Dear Parishioners,
The 2012 Southern Dominican Gala took place at the Houstonian Hotel on April 29. I enjoyed seeing so many parishioners there along with other friends of the Dominican Friars. All throughout the evening, people were laughing, talking, smiling, posing for pictures, and bidding on items. The scene reminded me of something one might see in an Impressionist painting.
The Southern Dominican Gala raises funds for both the Southern Dominican Province and Holy Rosary Priory. The Southern Province needs funds to carry out its mission of proclaiming the Gospel, caring for its elderly friars, and forming its novices and students to become tomorrow’s priests and brothers. Holy Rosary Priory has established an endowment for its portion of gala proceeds to address capital needs like home renovation and auto purchases. The friars are deeply grateful to all of their benefactors and pray for them on an ongoing basis.
I would like to congratulate Rabbi Roy A. Walter on receiving the St. Martin de Porres Award for 2012. Rabbi Walter has spent a good deal of his time working to alleviate hunger in the Houston area. He has served on numerous boards for the good of the Houston community, and he is both past president and a Life Board Member of Interfaith Ministries of Greater Houston, which seeks to promote understanding and peace among the world’s religions. Indeed, it was wonderful to see on the night of the gala Jews and Christians joined in the shared praise of God.
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Harry and Verena Isensee, who chaired this year’s gala, as well as to the gala committee, the underwriters, the table sponsors, the individual sponsors, the auction item contributors, the volunteers, and Frs. Torres and Konkel for their invaluable contributions to the gala. I don’t know what profit was made from the gala, but judging by the smiles I saw on everyone’s face that night, it was a huge success!
Fr. Ian

