Msgr. Todd Lajiness receives a gift from the parishioners of St. Vincent Ferrer Parish, represented by Deacon Craig Marion, left, and Fr. John Esper. Master of Ceremonies Fr. Joseph Krupp approves.
The ballroom porch is a great place to socialize and experience a dramatic vista of the city.
WILL WE SEE YOU NEXT YEAR? Join the Sacred Heart seminarians at Archbishop’ s Gala 2017, Friday, June 16. It will be the Gala’ s twentieth anniversary— you won’ t want to miss this historic occasion.
Columbus. The audience buzzed and then applauded when State Deputy Robert Fox and former State Deputy George Dann handed Msgr. Todd Lajiness, Sacred Heart’ s rector, a check for $ 135,000. The money completes a pledge of $ 1.25 million to fund the Fr. Michael J. McGivney Chair of Life Ethics, which is supported solely by the Michigan Knights.
There was more applause when Fr. John Esper and seminarian Dcn. Craig Marion handed Monsignor Lajiness a check for $ 22,000 on behalf of St. Vincent Ferrer Parish in Madison Heights. This gift will help to restore the entrance vestibule of our main chapel to its original glory( see p. 36).
The raffle ticket drawing to pick the
$ 25,000 cash winner was another highlight. A Sacred Heart alumnus won the prize, which was donated by the Wiengartz family. The 52-Card Raffle prizes were gifted by Edmund T. Ahee Jewelers of Grosse Pointe Woods( diamond earring set), and friends of the seminary( Michigan“ Basket of Cheer” and four $ 250 restaurant gift cards).
Particular thanks go out to the program advertisers, giving category sponsors, and exclusive sponsors.“ This special celebration could not happen without you,” says a grateful Monsignor Lajiness.
Including the Michigan Knights and the Wiengartz family, exclusive sponsors of the Gala were a mutual friend of St. Catherine of Siena Academy; The Trinity Charitable Fund; Christian Financial Credit Union; Ave Maria Mutual Funds; Saint Joseph Mercy Health Systems; Alpha & Omega Laser, LLC; Genthe Automotive; and Mersino. Gratitude as well goes to sponsors Hour Detroit, Allied Printing Company, and Nu-tech Graphics & Systems.
Contact Emily Berschback, event manager, at berschback. emily @ shms. edu, to become an event sponsor next year.
Check out photos and video highlights of Archbishop’ s Gala 2016 at archbishopsgala. com.
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