June 3-7, 2024
Together We Can Make a Difference:
120 Beds for St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary
with Brother Mark
MASW Charity Events
2024 MASW Charity Events:
CLASS: Together We Can Make a Difference: 120 Beds for St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary with Brother Mark
WHO: This workshop is open to anyone who wishes to help!
DATE: June 3-7, 2024
COST: $450 tax deductible donation payable to St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary
WORKSHOP PAGE: Click here to visit page!
A note from Brother Mark
This class is clear proof of the generosity of Marc and his renowned school. I was travelling through the area recently and stopped in to see the famed halls of MASW. It has been seven years since I was there as an intern and too long to be away from this great school. While I was there Marc asked about the work I have been doing in the woodshop at our “new” seminary, which has now had been running for seven years. I filled him in on the many projects that are still on the list to completed and mentioned in passing that one of them was a bed project for the seminarians. Marc doesn’t miss anything and asked if these were the same beds we originally were going to build at his school before it changed into a pew project in 2016. He then suggested that we build these beds at his school, which was a true surprise to me. I forgot how over the top generous Marc is!
The reason for this class is when we moved our seminary from Winona, Minnesota to Dillwyn Virginia in the summer of 2016, a donation of 120 temporary beds was made, which have served their purpose and need to be replaced. With only myself in the shop at the seminary, it will be a long time before I get to this project and could use your help materially and financially to make these 120 beds. With God’s help and yours, we will be able to do this.
These beds will be used by the seminarians who study for seven years, then move on after their ordination to the priesthood to priories throughout the world and begin their apostolate. This seminary was built from the ground up from the generous donations of many benefactors and will serve as a formation house for priest of a missionary order. The academics that are taught, the religious formation and the architecture are meant to transform the seminarian into a true priest who models his life after Jesus Christ.
For more information, visit our website by clicking here.
Your help building these beds will serve two purposes: you will lighten the financial burden of this project through your labor, and your hard work will help make furniture for future priests who will be giving their lives to Christ for the service of souls. It would be an honor to serve God in this way.
There is no greater joy to God than a cheerful giver.
How to make a difference
Brother Mark has attended workshops at MASW for many years including two years as an intern. Through his dedication to serve, asking nothing in return, he quietly makes a profound statement about the truths of this world. There is a Christ, and His name is Jesus. If this young man is so committed to giving his entire life for such a higher calling, then surely, we can take a week of our own time and help him with an overwhelming task. The bed has already been designed by Brother Mark, but it will be our job as a team to make accurate fixtures, cut lumber, do the joinery work, sand, and do quality control on the workmanship. If it comes from MASW, it must be of the highest quality possible.
This workshop will be limited to 25 students, and it will be hands-on.
- There will be a minimum donation of $450 per student; however, you are more than welcome to donate over that amount.
- Checks should be made out directly to: St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary or to STAS INC, but forwarded to MASW.
- This money will help cover some of the cost of the materials—any financial help will be greatly appreciated and will be used in the service of the seminary in Dillwyn, Virginia. So not only will you help through your good work, but also through your tax–deductible donation.
In 2016, the alumni at MASW rallied around Brother Mark
and worked for one week turning 10,000 board feet of 8/4 ash boards into 78 pews. It was one of the most memorable weeks in the history of the school. To make 120 beds in five days will take a lot of effort. Brother Mark would love to have your help and support as we take on this task together. Protestant or Catholic makes no difference, when doing the Lord’s work.