CDA supports the formation of our seminarians

by Fr. Chris Axline  |  02/23/2025  |  Weekly Reflection

This week we rolled out our annual Charity and Development Appeal (CDA) which supports ministries and apostolates throughout the diocese. Of these, the one I am the most grateful for is that CDA supports the education and formation of our seminarians. This year, the Diocese of Phoenix reached 50 seminarians! Of these 50, one is from our parish (Dcn. Jacob Chavez) and will be ordained a priest this June. Jacob will be the third priest this parish has gifted to the diocese in our 23-year history along with Fr. Ian Wintering, and Fr. Gabriel Terrill!

The Lord is truly doing something amazing here, and he is not done! There are already several young men within our parish actively discerning the priesthood, some of whom have already applied and, with the priesthood discernment group now meeting regularly, we pray there will be many more in the future!

However, you also already know someone who has already benefited from previous CDA donations, me! CDA made it possible for me to complete my studies and formation without having to worry about the cost of my education. Truly this is a gift, one for which I am grateful for and shows that while we celebrate and give thanks to those who are called, we need to do our part and that is where CDA makes an impact. For example, during my six years of seminary (2007-2013), the aver-age cost of formation was $65,000. This cost included tuition, room and board, and school supplies so that the seminarian did not have to pay for these costs themselves. This cost has only gone up since I was ordained in 2013. Now, I am grateful that I can give back some of what was given to me by supporting the CDA. You too can make a tangible impact on the formation of our future priests!

One of the gifts of a CDA donation is the enabling of our seminarians to focus on their formation so that they serve as the next generation of priests for our diocese. This is especially significant as the Diocese of Phoenix is building and staffing facilities to form all our seminarians within the diocese! Additionally, CDA funds also go to support Catholic schools, missions, and organizations within our diocese that support pro-life pregnancy centers, homeless, veterans, unemployed, and the elderly.

Please prayerfully discern donating to the CDA, no donation is too small or insignificant. Every gift makes an impact and is an investment in the future of the Diocese of Phoenix through the practice of corporal and spiritual works of mercy. Like the Widow’s Mite (Luke 21:1-4) we have offered to Christ our whole livelihood.