St. Pius X Minor Seminary Curé of Ars Catholic Church is working with Fr. Ben Shahzad from Karachi, Pakistan to raise money for a new St. Pius X Minor Seminary building. Click Here to see the video. Donations are tax deductable and can be made payable to Curé of Ars. Please put St. Pius X Minor Seminary in the memo line of your check also ensure your name and address are included for tax purposes and mail to:
Curé of Ars
9401 Mission Road
Leawood, KS 66206 |
By admin, on April 27th, 2011
Dear friends,
It is true; the current situation of our country has caused among our people feelings of fear, uncertainty and insecurity. It seems that in matters of religious and social values our country is stagnated.
Last month, our very daring, courageous and visionary catholic leader Mr. Shahbaz Clement Bhatti, Federal Minister for Minority Affairs, was assassinated in Islamabad . Recently, there have been incidents in other cities where Christians have been killed. Beside this, growing terrorist activities and intolerance have brought about, more than ever before, feelings of anxiety and unease among our Christian people.
Kindly, pray for us, that with courage and faithfulness we must build the culture of peace, harmony and tolerance so that the light and healing of the Good News may reach to all. In spite of such situation God has blessed us with wonderful gift of faith to witness Him, here in Pakistan .
I am very happy to inform you that on May 14, 2011 we will have the Opening and Dedication of St. Pius X Minor Seminary. It is your gift to the Catholic Church in Pakistan . Thank you very much and God Bless.
I am hoping to see you in the first week of June. I have good news to share with you that the Archbishop Evarist Pinto will be visiting Kansas City from May 19 to 27. He is coming to thank Cure parishioners and friends in St. Paul for their support and help to build the new minor seminary.
I wish, you would be here for the Dedication of the new minor seminary building. It looks very beautiful and it will play a great role in forming the young future priests for the Church in Pakistan .
I take this opportunity to wish you and your family, a very happy Easter. May the Risen Christ Bless you!
Once again thank you very much!
Love
Fr. Ben
By admin, on July 22nd, 2010
Local Catholics Support Vocations Overseas
By Kara Hansen ~ Leaven Staff
Leawood — Father Benjamin Shahzad has a problem many would love to have: He has so many young men applying for the seminary he has to turn some away.
The rector of St. Pius X Minor Seminary in Karachi, Pakistan, has filled his current seminary building with five bedrooms to a maximum capacity of 24 seminarians — up from the eight who were there when Father Shahzad was first appointed rector six years ago.
With financial help and spiritual support from parishioners at Curé of Ars Parish in Leawood, Father Shahzad is realizing his dream of a new, larger seminary with enough space to accommodate 45-50 seminarians.
“Our people have responded well in the past and we have practically built the new seminary ourselves,” said Msgr. Charles McGlinn, pastor of Curé of Ars. “We want to do the best we can for them.”
Each summer, Father Shahzad spends time at Curé of Ars. He lives in the rectory, celebrates Masses, and attends parish functions. He also shares the progress and goals of the seminary in Pakistan, updating parishioners on how their support is being used.
“Pakistan is an anti-Christian place and can be very hostile toward Christians,” said Msgr. McGlinn. “If something happens in the world that is contrary to Islam, there is often a backlash of violence toward Christians. The fact that there are so many young men wanting to become Catholic priests in this environment really says something, and they deserve all the attention and help we can give them.”
Now, Father Shahzad is requesting support to furnish the nearly completed seminary building with necessities. Items include chairs, tables, cupboards and classroom items, as well as other necessities.
In response, Curé of Ars is hosting a Christmas party in July in the parish vestibule after Masses the weekend of July 24 and 25. There, parishioners and visitors will have the opportunity to review the list of needs at the seminary and assist by becoming an “angel for Karachi.”
For more information, call the Curé of Ars rectory at (913) 649-1337.
Reprinted with permission from The Leaven.
By admin, on July 19th, 2010
BE AN ANGEL FOR KARACHI AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU!
