The mission of the Vocation Support Association is to support each religious, with prayer and communication from parishioners and to keep the connection to home intact. We take the lead financially, addressing each need and granting those needs if possible.
The VSA was established in 2006 by Fr Gary Belliveau with five core team members. The pastor will invite new core team members to join, as the need arises. The Manchester Diocese funds seminary tuition, room & board, and medical and dental insurance. We try to support other needs through donations from our parishioners and our past annual fund raisers of a pancake breakfast, bake sale and raffle, for the parish at large to plug in and help.
The money is used to help with semester start-up expenses, books, clerical attire, stipends for pastoral work, and assistance with unexpected expenses such as car repairs and medical deductibles. We also assist with car insurance as needed, Christmas and birthday gifts and ordination and ministry gifts.
In June 2008 our main account was transferred to an RCBM restricted account. This account is separate from St Kathryn’s general account. Funds are to be used for vocation support only, with approval from the core team and pastor. A smaller account is held at St Mary’s Bank for checking.
In 2009 we offered the parishioners a chance to sign up for a one year membership commitment to donate $120.00 a year, payable in one, two, four or twelve payments. This was our main source of funding for six very successful years. The parishioners were so generous, we suspended this membership in May 2014 till we have new discerning candidates.
Today we have nine core team members. [...]Parishioners of St Kathryn parish, we thank you for eleven wonderful years.
Marybeth Florczak
VSA Rec. Sec.