In 2024, CMIC granted $130,000 to cover the education of 12 seminarians. While the amount requested for seminarian education pales in comparison to the amount requested for missionary sustenance, it is by no means an unimportant area of funding. In fact, seminarian education is arguably the most critical element of keeping the faith alive in Canada. The men being formed in our country’s seminaries are the future leaders of the Church.
One such man is Fr. Christopher Pugh. Ordained just this past summer, Fr. Pugh’s seminarian education was supported with a CMIC bursary grant for the Archdiocese of Winnipeg. He shared with me his reflections on the formative experiences that led to his ordination.
When asked to reflect on a highlight from his time in the seminary, Fr. Pugh described his internship year as a pivotal period. He shared, “I spent 10 months in an urban parish in Winnipeg and one month in a parish located near both First Nations and Métis communities. These experiences affirmed my desire to serve in parish ministry. Even as a seminarian, the trust people place in you is truly a humbling experience.”
For Fr. Pugh, this opportunity to connect with parishioners and immerse himself in their lives helped shape his calling. “After 3 years of intense study, getting out into the community was so special,” he reflected. “Working with the First Nations and Métis communities was also incredibly meaningful, and I learned so much from those interactions.”
As a newly ordained priest, Fr. Pugh expressed his eagerness to “hit the ground running” in parish ministry. He eagerly anticipates engaging in the sacramental life and getting to know his parishioners on a personal level. “The parish and the priest can be such an intimate part of people’s lives, and I am excited to be part of that,” he said.
Fr. Pugh emphasized that supporting seminarians goes beyond financial assistance. “Prayer is always my number one answer for how anyone can support seminarians,” he noted. “We pray a lot for our discernment but knowing that others are praying for us too brings a sense of peace.”
Alongside prayer, Fr. Pugh highlighted the importance of encouragement from the laity. “The time in seminary is still a place of discernment, and the support I received was very special. I saw friends who entered the seminary but later discerned other paths, and they had the laity’s encouragement to follow God’s call for them, whatever it may be.”
Finally, financial support is always a vital aspect. Fr. Pugh acknowledged the challenges seminarians face due to the extended years of study. “I hope the financial cost would never hold someone back,” he shared. “Seminary taught me to budget and manage my finances, but the generosity of the laity made this journey feasible.”
Through Seminarian Bursary grants, CMIC invests in the future of the Church. The support of generous donors enables these journeys of study which, by God’s will, lead to the joyful celebration of ordination. Like Fr. Pugh, these new priests will continue the sacramental life of the Church, bringing faith and hope to communities across Canada.