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Crozier Gala brings together supporters
By Rebecca Bostic, rbostic@catholicsun.org
May 1, 2008
SCOTTSDALE — Kimberly Roland, a senior at Bourgade Catholic High School, is involved in service leadership and is planning on attending a Catholic university.
The articulate 18-year-old does not believe any of this would have been possible without the Catholic Community Foundation, which provided a scholarship to offset the cost of her Catholic school tuition.
“The Catholic Community Foundation has meant being able to afford a Catholic education that has made me grow in my Catholic faith,” Roland said.
She thanked the attendees of the 20th Annual Crozier Gala April 19 at the Camelback Inn in Scottsdale for their generosity in supporting the organization.
“The foundation does so many things for so many people,” Roland said. “If you have an interest in a certain kind of non-profit organization, it basically gives to all of them.”
Offering the examples of homeless pregnant women, students and the homebound, Roland hopes people will give to the Catholic Community Foundation “because it affords others the opportunity to grow in their faith,” she said.
More than 800 Phoenicians attended the gala, at which Fiesta Bowl President and CEO John Junker served as master of ceremonies. A night filled with food, drink, dancing and fellowship, the focus throughout remained on the charitable works of the foundation.
“The Catholic Community Foundation, in so many ways, offers hope to people throughout our community,” Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted said to the audience in his address. “Such hope is possible because of many of you who are here tonight, who make the work of this foundation possible.”
The bishop made a special point of thanking the guests of honor, Bruce and Diane Halle, supporters of the Catholic Community Foundation.
Close to the bishop’s heart is the financial backing they have provided for the restoration of some of Michelangelo’s frescos in a private prayer chapel of the Sistine Chapel. The bishop used to pray there while he worked at the Vatican and the pope often spends time there.
Former chairpersons of the Catholic Community Foundation were also honored at the event.
James Bruner, the first chairman, is pleased with how the Crozier Gala has developed over the years. He said he was happy to be chairman 20 years ago and now could “let someone else worry about it.”
Initially people had their doubts about whether Catholics would attend a black-tie event. But Bruner said the large community presence at the event is what keeps people coming back year after year.
“Instead of just your own little church,” he said, “it brings people from all over, which I think is great.”
Fr. Charles Kieffer, pastor of St. Theresa Parish in Phoenix and dean of central Phoenix, enjoys the Crozier Gala every year for similar reasons.
“It’s an enjoyable gathering of friends who are interested in Catholic causes,” he said, “just building up the sense of camaraderie and community in the Catholic community.”
He encourages support of the Catholic Community Foundation because “it fosters the spirit of philanthropy or stewardship in the lives of Catholics.”
“It also supports a number of different organizations and ministries in our diocese — schools, outreach and all sorts of things.”
Bishop Olmsted voiced support for the Catholic Community Foundation in similar terms.
“Stewardship built on faith, hope and love is the cornerstone of the Catholic Community Foundation,” Bishop Olmsted said. “This generosity in action speaks to the heart of Jesus’ exhortation that we love one another as He has loved us.”
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