ADVANCING THE MISSION reminder in the midst of the pandemic that God our Father always lifts us up .
Msgr . Lajiness expressed gratitude to Sacred Heart ’ s many benefactors and to the Gala ’ s Exclusive Sponsors , all of whom maintained their support this year . These sponsors were joined by advertisers , annual gala guests , and many first-time contributors . “ We could never fulfill the mission entrusted to us without each of you . Please know that we pray for our friends and benefactors and we thank God for you ,” he said .
One of the gala ’ s highlights is the $ 25,000 cash raffle , which was again sponsored by the Weingartz family . Through God ’ s providence and the generosity of many , including the Michigan Knights of Columbus councils who regularly send tickets to their members to purchase or sell , the seminary achieved a raffle record raising nearly $ 190,000 !
The Knights have been a strong supporter of vocations and a generous and loyal friend to the seminary for years . Michigan State Deputy William Chassé presented a check to Msgr . Lajiness for $ 150,000 , for the second year , as part of the state councils ’ commitment to raise $ 1 million for seminarian scholarships at Sacred Heart . Supreme Knight Carl Anderson underscored the Knights ’ continued commitment to the formation of our Church ’ s priests , stating that he is “ proud of all that my brother Knights of Columbus in Michigan have done to support Sacred Heart Major Seminary . In “ Evangelii Gaudium ,” Pope Francis tells us we must have priests filled with the joy of the Gospel , who are missionary disciples , are close to the people they serve , and who are evangelizers . There is no more important work in our Church today than the renewal of our clergy in this way . There is no one doing a better job in this work than Sacred Heart Major Seminary .”
Lora Adam and her husband Mike , who joined the Knights in 2019 , joined the gala for the first time this year , becoming new donors in support of the seminary ’ s mission . “ While watching the gala ,” Lora said , “ I sensed the love of the Lord in the priests and seminarians and how the Holy Spirit is alive in them . It was fun to see the camaraderie among the men .”
Msgr . Lajiness introduced the 12 men who were recently or will soon be ordained to the priesthood . Expressing gratitude to the sponsoring bishops , he said , “ The fruit of our labor is seen right here in these new priests . We can collectively give thanks to God for this great gift .” The rector hosted a brief video-conversation with the five newlyordained priests for the Archdiocese of
Detroit to learn “ how Jesus our High Priest and Good Shepherd is at work here at the seminary and how he calls his priests to a life of heroic witness .”
In his closing remarks , Archbishop Vigneron said : “ Sacred Heart is an essential part of our efforts as a local church to be renewed in our missionary identity and to take up again our call from Jesus to share his Gospel . The seminary spends itself preparing future priests , deacons , and lay leaders in order to have the work of evangelization go forward . We give God praise and thanks that he takes us into this future confident that he will support us . A year ago , we had no idea of what March , April , May , and June of 2020 would look like , but God has taken us through these months , and he has sustained us , and he will sustain us in the future . So , we move forward confidently in the great mission of the seminary .”
Reflecting on the gala ’ s success , Emily Berschback , Director of Alumni Relations and Events said , “ I am feeling beyond blessed for the hard work of many who made the virtual gala possible . Through prayer and collaboration , we were able to offer a way for our donors , sponsors , and seminary family to be united around Christ ’ s heart and to recognize 100 years of blessings ! Now that ’ s the providence of God !”
Fr . Mario Amore served as the gala ’ s Master of Ceremonies .
There are many blessings that God has bestowed on our seminary over its 100 years of mission and ministry . This gala is an important occasion to be gathered together to give God praise and thanks for those many gifts .”
— Archbishop Allen H . Vigneron shms . edu 19