On Wednesday, November 7th, 2018 Halton Catholic Children‘s Education Foundation held its annual Evening with the Bishop. The event was marked by great enthusiasm and high spirit. Le Dome Banquet Hall, Oakville, was the venue for a delightful evening of exceptional food, solidarity, and community. Honored guest, Most Reverend David Douglas Crosby, O.M.I., Bishop of Hamilton, was escorted into the Hall by members of the Knights of Columbus, the Fourth Degree Colour Guard and accompanied by a bagpiper, Patricia Kirkwood.
Among the guests were members of the Halton Catholic School Board past and present, administrators, principals, educators, parishioners and people from many professions interested in and supportive of Catholic education. Representatives from higher education, such as St. Jerome’s University, also were present. The SSND Table was announced among special guests of the evening. Present were Sisters Mary Heather MacKinnon, Delia Calis, Betty Lackenbauer, Doreen Norman, Gemma Golino, Marty Kimpel, Joan Liss, Katharine Reiter, and Virginia Stasium.
Bishop Crosby personally moved through the room, during the dinner “hour,” greeting each guest and allowing time for individual and group pictures. The four-course dinner afforded a considerable opportunity for visiting tables and the selling of raffle tickets. The sense of community was tangible and touching. Sister Mary Heather has worked with the Halton School Board for more than thirty years in a variety of capacities, presently as facilitator for adult faith formation through programs, retreats, and book studies. Mary Heather’s presence brought many visitors to our table.
The HCCEF is an important facet of the Halton Catholic District School Board.
The mission of HCCEF is to enhance the educational experience and enrich the lives of students within our Catholic school communities of the Halton Region. The Foundation accomplishes its goal by sponsoring two major fundraising events each year: An Evening with the Bishop and the Charity Golf Classic.
On the recommendations of the Catholic school communities, the Foundation provides assistance to students in order to ensure that all are able to attend school with the basic necessities of life, e.g. food and clothing; and to be able to fully participate in all aspects of school life which are normally open to all students, e.g. school trips/ experiences.
The speaker, Marc Clare, Executive Director, HCCEF, delivered a very personal and tender story about how the foundation assisted his family to help offset financial burdens during the years in which his young son sustained multiple heart surgeries concluding with a heart transplant and full recovery.
When Master of Ceremonies, Fred Sweeney, Chair, HCCEF Board of Directors, introduced the Bishop as Guest of Honour, Bishop Crosby deferred this title to Marc Clare – so supportive the Bishop is of HCCEF. The Bishop warmly greeted the group of approximately 500 guests with his humor and deep pastoral love and thanked everyone for their constant, faithful support. Bishop Crosby concluded by giving all his blessing.
Finally, a silent excitement filled the hall as raffle numbers were called. Each number called punctuated the silence with cheers, applause, and delight as the winner came forward to accept the prize and have a picture taken. Those who did not win a prize all seemed quite satisfied to have supported HCCEF once again.
Gillian Frederico, System Chaplaincy Leader and Faith Animator, Halton Catholic District School Board (HCDSB) who opened the evening with prayer offered the closing prayer and farewell.
Each year, the guests depart looking forward to another wonderful event next year!
