Gala celebrating Catholic schools coming to PGA resort

The Lumen Christi (Light of Christ) Gala is scheduled for Saturday evening, Dec. 5.

Members of the Sacred Heart School concert band audition for representatives of the Lumen Christi Gala Oct. 15. Shown are (back row, left to right) alto sax players Ricky Huerta and Chandler Kellum; and in the front row, clarinet players Frankie Cialone, and her twin sister, Jackie Cialone; Erin O’Connell and Julianna Bradica.

LINDA REEVES | FC
Members of the Sacred Heart School concert band audition for representatives of the Lumen Christi Gala Oct. 15. Shown are (back row, left to right) alto sax players Ricky Huerta and Chandler Kellum; and in the front row, clarinet players Frankie Cialone, and her twin sister, Jackie Cialone; Erin O’Connell and Julianna Bradica.

LINDA REEVES | FLORIDA CATHOLIC PALM BEACH BUREAU EDITOR

Posted: 10.26.09

What: 21st annual Lumen Christi Gala to benefit Catholic education in the Diocese of Palm Beach.

When: Saturday, Dec. 5, 6 p.m. reception with silent auction, followed by dinner at 7:30 p.m., presentation and dancing.

Where: PGA National Resort and Spa, 400 Ave. of the Champions, Palm Beach Gardens.

Features: Professional photographer for photos with Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito. Music for dancing by Fifth Avenue.

Tickets: $325.

For information: The diocese is in the process of updating the diocesan Web site with event information. Photos of last year’s gala are going up, too. For information and tickets, call 561-775-9519 or visit the Web site.

PALM BEACH GARDENS | The diocese’s superintendent of schools is looking forward to this year’s big Catholic schools fundraiser that will take place at a new venue.

“It will be held at PGA (National Resort and Spa),” Franciscan Sister Joan Dawson explained about the new Palm Beach Gardens location for the annual Lumen Christi Gala. It is scheduled for Saturday evening, Dec. 5. Lumen Christi means “light of Christ.”

Sister Dawson and Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito are honorary chairpersons for the event that will feature a reception and silent auction followed by dinner, presentation, and dancing with music by Fifth Avenue, a local band that plays everything from classical numbers to rock tunes. Alfonso and Silvia Azqueta of St. Juliana Parish, who are strong supporters of Catholic education with a family history tied to Catholic schools, are chairpersons.

“It provides some financial support for our Catholic schools,” said Sister Dawson about the annual benefit.

“The Lumen Christi event is crucial in providing funding to the diocese,” said Ana Fundora, executive director of Holy Cross Preschool and Center in West Palm Beach, an educational facility subsidized by the diocese.

Funds raised from the evening will fund scholarships at diocesan schools, add to educational endowments and assist schools in need. Last year’s event raised slightly less than $200,000, with $6,000 distributed to each of the 17 diocesan schools. The remaining money was evenly divided between an education endowment fund and needy schools within the diocese.

“Holy Cross is able to provide financial assistance to those who would otherwise not be able to attend (the school),” Fundora added. “We are also able to provide scholarships to students whose mothers are in the family literacy program. While the mother is being educated, the child is being given the foundation of a quality education.”

Michael Smith, principal of Holy Name of Jesus School in West Palm Beach, said the Lumen Christi fundraiser is “very valuable” for the schools.

“I was able to use the funds toward the purchase of a Web-based diagnostic tool,” he said. “This tool will allow the faculty to compare our children to other students in the state of Florida. The program uses the Sunshine State Standards as the backdrop.”

“All the Catholic schools receive proceeds from the Lumen Christi, and we do apply it toward financial aid,” said Candace Tamposi, principal of Sacred Heart School in Lake Worth. “I truly believe that the involvement of the outside community in this fundraising initiative is a blessing to our schools.”

The theme of this year’s school benefit is “Catholic Schools Enlighten the World.” At this point, diocesan representatives are hosting auditions at area schools in an attempt to find some top student entertainment. Young musicians will entertain at some point during the early evening.

The Sacred Heart band auditioned Oct. 15. The jazz combo and concert group at the school under the direction of Gary Snyder impressed Lumen Christi representatives.

“We are looking for something a little different,” said Lynn Wells, assistant in the diocesan development office. “They are great.”

A student art contest is also part of preliminaries. Judges were scheduled to examine artwork from young artists Nov. 5. The first-place winner, who has not been announced at this point, will attend the gala with his or her parents and sit at Bishop Barbarito’s dinner table. The second-place winner receives an honorable mention. The artwork from both winners will be used as part of the event program.

Susan Demes, assistant principal at St. Juliana School in West Palm Beach, has a good take on the Lumen Christi event.

“Jesus tells us as his disciples to “ teach all nations’ (Mt 28:19),” she explained. “The Catholic schools exist for this sole purpose. We have many nationalities and even different faiths represented in our Catholic schools today. The efforts of Lumen Christi enable us to bring the light of Christ to individual students and families.”

Sister Dawson pointed out that the Catholic schools of the diocese have an important mission and all faithful should help keep Catholic education alive for the future and for the generations to come, who will be the next Catholic leaders.

“We say we are forming the whole child,” she said about the mission of schools focused on Gospel values and the child’s development of spirit, mind and body and God-given talents.

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