Crozier Gala to focus on Year for Priests

Andrew Junker/CATHOLIC SUN

Lori Brophy stands in her backyard Mar. 19. Brophy is in charge of planning this year’s Crozier Gala, the main fundraising event for the Catholic Community Foundation. This year’s gala will be May 1 at the Camelback Inn in Scottsdale.

Jesuit Father Robert Spitzer guest speaker

“I just had to stop and think about how we’re going to incorporate that,” Brophy said. She’s chairing the May 1 event at the Camelback Inn in Scottsdale. “I started reading St. John Vianney and what he had to say about priests.”

She also read some of Pope Benedict XVI’s writings on the Year for Priests and was struck by how it all seemed to fit together with the gala’s aims.

So the CCF board has made an effort to feature its St. John Vianney Seminary Fund during the gala, and also to get as many priests to the party as possible.

“I’ve always viewed this event as Catholics celebrating Catholics,” Brophy said. “That’s been a mantra. What we’re trying to convey is this is a celebration for them, about them and we’re trying to highlight vocations.”

The Crozier Gala — now in its 22nd year — will feature Jesuit Father Robert Spitzer as its guest speaker. Fr. Spitzer is the president emeritus of Gonzaga University, a theologian, writer and founder of the Spitzer Center for Ethical Leadership.

“He’s going to have the inspiration component we’re trying to achieve,” Brophy said. “We’re very fortunate to have him.”

The gala will also feature the Xavier College Preparatory Honor Choir, Mark Forrest — an Irish tenor — and a band at the end of the night for dancing. Herb Sendek, coach of the Arizona State University basketball team, will be master of ceremonies for the evening.

Susan de Queljoe, director of community relations and business strategies for the St. Vincent de Paul Society and member of the gala board, mentioned that the event offers her a chance to catch up with friends she hasn’t seen in a long time all while contributing to a good cause.

“The Crozier Gala is a wonderful celebration event for Catholics throughout the diocese and provides an opportunity for us to support the work of the Catholic Community Foundation,” she said.

The gala is the main fundraiser for the Catholic Community Foundation, which supports the religious, educational and philanthropic objectives of the Phoenix Diocese. A couple of its outreach efforts include the Christian Service Awards and the competitive grants program.

Carolyn Rock, director of development for Notre Dame Preparatory and member of the gala board, remembered the gala when it started more than two decades ago and noted how much it still benefits the diocese.

“It is a wonderful event that unites the Catholic community and assists so many organizations,” she said.

Brophy hopes that’s the message that gets out to Catholics who are thinking about attending the gala, maybe for the first time.

“I think this is one we need to pay attention to and support,” she said. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to celebrate one another, so go for the gusto!”