“Rooted in Faith, Forward in Hope” campaign approaches $10 million mark

​

October 12, 2017 (Story by Mason Beecroft - Eastern Oklahoma Catholic) The “Rooted in Faith, Forward in Hope” capital campaign has just finished its third year and has raised almost $9.5 million of the $15 million pledged. The monies raised in the campaign are being used to strengthen five ministries in the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma: the priest retirement fund, seminarian education, rural parishes, the St. Francis of Assisi Tuition Assistance Trust Fund and local parishes by returning a percentage of every dollar given at the parish level.

​Supported by your generous donations to this campaign, seminarians Robert Duck, left, and Vince Fernandez were ordained into the transitional diaconate Sept. 28 at St. Peter’s Basilica at the Altar of the Chair of St. Peter. Deacons Duck and Fernandez are students at the Pontifical North American College in Rome.

​"Being ordained a transitional deacon in preparation of the priesthood really says something to the fact that the foundation of all ministry is service,” reflected Deacon Robert Duck. “Service to God and His people is fundamental to all other work. So it is necessary that we learn to be servants before we become priests, taking that very service into all that we do. It was through the service I witnessed in others that first inspired me to serve others in ordained ministry. I would not be here if it were not for their witness, prayers, and support."