Largest fundraiser of the year highlights Sacred Heart’s role in forming priests, deacons, and lay leaders for the Church
PLYMOUTH — Friends and supporters of Sacred Heart Major Seminary gathered June 4 at Saint John’s Resort in Plymouth for the annual Archbishop’s Gala, celebrating the seminary’s mission of forming future priests, deacons, and lay leaders for service in the Church.
Seminarians, bishops, priests, benefactors, faculty, and friends of Sacred Heart filled the ballroom for an evening of fellowship, gratitude, and support for the seminary’s work.
Welcoming guests, Sacred Heart rector Fr. Stephen Burr thanked attendees for their generosity and commitment to the seminary’s mission. “You came here to support Sacred Heart Major Seminary, and we're so glad you're here,” Fr. Burr said. “Every priest, every deacon, every leader that has been formed by Sacred Heart gives thanks and praise for all of you.”
Fr. Burr reflected on the seminary’s formation process, explaining that formation is about much more than academics. Seminarians are challenged to grow in self-knowledge, self-acceptance, and self-gift as they prepare for ministry. “Part of the process of being a seminarian is first to have self-knowledge, then self-acceptance, understanding who one is before God and how very loved one is, and then to offer oneself.”
Before dinner, Fr. Timothy Laboe, dean of studies at Sacred Heart, led guests in prayer, asking God to bless Sacred Heart’s students, faculty, and staff and to continue forming “faithful and fruitful laborers and shepherds for your Church according to the Sacred Heart of your Son.”
During the program, Michigan Knights of Columbus state deputy Barry Borsenik and state chaplain Fr. Andrew LaFramboise presented checks supporting seminarian education and vocational formation.
The Knights of Columbus presented $42,236.82 to the Sacred Heart Major Seminary Endowment Fund and a total of $135,193.50 benefiting all seven dioceses in Michigan through the organization's support of vocations and seminarian formation. The gifts reflect the ongoing commitment of Knights throughout the state to encourage future priests and Church leaders.
Detroit Archbishop Edward J. Weisenburger addressed attendees, reflecting on signs of hope he sees in the universal Church, national Church, and the local Church.
Archbishop Weisenburger spoke about the leadership of Pope Leo XIV, the upcoming consecration of the United States to the Sacred Heart of Jesus by the nation’s bishops, and the ongoing renewal efforts taking place throughout the Archdiocese of Detroit. “I see so much grace and hope,” he said.
The archbishop also reflected on Sacred Heart’s vital role in the life of the local Church. “You saw earlier tonight priests, deacons, bishops, lay men and lay women being fashioned and formed, then sent out to be true disciples of Christ today,” the archbishop said.
Calling Sacred Heart “the beating heart of our archdiocese,” Archbishop Weisenburger noted that the seminary has spent more than a century forming vocations for the Church. “Over 101 graduating classes,” he said, “this seminary has been forming leaders.”
The evening also introduced Fr. Kevin Creagh, CM, who will become Sacred Heart’s next rector on July 1. Fr. Creagh thanked Archbishop Weisenburger for entrusting him with the role and expressed gratitude for Fr. Burr’s leadership and service to the seminary community. “I found at Sacred Heart Major Seminary a place that is indeed sacred,” Fr. Creagh said. “It is a community of incredible hospitality, service, and joy.”
Fr. Creagh encouraged supporters to continue investing in the seminary’s mission, emphasizing the impact Sacred Heart graduates have throughout the Church. “What begins at Sacred Heart becomes a mission everywhere,” Fr. Creagh said. “What begins at Sacred Heart reaches parishes, hospitals, schools, and homes across our archdiocese and beyond.”
The program concluded with a performance by the Sacred Heart Major Seminary Choir and an invitation for guests to continue supporting the seminary’s mission.
“When you support Sacred Heart, you form seminarians. You strengthen the Church. You carry the good news into the world,” Fr. Creagh said.
The Archbishop’s Gala is Sacred Heart Major Seminary’s largest annual fundraiser. Gifts from benefactors support the seminary’s mission of forming priests, deacons, and lay leaders who will serve the Church in Detroit and beyond.
This article was first published in Mosaic, the online magazine of Sacred Heart Major Seminary.
