September 23, 2013 - Fifth Anniversary Celebration of The Priesthood Dinner*

Braintree, MA (September 23, 2013) – On Thursday, September 26, 2013, the Archdiocese of Boston will host the fifth anniversary of the Celebration of the Priesthood dinner at the Seaport World Trade Center. The proceeds of this event directly benefit the Clergy Funds, which care for the health, welfare, and retirement needs of the 645 active and senior priests in the Archdiocese of Boston. Independent from other Archdiocesan entities, the Clergy Funds are governed by a Board of Trustees including local business leaders and priests.

Cardinal Seán O’Malley said, “We are blessed by the very generous contributions of talent and treasure to the annual Celebration of the Priesthood dinner. The funds raised help us maintain the commitment to care for our priests who dedicate their lives in service to Christ and the Church. Every day, our priests are there for our Catholic family, bringing the sacraments, praying, celebrating Mass, and helping to build communities of love and kindness.”

After years of running at a deficit, the Clergy Funds now are run on a fiscally-responsible basis, providing a reasonable surplus to secure future benefits. In the year ahead, the Clergy Funds team will embark on a holistic wellness program under the direction of Cardinal Seán that addresses the physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing of our clergy. Through ongoing opportunities for education and support groups, the Clergy Funds staff continues to identify new ways to ensure the highest quality of care and quality of life for our priests.

This year, the dinner will feature the ministry of three Boston priests serving as first responders in emergency and combat situations. The everyday realities that these men experience speak to a broader truth that every priest, regardless of his role, serves as a first responder in fulfilling the sacramental and spiritual needs of those whom they serve. Superintendent William B. Evans, third in command at the Boston Police Department, is the keynote speaker. Supt. Evans will offer his personal testimony about the importance of priests in his life, and how one South Boston priest in particular helped guide his education and future career in law enforcement.

C. Michael Daley, retired CEO of Lojack Corporation, along with his wife, Janet, said: “We are honored to be serving as co-chairs for this year’s Celebration of the Priesthood. It is the one time each year that we are able to join together as one Catholic family with friends from across the Archdiocese and celebrate the 645 priests who make it possible for us to live our Catholic faith. I can’t think of a better way to honor and thank these men while raising the critical funds that support their health and wellbeing throughout their ministry and into their senior years.”

Tickets for the event can be purchased for $375 each. For further information, please visit www.clergyfunds.org/celebration.

NOTE TO MEDIA

Media is welcome.

Please confirm attendance to [email protected].

Reception begins at 6pm.

Dinner and speaking program starts promptly at 7:30pm

Seaport World Trade Center