2004 Gala Raises Half Million Dollars
to Support Sacred Heart's Mission

WJR radio star Paul W. Smith, who MC'd the event, joins Sacred Heart Rector Fr. Steven Boguslawski, left, and Cardinal Adam Maida.

Close to six hundred supporters of Sacred Heart Major Seminary packed the Presidential Ballroom of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Dearborn, Michigan, for the "Cardinal's Gala 2004: A Celebration from the Heart" on the evening of June 10. This sixth annual dinner in support of the seminary's mission to form priests, deacons and lay ministers for the Archdiocese of Detroit grossed $524,910, three times the total of the highest grossing previous dinner.

The total included monies from raffling off a 2004 Ford Thunderbird, and an auction of art, gifts and entertainment packages organized by Albert Scaligione, president of Park West Gallery in Southfield. Art Olszewski from Sterling Heights won the $40,000 Thunderbird, a real beauty.

Over the past year, the staff of the Sacred Heart Major Seminary Foundation had been hard at work planning the elaborate gala. The Foundation is responsible for the seminary's fundraising activities and is led by Foundation Board Chairman Michael Monahan, president of Monahan Enterprises, President John LaFramboise and Executive Director Jo-Anne Mancini.

Training "Combatants" for God
Popular Detroit morning radio personality Paul W. Smith of News/Talk 760 WJR MC'd the event with smooth professionalism. Commenting upon the gala's attendance, which was triple that of previous dinners, Smith said, "When the word gets out how great this event was tonight, I can't believe it won't be even bigger next year." Smith, a devout Catholic, pledged to continue to help Sacred Heart through his radio program.

Gala attendees enjoyed entertainer John Tesh's faith-inspired music.

Singer/musician John Tesh entertained the gala's guests with a program called "A Celebration of Faith." Tesh, formerly co-host of television's Entertainment Tonight, is a self-proclaimed "out of the closet" Christian who sang, played piano and bantered with the delighted crowd. He was accompanied by two back-up singers and presented selections from his catalog of uplifting praise-and-worship music. For three of the numbers, Tesh was joined by Detroit's Cesar Chavez Academy Elementary Choir. "One of the great things you can do is to be an encouragement to church leaders," said Tesh, who was happy to appear at the gala. "Sacred Heart is training hand-to-hand combatants for the Lord."

Almost Half Way There
Cardinal Adam Maida, archbishop of Detroit, and Sacred Heart Rector Fr. Steven Boguslawski, OP, publicly expressed their gratitude for the charity of the attendees. Cardinal Edmund Szoka, former archbishop of Detroit who was visiting from Rome to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of his priesthood, confirmed these sentiments, calling Sacred Heart "the most important institution in the archdiocese."

Father Boguslawski took the opportunity to kick-off Sacred Heart's $11.5 million capital campaign. The "silent phase" of the campaign carried out by the Foundation over the past year has already raised over $5 million, which is 44% of the intended goal. Monies raised by the campaign will fund the endowment of six new academic chairs, provide a larger pool of financial aid for worthy seminarians and lay ministry students, and renovate the chapel pipe organ.

"I am acutely aware that without you, we will not obtain our institutional goals," said Father Boguslawski. "I consider myself the most blessed rector in the United States."

Major Support from Ford 

Gala co-chairs Judith and Jim O'Connor were recognized for their contribution toward a new Welcoming Reception Center.

Beyond the Thunderbird, Ford Motor Company was generously represented at the event. James O'Connor, Ford group vice president, and his wife, Judith, were the gala's co-chairs. James Padilla, chief operating officer of Ford, was a vice-chair of the dinner and was joined by his wife, Alice. Nick Scheele, president of Ford, and his wife, Ros, were honorary chairpersons but could not attend because of an unexpected commitment.

"Participating in this fundraiser is building a foundation for our Church's future," said O'Connor. "Cardinal Szoka's vision to have Sacred Heart remain in the city is very important to me, that we don't abandon anyone and be inclusive as possible."

Alice Padilla, a lifelong Detroiter, agreed, saying, "It is very important for us to keep historical Catholic institutions in the city of Detroit. They are truly the 'heart' of our Faith." James Padilla, whose brother once attended Sacred Heart, called the gala "an exceptional event and a phenomenal fundraiser that allows the seminary to do what it does best—educate future leaders of the Church."

In a surprise announcement, Father Boguslawski shared with the crowd that Jim and Judith O'Connor's had made a significant private contribution to construct a new Welcoming Reception Center at the seminary, which Father decided will be named in their honor.

Attendance tripled for this year's dinner due to the hard work of the Sacred Heart Foundation staff. Join us for next year's gala, June 22!

"Proud to Be Here"
Other attendees were just as enthusiastic about the value of the evening. Sacred Heart alumnus Bishop Joseph Imesch of the Diocese of Joliet said that the dinner "will get people involved in seminarian preparation and let them see what fine young men Detroit has studying for the priesthood."

Daniel Kidd, president of Guest House in Lake Orion, a center for priests who are recovering from alcoholism, feels strongly about supporting the seminary's mission. Kidd noted that Austin Ripley, the founder of Guest House, often would hire seminarians to work at the institution during the summers. "It makes me feel proud to be here and be a part of helping the seminary to grow."

This was the first annual dinner for Jim and Sherry Vlasic of Bloomfield Hills. They came with a mini-van full of family members who have supported the seminary for years. "This is a way we can contribute to the important cause of training more priests," said Sherry. Dan called the evening "very well done and very well hosted," and pledged to return next year.