MOSAIC, Fall 2009

 

More than four hundred friends and supporters of Sacred Heart Major Seminary filled the Presidential Ballroom of The Ritz-Carlton in Dearborn, for the Twelfth Annual Gala, held on Wednesday, June 10, 2009. The fundraiser, held annually in support of the seminary's work and mission to form priests, deacons and lay ministers, raised more than $570,000. The event was a truly delightful evening filled with spirited good fun and great fellowship.

 

We are grateful to the Michigan State Council Knights of Columbus who once again served as Event Sponsor. State Deputy John R. "Bob" Moody presented Sacred Heart's Rector/President Msgr. Jeffrey M. Monforton with a check from the Michigan State Council and another check from Supreme Council for the Father Michael J. McGivney Endowed Chair in Life Ethics.

 

Guests were entertained throughout the evening by Fr. Tim Birney, Archdiocese of Detroit Vocations Director and Sacred Heart alumnus ('98), who served brilliantly as Master of Ceremonies.

 

During the dinner program, guests viewed an inspirational video showcasing the Desert Formation Experience, a four-week intensive spiritual journey that takes place for seminarians completing their first year of Theological training. Through this pilgrimage, the men—traveling this year to the Holy Land, Rome and other holy sites in Europe—grow in faith and understanding of their call to holiness and priestly service. Following the video, guests showed their support for the Desert Formation Experience by generously sponsoring scholarships for next year's pilgrims.

 

Please join us in congratulating Ms. Gloria Arciero, the lucky winner of the Gala raffle, a 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS donated by Kathy and Richard Genthe of Dick Genthe Chevrolet!

 

Following the raffle, Msgr. Jeffrey M. Monforton presented Adam Cardinal Maida with a specially engraved crystal plaque, thanking him for his many years of faithful service to the people of the Archdiocese of Detroit, as he begins his retirement.

 

When thanking the Gala's guests, Keynote Speaker Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron noted, "The theme for tonight's Gala is Behold, I Make All Things New. Each day, it is God who renews creation, configuring it into His own image. All of us by our baptism are God's co-workers in this renewal. Each of us has a particular role to play in building up God's kingdom. Those who have been called by God for some special service in the Church have an even greater responsibility to cooperate in God's plan. Those who attend Sacred Heart Major Seminary are truly blessed by your generosity and prayers. My prayer for you this evening is taken from the ritual for ordination:  May God who has begun this good work in you, bring it to fulfillment."

 

It is with much gratitude that we thank you, Sacred Heart's many friends and supporters, for your generosity and commitment to the seminary. We are truly blessed to have you join us in our mission.

 

We look forward to seeing you all at the Gala 2010 on Wednesday, June 9th, at The Ritz-Carlton in Dearborn!