Institutional Advancement
A Gala of Gratitude
Supporters respond to “An Artful Gala”
with record-breaking generosity.
O
nce again, our benefactors have validated Sacred
Heart’s mission with an astounding show of selfgiving. A record-breaking $933,000 was raised
by the Seventeenth Annual Archbishop’s Gala
2014, held at the Grand Riverview Ballroom of
Cobo Center on June 19. The gala broke the alltime attendance record, as well, with 850 guests
joining in the evening of celebration.
The theme of the event was “An Artful
Gala,” and it was truly a beautiful affair. Grand
Riverview Ballroom is well-named: A wall of
windows in its reception lobby gives guests
a panoramic view of the Detroit waterfront.
During the cocktail reception, guests strolled
through the lobby chatting with old friends and
buying up raffle tickets to win a flashy 2014
Corvette Stingray. Guests scrutinized silent
auction items and placed their hopeful bids.
Splendid musical arrangments enhanced the
cheerful mood, performed by students from St.
Catherine of Siena Academy of Wixom, led by
music director Amy Suave.
Many guests caught the spirit of the gala’s
artful theme by becoming artists themselves.
TreeTown Murals of Ann Arbor set up a gigantic
Many guests return to the gala year after year to boost the
seminary—and have a fun evening out.
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MOSAIC
“participatory mural” and invited attendees
to paint their own canvas panels. Delighted
guests were greeted at the gala’s conclusion by a
stunning mosaic featuring Sacred Heart’s iconic
architecture surrounded by imagery of the city
of Detroit.
The evening included the presentation of
two thoroughly appreciated donations: a check
of $75,000 from St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish
in Dearborn, and a check of $125,000 from the
Michigan Knights of Columbus.
A special highlight of the evening was
honoring a beautiful example of God’s artful
handiwork, longtime faculty member Sr. Mary
Finn, HVM. Guests celebrated Sister Finn’s
forty-five years of service to the seminary and
her loving ministry to the people of Detroit.
Archbishop’s Gala 2014 concluded with a tasty
afterglow of sweets.
What can we say but “thank you” to all of
the attendees, sponsors, auction gift donors,
and program advertisers who made the event a
success? Why not attend the Eighteenth Annual
Archbishop’s Gala on Thursday, June 18, 2015?
It’s great fun for a great cause.
The open-air patio of the ballroom presented to
guests a refreshing vista of the Detroit riverfront and
the skyline of Windsor, Ontario.