Holy Family gala a Mardi Gras style success
Members of Holy Family Catholic Community in Inverness drew Archbishop Blase Cupich to attend their parish gala - and he came bearing gifts.
Archbishop Cupich donated a surprise item to the evening's live auction; a magnum of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, which drew spirited bidding from the record crowd.
The gala took place Feb. 21, at the Meadows Club in Rolling Meadows, and drew 530 people to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the parish.
Holy Family's gala is its major fundraiser each year, which brings together the entire Catholic community and friends. This vibrant event supports a lifelong Christian journey that includes the Academy as well as adult, teen and family faith programs in social justice and outreach.
Between the Academy and Family Faith, the parish provides Christian values, 21st century curriculum, and Catholic faith-based leadership skills to more than 1,000 children.
The gala's funds support the parish's mission of lifelong learning through its various ministries: Adult, family, teen faith and The Holy Family Catholic Academy, celebrating its 12th anniversary this year.
As the reception and silent auction areas filled with guests excited to enjoy Mardi Gras in Chicagoland, the night kicked off in earnest with a marching band bringing the feel of New Orleans right into the Meadows Club.
With more than 120 silent, live and mini-live auction items, there were plenty of items for bidding and lots of winners. Winning bidders took home some incredible prizes like a complete Whirlpool kitchen and a year of free tuition at Holy Family Catholic Academy.
A mini live auction offered up tickets to attend practice at the Master's at Augusta National Golf Course, custom fit golf clubs by Wilson Sporting Goods, a Las Vegas getaway weekend at the Paris Hotel, and a Christmas Eve reserved pew and parking.
The live auction featured a Chicago Blackhawks playoff package, Chicago Bears training camp experience, and a one week stay at the Grand Wailia Hotel in Maui, along with the chance to serve as principal for a day and enjoy dinner with Fr. Terry Keehan, pastor.
Following dinner and the live auction, a fund-a-cause paddle raise took in $66,000 to support the four main ministries of the Holy Family Catholic Academy, family, adult and teen faith ministries, well exceeding the goal of $50,000.
"We were overwhelmed by the turnout and the participation," said Rick Anesi who co-chaired the event with his wife, Connie, and Jack and Raeann Shedd. "The amount of support our parish, school parents and community show for Holy Family was incredible and humbling."
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