More than 200 friends, supporters and honored guests attended the Good Shepherd Dinner benefiting the Pontifical College Josephinum at the seminary on Monday, April 25.
The guests included Archbishop Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States and chancellor of the Josephinum; seminary board member and Columbus Bishop-elect Earl Fernandes, future Josephinum chancellor; and numerous bishops, religious and lay members of the Josephinum Board of Trustees.
In addition to a keynote address given by Catholic author, presenter and radio host Patrick Madrid, also of the seminary’s board, event highlights included toasts to the Holy Father, the United States and the Josephinum offered by seminarians; a vocal performance by Columbus seminarians Zachery Goodchild and Joey Rolwing; and the presentation of awards.
Former faculty member and administrator Father Raymond Enzweiler of the Diocese of Covington, Kentucky was given the Good Shepherd Award in recognition of his work in seminary formation and his contributions to Catholic higher education.
Father Steven Beseau, Josephinum rector/president, said that, although Father Enzweiler wore many hats during his tenure at the Josephinum, “he never gave up his most important job, that of being a shepherd for Christ’s sheep. He is fully present to those who need him and helps to guide them closer to Christ and the peace, love and joy our faith offers.”
The Josephinum’s Pope Leo XIII Award was presented to John Erwin, a member of Westerville St. Paul Church, for his support of priestly vocations as seminary treasurer and vice president of administration.
“It has been an honor to work here, and I give thanks to God for letting me play a small role in helping to form good priests for the Church,” Erwin said. “I have seen the Holy Spirit at work at the Josephinum in countless ways; there have been many God moments here, and I am sure that St. Joseph is helping to guide this House of Joseph in Columbus.”
Archbishop Pierre named Erwin a knight of the Pontifical Equestrian Order of St. Gregory the Great. The order, established in 1831 by Pope Gregory XVI, is one of the five orders of knighthood of the Holy See.
The honor is bestowed upon Catholic individuals in recognition of their personal service to the Holy See and to the Church, through their unusual labors, their support of the Holy See and the examples they set in their communities and their countries.
Since his appointment as apostolic nuncio to the United States and Josephinum chancellor in 2016, Archbishop Pierre has been a strong supporter and friend of the seminary. Words of gratitude to the nuncio for his life of service to the Church throughout the world were offered by Bishop-elect Fernandes.
The bishop-elect also said that the Josephinum will be close to his own heart as the new bishop of Columbus.
“To the young men who are studying here and being formed here, I thank each of you for making a gift of yourself. This institution will shape the priests for the next millennium. Priests like St. Joseph who are courageous, chaste and compassionate; gentle souls, good-hearted and zealous shepherds for Christ and his Gospel.”
The Good Shepherd Dinner is the Josephinum’s signature fundraising event. Doug Stein, the seminary’s vice president for advancement, said this year’s dinner raised $130,000. “This resounding success was made possible by the many dioceses, parishes, organizations and individuals who sponsored the event, as well as by the great generosity of those who attended,” he said.
Proceeds support the seminary’s mission to form priests for the 21st century. Erwin said that mission “is crucial in today’s secular world that has wandered far from God. With our prayers and support, the Josephinum will continue to form priests – for the Church in the United States and the world – who will win souls for Christ.”