July 15th, 2022
ROCHESTER, MN — The scores were low, and the fellowship was high at three recent clergy appreciation events, sponsored and hosted by Catholic United Financial. More than 60 local priests, deacons and seminarians serving the Diocese of Duluth, Diocese of Winona-Rochester, and Diocese of Fargo gathered at separate events in June to relax and enjoy their day with Catholic United leaders.
“It was a blessing to meet with clergy serving these Dioceses,” said Michael Ahles, president of Catholic United Financial. “These events are intended to express our appreciation to them and to discuss how our not-for-profit financial services company, foundation and credit union actively supports the people, parishes and schools in their Catholic communities. Thanks to Bishop Daniel Felton, Bishop John Quinn, and Bishop John Folda for taking time from their busy schedules to join our events.”
Catholic United Financial staff also enjoy hosting many seminarians at these events and highlight the grants offered to them by the Monsignor Richard J. Schuler Seminarian Fund managed by the Catholic United Financial Foundation. For more than 20 years, Msgr. Schuler Fund grant applications are accepted each fall from seminarians as they study for the priesthood in the many Dioceses of the Upper Midwest.
Each June event concluded with dinner and presentation of a $1,000 grant to each Diocese on behalf of the membership of Catholic United Financial. In addition to the financial products and services provided to Catholics, in 2021, Catholic United Financial and its giving network of volunteers provided more than $11.7 million to these and other Dioceses in the Upper Midwest in support of Catholic religious education, scholarships, community activities and member assistance.
