The Mary Scholarship is a resource offered by the Diocese of Crookston to adult Catholics wishing to pursue adult religious education and needing financial assistance.

Established in 1985, largely as a result of the efforts of the Task Force on Women, the Mary Scholarship has enabled many people to participate in the Ministry Program, liturgical workshops and various conferences.

Based on the conviction that the People of God in the Diocese of Crookston deeply desire to continue their religious formation in order to better serve the Church, diocesan leadership promotes the scholarship through annual funding. Scholarship monies are administered through the Office of the Word.

All adult persons in the Diocese of Crookston, regardless of sex or state of life, may apply for funding. Because the preparation of lay people for ministry, and in particular that of lay women, has been neglected in the past, priority will be given to applications from lay women who are first time applicants. As a general rule, lay people who are not salaried Church personnel will receive preferential treatment over religious and paid lay staff who generally have other funding sources available.

Application for funds may be submitted at any time, but must be done prior to the individual’s attendance at the desired

Up to $300 per person may be received for costs of tuition, child care, transportation and supplies.

Application forms are available from the Office of the Word and from pastors. Completed application forms are to be accompanied by two letters of endorsement, one from the pastor and the other from someone familiar with the applicant. Letters of endorsement are to contain basic information about the program or event the applicant wishes to attend and some knowledge of how the individual and parish will benefit from the experience. Letters of endorsement and the completed application form are to be sent to Director, Office of the Word, P.O. Box 610, Crookston, MN 56716. If the assistance needed is $25 or less, a phone call of endorsement from the applicant’s parish pastor to the Director of the Office of the Word will be sufficient approval.

A committee comprised of the Directors of the Office of the Word, the Office of Worship and the Office of Christian Service review each application.