FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the $15 million Cornerstone of Faith campaign necessary?
What is planned for the Cornerstone of Faith campaign?
What is planned for the new seminary?
What is planned for the new college?
How many seminarians and college students are involved?
Can gifts be pledged over more than one year?
Are gifts tax deductible?
What is the history of the seminary and college?
I’m not sure what the Archdiocese does. Where does all the money go?
Is it true the Church and the Archdiocese are wealthy? Why do we need to raise more funds?
Shouldn’t the Archdiocese be more transparent?
Why was the $42 million from the sale not enough to build the new seminary and college?
Are we building more than we need? Are the costs too high?
We are already giving to The Foundation of St. Joseph Seminary and Newman Theological College. Isn’t there also a special collection for the seminary and college every year?
Didn't the federal government provide a grant toward this project? How does that money fit into the Cornerstone Campaign?
Why is a chapel being built in the college building, when you already have a chapel at the Catholic Pastoral Centre and will have a chapel at the seminary?
Why are the seminary and college being constructed as two separate buildings?
The college has stopped offering undergrad and certificate programs. Doesn’t this make it less accessible to lay people?
Isn’t the Archdiocese competing with existing Catholic fundraising campaigns?
The economy and the stock market are in recession. We have real fears about our savings/jobs and can’t spare any money right now.
Has the Archdiocese has bought a home for the Archbishop with funds for the seminary and college?
How can we be asking for funds when rural parishes and communities are hurting?

Why is the $15-million Cornerstone of Faith campaign necessary?

The seminary and college are vital for our life of faith. The programs offered at these facilities form the leaders who will serve parishes across Western Canada as priests, teachers, chaplains and lay ministers. The seminary and college had to be relocated from their north Edmonton site because of provincial plans to build the Anthony Henday ring road in the area.
The proceeds of the 2007 sale to the Province of Alberta ($42 million) are being invested in new facilities on land owned by the Archdiocese  of Edmonton at 98th Avenue and 84th Street.  The Cornerstone of Faith campaign aims to raise the $15 million still needed to cover the total cost of $57 million. The total cost includes all fees for architects and consultants, the construction of the new buildings, the moves, temporary relocation to alternative facilities, fundraising costs, and interim financing.
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What is planned for the Cornerstone of Faith campaign?

Our Cornerstone of Faith campaign is defined by a commitment to spread the Gospel. The root of our approach recognizes that everything we have comes from God’s generosity. All our resources have been entrusted to us for the benefit of God’s creation and the service of His saving plan in Christ. St. Paul reminds us (Romans 12:6-8) that each has gifts that differ according to the grace given by God, and that each is called to respond generously by using these gifts for His purpose.
The Cornerstone of Faith campaign was publicly launched at a dinner on September 22, 2009., and the campaign cabinet  has organized separate appeals by the following sections: Archdiocese Family, Lead Gifts, Major Gifts, Parish Gifts, Religious Orders and Lay Organizations, The Rest of the Province and the Other Western Canadian Provinces.
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What is planned for the new seminary?

The 60,000-square-foot seminary will accommodate 60 seminarians from across Canada as well as their formation team with an on-site residence. The seminary’s significant feature is the chapel, which will incorporate the magnificent stained glass windows from the current site. The seminary is expected to be completed in the spring of 2010. Seminarians are living in a temporary residence for the 2009-10 year.
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What is planned for the new college?

The 31,000-square-foot Newman Theological College is a private Roman Catholic academic institution that offers graduate-level programs and classes in theology and religious education. It provides the academic component  of the formation of the students at St. Joseph Seminary. The college is slated for completion by the fall of 2010. Studies in the 2009-10 year will continue at a temporary site in Sherwood Park.
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How many seminarians and college students are involved?

The number of seminarians has been growing in recent years. This year we have 38 seminarians in formation, from 11 dioceses across Western Canada. We are building the seminary large enough to house 60. The building is designed ready to expand (to house 90) if needed. There are currently 380 students enrolled at the college. The graduates of St. Joseph Seminary and Newman Theological College minister in parishes across the West and beyond,  so thousands and thousands of Catholics will be touched by them for decades to come.
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Can gifts be pledged over more than one year?

Yes, gifts can be pledged up to 5 years maximum. The following chart illustrates the power of giving over time:

Are gifts tax deductible?

All gifts over $20 are recognized with a charitable tax receipt.
In Alberta, every dollar you donate after the first $200 results in a tax credit of 50 cents.

Note: the above table applies to Alberta taxpayers only.

