Courtney McGrailStaff reporter
The National Seminary in Maynooth has appealed to supporters to consider pledging funds over five years as part of its ‘Raise the Roof’ fundraising drive.
Fundraisers at St Patrick’s College, which has ordained 11,000 priests since its foundation in 1795, have requested a multi-year commitment from donors to enable them to plan for the future.
Literature for the appeal states that the appointment of Pope Francis has “delivered a renewed confidence” to the Church and St Patrick’s College sees itself “at the heart of this movement”.
“For the first time in recent years we see growing numbers of seminarians coming forward and increasing interest in our post-graduate programmes. With excellent faculty and compelling courses, we are well placed to respond,” the document states.
The Pontifical University, which boasts 330 lay students and 70 seminarians, insists its priority “remains excellence in formation and education”.
“We are blessed with a spectacular campus, but this rich history comes with significant expense, particularly the maintenance of buildings. Our ambition to grow and develop adds to this cost,” the ‘Raise the Roof’ booklet states.
Under the new scheme, interested donors can pledge funds over a period of five years. However, the booklet states that once off gifts and pledges at all levels “are gratefully received”.