Grand Knight Dick Breckon presents a check to Bishop Taylor with Monsignor Friend and Father Elser observing.

On Wednesday evening, July 17, the Council  held its second fundraiser to support the physical enhancement of the seminarian House of Formation in Little Rock.  As with the first event on July 20, 2012, Deputy Grand Knight Bob Honzik was the catalyst and the coordinator.  There was seating for 251 diners with 236 tickets sold at $20 per person.  It was anticipated that there would be 15 seminarians and clergy as guests.   

Danny and Sandra Celestin's menu consisted of sensation salad, shrimp corn chowder, 10 oz prime rib steak, and roasted fresh vegetables.  Father Bill made his now regionally-famous ice cream (Arkansas peach and cappuccino) for dessert. 

After a 30-minute social period with Larry Linteau providing background music, Bob gave a brief history of the Council’s support of the seminarians and Monsignor Friend’s goal of having a House of Formation.  He introduced guests Bishop Anthony Taylor, Monsignor Scott Friend, Monsignor Bernard Malone, and Father Bill Elser.  The eight seminarians seated at tables throughout the hall would be introduced later by Monsignor Friend. 

When the meal was ready, Father Elser recited the Father McGivney prayer and gave a blessing. 

Diocese Vicar General and Vocation Director Monsignor Scott Friend expressed his appreciation to everyone in the room and said, “I know you have a deep love for the Lord, the Eucharist, and the Church.  You have stayed faithful for what you love.”  He indicated there will be 41* seminarians studying in the fall term, and this bodes well for the future an ordination this year with a projected four ordinations in 2014 and as many as eight in 2018.  In contrast to many dioceses in the United States, the number of active priests (58) is encouraging with the average age at 52, down from the 60s not too long ago.  Monsignor Scott introduced each of the eight seminarians in attendance, and told a bit about them, including their course of study and location in the fall.  The following seminarians were in attendance: Joseph de Orbegozo, Stephen Elser, Joseph Friend, Jon Miskin, Jose Luis Quijada, Daniel Ramos, Patrick Saint-Jean, and Jack Sidler.

Msgr. Friend introduced seminarian Jon Miskin, one of six children in his family, who spoke about receiving God's call and the ongoing discernment process he is experiencing.  Three significant events for him were receiving a personal letter from his pastor suggesting the priesthood, observing high school students participating in the SEARCH program, and realizing that he should be doing what God wants, not what he himself wants.  Jon's mother was present.

Msgr. Friend continued by saying that the House of Formation is helping the diocese in being more flexible in meeting the needs of student where they are in their discernment and educational preparation, and often at a more reasonable cost.  Currently housing nine seminarians, it has two very important rooms - the chapel and the dining room.  By praying and dining together, a real sense of fraternity and family is developed, which the seminarians need as a model for their work in parishes. 

Students can take courses, including English as a Second Language, at the University of Arkansas - Little Rock, about one mile away.  An academic arrangement is also being arranged with St. Gregory University, a Benedictine school in Shawnee OK, whereby students can take its philosophy courses in a virtual classroom in a facility located next to the House.  There are also plans to locate a fitness center (real, not virtual) in that same building. 

The funds raised from this event will be used to develop an outside area as an extension of the House where seminarians can go to sit, meditate, and pray in a setting close to nature.  It will be called the Daniel Phillips Memorial Garden in honor of a seminarian who was killed in a car accident returning from Conway last December.  Daniel was an RSVP seminarian supported by Council 10208, and he liked to work in a garden. 

Monsignor concluded by saying, “Thank you for your faith, thank you for believing in the Church, thank you for believing in us priests, and I am grateful to you for your faith in Jesus Christ.  God bless you!” 

Grand Knight Dick Breckon introduced honoree Deacon Bernie Bauer and gave a brief history of his faithful service to the Church and to the Knights of Columbus. Having recently celebrated his 90^th birthday, Deacon Bernie is still very active in both – he has been a knight for 64 years and a deacon for almost 33 years.  Bernie thanked Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Knights of Columbus for welcoming Marilyn and him in 1989 when they moved to the Village and for supporting them all of these years. 

Dick announced that the Council will increase the number of seminarians in the RSVP from four to five this fraternal year.  He then presented a check for $8,250 to Bishop Taylor and promised another check in the near future which would bring the total donation from this fundraiser to $22,000 (actual $21,990).  Besides the funds from ticket sales and the generous food donation by the Celestins, attendees and other knights made individual donations.  Including the $13,382 from the 2012 fundraiser, Council 10208 has supported the House of Formation to date wirh $35,372. 

Bishop Taylor complimented the Sacred Heart of Jesus parish on its financial support of seminarians and feels that it is the most supportive per capita of any parish in the diocese (it gave $50,000 for the dining room in the House last year).  He also advised that “While you are in a very conscious way supporting vocations to the priesthood, know that the priests being formed are for the purpose of supporting your vocations and your following of Jesus.” 

Bob Honzik next introduced Sandra and Danny Celestin who prepared the meal and informed the audience that the Celestins were also donating all of the food for the cause.  As part of their comments, they mentioned that the dinner and their donation were a “labor of love” for the seminarians and the House of Formation.

There were many knights involved in the dinner.  For example,  Ed Cudworth supervised his crew of 17 courtious and efficient waiters including Ron Boudreaux, Bob Bowman, Randy Bussone, Ed Doyle, Mike Garstecki, Cliff Kernen, Scott Krantz, Rick Meyers, Ed Miller, Rich Perkins, Bill Roe, Steve Schramer, Larry Stein, Terry Theisen, Jack Widlowski, Dave Witchger, and Gary Wolfer.  Assisting the Celestins in the kitchen were Bill George, Ed Harington, Chuck Ralph, and Corkie Wietlispach.

Scott Krantz handled pre-event publicity and coordinated ticket sales with the help of Tom Ament, Ron Cuba, Buddy Dixon, Mike Garstecki, Jack Griffin, Fred Jungers, Sam Justice, Dan Murphy, Dick Palinko, Bill Patterson, Ralph Stiefvater, and Carl Suttor.  John Bodensteiner did post-event publicity and photos.  Bob Rodgers managed the refreshment center with assistance from Terry Theisen.

Spouses of knights were also involved as Mary Anne Honzik prepared the tables with service ware and decorations with the assistance of Pat Anderson, Patte Brandt, Bernadette Christ, Pat Cuba, Pat Cudworth, Nancy Froning, Claudia Keearns, JoAnn O’Brien, Chris Stein, and Kathleen Witchger.  JoAnn and Terry O'Brien were responsible for the three tea and coffee beverage tables.

Review pictures of the evening by clicking Photos.

*Earlier in the year, Bob Honzik received the following demographics based on the potential of having 43 seminarians:
--34 from Arkansas, with 4 from communities with no Catholic Church, 6 are Hispanic, 3 are converts, and 5 are over age 40.
--3 from elsewhere in U.S. – Atlanta, Fort Worth, and New York
--6 from outside U.S. – 1 Colombia, 2 Haiti, 2 Mexico, 1 Nicaragua