“MERRY CHRISTMAS”
|
FURNISHINGS NEEDED FOR PHASE 1 |
#Needed |
$ per Item |
$ Total |
Donated |
| Large Tables (4×8) |
1 |
240.00 |
240.00 |
|
| Medium Tables (2×4) |
2 |
80.00 |
160.00 |
80.00 |
| Small Tables (2×2) |
2 |
20.00 |
40.00 |
|
| Teachers Tables (2×4) |
2 |
87.00 |
174.00 |
. |
| Classroom Study Tables (18x24x30) |
25 |
40.00 |
0.00 |
1,000.00 |
| Student Room Study Tables (18x24x30) |
27 |
34.00 |
918.00 |
|
| Library Tables (3×3) |
0 |
80.00 |
0.00 |
|
| Dining Tables (42″x96″) |
4 |
120.00 |
480.00 |
|
| Office Table (3×6) |
1 |
267.00 |
267.00 |
267.00 |
| Office Bookshelf & Computer Table (4×6) |
1 |
214.00 |
214.00 |
214.00 |
| Ironing Tables (16″x30″x48″) |
4 |
27.00 |
108.00 |
|
| Guest Rooms Tables (5×3) |
0 |
107.00 |
0.00 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| Bed w/ mattress – Seminarian (42″x72″) |
27 |
147.00 |
3,969.00 |
|
| Bed w/ mattress – Guest (4×6 1/2) |
0 |
147.00 |
0.00 |
|
| Bed w/ mattress – Rector (5 x 6 1/2) |
1 |
334.00 |
334.00 |
334.00 |
| |
|
|
0.00 |
|
| Sofas |
3 |
467.00 |
1,401.00 |
467.00 |
| |
|
|
|
|
| Plastic Chairs |
50 |
7.00 |
350.00 |
|
| Wooden Chairs |
87 |
34.00 |
2,958.00 |
748.00 |
| Chapel Stools (15″x15″) |
24 |
27.00 |
648.00 |
648.00 |
| Large Wall Cupboards (8×10) |
4 |
467.00 |
1,868.00 |
1,401.00 |
| Med. Wall Cupboards (3×10) |
27 |
214.00 |
5,778.00 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| Stove |
1 |
5,334.00 |
5,334.00 |
|
| Dishes, silverware, pots & pans |
0 |
2,000.00 |
0.00 |
|
| Freezer |
1 |
467.00 |
467.00 |
467.00 |
| Fridge |
2 |
400.00 |
800.00 |
800.00 |
| |
|
|
0.00 |
|
| Water Cooler |
2 |
334.00 |
668.00 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| White Board |
2 |
40.00 |
0.00 |
80.00 |
| |
|
|
|
|
| Book Shelves |
2 |
2,334.00 |
4,668.00 |
|
| Books |
0 |
10,667.00 |
0.00 |
|
| TV 42″ |
0 |
1,800.00 |
0.00 |
|
| TV 29″ |
0 |
534.00 |
0.00 |
534.00 |
| DVD Player |
0 |
80.00 |
0.00 |
|
| Projector |
0 |
800.00 |
0.00 |
|
| Washing Machines |
2 |
467.00 |
934.00 |
|
| Irons |
4 |
34.00 |
136.00 |
|
| Computer Top (36′) |
12 |
192.00 |
2,304.00 |
2,304.00 |
| Computers |
12 |
200.00 |
2,400.00 |
2,400.00 |
| |
|
|
|
|
| Altar & Tabernacle (3×3 12 x 6) |
1 |
534.00 |
534.00 |
534.00 |
| Sacristy/shelves |
1 |
400.00 |
400.00 |
400.00 |
| Carpet (35×35) |
1 |
867.00 |
867.00 |
867.00 |
| Generator |
1 |
5,334.00 |
5,334.00 |
|
| Curtains |
0.50 |
5,667.00 |
2,833.50 |
|
By admin, on July 6th, 2010
UPDATE: Fr. Ben is planning to arrive at Cure’ August 1st.
St. Pius X Minor Seminary in Karachi had another successful year! Eleven new first-year students entered the program last fall, and all eight third-year students are moving on to the major seminary in Lahore.
  
Ground breaking for the new seminary
 
Construction of the new seminary is in full swing!
