Seminarian Partnership Program

The Seminarian Partnership Program (SPP) provides an opportunity for individuals, families or groups to support seminarians throughout their path to Priesthood. Your support of the SPP will assist young men answering God’s call to serve.

From our earliest days of life to our final moments on earth, receiving the comforting grace of the Sacraments from a priest has been our experience and that of our loved ones.

It is only the priest, who acts in persona Christi, who can confect the Most Holy Eucharist and thus bring us the source and summit of Christian life (CCC 1324). The future priests of our Diocese will welcome new children of God through the waters of Baptism, preside at weddings, teach us the truths of the Catholic faith, console us in our trials and give us hope in eternal life. How ineffable is the gift of the Priesthood!

The Seminarian Partnership Program is an annual donor-directed scholarship fund that directly benefits seminarians studying at 5 seminaries across the country. This fund allows individuals, parishes, and groups to contribute directly to the cost of formation for seminarians in the Diocese of Raleigh. Donor generosity has enabled these young men to grow in their intellectual and spiritual formation, ensuring a vibrant Diocese in the years to come.

Visit https://dioceseofraleigh.org/seminarians to meet our Seminarians.

This year we memorialized the late Fr. Philip Tighe and his devotion to his final role as the Diocesan Vocations Director. Please click here to learn more about the Inaugural Fr. Tighe Golf Outing that was held on May 23, 2022 at the Longleaf Golf & Family Club in Southern Pines, NC.

My name is Fr. Noe Ramirez de Paz an ordained priest for the Diocese of Raleigh since June 2019, who began my formation in June of 2011. In those eight years I deepened my prayer life and through my studies learned more than I could ever imagine about God, Our Church, and the Love we are called to profess in Christ Jesus our Lord.

In 2015, I had to decide, more so than in other years, if I was going to continue to pursue the priesthood or go on to something else. One of the things that weighed heavily on me is that if I left, I would be letting you down. You who had supported my formation prayerfully and economically, would be disappointed by me leaving. I did not want to be ungrateful, but at the same time I knew I had to follow the Call without any pressure. My Spiritual director at the time helped me through this. He helped me realize that you did not see it that way, the way I was thinking. Rather, when you give to this cause it is not about us but instead the future of the Church. Your love and faith for his Bride. Realizing that it was not about me but instead Christ, allowed me to be free to choose.

I chose to follow Christ, freely and whole heartedly. After that decision I still had four years of formation and thanks to your generosity I now serve as a priest in the Diocese of Raleigh. I thank you for your faith in God to continue to call men to serve as his Priests and supporting them. I encourage you to continue to help the work of God in these men’s hearts. I promise you that because of your kindness and prayers, Jesus will be made present in the Blessed Sacrament through the consecrated hands of a priest, to bring Salvation to all.

In Christ,

Fr. Noe Ramirez de Paz

Diocesan Prayer for Vocations

FATHER,

IN YOUR PLAN FOR OUR SALVATION YOU PROVIDE SHEPHERDS FOR YOUR PEOPLE. FILL YOUR CHURCH WITH THE SPIRIT OF COURAGE AND LOVE.

GIVE THE CHURCH MORE PRIESTS, WORTHY MINISTERS FOR YOUR ALTARS AND ARDENT BUT GENTLE SERVANTS OF THE GOSPEL.

GRANT ALSO TO US AN INCREASE IN VOCATIONS TO THE RELIGIOUS LIFE. MAY MORE OF YOUR PEOPLE RESPOND TO YOUR CALL IN A SPIRIT OF JOYFUL GENEROSITY.

MAY THEY SERVE YOUR PEOPLE IN LOVE BY FOLLOWING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF CHRIST YOUR SON AND PROVIDE BY THEIR WAY OF LIFE A CONVINCING SIGN OF YOUR KINGDOM.

WE ASK THIS THROUGH CHRIST OUR LORD.

MARY, MOTHER OF THE CHURCH, PRAY FOR US.

Vocations & Seminarian Formation

Director of Seminarian Formation
Very Reverend Jeffrey Bowker V.F.
984-900-3403 // Fr.Jeffrey.Bowker@raldioc.org

Promoter of Vocations
Reverend James J. Magee III
984-900-3403 // Fr.James.Magee@raldioc.org

7200 Stonehenge Dr Raleigh, NC 27613
919 821 9723

What YOU Can Do!

The Seminarian Partnership Program was created to specifically fund the cost of formal education.

As we have been the recipients of God's many graces through the Sacraments, please take the time to contemplate the spiritual needs of our future generations and help provide them with your stewardship of time, talent and treasure.

To help cover these costs, you can:

Make a one time gift.
Make an annual or multi-year pledge of cash or stock to the Seminarian Partnership Program.
Support an existing endowment.
Remember the Diocese of Raleigh Vocations Program in your will.

Consider this!

Which planned gift makes sense?
Which gift option matches your interests?
Consult with the Foundation and your tax advisor to answer these questions

*Income paid to you

What do you say to a young man who is considering a vocation?

Father Steven Di Massimo

“Do not be afraid. God knows your vocation will bring you joy. Do not just put discernment on the back burner, but really try and dive into it courageously.”

~Father Steven DiMassimo

Parochial Vicar - St. Thomas More Parish, Chapel Hill, NC

“It can be a very unsettling thing to first feel you are being called. Do not be afraid. It takes courage to do so, but you will never regret doing it”

~Deacon Nicolas Rapkoch

3rd Theology – Theological College, Washington D.C.
2nd Theology – Theological College, Washington, D.C.
Home Parish - Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral, Raleigh, NC

“Why not now?” God is waiting for you always; come to Him and He will be with you. Just say: “Yes, Lord. Yes, Lord. I come to do your will.” Spend time in deep prayer and listen to God; He speaks to your heart. Ask Him, as St. Francis of Assisi wrote, “Lord, what would you have me do?” Pray the Rosary, and the Mother of God will bring you closer to Christ Jesus.”

~Cong LE

Pastoral year – Saint Francis of Assisi, Raleigh N.C.
1st Theology – Notre Dame Seminary, Louisiana
Home Parish - St Mary, Greensboro, NC

“To talk to the priest in his home church and ask if he can follow him for a few weeks, so that he can see the reality of what being a priest is. Also … to never be afraid to explore his vocation. Because answering God’s call is the best thing you can do with your life.”

~ Father Erik Reyes

Parochial Vicar - Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral, Raleigh NC

History of Vocations in the Diocese of Raleigh