Raising Up Our Church Leaders
Mission
The St. Thomas Aquinas Fund seeks to strengthen the Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse b= supporting the formation of men for Holy Orders as well as the continuing education of its priests and deacons to ensure our church leaders love with the heart of the Church and are formed to have an integrated core of human, intellectual, spiritual, and pastoral virtues modeled by Jesus Christ.
History
In 1938, Bishop Walter A. Foley began a seminary fund to ensure that young men who were called to be shepherds to the faithful would have the education and experience to best serve God’s people. The fund was created by the generous gifts of families throughout the Diocese of Syracuse along with many local chapters of the Knights of Columbus. The fund was officially named St. Thomas Aquinas Fund inspired by the brilliant theologian and philosopher and patron saint of universities and scholars.
The St. Thomas Aquinas Fund was incorporated as a permanent endowment with oversight by a board of trustees and supported by the Foundation of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse.
Supporting Those Who Support Us
Our priests and deacons provide us with pastoral support to grow in our personal journey of faith. We are called to do the same. Together, we can provide the opportunity for every man who is called to the priesthood or diaconate to receive the education and develop the pastoral skills he needs to serve our Church. Every year, the St. Thomas Aquinas Fund supports seminary formation, deacon formation, continuing formation and vocation promotion.