Sacred Heart Parish raises $25,600 at its third annual gala

MONROE — Sacred Heart Parish in Monroe raised $25,600 at its third annual gala held at the Inn at Central Valley last Friday evening, Feb. 10.

The well-attended event not only served as an important fund raiser but was also an opportunity to present an annual award to a person or persons in the parish for service to church and community. The recipients of this year’s Lumiere du Sacre-Coeur (Light of the Sacred Heart) were longtime parishioners Thomas and Janet Sullivan

“We have heard the expression, made popular in song, that two hearts are better than one,” the Rev. Thomas J. Byrnes, pastor of Sacred Heart Church, said in making the presentation to the Sullivans. “To know Tom and Janet is to see how two hearts work better together as one. How evident that has become here at Sacred Heart as they consistently go above and beyond. This is the challenge that Christ has put before all of us - love without limits. What a blessing to have such a wonderful reminder and witness to what it means to live that message right here at Sacred Heart, within the Monroe community, and beyond.”

In addition to the Lumiere du Sacre-Coeur, Byrnes also presented the Sullivans with a certificate of Apostolic Blessing by Pope Benedict XVI.

Guests at this third annual gala enjoyed a social hour followed by a dinner, a silent auction and dancing to music by the popular band, “The Motones.”

Anthony Cardone served as this year’s gala host.

Members of the 2011 Sacred Heart Parish Gala Committee included Byrnes, Chairman Tom Nash, Journal Editor Frank Agapito, Don and Kathy Beeler, Anthony Cardone, Neil Dwyer, Mary Ann Hagan, Claire Hyland, Mary Kalmanowitz, Kim Ladka, Kay Lamb, Bernadette Marasco, Josephine Minafo, Janet Scarpa, Susan Taguer and Amy Warner.

Agapito, a Sacred Heart Class of 1974 graduate, donated his time and expertise as journal editor.

Numerous businesses and individuals throughout the area donated valuable prizes for the silent auction.