*When you make a charitable donation to a Canada Revenue Agency registered charity, you receive an official income tax receipt. You will receive a receipt for each individual donation you make.

**The charitable tax credit is non-refundable, which means you must be a taxpayer to benefit from the tax credit.
Source: http://www.culture.alberta.ca/communityspirit/taxcredit.aspx

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What is the history of the seminary and college?

St. Joseph Seminary was housed from 1927 to 1957 in a building that since 1907 had been the Provincial House of the Oblate Fathers at 9948-110 Street in Edmonton. The seminary relocated to a 100-acre plot south of St. Albert in September 1957. Newman Theological College was founded in 1969 and established on the same site as a private, Roman Catholic academic institution dedicated to the study of theology and related disciplines.
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I’m not sure what the Archdiocese does. Where does all the money go?

The operations of the Archdiocese of Edmonton are financed by the cathedraticum, which is 15 per cent of Sunday collections in parishes.  This money is used to serve the people of the Archdiocese; none of it is  automatically sent to the Vatican. The Archdiocese serves the spiritual needs of more than 358,000 people who identified themselves as Roman Catholic in the most recent federal census. The Archdiocese includes the greater Edmonton area and covers 81,151 square kilometers stretching from the Rocky Mountains in the west to the Saskatchewan boundary in the east, from Olds in the south to Villeneuve in the north. It includes 129 parishes and missions in cities, towns, rural areas and native communities. The Archdiocese is led by Most Reverend Richard Smith, who was appointed Archbishop on March 22, 2007. The Archbishop is assisted in his missions of teaching, sanctifying and governing by diocesan offices that support and promote active participation in the Catholic faith throughout the Archdiocese. Offices include: Liturgy,  Evangelization and Catechesis, Youth Evangelization, Pastoral Care and Life Initiatives, Marriage and Family Life, Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations, Canonical Affairs, Social Justice, Stewardship, Vocations, Permanent Diaconate and Communications and Public Relations. In addition, the Archdiocese also:
•    Administers benefits and offers training and formation for staff in parishes.
•    Administers financial affairs of St. Joseph Seminary, Newman Theological College and Edmonton Catholic Cemeteries.
•    Administers benefits for retired priests and operates the Villa Vianney residence for retired priests.
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Is it true the Church and the Archdiocese are wealthy? Why do we need to raise more funds?

Thanks to the generosity of our parishioners, the Archdiocese is in sound financial condition to conduct its day-to-day work. We keep within our means for current programs. We do not have the funds we require to complete the construction of the new seminary and college.
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Shouldn’t the Archdiocese be more transparent?

The Archdiocese publishes an Annual Report utlining both programs and financials. A copy can be requested from the Archdiocese offices (780 469-1010) or viewed online at 2008 Annual Report.
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Why was the $42 million from the sale not enough to build the new seminary and college?

The sale price was the result of a complex negotiation process by an Archdiocese committee and the Alberta government over several years.  The final settlement was based on an appraised value of the original buildings and site. The committee did the best they could do at the time to get $42 million.

We knew at the time that the seminary and college needed work. It was estimated that at least $6 million was needed to replace the boilers and to comply with an order to tie the out-of-date septic system into the municipal sewage system. When the property was sold and before detailed plans were available, the $42 million was thought to be sufficient to relocate the facilities.

Once the property was sold, we were on a very tight timeline to move off the site. If you remember back in 2007, the construction industry was very busy and all construction prices were increasing rapidly. During the time the seminary was being planned, costs were going up one and one-half or two percent per MONTH.  As architectural plans for the seminary progressed it became apparent that in addition to the high construction costs, there were extra costs for pilings to give added strength to the land so as to enable the buildings to last 100 years. A total of $57 million was necessary to complete the total project.
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Are we building more than we need? Are the costs too high?

We are not building more than we need. Building for 60 seminarians accommodates the 38 current seminarians and allows capacity for an increase. The seminary is also designed ready to expand to house up to 90 seminarians in the future, if necessary.  The new seminary and college project is an expression of our faith today and in the future. The institutions are being built to last for the next 100 years. The seminary, the first to be built in Canada in the new millennium, is a unique symbol of our faith and allows us to proclaim in architecture the beauty of the Gospel.

Both new facilities are designed to achieve a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) designation, which protects the environment and will generate considerable energy cost savings over time. LEED is a rating system for developing high performance, sustainable buildings. It was developed by U.S. Green Building Council and adapted by the Canada Green Building Council. We have fixed price contracts for both the seminary and college to minimize the risk of project overruns.  Our administration and fundraising costs are low at only 4 per cent of the total $15 million campaign.
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What is the cost breakdown for the new seminary and college project?

