21st Annual Crozier Gala Celebrates the Heart of Service with Valley Wide Representation
Phoenix, AZ, May 04, 2009 --(PR.com)-- The 21st Annual Crozier Gala, Arizona’s premier Catholic black-tie fund-raising event, took place on Saturday, May 2, 2009, at the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa. Attended by 600 guests, the Gala raised over $175,000 which will directly benefit Catholic schools, Communications, Christian Formation including vocations and Work-among-the-Poor in our Diocese, through the Catholic Community Foundation’s Annual Grants Program.
The Gala included many special touches: MC Chris Coraggio of Channel 5 presented the children’s choir from St. Peter’s Indian Mission School on the Tohono O’Odham Reservation. They sang the national anthem in both English and their native language as members of the United States Marine Corps presented the colors. The event was inspired by Katharine Drexel, the Foundation’s Patron Saint, who dedicated her life and fortune to improve Native and African American lives. Two sisters of her order who minister on the Gila River reservation were Gala guests, bearing witness to St. Katharine’s vision.
Monsignor Thomas Hever, Pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Scottsdale, gave the invocation and guests enjoyed an elegant menu inspired by New Orleans French and Cajun culinary influences. The Most Reverend Thomas J. Olmsted, Bishop of Phoenix, introduced Special Honoree Mrs. Lorenza DeMuro, a Valley philanthropist whose commitment to Catholic stewardship has been exceptional. Her son Eugene spoke on her behalf, moving the audience with his warm remarks.
A special program narrated and performed by students, represented from each Valley Catholic high school, then took place. Their presentations highlighted the Foundation’s statewide impact. Appropriately, many cast members were themselves recipients of the Foundation’s Christian Service Award scholarships. Cindy Todare of Paradise Valley and 2009 Gala Chairwoman put it best, “As St. Katharine received by giving, we too get back so much when we choose to serve.” At program’s end, guests enjoyed dancing to the musical accompaniment of Affinity.
Once again, the Crozier Gala was a resounding success, both for its ambiance and funds raised for vital ministries. In 2010, the 22nd Annual Crozier Gala scheduled for Saturday May 1, 2010 will be chaired by Mrs. Lori Brophy of Paradise Valley.
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The Catholic Community Foundation is a non-profit charitable organization that supports the religious, educational and philanthropic objectives of the Diocese of Phoenix. Founded in 1983, the Foundation provides an invaluable opportunity for individuals, families and organizations to leave a legacy of giving to support future need in perpetuity. The Foundation currently manages endowment funds for 150 agencies, including 70 parishes and 41 schools, and promotes charitable giving by Catholic families through family funds, special events and special projects. Although the Foundation continually seeks to raise funds to fulfill its mission, the Crozier Gala is the only special event of the year that helps accomplish this. For more on the Catholic Community Foundation, visit www.ccfphx.org.
The Gala included many special touches: MC Chris Coraggio of Channel 5 presented the children’s choir from St. Peter’s Indian Mission School on the Tohono O’Odham Reservation. They sang the national anthem in both English and their native language as members of the United States Marine Corps presented the colors. The event was inspired by Katharine Drexel, the Foundation’s Patron Saint, who dedicated her life and fortune to improve Native and African American lives. Two sisters of her order who minister on the Gila River reservation were Gala guests, bearing witness to St. Katharine’s vision.
Monsignor Thomas Hever, Pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Scottsdale, gave the invocation and guests enjoyed an elegant menu inspired by New Orleans French and Cajun culinary influences. The Most Reverend Thomas J. Olmsted, Bishop of Phoenix, introduced Special Honoree Mrs. Lorenza DeMuro, a Valley philanthropist whose commitment to Catholic stewardship has been exceptional. Her son Eugene spoke on her behalf, moving the audience with his warm remarks.
A special program narrated and performed by students, represented from each Valley Catholic high school, then took place. Their presentations highlighted the Foundation’s statewide impact. Appropriately, many cast members were themselves recipients of the Foundation’s Christian Service Award scholarships. Cindy Todare of Paradise Valley and 2009 Gala Chairwoman put it best, “As St. Katharine received by giving, we too get back so much when we choose to serve.” At program’s end, guests enjoyed dancing to the musical accompaniment of Affinity.
Once again, the Crozier Gala was a resounding success, both for its ambiance and funds raised for vital ministries. In 2010, the 22nd Annual Crozier Gala scheduled for Saturday May 1, 2010 will be chaired by Mrs. Lori Brophy of Paradise Valley.
###
The Catholic Community Foundation is a non-profit charitable organization that supports the religious, educational and philanthropic objectives of the Diocese of Phoenix. Founded in 1983, the Foundation provides an invaluable opportunity for individuals, families and organizations to leave a legacy of giving to support future need in perpetuity. The Foundation currently manages endowment funds for 150 agencies, including 70 parishes and 41 schools, and promotes charitable giving by Catholic families through family funds, special events and special projects. Although the Foundation continually seeks to raise funds to fulfill its mission, the Crozier Gala is the only special event of the year that helps accomplish this. For more on the Catholic Community Foundation, visit www.ccfphx.org.
Contact
Catholic Community Foundation
Brigitte Dayton
602.354.2402
ccfphx.org
Brigitte Dayton
602.354.2402
ccfphx.org
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