Solving the vocations crisis by removing the obstacle of student loans.
Mater Ecclesiae
Student loans are the #1 obstacle to Catholic religious vocations.
We are solving the vocations crisis one grant at a time.
We have carefully designed our grant program so that men and women who seek to answer God’s call can do so immediately, without delay or distractions. We assume monthly student loan payments while an aspirant is in formation thereby enabling them to enter formation right away.
When a newly minted priest or sister takes final vows, we pay off their loan balance within five years. If they discern out, they simply reassume their monthly loan payments, which we have kept up to date. In other words:
We make grants quickly, and then pay debt slowly.
That way, formation begins sooner, and they are free from distraction or pressure—even self-imposed— to persevere (because someone has paid off their loans) if God is calling them elsewhere. We designed our process to advance our mission: fostering healthy vocations.
Impactful Ways to Give
Donor Advised Funds (DAFs)
Recommend us for a grant through your DAF and directly support men and women who are answering God’s call to serve the Church.
Appreciated Stock
Leverage your giving for new, holy vocations. To make a gift of stock, please contact us for transfer account information.
Retirement Accounts (QCDs)/Bequests
—WilliamL.,Donor
When I support the Fund for Vocations, I know I am supporting the whole Church.
More than smart giving—this is a way to leave your mark on the Church’s future. Consider leaving a legacy of grace by saving vocations out of your retirement blessings.
Can you make a gift today and help deliver a priest or sister for the Church?
Meet Our 2025 Grant Recipients!
Dear Friend of Vocations,
The future priests and sisters you see in these pages are God’s answer to our prayers. By partnering with us to remove the obstacle of student loan debt, you are rebuilding the Church and giving each of these smiling faces the chance to say a beautiful “yes” to God. Imagine the sacraments they will celebrate, the prayers they will offer, and the souls they will touch through their service and teaching. Thank you for your generosity and support!
Teresa Wilder Discalced Carmelites University of St. Thomas
Patrick Seeley | Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter Wilkes University
Roland Herbkersman
CFR Franciscans Univ. of South Carolina
Candidates must be debt-free to enter religious formation.
We take over monthly loan payments so they can discern freely.
Moira Milligan | The Abbey of St.
Wyoming Catholic College
Ben MacFarlane
CFR Franciscans Univ. of Strathclyde
Hannah Lifka Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George Benedictine University
Steven Ellison Discalced Carmelite Friars | Barry University
Aryel Carreon Dominican Friars University of Notre Dame
University
Maria Clark Mercedarian Sisters Eastern Florida State
Mario Cavazos I.C.K.S.P. University of Northern Colorado
Barrow
Walburga
Kristy Bui Dominican Nuns Mount Royal
Mariana Pimiento Rincon Sisters of Life King’s College
Mary Radford Executive Director
Bridget Lugari
Dominican Nuns University of Mary
Mitchell Kengor Dominican Friars Franciscan University
Jacob Moylan
Holy Martyrs Skete Arizona State University
Caleb Honner
Dominican Friars
University of Mary
Blake Ardoin
St. Gregory’s Abbey Southern University
Willow Thompson Norbertine Canonesses Franciscan University
St. Philip’s Seminary
Christopher Landry
CFR Franciscans
UMass Amherst
Betsy Nieto Salesian Sisters Illinois State University
Hannah Guthrie | Handmaids of the Precious Blood Union University
Denielle Brevaire | Benedictine Daughters of the Divine Will Design Institute of San Diego
Imahia Stanford All Saints Sisters University of D.C.
“The words “thank you” do very little to express the deep gratitude and joy in the depths of my heart and soul to know that I am going to be able to pursue our Blessed Lord’s profound calling in my life and vocation because of your generosity. You have blessed me beyond my imagination and have reminded me of the great love Our Lord’s Sacred Heart has for His children.”
Jake Miller Dominican Friars U.T. Austin
Breven Hamilton Dominican Friars
Vocation Milestones
Tyler Currier (third from right), a 2022 grant recipient, entered novitiate with the CFR Franciscans and took the religious name Br. Leo Immaculata.
Br. Cyprian Mary, a 2024 grant recipient with the Dominican Friars of the Province of St. Joseph, professed simple vows on 8/8/2024.
Sr. Kelly Ann Ferowich (pictured above), a 2024 grant recipient with the Missionary Sisters of the Resurrection, professed her final vows on 6/8/2025.
Grant recipient Gerard Marchand is tonsured and becomes a cleric of the F.S.S.P in October 2025.
Br. Pio (pictured below), a 2023 grant recipient, makes first vows with the Maronite Monks of Adoration on 8/15/25.
Fr. Kevin Mann (pictured above), a 2008 grant recipient, has been appointed as the new Novice Director for the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius.
Emma Geis, a 2024 grant recipient, entered novitiate with the Religious Sisters of Mercy and received the religious name Sr. Mary Agatha.
Two 2025 grant recipients, Caleb Honner and Aryel Carreon (pictured front), received their habits and religious names with the Central Province Dominicans.
Grant recipient Fr. Brian Myers is ordained to the priesthood with the F.S.S.P in May 2024.
Fr. Joseph Paul Albin, O.P. (pictured below) becomes pastor of Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Houston, TX..
Sr. Gianna Casino of the Leaven of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Sisters (pictured above), a 2018 grant recpient, is now a children’s book author!
Timothy Hughes, a 2024 grant recipient with the Salesians of Don Bosco, is assigned to teach and form souls at their high school.
Sr. Rose Jesu (pictured front right), a 2024 grant recipient with the Sisters of Life, entered novitiate on 7/24/2025.
Sr. Clare Elizabeth becomes an art teacher at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Colorado.
Sr. Jordan Caeli (pictured below), a 2022 grant recipient with the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia, makes her first profession of vows.
“Be not afraid!” are words declared to the Church by Pope St. John Paul II at the very beginning of his pontificate in 1978, and are words that are also said by Vocations Directors throughout the Church today, me included. Fear is common among young discerners. Uncertainties about the future can be overwhelming for anyone, but the unknown of a religious vocation can only be known through prayer, accompaniment, and eventually pursuing entrance.
Much of my role as Vocations Director for the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist is to accompany young women in their journey and understanding of themselves before Christ, along a path of prayer. Discernment isn’t scary, because it’s prayer! As she grows in friendship with God, she learns to hear His voice within a continued conversation that is held in prayer and nourished by the Sacraments. It becomes easier to listen and trust that it is He who leads, even amidst the uncertainties. But, sometimes, uncertainties can be obstacles to continuing a path of discernment, a major one being student loan debt.
The Mater Ecclesiae Fund for Vocations allows for the uncertainty of student loan debt to be removed so that many young women and men have the opportunity to freely step into the “unknown” of religious life, growing in deeper love of God and trust in His loving plan for their lives. Thank you for your generous support of so many vocations; it is a gift to our community and so many others. Be assured of our prayers!
— Sr. Mercedes Torres, OP Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist
Saves A Vocation for One Month* Saves a Vocation for Three Months*
Saves a Vocation for One Year* $40,000 Delivers a Priest or Sister for the Church!*
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