Archbishop Alexander K. Sample

This week, Archbishop Alexander Sample celebrated the Rite of Candidacy for seminarian Stephen Coutcher at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center. During the rite, Stephen publicly declared his intention to continue preparing for priestly ordination, and Archbishop Sample formally accepted his commitment on behalf of the Church. One of the Archdiocese of Portland’s 34 seminarians, Stephen will continue his priestly formation this fall at St. Patrick’s Seminary in Menlo Park, California. Please pray for him and all our seminarians!

More than 500 students received tuition assistance from Ascend - Catholic Schools Endowment Foundation this school year, making a Catholic education more accessible for families across western Oregon. Next year, Ascend plans to expand that support to more than 700 students.

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Ascend Provides Nearly $1 Million in Tuition Assistance Across Western Oregon For the 2025–26 school year, Ascend awarded $971,000 in tuition assistance and hardship funding, helping more than 500 students attend Archdiocese of Portland elementary schools across western Oregon.