his personal reconversion story and entertained the audience with comedy .
“ I am living proof that it ’ s never too late for you to be who Jesus wants you to be ,” Gaidica told the audience .
The evening ’ s program highlighted the 2023 newly ordained and soon-tobe ordained priests — 16 in all , including those from the Archdiocese of Detroit as well as from the dioceses of Kalamazoo , Lansing , Marquette , the Archdiocese of Hartford , the Chaldean Eparchy of St . Thomas the Apostle , the Companions of the Cross , and Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity ( SOLT ). In addition , 13 new deacons and 70 seminarians were featured in the program ’ s guide .
Part of the fundraising efforts included a $ 25,000 cash raffle , sponsored by Weingartz . In addition , Barry Borsenik , state secretary of the Michigan State Council of the Knights of Columbus , presented two checks , totaling more than $ 215,000 to support the seminary . One of the checks represented each member of the more than 56,000 Knights in Michigan who donated $ 3 specifically in support of the seminary .
In addition to the Knights and Weingartz , the gala was sponsored by Christian Financial Credit Union , Catholic Funeral & Cemetery Services , Ave Maria Mutual Funds , Lear Corporation , Corporate Travel Services , Dick Genthe Chevrolet , Alpha & Omega , and The John Berry Family .
The evening ’ s spotlight moment was the seminarian ensemble ’ s rendition of “ One God .” Video presentations , including professors at the seminary who guide the work and formation of future priests and other lay ministers , helped inform and inspire those gathered .
In his address , Archbishop Vigneron noted how the seminary works to bring the compassionate heart of Jesus to others , adding lay ministers and catechists are critical to the spiritual development of the faithful .
Sacred Heart ’ s rector , Father Stephen Burr , said the seminary “ creates more channels for God ’ s grace .”
Father Burr connected the evening ’ s theme to the Church ’ s celebration of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in June . “ When we seek Jesus , he will connect us with his
heart , and his heart will connect us with what he loves ,” Father Burr said .
Sacred Heart alumna Allison Accardo , who graduated with her master ’ s in theology in 2015 , said she has attended the event every year since .
Accardo , director of religious education at Christ the Good Shepherd in Lincoln Park and a theology teacher at St . John Paul II Classical Catholic School , fondly recalled her experience studying at Sacred Heart , saying it prepared her for ministry .
Accardo said the gala “ is a little way of giving back because I got a lot of grants and scholarships while attending . I also like hearing about what the guys are doing in the seminary ,” she said .
Delia Rodi-Barczys , a parishioner of St . Anastasia Parish in Troy and an architect who has done work with several local churches , attended the gala with her husband , David , for the first time .
“ I came to support the seminarians and the great causes they help bring to our world and to our future ,” Rodi- Barczys said . shms . edu 25