SAN ANTONIO • The Assumption Seminary Leadership in Faith and Service Awards Gala, held May 11 at the Marriott Riverwalk, served a two-fold purpose, to honor Auxiliary Bishop Thomas J. Flanagan as well as to welcome Archbishop José H. Gomez.
     Held in support of the Assumption Seminary’s $13 million Expansion Campaign, the event drew about 550 people and raised close to $75,000 to help fund the new Flores Residence Hall for Seminarians, stabilization of campus buildings, a facilities endowment account and seminary operations.
     In introducing the evening’s honoree, Dennis Clarkson, vice chair of the board at the seminary, said that the archdiocese is extremely blessed by the quality of the priests and women religious ministering here, and he saved special words of praise for Bishop Flanagan.     “You all know very well, in a personal way, that he has a huge heart,” Clarkson told the audience. “He doesn’t preach the faith to you or shove it down your throat. He lives it every day, and we see his example.”

    Then the auxiliary bishop, in his comments, thanked all those present at the gala. “If you care you will share, and you have shared your time, talent and financial resources with Assumption Seminary,” he said. “I pray that you will continue to do that, and I know each one of you will. Go from this night to a better and brighter future.”
    In acknowledgments prior to the conclusion of the evening, J. Michael Belz, chief executive officer of Catholic Life Insurance and co-chairperson of the seminary expansion campaign, gave attendees an update on the effort. Belz disclosed that at a private lunch earlier that day, Archbishop Gomez had obtained a $1 million pledge from a couple who were at the dinner, but wished to remain anonymous. In addition, Belz said, former awards gala chairwoman Veronica Salazar Escobedo and her husband Ruben had recently agreed to make a $100,000 donation to the campaign. Both announcements were greeted with sustained applause.
    As a result of those pledges, and the gala’s table sales, the campaign stood close to the $5 million mark.

    Father Larry Christian, rector of Assumption Seminary, in his closing remarks reminded listeners that Assumption Seminary will be observing its 90th anniversary this September. In the past year, 54 seminarians were enrolled at the institution, and the rector said that Assumption was currently processing 15 new applications.
    “Faithful contributors and friends to this campaign, it’s not the seminary you are giving to, but those people in the pews next to you,” said Father Christian. “You are helping to give birth to vocations.”
    Over 500 priests have received their formation at Assumption Seminary since its founding, including 12 who have become bishops.