The St. Joseph College Seminary community celebrated the graduation of seven seminarians in 2024 – six from the Echo class and one from the Golf class. (Provided file photo)CHARLOTTE — In the hopes of inspiring more young men to heed the call to serve the Church, Judi and Michael Simac have created a $25,000 endowment for St. Joseph College Seminary.
An endowment is a permanent fund, the principal of which is invested – not spent – that generates income to help pay for projects and programs specified by the donor. Endowments are tax deductible and help sustain the strength and viability of the diocese and its entities, paying for capital improvements, charitable outreach, education and parish operations.
In this case, the Simacs wanted to help support the journey of future priests in a concrete way. The endowment will help pay for routine and unexpected future maintenance projects as well as support the building of new facilities, ensuring that the seminary has a solid foundation for future growth.
“The St. Joseph College Seminary is a natural extension for forming holy priests for our diocese as evidenced by existing endowments for the seminary,” Judi Simac said.
The Simacs, who moved to Charlotte in 1987 and are longtime members of St. Patrick Cathedral, were motivated to create this endowment based on their appreciation of priests. They are strong believers in the power of praying for vocations and have a particular love for the Eucharistic Adoration chapel on the campus of Belmont Abbey College.
“We like to believe many priestly vocations, as well as marriages, have their roots at the Belmont Adoration chapel,” she said. She noted that Father Patrick Cahill, pastor of St. Eugene Parish in Asheville, discovered his priestly vocation in part through the presence of Eucharistic Adoration chapels at St. Gabriel Parish in Charlotte, where he spent time during his childhood and teen years, and later at Belmont Abbey College.
The couple said the creation of the endowment allows them to support their faith, set specific directives for the fund and include it in their estate plans.
“Working with couples like Judi and Michael Simac is so inspiring,” said Gina Rhodes, director of planned giving for the Diocese of Charlotte. “Their thoughtful and prayerful gift to establish an endowment fund to benefit St. Joseph College Seminary is a blessing for current and future students. Just as Jesus said to Simon, ‘Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men,’ the Simacs’ gift will help form seminarians into our diocesan priests. And for that, we are most grateful.”
Fund an endowment
Interested in setting up – or adding to – an endowment to benefit your parish or Catholic school? Establish an endowment in the Diocese of Charlotte Foundation by leaving a bequest in a will, a beneficiary designation from a retirement plan, a trust or annuity, or a gift of real estate, life insurance, cash or securities. Join over 1,700 parishioners who have informed the diocese they plan to remember the Church in their estate plans.
For details, contact Gina Rhodes at 704-370-3364 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..