AUCKLAND The Catholic Discipleship College (CDC) on Aucklands North Shore has enough funds to open this year, but has asked its main supporters to underwrite any possible debt. Principal Fr Neil Vaney, SM, said the economic downturn in 2009 saw a drop in donations and there was also an awareness of donor fatigue.

Finances are a perennial headache, but there are also grounds for hope, Fr Vaney said.

New manager Sandra Barden is full of new ideas and enthusiasm to raise support, he said.

Some ex-students of a now-closed Catholic Bible school in Radway, Canada, pledged support because they are keen to see this sort of work continue, Fr Vaney added.

The New Zealand CDC, which opened in 2007, was modelled after the Radway school.
CDC, based at the St Josephs Centre in Takapuna, runs a nine-month residential course during which students explore their Catholic Faith.

Fr Vaney said the intake for 2010 will be between six and 10. Many factors come into the decision to enrol, Fr Vaney said, including the impact of student loans, visa issues, the availability of short-term mission placements elsewhere and youth ministry openings in dioceses.

For all these reasons, CDC will have students wait until the last few weeks before showing their hand, he said.

Among the six already signed up, there are young people of the highest calibre and generosity.