Something is troubling Vincent J. Lewis' cousin, who is in his 40s and has young children: Will there be enough priests when his children grow up?

"Most of the priests I know will be retiring in 10 or 20 years," says Lewis, who chairs the $10 million capital campaign for Seton Hall University's Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology (the Seminary), which is part of the University's Ever Forward campaign.

Aside from the troubling question, Lewis' desire to contribute unflaggingly of his time and resources is deeply connected to his parents, now both deceased. "My mother and father felt it was an important step to finance a home to house seminarians for the next 100 years," Lewis noted. His parents' generosity resulted in the Seminary's newly built facility being named the Milton and Rita Lewis Hall. The year was 1984 and the Seminary had just relocated from Darlington back to Seton Hall's campus, where it was founded in 1860.

Milton F. Lewis, who died in 1999, a distinguished investment banker and friend of the poor, served as a Seton Hall board member. As a child, Vincent Lewis had tagged along with his dad to Wall Street, which used to open half-days on Saturdays.  During his years as a finance major at Georgetown University, Lewis knew his father's footsteps would set the pace. Today he is senior vice president at Smith Barney in Rutherford.

In serving on the Archdiocese of Newark's Pension Board and the Board of Overseers of Immaculate Conception Seminary, Lewis blends his passionate professionalism with his commitment to his faith. He was a natural to chair the Seminary's ambitious campaign, which is rooted in enhancing its programs and facilities to better serve seminarians.

Of the funds raised for the Seminary, $4 million will support expansion of the facilities to provide more office spaces and classrooms and convert existing spaces to residences to accommodate more seminarians. Additionally, $2.5 million will endow a chair in pastoral theology/homiletics, and $300,000 has been earmarked for a homiletics teaching laboratory with professional audio-visual equipment. The lab will offer training not only for those in priestly formation, but also to experienced clergy and laypersons interested in parish work.

Lewis notes that it is important "to have our seminarians proficient in conveying their knowledge," especially from the pulpit. "We want them to be more comfortable and proficient in public speaking," Lewis explains, and for priests to better "translate their thoughts on the Bible and convey that in their homilies."

The campaign's other goals are $1 million for endowment and $300,000 to replace the heavily used 20-year-old organ in the Seminary Chapel. Last year, the Seminary launched the Institute of Christian Spirituality, supported by a $2 million grant from the Lilly Endowment Inc. The campaign will further the Institute's first initiative: to call, nurture and sustain pastoral leaders.

The Seminary has been welcoming growing numbers and more diverse students, and this year graduates 17 for the Catholic priesthood - the largest class in the country. Its 250 students also include lay leaders. Both groups might benefit from preparation in business and interpersonal skills, according to Lewis, to better address the challenges faced by Catholic parishes, hospitals and schools.

As he inspires others to join him in advancing the Seminary's mission, he knows he is doing his part to ensure that the shepherds will be there for his cousin's children and for other Catholics, now and forever. Vincent Lewis is a man of many achievements, professionally and personally. His first commitment, however, is to his family: his wife Barbara and his son V.J., and to the education of the next generation of the Church's priests.