Archbishop José H. Gomez honored four members of the Catholic community March 1 during the annual Cardinal’s Award Dinner at L.A. Live.
The archbishop thanked Cardinal Roger M. Mahony, who established the Cardinal’s Dinner 25 years ago, before recognizing the 2014 honorees: Louis Castruccio, Janet Feeley, R-lene Mijares de Lang and Bishop Joseph Sartoris.
“It is beautiful what you have created,” Archbishop Gomez said, thanking current and past honorees as well as supporters for their charitable works. “Through your generosity we gave raised $8 million — for our schools, our parishes, our various ministries and for seminarians.”
This year’s dinner benefits St. John’s Seminary, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year.
“What you give at this dinner is given to others,” the archbishop said. “And in this way, you are each a part of a beautiful chain of love — that begins with God’s love for us and continues through our love for others.”
Vocations are one of the archbishop’s five pastoral priorities for evangelization in the archdiocese — along with education; Catholic identity and cultural diversity; culture of life; marriage and family.
“We have a big class this year — 87 men studying for the priesthood,” the archbishop said. “That’s the biggest class in a long time. And we are expecting more next year.”
The proceeds of the dinner will be used to build a dormitory for the new seminarians.
“We are building for the future — and the future looks bright,” the archbishop said. “And we have such a bright future because of all of you. You are the builders of our future, my friends.”