Total Budget and Cash Flows

Construction costs include: construction materials and labour (72%), consultants (9%), site preparation (8%), furnishings and equipment (5%), contingency (4%), relocation and restoration of artifacts (1%) and neighbourhood improvements (1%).
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We are already giving to The Foundation of St. Joseph Seminary and Newman Theological College. Isn’t there also a special collection for the seminary and college every year?

Thank you very much for this support.  Unlike other post-secondary institutions, the seminary and college receive no government funding for the day-to-day operations. The Foundation and the annual special collection raise funds for that purpose.  The Cornerstone of Faith campaign is a one-time appeal for support the complete the construction of the new seminary and college.  It is also a unique opportunity for our generation to leave a legacy of faith for our children and grandchildren.
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Didn't the federal government provide a grant toward this project? How does that money fit into the Cornerstone Campaign?

The new campus of Newman Theological College will feature state-of-the art teaching, learning and research technology thanks to a $4.18-million grant from the federal government’s Knowledge Infrastructure Program. This one-time-only grant will go toward meeting the $15-million goal.

Why is a chapel being built in the college building, when you already have a chapel at the Catholic Pastoral Centre and will have a chapel at the seminary?

A college dedicated to theology needs a chapel. Students of theology need a place not only to celebrate in liturgy and sacrament the mysteries of the faith but also to meditate in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament on those same mysteries. Having a chapel at NTC, as requested by the students of that community, will enable them to do so without having to rely on another building's chapel, which would not always be available to them.
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Why are the seminary and college being constructed as two separate buildings?

Although the two institutions are related to one another, nevertheless their missions are distinct. In addition, the seminary building, as a house of formation, has for each day a required rhythm of prayer, reflection, study, recreation and meals in common. This rhythm is enabled and honoured when the seminary is a distinct building.
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The college has stopped offering undergraduate and certificate programs. Doesn’t this make it less accessible to lay people?

This change was part of the response necessary to bring our finances back in line.  The Association of Theological Schools (ATS) oversees our accreditation. The ATS has recently changed their rules that will allow Bachelor of Theology (BTh) and certificate courses to be offered at little additional cost.  We are examining how we can best reintroduce these programs once we are in the new college building.
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Isn’t the Archdiocese competing with existing Catholic fundraising campaigns?

The feedback we have received in consultations is that the $15-million campaign is achievable.  We will be asking each donor to make a gift to the Cornerstone campaign separate from the support they currently give.  Each donor must consider his/her giving budget and decide what is right for them.
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We are already giving to the Church every Sunday.  How can we give to this too?

Thank you very much for supporting your parish. The seminary and college are vital for our life of faith, for their graduates go on to serve our parishes. Your support to complete the seminary and college is necessary if we are going to continue to develop future faith leaders.
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Our parish is already trying to raise money to build a church. How can we support both?

We are offering opportunities for supporters to bring the Gospel to bear on life in our community.  Donors will need to pray, search their hearts and determine where their gift can best make a difference. We will be asking each donor to make a gift to the Cornerstone campaign separate from the support they currently give.
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The economy and the stock market are in recession. We have real fears about our savings/jobs and can’t spare any money right now.

We trust in God’s abundant and sufficient grace, as beautifully affirmed in the story of Elijah and the widow (1 Kings 17:8-16). When Elijah asked her for something to eat, she said “I have nothing, just a handful of grain and a little oil.” Elijah promised her that God would not let the jar of grain go empty nor the jug of oil run dry until the rains came.

We know over time the economy and market will recover.  Gifts can be made over more than one year and up to 4 years maximum.  That allows some flexibility in starting and finishing a pledge.
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Has the Archdiocese has bought a home for the Archbishop with funds for the seminary and college?

No. The Archbishop’s official residence, a heritage home, was sold several years ago when it was determined that the required renovations would be too costly. Since then, our Archbishops have lived in a modest bungalow that has now been removed to make way for the new seminary and college.  A new official residence - large enough to provide space for public receptions or meetings of small groups as well as to accommodate guests of the Archbishop, such as visiting bishops or family - has been purchased near the Pastoral Centre with the funds set aside for that purpose. No campaign funds or proceeds from the sale of the seminary and college were used for the purchase.
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How can we be asking for funds when rural parishes and communities are hurting?

The construction is but one moment in a long history. Each donor is being asked to consider this “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity.  We cannot make the decision “not to ask” any parish or donor. The “ask” will be completed in a caring and sensitive way taking into account individual circumstances.