Tower Topics ~ Summer 2002

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Jefferson City fundraiser earns over $220,000 for vocations

The following article was reprinted courtesy of the Catholic Missourian, newspaper of the Diocese of Jefferson City.

Bishop John         Stewart Parker         Father Brian
Gaydos                                                   Driscoll

This year’s “An Evening With the Bishop” drew a throng of more than 1,000 enthusiastic people to the seat of the Diocese of Jefferson City to show their support for priestly and religious vocations.

Attendees of the April event, at the Capitol Plaza Hotel, gave protracted standing ovations to Bishop John R. Gaydos and retired Bishop Michael F. McAuliffe.

The dinner and auction raised over $220,000 for Conception Seminary College, and for the Bishop McAuliffe Endowment Fund to promote priestly and religious vocations in the diocese.

“What a beautiful sight you all are,” said Bishop Gaydos.

He said the event presented a beautiful opportunity for him to acknowledge that “our flock is struggling, but struggling valiantly. What a tremendous moment of grace this can be and shall be for all of us.”

He said he is especially grateful for the diocese’s seminarians.

“You, gentlemen, are truly the hope of the flock,” he said.

He assured the faithful that God continues to call and invite generous young people to religious and priestly vocations.

“With your help we are going to be able to redouble our efforts to invite and to assist as many as possible to discern whether God may perhaps be calling them,” he said. “Your prayers for vocations, your invitations to prospective candidates, your willingness to learn more and more about the mystery of the Christian vocation. All of these are ways in which we can effectively and with great zeal, pray for the Lord of the harvest to send workers into his harvest.”

Bishop McAuliffe said he was heartened to see so many people present. “During this difficult time, as we strive to follow the Lord in a very special way, to see you in this capacity is the most heartening thing you could possibly do,” he said.

Abbot Gregory Polan of Conception Abbey talked about the work he and his brother Benedictines do at Conception Seminary College, where many of the seminarians for this diocese receive their college education and formation.

He acknowledged the presence in the audience of the seven men attending Conception.

He talked about many happy ties between the Diocese of Jefferson City and Conception Abbey. Parishes in Salisbury, Brookfield, Columbia and Jefferson City take their young people to the abbey for confirmation and youth retreats. Father Daniel J. Merz, a priest of this diocese, is on the faculty at Conception. Father Allan Stetz, a Conception monk, is pastor of St. Brendan parish in Mexico, Mo.

“We hope that happy and encouraging relationship between Conception Abbey and the Diocese of Jefferson City will only continue to grow in the years to come,” Abbot Gregory said.

“There continues to be strong support for vocations programs,” said Charlie Bernskoetter, who with his wife Millie co-chaired the event. “Your attendance here tonight is strong testimony to that support. And all know the needs are great and growing.”

He recognized the members of the steering committee for the event, especially dinner committee chairs Marcella and Frank Kempker, and sales, ads and auction committee chairs Margaret and Paul Oligschlaeger.

He thanked the bishops, priests, religious deacons and staff “who continue to carry out their duties with grace and dignity.”

“The bishop is right. Truly we are in a graced moment in the church,” said Father Brian J. Driscoll diocesan priestly and religious vocations director and a Conception alumnus. “I’m pleased to announce that we have three men making full application to the diocese for the priesthood, and two others are seriously considering it in the fall. In spite of the trying times of the past few weeks this is the most applicants we’ve received in a year since I’ve been vocation director.”

He added that another young man that night told him he is interested in the priesthood for the diocese.

Stewart Parker, a second-year pre-theologian at Conception Seminary College, thanked the audience for attending, and said he is filled with joy that they want him to be a future priest, to serve at their parish picnics, their weddings and their baptisms.

“Thanks for your support, because it all begins here,” he said.

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