of the diocese can join in this effort by contributing to the special collection for the St. Joseph Education Society that will be taken up in parishes Nov. 1-2.

Father Mark Stoll, director of the St. Joseph Education Society, said contributions to the fund provide for the education of clergy solely within the Diocese of Sioux City – 100% of proceeds stay in the diocese.

“The priests and deacons, who also contribute to this collection, are grateful for this fund as many acknowledge they receive excellent training provided by experts as well as spiritual nourishment at retreats,” he said.

Father Michael Cronin, pastor of St. Rose of Lima in Denison and director of clergy continuing education, pointed out that SJES can take several forms.

“Ongoing workshops called Clergy Days (for priests and deacons) allow us to consider specific topics and contemporary issues,” he said. “Priests also utilize funding from St. Joseph Education to receive specialized training in fields of study such as language, liturgical art and architecture, canon law and spiritual direction.”

As with other fields such as those in law enforcement and the medical field, Father Stoll said “priests and deacons need continuing education to be effective in helping their parish communities to effectively understand the Word of God and the teachings of Christ’s church.”

The SJES director cited use of the funds this past summer for a deacon retreat as well as a retreat for priests.

In addition to continuing education for present priests and deacons, a portion of SJES funds is used for seminarians and deacon candidates.

“Seminarians and deacon candidates spend years in formation, deepening their knowledge of the faith, strengthening their spiritual lives, and gaining the pastoral skills they’ll need to serve God’s people,” said Heidi Probasco, diocesan director of stewardship and development, whose office organizes the SJES collection.

Father Stoll stressed that it would be a hardship for many seminarians and deacon candidates as well as for priests seeking advanced degrees if they had to cover all of the costs on their own.

Will Swanson, a deacon candidate from Storm Lake, agreed with the SJES director’s sentiments.

“I am thankful for your generosity,” he expressed to the people of the diocese. “Your commitment to the education of clergy in the Diocese of Sioux City is greatly appreciated and without your support, financial burden could be a roadblock to answering Jesus’ call to service.”

In order to have high quality and trained clergy, the deacon candidate said it is critical that the cost of educating them isn’t a barrier for candidates.

“Even through many candidates have secular jobs, the need for financial assistance is still there for many candidates who may be burdened by additional costs while still trying to run small businesses, teach or might be on a fixed income in their early retirement years,” said Swanson, who is set to be ordained to the permanent diaconate in August 2026.

For at least some of the men in formation for the diaconate, he noted, they also have the financial responsibility of children still in the home.

Currently in his fifth year of formation for the permanent diaconate, the deacon candidate said he understands the importance of having proper training and formation as it is not a ministry where you can just “wing it.”

“Without proper formation, deacons would be unable to fulfill their role as a minister of the word, altar and charity,” said Swanson. “In order to be a productive minister, I need to be properly trained both academically and practically.”

Lexa Hawkins, manager of donor relations for the Office of Stewardship and Development, said the SJES helps to ensure priests and deacons “continue to grow spiritually, academically and pastorally in their service to the people of our diocese.”

In addition to giving to the collection at the parish, she said there are several ways to contribute to the SJES fund:

• Online at scdiocese.org/giving
• Transfer Grain or Stock 
• Charitable Gift Annuity (CGA)
• Charitable Distribution (QCD) from an IRA
• Donor-advised Fund (DAF)
• Include the St. Joseph’s Education Fund in your estate plan 

“Your generosity has helped cover the cost of tuition, books, formation programs and living expenses of clergy solely within the Diocese of Sioux City,” said Probasco. “Your continued prayerful consideration of a gift will sustain this fund for future clergy following God’s calling.”

Funds generated for the SJES, noted Swanson, will ensure that for years to come men will have the opportunity to be trained to respond to the ever growing needs of the diocese.

Giving to this collection, Father Stoll said, was a way to say “thank you” to those who have and will be dedicating their lives to Christ and his church.

“I offer my thanks to the many faithful who have supported this annual collection through either our director mailing sent to active givers and/or in the collection basket at your parish,” he said. “These donations express the love and appreciation the faithful of the diocese have for our priests and deacons.”
 
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