July 14, 2010

Upcoming gala to benefit Mother Cabrini Shrine

By John Gleason

A gala to benefit Mother Cabrini Shrine will be held July 23 at the Pinnacle Club in Denver.  The evening will include silent and live auctions, dinner and raffle drawing with prizes of $10,000, $5,000 and $1,000.  Local television personality Stephanie Riggs will be the mistress of ceremonies. Proceeds from the event will be used to cover maintenance and operation expenses, according to shrine administrator Jeff Lewis. A portion of proceeds from this year’s gala will go to the shrine’s road grader fund, which will eventually be used to replace the current 40-plus-year-old vehicle.

“The big thing is our road grader,” Lewis said.  “It’s an expensive piece of machinery but our goal is to be able to keep the shrine open 365 days of the year for people to visit.  There are also ongoing concrete and repairs to the steps leading up to the shrine; it’s a never-ending process.”

Founded originally as a camp for orphans by Mother Francis Xavier Cabrini in 1909, today the shrine is a place for prayer and reflection.  Pilgrims from all over the world come to climb the 373 steps to the Sacred Heart of Jesus statue at the top of the mountain where they meditate in the rosary garden and grotto and pray in the chapel.  The shrine also has retreat and meeting facilities in the Stone House.  The Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, founded by Mother Cabrini, and their lay workers strive to bring the love of Christ to all who go there through a hospitable and prayerful presence.

“There are four sisters of the order who still work here,” Lewis said, “and others will be coming here from across the country to be part of the gala.  It promises to be a wonderful evening. I invite anyone who’s ever been to the shrine to come be part of the evening.”

The gala for Mother Cabrini Shrine will be held July 23 at 6 p.m. at the Pinnacle Club in the Grand Hyatt, 5555 17th St., Denver. Tickets are $125 per person. Sponsor tables are still available.  Raffle tickets are $50 each or five for $200.  For more information and to purchase tickets visit online at www.mothercabrinishrine.org or call 303-526-0758.