Archbishop's web site Denver Catholic Register Parishes Catholic Pastoral Center
October 16, 2002
Catholic University of America president will speak at Seeds of Hope gala
Program benefits children of low-income families in archdiocesan schools
By Jack Bacon
Vincentian Father David M. O'Connell, president of Catholic University of America in Washington, will address the Seeds of Hope Charitable Trust gala in Denver Nov. 1.
Father O'Connell will speak on "Catholic Education in the New Millennium: A Light in the Darkness," emphasizing the importance of the Denver archdiocesan organization's support of students in low-income families attending archdiocesan schools in the inner city and elsewhere.
Seeds of Hope's primary function is to provide tuition assistance to students. It also provides support for education enhancement programs and equipment needs for the schools.
The gala, Evening of Hope, is scheduled to begin with Mass concelebrated by Archbishop Charles Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., and Father O'Connell at 5:10 p.m. in Holy Ghost Church, 1900 California St. A reception is scheduled at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m. and Father O'Connell's address at 8:30 p.m. in the Donald Seawell Grand Ballroom of the Denver Performing Arts Complex.
Father O'Connell said he welcomed the opportunity to participate in the Seeds of Hope program, "because of the keen interest we have in these students."
"We know the value of the students of such commitment to such a program," he said, "and the value of such service in the Archdiocese of Denver."
Seeds of Hope has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to make it possible for needy students to attend archdiocesan schools and to maintain schools' operations in the face of difficult economic changes and rising costs.
Corporate tables for 10 are being sold for the dinner, including the $50,000 Adopt-A-School contribution. The money helps pay for operating expenses, teacher programs, technology and library improvements and equipment for the 2002-2003 school year at an inner-city school.
The $10,000 Adopt-A-Class program pays for teacher aids and class supplies, textbooks and workbooks, field trips and enrichment programs.
The $6,000 Adopt-Two-Students tables provide partial assistance to educate two at-risk students living in economically disadvantaged areas and attending a Catholic school this year.
Also offered is the $3,000 Adopt-A-Student table to provide partial tuition assistance for one at-risk student living in a low-income area.
All four programs also help support WB2 Charities and Post-News Charities.
The Evening of Hope is co-sponsored by Denver's WB2 Charities, Post-News Charities and the McCormick Tribune Foundation.
Seeds of Hope is governed by a board of directors of business executives, professionals, volunteers and clergy. Therese Polakovic is executive director.
For information about Seeds of Hope and the Evening of Hope, call 303-715-2177.
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