Our St. Jeanne Jugan Gala was held on Thursday, June 14 at the spacious St. Thomas University Anderson Student Center, with thanks to a hard-working committee and many volunteers.
A great number of our nearly 300 guests began their evening by taking part in a new feature, a welcoming bean bag toss in the registration area. Amid cheers and laughter, possible scores were “2 IN” or “1 IN” while completely unsuccessful contestants were branded “NUN IN.” To sustained applause and more cheers, raffle prizes were awarded to a lucky winner from each group.
Dozens of beautifully presented silent-auction items attracted many bidders.
We were very grateful that Matt Birk could join us for the evening, as our emcee. He gave a touching description of the mission and vision of the Little Sisters and their care of the elderly.
With a nod to the Irish gift for poetry, Mother Maria Francis introduced Father John Malone, honoree of the 2018 St. Jeanne Jugan award. Father Malone is the recently retired pastor of the Assumption parish and a longtime friend of the Little Sisters. Apartment Resident Lois Faricy presented the award to Father Malone. In his gracious and equally witty acceptance address, Father described his relationship with the Home, where his mother became a Resident in her later years.
The presentation was followed by a fast-paced and entertaining live auction with Matt Birk assisting auctioneer Rod Johnson. On offer were sporting tickets, trips to local and far flung destinations, and dinner at Forepaugh’s with Archbishop Bernard Hebda. The auction concluded with Fund the Need. Most of the current kitchen equipment has exceeded its predicted useful life by twenty years, and replacement parts are very difficult to find. The audience response was stunning in its generosity.
Little Sisters and Residents alike assured all of these marvelous friends, benefactors, volunteers and workers our grateful prayers.
St. Jeanne Jugan Gala