By Torrie Gregg
The first seminarian dinner I attended was in 2021. I went as a guest of my sister and didn’t really know what I was getting myself into.
I knew a few of the seminarians, but not on a very personal level, so I figured, “What the heck? Why not?” I walked in expecting a good meal and maybe the chance to learn a thing or two about the seminarians.
I had a great time! Between the conversations, laughter, and stories shared throughout the evening, I left with a greater appreciation for the men preparing to serve our diocese as priests. I knew I wanted to come back the next year.
Looking back, it’s funny how God works. I left that first dinner hoping to return, and now I have the privilege of being part of it every year.
Since joining the Catholic Foundation, I’ve had the opportunity to experience these evenings from a different perspective. One of my favorite parts is watching people get to know the seminarians beyond their names and photos. I’ve learned things about them that never would have come up in a Sunday homily or parish bulletin. Last year, attendees discovered that now-Fr. Luke Friess was fascinated by grain elevators, and that Deacon Kyle Pfeifer once worked at Burger King.
Jesus told His disciples, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few.” God continues to call men to serve His Church, and our role is to help them get there. Today, it costs more than $60,000 each year to educate a seminarian. Through your support of the Seminarian Fundraising Dinners, you help provide the formation they need to answer that call.
Whether you’ve attended before or are considering coming for the first time, I think you’ll leave with a greater appreciation for our seminarians and the journey they are taking toward the priesthood. I know I did.
I hope you’ll join us on July 29 in Salina or July 30 in Colby. Tickets are $60 and must be purchased by July 13. To purchase tickets or make a gift in support of seminarian education, visit bit.ly/semsofsalina. Questions? Contact the Catholic Foundation for Diocese of Salina at 785-827-8746 or development@salinadiocese.org.