September 17, 2024 - Cardinal Seán to attend the 16th Celebration of the Priesthood Dinner

On Wednesday, September 18, 2024, Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley, OFM Cap, will attend the Clergy Trust’s sixteenth annual Celebration of the Priesthood dinner at the Omni Seaport Hotel in Boston for the last time as Archbishop of Boston. Archbishop-Designate Richard G. Henning, who is to be installed as Boston’s new Archbishop in late October, will also be attending the dinner as a guest of Cardinal Seán.

This annual event honors the nearly 500 active and senior priests in good standing who work tirelessly to strengthen our communities across Greater Boston. Proceeds from this event go directly to the Clergy Trust – an independently-managed trust with a majority lay board of trustees which oversees funds used for the sole benefit of the health, well-being, and retirement needs of all priests in good standing who are incardinated in the Archdiocese of Boston.

Fifteen hundred people are expected to attend this year’s dinner, which will include a 5:30pm cocktail reception and 7pm dinner and program. The program will once again be emceed by Bishop Robert Reed and will kick off with a special musical performance by the Ursuline Academy Girls’ Choir.

This year’s video presentation, which will be shown during the dinner, is a wonderful compilation of segments from interviews with sixteen diocesan priests. The 16 priests (including two bishops!) are from all over the diocese, represent various cultures and ethnicities, and range in age from late 20’s to early 80’s!  

Cardinal Seán commented, “During my years as Archbishop this annual celebration has always been a very special occasion as we acknowledge the good works of our priests. We are grateful for the significant presence and very generous support of benefactors who make it possible for the Archdiocese to provide the needed care for our senior priests. It has been a privilege to work with my fellow priests in serving as witnesses of God’s love for our Catholic community and all people of good will, and I am confident they will continue that mission under the leadership of Archbishop-designate Henning.”

This year’s dinner will be record-breaking in a few different ways, with nearly 220 priests planning to attend – the most ever to attend the dinner – and nearly 80 parishes participating. It will also be the most successful year in terms of fundraising, with more than $2.8M raised prior to the event. In prior years, the record for funds raised was $1.8M.

Early this year, Jack Connors, Jr., philanthropist, business leader, and enthusiastic supporter of the clergy, volunteered to chair this year’s dinner along with Joseph R. Nolan, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer of Eversource Energy. Before his death on July 23, 2024, Connors challenged this year’s fundraising committee to raise $2.5 million, a milestone which Nolan ensured would be surpassed.

“Joe Nolan and Jack Connors co-chaired the upcoming event with exuberance and great anticipation, along with the commitment to make this year’s dinner the most successful celebration in the sixteen-year history of the event,” said Cardinal Seán. “Even as his health declined, Jack was committed to collaborating with Joe to meet and exceed their goals for the 2024 dinner. We remember the blessing of Jack’s life for so many people and organizations, and we thank Joe for his dedication in support of the priests who have meant so much to our parishes, schools and ministries.”

Mike Scannell, Executive Director of the Clergy Trust, said, “We are very grateful for the incredible support of so many: our Board of Trustees, led by chair Mark Vachon; the outstanding Dinner and Priest Committees co-chaired by Joe Nolan and Jack Connors; the Clergy Trust staff; and all those who have given so much of their time and treasure to the success of this event. Most important is our deep appreciation for the priests of the Archdiocese of Boston who serve the people of God with great joy, compassion, and care.”

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About Clergy Trust

The Clergy Trust is dedicated to being on the leading edge of care for our priests.

The Clergy Trust is a team completely dedicated to the health and wellness of our priests. The Care Team includes a Wellness Coordinator (Integrated Nutrition Health Coach/Certified Personal Trainer/ Medical Assistant) and a Senior Care Manager (Licensed Social Worker/Medical Assistant) who work directly with both active and senior priests, accompanying them on medical appointments, checking in on them and helping as they navigate health issues, and working with their family/healthcare proxies to ensure proper care and recuperation.

To learn more about the Clergy Trust, please visit www.clergytrust.org.