Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary is honored to announce a transformative $1 million gift from donor Ann Lawrence in support of priestly formation, ensuring that future generations of priests are well prepared to serve the people of God.
Lawrence’s connection to the Seminary dates back to visits in the late 1980s and early 1990s, when her cousin and two of his friends were studying at Saint Charles. Those visits left a lasting impression on her, planting the seeds of a deep appreciation for the seminary’s mission.
Years later, her commitment to supporting priestly formation was inspired anew by a simple yet profound message found on a poster she encountered at her parish: “Without the priest, there is no Eucharist. Without the Eucharist, there is no Church.” Reflecting on this message, she recognized the indispensable role of priests in bringing the Sacraments to God’s people and the central importance of the Eucharist in unifying and strengthening the Church’s mission.
“It was then that I decided to make a significant gift to Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary,” said Lawrence. “I have been blessed by the selfless service of so many good, holy parish priests during my lifetime from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and the Dioceses of Allentown and Harrisburg who were formed and educated at Saint Charles. I have literally witnessed pastors pouring themselves out for the souls of their flocks. It is my heartfelt desire to assist the Seminary in continuing their mission for the Church now and into the future.”
The gift will provide critical support for the Seminary’s comprehensive formation program, which goes far beyond what tuition alone can sustain. Due to the unique and holistic nature of priestly formation, which encompasses spiritual direction, pastoral training, human formation, and academic study, Saint Charles depends on generous benefactors to fund essential programs and services that cannot be covered by tuition revenue.
“We are profoundly grateful to Ann Lawrence for her extraordinary generosity and her deep faith,” said Father T. Christopher Redcay, Rector of Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary. “Her gift is a powerful testament to the impact that well-formed priests have on the life of the Church. Support of our endowment and formation programs is essential in maintaining the Seminary’s financial stability and ensuring that we can continue forming humble, holy, capable priests for generations to come.”
Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary has a long and distinguished history of forming priests who faithfully serve dioceses throughout Pennsylvania and beyond. Gifts such as Lawrence’s play a vital role in sustaining this mission, strengthening the Church through the formation of men dedicated to Christ and His people.