July 23, 2004

Dear Parents and Benefactors,

You will certainly remember that in the course of last autumn we added a flyer to our newsletter, entitled "Our Dilemma." We noted there the differences which exist between the practical costs at Minnesota universities ($10,160 per year at public universities and little more than twice that for private universities) covering the expenses of tuition and of room and board, and the price which we ask at the Seminary – $ 3,000 – to cover the same benefits. In this flyer we also explained, with supporting figures, that each seminarian costs us, in reality, $ 8,708 per year.

On account of the rise of the cost of living and after having received the approval of our Treasurer, we have taken the decision to increase the price of our tuition. The last increase of this kind goes back to 1996! Afterwards, unfortunately, the cost of living has skyrocketed...

Therefore, from the start of next semester, we will be increasing rates for each semester by $500. This brings the total tuition costs for a year to $4,000. We are very sorry to have to raise this fee, but must take into account economic realities. In fact, this increase follows the rate of inflation.

Of course, as in the past, this question of tuition costs at the Seminary ought not be any impediment whatsoever to enter the Seminary or to live there. We trust entirely to providence that there will not be a shortfall. We ask you to contact us if you find difficulty in confronting this payment.

Beyond these few considerations of a purely material character, we would like, dear parents and benefactors, to assure you of our entire devotion to the service of Our Lord so that seminarians might become good and holy priests.

In Christo Sacerdote et Maria,

Fr. Yves le Roux
Rector