We are blessed with 251 archdiocesan priests willing to lead us on our spiritual journey to salvation. In some dioceses, this blessing is not so abundant. Fortunately, thanks in part to the CSA, our archdiocese has had an excellent Seminary for over 150 years.

There are 114 active deacons in our diocese. The diaconate admissions and discernment process takes four years. The CSA helps to support the Seminary’s diaconate formation program.

Your own pastor or parish director has probably attended a continuing formation program sponsored by the Department for Clergy Personnel. During the past year, priests participated in retreats, days of recollection and sabbaticals and participated in educational programs in which they were given an opportunity to learn administrative skills, update liturgical practices and reflect on their ministry. Newly ordained priests participate in a mentoring program for a three-year period to offer support, assistance and positive ministry role models. Senior priests are assisted with retirement living arrangements. These programs are, in part, supported by the CSA.

Currently, there are 21 young men studying at the seminary for service in the archdiocese. This form of post-college education is expensive. We are fortunate that our archdiocese has been able to offer these priest candidates full support, due in part to generous gifts to the CSA.

Thanks to CSA support, the Department for Parishes fills their primary role of “walking with” parish leaders in serving their parish by removing obstacles and providing services which help parish staff and parishioners create the most effective parishes they can be. Within the department are services for single people, engaged and married couples, families, the divorced and widowed, those with special developmental needs, persons of various ethnic backgrounds and many more. Parish consultants link parishes’ needs to central office services. Other offices provide financial analysis and counseling, parish collaboration, help with liturgies and Catholic Schools.

Catholic Charities has established a network of services at 23 locations throughout the 10 counties of our archdiocese. These local agencies help over 30,000 Catholic and non-Catholics annually, and sponsor a wide variety of programs and services to those in need. Catholic Charities’ programs include: adult day services, ministries on aging, in-home support and respite care, parish social ministry, services for persons with physical and developmental disabilities, minority outreach services, legal services for immigrants, migrant and refugee services, individual and family counseling, child abuse prevention programs, parenting support programs, pregnancy counseling, adoption and foster care. The Catholic Stewardship Appeal provides 10 percent of the Catholic Charities’ revenue annually.

Every parish has the opportunity to call upon the assistance of the Department for Parishes’ Office for Parish Finances for help with administrative, financial and technical matters. This office provides advice and recommendations regarding record keeping and the procedures for handling parish monies, an annual financial report and financial analysis and summaries.

The Saint Francis Seminary Lay Formation Program helps to ensure that our parishes will have trained personnel to serve full-time or part-time in our Church. Currently, 215 study at the Seminary. The Seminary’s Preaching Institute has 66 priests and lay people enrolled. The CSA helps support these formation programs.

There are numerous correctional facilities in the 10 counties of our diocese. Thanks to the generous support of CSA donors, our Correctional Ministry can give spiritual service to the Catholic inmates and residents in all of the facilities.

Catholic school students receive tuition assistance through a special scholarship fund and Catholic high schools also receive special grants.

Parish consultants provide direct services to all parishes throughout the 10-county archdiocese, each working with 50 to 65 parishes of his/her designated district. Consultants determine the specific needs of the parishes, work with parish leaders and assist in problem solving, conflict resolution, leadership training; council and committee in-service; retreats and days of reflection and planning, collaboration, consolidation or transition efforts.

Catholic Charities runs two, eight-bed group homes and 23 supported apartments for 59 adults with physical and cognitive disabilities.

Over 750 people participate in the annual Catholic Charities’ Conference on Aging.

The Archdiocese of Milwaukee's Office for Religious maintains a bond between Archbishop Weakland and nearly 3,000 religious women and men within the archdiocese.

The Department for Parishes’ Office for Prayer and Worship provides training for liturgical ministers, RCIA initiation teams and musicians, and consults with parish liturgy committees and leaders of the prayer. In 2001, 903 people were received into the Catholic faith.

Each year, about 60 couples are trained to work with engaged couples in their respective parishes.

Annually, there are approximately 2,000 engaged couples who take Pre-Marital Inventory and are involved in the Marriage Preparation programs.

There are 40,028 students in Catholic elementary and high schools serviced by the Office for Schools, Child and Youth Ministries. Approximately 47,000 children from pre-school through 12th grade are enrolled in our religious education programs.