The day of the 31st Rector’s Classic dawned sunny and warm at Pine Meadow Golf Club on September 15. One hundred twenty golfers were met by our seminarians, who were available to greet guests, carry bags and ensure everyone settled in with their foursomes. Fr. Kartje began the day with opening remarks while Fr. Hennessy gave an emotional tribute to Fr. Zielinski, who has been an integral part of the Rector’s Classic planning committee since its inception 31 years ago and is now battling cancer. Once the golf started, there was plenty of friendly competition, camaraderie and laughs to be had on the course.
As the event moved to the Seminary for the evening reception, another group of seminarians was on hand to treat over 200 guests to first-class hospitality and entertainment all evening long. Fr. Kartje kicked off the evening ceremony with a heartfelt introduction of Bishop Rassas, the honoree receiving the In Service of One Another Catholic Humanitarian Award. Fr. Kartje shared with the audience how simply spending an evening with your bishop at a local Culver’s can influence someone’s future path, as Bishop Rassas often did with his youth ministry. Fr. Kartje continued the local theme stressing that our Church lives and grows within our local parishes.
Cardinal Cupich followed and, again with humor and reverence, enumerated all that Bishop Rassas had accomplished throughout his ministry as he presented the award. Finally, the evening closed with some thoughtful and inspiring words from Bishop Rassas as he spoke of challenges he faced and ultimately overcame throughout his career, “I have always done what I have been asked to do, and the Lord hasn’t let me down.”
The event successfully raised nearly $150,000 which will go towards the formation of our future priests!
Original source can be found here.
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