Tower Topics ~ Fall 2000

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Jefferson City Diocese raises $65,000 for CSC

The inaugural “Vocations Investment Partnership (V.I.P.)” dinner and auction, a benefit event to support seminarians of the Diocese of Jefferson City at Conception Seminary College and elsewhere, has raised more than $195,000.

The V.I.P, dubbed “An Evening With the bishop,” drew more than 1,000 people in February to support vocations and honor Retired Bishop Michale F. McAuliffe. The gala will resume as an annual event Feb. 23, 2001.

Conception Seminary College Development Director Tim Stransky called the V.I.P. an outstanding effort.

“This was a classy event that demonstrated just how committed the people of the Diocese of Jefferson City are to providing priests for our Church’s future,” Stransky said. “The dedication and teamwork of organizers and the affectionate support of those in attendance were overwhelming.”

The money raised will be split three ways, with about $65,000 going to each of the following places:
• Conception Seminary College, to help offset the costs of educating seminarians that are not covered by tuition;
• St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary in Hannibal, Mo. – a boarding high school for students discerning a call to the priesthood – for capital improvements and to subsidize tuition;
• The Bishop McAuliffe Endow-ment Fund, interest from which will benefit seminarians of the Diocese of Jefferson City and help fund continuing education for priests and religious in the diocese.

Father Benedict Neenan, president-rector of Conception Seminary College, said that beyond the obvious support for priestly vocations, the V.I.P. was a testament to the respect and esteem in which Bishop McAuliffe is held by the people of his diocese, as well as by seminarians and seminary leaders of Missouri.

In fact, he said, the initial idea of the event came about as a way to honor the bishop following his retirement from the Conception Seminary College Board of Regents.

“The bishop’s continuing impact on priestly vocations has been immeasurable,” Father Benedict said. “This event helps to continue his zeal for promoting priestly vocations long into the future.”

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