VALPARAISO – Catholic culture was on display at Valparaiso University’s Harre Ballroom as 270 area faithful gathered for the annual Black Tie White Collar Gala on Nov. 18.
Coordinated by members of the Diocese of Gary Vocations Office, the event – designed to foster a culture of vocations to the priesthood – featured prayer, a meal, fellowship, auctions and dancing. It was hosted at VU for the first time since the gala’s debut in 2016.
Family and friends of seminarians, clergy and diocesan staff members were among the large group attending the ticketed banquet which produced a significant financial boost to help defray educational and other expenses incurred by the diocese’s 13 seminarians.
Continuing their studies ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday, 12 of the 13 discerners remained at their seminary campuses. Transitionary Deacon Robert Ross studies at St. Francis De Sales Seminary in Milwaukee. Enrolled at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit are seminarians Ivan Alatorre, Steven Caraher, Zachary Glick, Alexander Kouris and William O’Donnell.
Robert Budzius, Gianni DiTola, Leo Marcotte, Ryan Pierce, Collin Van Waardenburg and Ethan Vinyard attend Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Winona, Minn.
Each of the seminarians appeared on the large screens in Harre Ballroom, sharing in recorded messages their vocation story, inspirations, favorite saints and their excitement at the prospect of being ordained as priest.
From Detroit, third-year Theology seminarian Steven Caraher of St. Thomas More in Munster said: “My favorite part of my day at seminary is my holy hour. I pretty much wake up, brush my teeth and go to holy hour. It’s a really intimate time of prayer with the Lord, which has been so necessary … that’s really what is needed for journeying toward the priesthood.”
From Minnesota, first-year college seminarian Gianni DiTola shared his thoughts that he “had a place in the world somewhere else, working at a big company and making lots of money.”
DiTola continued, “But then I realized God may be calling me to serve his people in Holy Orders, to take on the role of St. John Vianney to serve those who need (ministering) the most.”
Seminarian Nicholas Emsing is participating in an apostolic year at Queen of All Saints, shadowing Father David Kime, pastor of the Michigan City church. The discerner from St. John Bosco in Hammond was available to share remarks with the group. He said, “What formation does for someone looks different for each guy.”
But all seminarians appreciate prayers.
“What God is calling them to, what the evil one may be trying to tempt them with, that and school kinda weighs down on guys,” Emsing explained. “So, I think (my fellow seminarians) have specific intentions that they appreciate being prayed for.”
Emsing commented that attending the gala makes the support seem more real. “I think it’s really good to see the faces of the people I know we’re being supported by their prayers, and by their financial support as well.”
Sitting at a table with Bishop Robert J. McClory and other guests, was José D. Padilla, president of VU since March 2021. The administrator said the commitment of the seminarians is admirable.
“Anyone who wants to be a man of faith and serve others I think whether it’s a Lutheran pastor or a Catholic priest, we have to support him,” said Padilla, the first Catholic president of the Lutheran-affiliated university.
The school president’s wife Hilda Padilla said she was inspired by the vibrancy of the seminarian class. “I think it was very impressive, how many young people they have as seminarians looking into the future.”
At the gala, generous bidders raised their hands to claim auction events such as a Chicago White Sox box seat ticket package, and a wine tasting excursion with the vocations director.
Bishop McClory raised his hand holding up two fingers, indicating he was game “to be bid on,” that is, offering two three-hour packages of exclusive time. The auction was humorously prefaced that this pertained to wholesome and “legal activities” with the bishop only.
For the Alatorre family of St. Joseph the Worker in Gary, supporting seminarian Ivan Alatorre is a unique experience of backing one-third of a set of identical triplets. Present at the gala, Augustine Alatorre, Sr. and his wife Luz Alatorre shared a table with their son Augustine Alatorre, Jr. Julian Alatorre, the youngest triplet, did not attend the event.
“When my brother first started (as a seminarian) he looked very nervous, shy and scared,” said Augustine, who is the eldest brother by just minutes of the “middle” brother in age, Ivan. “But Ivan wasn’t scared, he was excited.
Augustine continued, “For me I support him by going to church, giving him my prayers, and messaging him saying, ‘Hey, is everything OK?’ And visiting him (at seminary) makes him more happy because he knows we’re supporting him.”
In Spanish, Augustine Alatorre, Sr. said, “I was very surprised, but I know that is Ivan’s calling, his decision to become a priest.”
“I like communicating with Ivan and praying with him,” said Luz Alatorre in Spanish.
Diocesan Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia Father Christopher Stanish, is also the diocese’s vocations director. He led a prayerful reflection for the late Father Frank Torres, who passed away on Nov. 14. Also present at the gala were assistant vocations directors Father Nathaniel Edquist and Father Jacob McDaniel, along with Jo Anne Rosenow, vocations administrative assistant.
“The faithful of the Church love their priests and seminarians,” said Father Stanish. “This gala is a living witness of the support of our faithful and the interest they have in helping to raise up happy and healthy vocations in our diocese. We continue to build this culture of vocations and grow in our awareness of responding to God’s call. This is what the gala is all about.”
First-year seminarian Leo Marcotte’s family shared a table at the gala. When his dad Dan Marcotte was enjoying a dance with his wife Maura Marcotte, the discerner’s sisters Clare and Nellie shared a conversation. For 16-year-old Nellie Marcotte, witnessing her brother get acclimated to the seminarian lifestyle has been an illuminating experience.
“I’m really happy for him. He's just glowing," said Nellie Marcotte, a St. Mary, Crown Point, parishioner. “He’s never glowed like that before. I’m proud of him.”