Two fundraising dinners to support college-level seminarians are planned in early August. Seminarians from throughout the diocese will be present to greet supporters at both events.

The second annual Msgr. George A. Carton College Scholarship Dinner, sponsored by the Diocesan Vocation Team, is Friday evening, Aug. 5, at Johnny’s Metro Ballroom, adjacent to Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse in the John Deere Commons, 1200 River Drive, Moline.

Meanwhile, a fundraising dinner sponsored by POPS (Parents of Priests and Seminarians) will take place on Saturday, Aug. 13, at the Spalding Pastoral Center, 419 N.E. Madison Ave., Peoria.

Both events raise funds for the Msgr. Carton College Seminarian Scholarship Fund.

Because of rising college costs and the increased numbers of seminarians, the Diocese of Peoria has been unable to fund the education of college-level seminarians since the 2009-10 academic year. The Msgr. Carton fund — named for the longtime diocesan chancellor who served for 41 years as spiritual director of the Seminary Aid Society — helps ensure that no one is denied the opportunity to discern a priestly vocation in a college seminary because of his financial situation.

A fund established by the Seminary Aid Society provides for the education of major seminarians in later pre-theology and theology studies and is named for St. Therese, the patron of vocations in the Diocese of Peoria.

DINNER DETAILS
The Moline dinner begins at 6 p.m. and will feature a choice of baked salmon or prime rib. Donations will be sought to cover the cost of the dinners ($40 each). To make a reservation, call Leslie Womack at (309) 671-1550.

In Peoria, doors open for the third annual POPS Seminarian Fundraiser at 5:30 p.m. A dinner of lasagna, salad, bread, beverages and dessert will be served at 6:30 p.m. The evening will also include raffles, a Coach Purse live auction, and a silent auction.

Music will be provided by seminarians and the “Just Friends” jazz band.
Reservations are required and may be obtained by sending a donation of $15 per person to POPS Seminarian Fundraiser, P.O. Box 192, Morton, IL 61550. Registrants are also asked to include their e-mail address. For more information on the event or the Parents of Priests and Seminarians group, call Diane at (309) 263-0936 or Char at (309) 274-6311.

Persons unable to attend either dinner, but who wish to assist with the seminarians’ education, may send a check payable to Catholic Diocese of Peoria with “Carton Scholarship” in the memo line to the Office of Vocations, 419 N.E. Madison Ave., Peoria, IL 61603.