Golfers, sponsors sought for Cardinal’s golf tourney
September 9, 2014
HOUSTON — It’s not often parishioners see their priest out of the church setting, but the Archdiocese’s upcoming charity golf tournament provides a convivial setting to rub shoulders with a priest and have fun, while raising funds for faith formation, Catholic schools and St. Mary’s Seminary.
“It’s a fun day to get out of the parish and have a little friendly competition on the golf course, but the real blessing is how it benefits such a wide variety of Catholic educational ministries in the Archdiocese,” Father Sean Horrigan, pastor at Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church, said. “Catholic schools are chief among them, but the tournament also provides wonderful support to St. Mary’s Seminary for the education of our future priests.”
Organizers are seeking underwriting and sponsorship, especially of a priest or seminarian, for Daniel Cardinal DiNardo’s seventh annual Sean and Kari Tracey’s Shepherd’s Cup Charity Golf Classic as well as the dinner and auction the preceding evening.
“We expect a lot of our priests, but this puts them there with everyone else in a relaxed setting,” event chair Ronnie Gonzales said. “A lot of priests and seminarians enjoy playing golf. And seeing them there it makes you realize they are regular people too.”
Gonzales is aiming to recruit more than 300 golfers for the tournament, in which teams of four will gather for some friendly competition. And while he won’t be on the links as a competitor, Cardinal DiNardo will make the rounds in a golf cart.
“It’s great time meeting him,” Gonzales said. “He’s a great guy and fun to meet at a casual level.”
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Shepherd’s Cup begins Oct. 5 with
Galveston-Houston Knights of Columbus Charities will present Daniel Cardinal DiNardo’s seventh annual Sean and Kari Tracey’s Shepherd’s Cup Charity Golf Classic benefiting Catholic education, faith formation and St. Mary’s Seminary on Oct. 6, at The Clubs of Kingwood, 1700 Lake Kingwood Trail. Mass, dinner; tournament Oct. 6 Registration begins at 10 a.m. and the putting contest will continue through 11:30 a.m. A banquet and awards will follow. On Oct. 5 there will be a Mass, dinner and auction at St. Mary’s Seminary, 9845 Memorial Dr. Mass is at 5 p.m., with dinner and auction immediately after. To become a sponsor, register a team, volunteer or for more information, visit www.shepherdscup.org or call 713-652-4418. |
Gonzales, who barring a couple of years has been involved with the tournament since its inception, said as a faithful Catholic, he feels strongly about faith formation and seminarian education. But he said the event also is inclusive, bringing together Catholics and non Catholics who enjoy playing golf.
The annual event began in 2008 when Archbishop Emeritus Joseph A. Fiorenza’s annual tournament for St. Mary’s Seminary and then-Archbishop DiNardo’s tournament for Catholic education and faith formation were combined into one event.
Funds from the tournament have allowed the Archdiocese to expand religious vocation and discernment programs; develop faith formation programs for seminarians, diaconal candidates and laity at St. Mary’s Seminary; and funded new state-of-the-art distance education for diaconate programs.
“Even for some who aren’t devout or Catholic the return on investment in... Catholic schools is wonderful,” said Anthony DeToto, chair of the underwriting committee.
DeToto said there is a need for underwriters for the dinner and golf tournament and sponsors for a priest or seminarian. He said the tournament is open for everyone in the community.
“It’s meant to be a people’s tournament,” DeToto said. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to get broad exposure across the Archdiocese.”
The goal this year is to raise $300,000 from both events, according to Kari Tracey, who with her husband Sean have put their weight behind the tournament for the past eight years.
“All these things — growing up Catholic, using Catholic schools, having priests in our communities, helping kids who need it go to Catholic schools — benefit the whole community,” Kari Tracey said.
Online registration will be open until Oct. 2 at www.shepherdscup.org. For more information, call Michael Schillaci at 713-652-4418.