Average Cost to Educate a Priest
Tuition, Room & Board and other
expenses per year: $40,000
Years of study required: x 8
Total Cost: $320,000
Average Annual Costs of Clergy Education
Deacons $112,000
Priests $85,000
Seminarians $620,000
--Fr. Shane Deman, Director of Seminarians for the Diocese of Sioux City
-Deacon Dan Goebel
Pilgrim Cluster - Alton, Granville & Hospers, IA
“I don’t believe that the educational aspect of formation can be over stressed. Every day a question of either philosophy, theology, morality or liturgy seems to arise. If these subjects aren’t at least addressed in formation, the conversation becomes quite limited at best.”
–Deacon Joseph Coleman, Holy Trinity Parish, Fort Dodge
For our Priests – Continuing education is vital for our priests to succeed in their ministry to serve the people of God’s Church.
Priests benefit from the St. Joseph's Education Society by using the funding to further their education into their graduate work. Additionally, many priests sharpen their ministerial skills by participating in conferences, convocations, language study, extended retreats, sabbaticals and many more.
For our Deacons – Parish Deacons undertake comprehensive theological training to effectively impart God’s word.
Prior to ordination, deacon candidates undertake a five-year training program of class work and practicums to prepare them for ministry in the parish. The St. Joseph's Education Society provides financial support for their training.
Your contribution provides for the education of clergy solely within the Diocese of Sioux City! Your prayerful consideration of a gift will sustain this fund for future clergy!
“The Saint Joseph's Education Society has been supporting the education of clergy in our diocese for more than 50 years. The effective training of priests, deacons, and seminarians is very important so that parish communities can effectively understand the Word of God and the teachings of His Church. Thank you for your generous support!”—Bishop Nickless
"SJES allowed me to receive excellent training in my diaconate formation as well as spiritual nourishment at yearly retreats. It would be a hardship for some of the deacons in formation if the SJES did not contribute to funding their formation, and I’m sure we would have lost a few deacons during formation without the financial help of SJES.”
—Deacon David Prenger, St. John Paul II Parish, Carroll
“I am very grateful for all those who have supported and keep supporting the St. Joseph's Education Society. I constantly offer Masses for them. In my continued education in Rome, I completed my theological studies program, which provided me the opportunity to gain a broader understanding of how canon law is applied in other parts of the world.”—Father David Esquiliano, Cathedral of the Epiphany, Sioux City