  
  
“CHRISTMAS IN JULY”
FURNISHING ST. PIUS X MINOR SEMINARY
KARACHI, PAKISTAN
The weekend of July 24/25, our vestibule will be transformed into a Christmas Party to help furnish the newly constructed Minor Seminary in Karachi, Pakistan! Each of us has the opportunity to be an “Angel for Karachi”. It is exciting to be this close to the end of our goal, and we are grateful to all of you who have/will support our efforts.
When Fr. Benjamin Shahzad became Rector for the Minor Seminary six years ago, there were 8 seminarians. In telling his story to Msgr. Charles, our pastor said, “We’ve got to do something to help you, to help the Church.” Since then, each year, the number of young men seeking ordination to the priesthood has grown. Now there are 24, and the five bedroom house they live in is bursting at the seams! Because of your generosity in the past, the newly constructed seminary, with a small chapel in its garden center, will accommodate 45-50 seminarians! The building is near completion, now the task is to furnish it.
In the vestibule, you will find a list of the items needed. We are hoping that you and your family will be generous in helping meet the needs. We have not just built a building, we are building the Church, the Kingdom of God, in Pakistan. The families of these seminarians make great sacrifice to release their sons to the priesthood, the seminarians courageously proclaim their faith in a predominantly Muslim population, and take risks every day to continue to live and learn their faith. They have given so much already – let us be generous too. These priests of their future and ours will be fed, housed, taught, and ordained from this place, because of your support, tangible and intangible.
By admin, on February 10th, 2009
A newsletter from St. Pius X Minor Seminary Newsletter
By admin, on July 23rd, 2008
The Church in Pakistan comprises of Six Dioceses and One Apostolic Prefecture . We have seven shepherds who are entrusted with a flock of a little over one million faithful members who form less than 1% of the population of Pakistan . Where, 98% are Muslims.
Our Church is young only 120 years – it can be called a simple, poor and oppressed but full of vitality and courage. In the past, our Church was held in high esteem for her educational and medical services. But today we carry out our mission in a hostile and conservative Islamic era that is increasingly extremist, intolerant and militant. There is growing pressure to enforce the Shariah or Islamic way of life. Islamic laws like “blasphemy law” have brought death and misery to many innocent people. And it continues to threaten our religious freedom. There is also a trend of forced conversions to Islam by certain religious extremist groups. Christians are treated as second class citizens!
In spite of all these dangers, physical persecutions, discrimination and hardships, our bishops and priests are carrying out their pastoral ministry and give hope and courage to their helpless flock.
We believe that to suffer for the faith is to share in the work of Christ. The Holy Spirit gives us power and grace to live as disciples of Jesus and be his witnesses in Pakistan .
Great things are happening….This year is the Golden Jubilee of Our Urdu Bible. To mark this occasion the Catholic Bishops Conference of Pakistan has announced the celebration of the year of the Bible. The most of our Christian people can’t read the Bible but they have listening hearts and they listen to the Word of God with great joy.
Our love for the Word of God has blessed us with more vocations. Last year there were 21 seminarians in the minor seminary. Six of them are moving to the Major Seminary, after finishing their three years of formation in the minor seminary. 15 of them will return after their summer vacations and we are hoping for 10 new seminarians in the fall. As the Rector of the Minor Seminary and the Vocation Director for the Archdiocese of Karachi, it breaks my heart to have to turn away some of the young men because we have not much place to accommodate all of them. Our present minor seminary building has only five bed rooms for 21 seminarians, with no play ground or place for their physical exercises. A very small library has limited resources. We have vocations but not enough place to accommodate all who want to become catholic priests to serve God and his people in Pakistan .
On the 7th of April, 2008 the Archbishop in the presence of the priests, religious and people of Karachi , blessed the ground on which the new Minor Seminary will be built. We haven’t started the construction work as yet but we hope to begin the construction of the new Minor Seminary in October of this year.
In future months I hope to keep you updated on our progress and to introduce you to our seminarians that you graciously help support.
God Bless You,
Fr. Ben
By admin, on April 14th, 2008
By admin, on April 1st, 2008
|
Comments are closed 
